All students who live in the residences must sign (electronically or physically) the Residence Hall contract. All students are responsible for complying with the rules, policies, regulations, and procedures contained in this document, official University publications, and the Housing & Residential Life website, http://www.umassd.edu/housing/.  The student’s signature on the Residence Hall Contract binds the student to the Residence Hall Contract.  Questions regarding the Residence Hall Contract should be referred to the Housing Assignments Manager, Elmwood Hall, 508.999.8140.

6.Termination of Contract. 

Students who request contract termination must submit their written request and required documentation to:  Director, Housing & Residential Life, UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747 or via E-mail:  housing@umassd.edu.  A copy of the request for the contract termination process is available at:  http://www.umassd.edu/housing/information/contractrelease.cfm.

The student may request termination of the contract and/or the University may terminate this contract if one or more of the following criteria are met and verifying documentation is provided: a) Withdrawal from the University, b) Participation in an approved academic program which requires off-campus residency, c) The existence of a documented medical problem which cannot be accommodated within the residence hall system, d) Legal marriage after entering into the contract, e) The student does not enroll and maintain a full-time course load each semester, f) The student has an unpaid balance to the University and/or Housing on July 15 prior to the beginning of Fall Semester, or an outstanding balance due two weeks prior to the beginning of Spring semester, g) The existence of severe financial hardship as determined by the Housing & Dining Services Contract Release Committee which cannot be alleviated by the Financial Aid Office, h) The University deems it necessary to terminate a student’s contract for violations of the UMass Dartmouth rules and regulations or other conduct that constitutes in any way a risk to the health, safety, or general well-being of the University Community.  No refund of housing fees will be given to individuals removed from the residence halls by the University for disciplinary reasons.

A student withdrawing or withdrawn from the University must vacate his/her room within forty-eight hours of the date of withdrawal. Students who fail to vacate and complete a proper check-out will be subject to financial penalty and eviction.

Refund Schedule:

A student who remits, in advance, a payment for housing but then does not subsequently register and does not check into his/her housing assignment will be given full refund of housing fees.  All refunds are based on official withdrawal notices as dated and processed by the Office of the University Registrar and then forwarded to the Bursar’s Office.  A student who registers and commences studies but then withdraws officially from UMass Dartmouth for any reason during an academic semester will be granted a housing refund according to the following refund schedule.

1st Semester           By October 3, 2008—Pro-rated/Daily Rate
After October 3rd  – No Refund

2nd Semester         By February 27, 2009 – Pro-Rated/Daily Rate
After February 27th – No Refund

Personal property remaining in the residence hall after the term of this contract has expired shall become the property of the University.

7. Assignment of Space. 

This agreement reserves a space and not a specific room.  UMass Dartmouth reserves the right to reassign students to spaces other than the space specified on the contract.  Space in the University residence halls will be assigned subject to the availability of space, and the reasonable ability of the University to match the student’s request with available space.  Assigned space is not transferable by the student.  Space will be assigned without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, veteran status, or political belief/affiliation.  Requests for assignment changes will be accommodated on a space available basis.  Residents seeking a room change should consult with their Resident Director to make an official request.  Delivery of this contract by Housing & Residential Life constitutes an offer to provide a space.  This agreement states the circumstances under which UMass Dartmouth agrees to provide a space in a residence hall room, suite, or apartment for the student named on the contract who must be enrolled full time on the UMass Dartmouth campus.

8.Duration of Occupancy. 

This contract authorizes occupancy during the academic year, exclusive of Thanksgiving, Intersession, and Spring Break vacation periods and summer.  (A 12-month contract authorizes occupancy during the academic year, including Thanksgiving, Intersession, and Spring Break vacation periods and summer.)  Other on-campus living accommodations are not available during Thanksgiving, winter, and Spring Break periods unless granted special permission by Housing & Residential Life.  Students must follow the directions announced via UMDAnnounce to request to remain in residence during break periods.  Students must meet with their Resident Director to apply for residency by completing an application for break housing for each break period.  If granted, an additional charge will be assessed for the break period.  There is no daily room rate for break periods.  Students approved to stay during these break periods are not allowed to have guests.

The terms of the housing contract permit room occupancy by residents as of scheduled move-in dates established by the Housing Department.  It includes all dates of academic classes as published in the University calendar and extends through finals testing periods each semester. Housing privileges end each semester 24-hours after a resident’s final examination or by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of final examinations, whichever comes first.  Graduating seniors may remain in residence until 7:00 p.m. on Graduation Day.

9.Early Arrivals. 

Early arrival accommodations in the fall are made on a case by case basis.  A daily rate will be billed to the student’s account if approved to move-in early.  Please note that moving in early is not always possible as our facilities are used in the summer and rooms may not be ready for occupancy.  All requests for early arrival should be directed to and approved in advance by the Associate Director, Residential Life, Oak Glen Hall, 508.999.8995.

10.General Provisions. 

The University and/or Housing Department reserves the right to: a) change any room assignment, b) change room rates prior to each semester or summer session, c) enter and inspect student rooms at times convenient for the staff to enter a student room without prior notification if there is reasonable concern for the life or safety of room occupants, or to perform necessary maintenance, d) make other rules as deemed necessary for the protection of property and the safety, health, comfort and convenience of residents, and e) administratively relocate residents to new room assignments based upon a variety of factors such as un-resolvable roommate conflicts, disciplinary issues and the necessity to consolidate spaces.

11.Unauthorized Use. 

Any unauthorized use of UMass Dartmouth issued keys, accommodation of unauthorized guests, or unauthorized use of UMass Pass is prohibited.

12. Housing Deposit and Fees. 

The non-refundable housing deposit reserves an assignment until occupancy and is applied to the student’s first semester housing fee.  To be considered for an assignment in University Residences, the student agrees to pay the contract rates as they have been announced and posted on the Housing website.

13. Loss or Damage. 

UMass Dartmouth assumes no responsibility for loss of, or damage to, a resident’s personal property and recommends that students purchase a renter’s insurance policy.

Individual student room damage will be assessed as it occurs and at the end of the occupancy period.  Common area damage will be assessed regularly through the contract period. A student account may be charged for common area and/or individual room damage.  Damage or loss of University property outside of the student room in common building areas or common outside grounds that cannot be directly billed to an individual will be assessed to all residents of a suite, floor, apartment, or building.

14. Judicial Action. 

Failure of a resident or his/her guest to comply with residence hall regulations and policies may necessitate disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook.  Residents are expected to comply with all applicable laws and University regulations, and to respect the rights, privileges and property of other members of the University community and visitors to the campus.  Residents are further expected to refrain from actions that interfere with University or residence hall functions, or would endanger the health, safety, or welfare of themselves or others

15. Commercial Activity. 

Under no circumstances may the rooms, buildings, or adjacent grounds of UMass Dartmouth residential areas be used for any commercial purpose or enterprise.

16. Meal Plan/Dining Services.   

Residents assigned to Chestnut, Maple Ridge, Elmwood, Roberts, Oak Glen and Pine Dale residence halls are required to obtain a meal plan. Students should select a meal plan option when completing the contract. If a meal plan is not selected, a 14 meal plan will be automatically assigned as a default. The meal plan is also in effect for the entire contract period (academic year).

If you relocate to an apartment or townhouse on campus (Woodland community or Cedar Dell) it does not necessarily release you from your meal plan contract.   A meal plan remains in effect for the entire academic year.

If you wish to request a release from your meal plan, you must submit a Housing & Dining Services (HDS) Contract Release Request Form to the Office of Housing & Residential Life, Elmwood Hall, to be reviewed by the HDS Contract Release Committee.  For additional information pertaining to the Housing & Dining Services Contract Release Protocol please refer to: http://www.umassd.edu/housing/information/contractrelease.cfm.

New Meal Plans for the fall 2008 and spring 2009 Academic Year

19 Meal Plan

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• (M - F)
• Brunch and Dinner (Sat. - Sun., Holidays)  
• $220.00 Snack Allowance per year
• 10 Guest Passes per year
• Cost per year: $3,174.00  

14 Meal Plan

• Any 14 meals served per week
• $330.00 Snack Allowance per year
• Eight Guest Passes per year
• Cost per year: $3083.00

10 Meal Plan

• Any 10 meals served per week
• $330.00 Snack Allowance per year
• Six Guest Passes per year
• Cost per year $2,762.00

Apartment Living Five Meal Plan

• Any five meals served per week
• $400.00 Snack Allowance per year
• Four Guest Passes per year
• Cost per year $2,636.00

17. Check-in and Check-out. 

The University and the student will, prior to the occupation of assigned space, complete and sign an inventory form which verifies the number and condition of furnishings, and the condition of the premises assigned to the student.  This inventory will be completed again at the end of the students’ occupancy and will serve as the basis for determining billable damages to the room and furnishings.  The University may require an interim inventory to be completed prior to the end of the student’s occupancy if the University has reason to believe that substantial damage to the premises or property has occurred.  A proper check out requires a student to remove all their belongings from their room and hand-return their key to their RA to avoid improper check-out and lock re-core fees.

18. University Housing Obligations. 

The University will furnish utilities to each residence hall.  The University shall also provide maintenance service in the event of mechanical difficulties or interruptions of any utility service which is under control and/or ownership of the University and seek such service in the event such difficulties or interruptions arise in facilities or equipment serving the University but not under University control.  There will be no adjustment of housing fees because of the University’s inability to restore service for a reasonable period of time.

The University shall, within a reasonable time, exercise reasonable care to correct unsafe conditions in the residence halls and maintain the residence halls in good repair.  The student may request maintenance service to repair or replace broken and/or malfunctioning items within the residences through their Resident Assistant or Resident Director.  Students should report any unsafe conditions immediately to Residential Life staff.

19. Student Obligation. 

It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the Terms and Conditions of the Residence Hall Contract as well as the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct and to understand that they are in effect at all times, including the academic year, holiday breaks, Intersession, summer sessions and any early arrival periods.  As students of UMass Dartmouth, residents shall be subject to all rights, duties, regulations, policies and procedures of the University and of all local, state, and federal government laws and ordinances.  Student University E-mail accounts are the official means of communication from the University.  Students are responsible for checking their University E-mail accounts for important Housing communication and all official University notices and announcements.  Failure to read and respond to e-mail will not be cause for appeal or reconsideration.