Housing Contract Terms and Conditions

CONTRACT CONDITIONS

This is a Contract. Read thoroughly. It is understood and agreed that:
1. The Contract is for both residence hall accommodations and a food plan for the ENTIRE academic year or remaining part thereof unless otherwise approved by the Director of Residence Life and Housing and so noted on the reverse side, or terminated as per term #2 below. Students assigned to University Apartments, Exchange Street Apartments or Townhouses are not required to participate in a mandatory meal plan. When a meal plan, where mandatory, has not been selected, the 15 Gold meal plan will be assigned on behalf of the student.
2. Residence hall accommodations are defined as any space in The University of Akron housing system and not for a particular room or building. The UNIVERSITY, at its sole discretion, may assign, reassign and/or augment design capacity living areas in order to meet demand for housing applications and assignments.
3. This Contract must be accompanied by a NON-REFUNDABLE PREPAYMENT (except as outlined in #2 below) of $150.00 (called prepayment) and the Meningitis/Hepatitis B Disclosure Form when Contract is accepted by the UNIVERSITY.
4. This Contract will be accepted only on behalf of a person who has been admitted as a STUDENT to the UNIVERSITY. Post Secondary students are not eligible to reside on campus. Students with a plea of guilty to, a finding of guilty by a referee, jury or court, or a conviction of any of the following may disqualify a student from residing on-campus: (1) a felony; (2) a sexual offense, as defined in chapter 2907 of the Ohio Revised Code; (3) an offense of violence, as defined in section 2901.01 (A) (9) (a) of the Ohio Revised Code; (4) a theft offense, as defined in section 2913.01 (K)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code; (5) a drug abuse offense, as defined in section 2925.01 (G) of the Ohio Revised Code; and (6) substantially comparable conduct to (1) through (5) above, occurring in a jurisdiction outside the state of Ohio.
5. All UNIVERSITY freshmen are required to reside in UNIVERSITY owned/operated residence halls unless pre-qualified for exemption to this policy as outlined below and so long as space is available. Exemptions to the Freshmen Residential Policy would include: permanent home residence with parents or legal guardians who reside in Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties; registered for fewer than six (6) credit hours; 21+ years of age; military experience 1+ years; married (proof of marriage required); student is parent with custodial care responsibilities (proof of custodial care required); demonstrate acceptable extenuating circumstances with documentation (i.e., medical, religious, psychological). A Freshmen Residential Exemption Petition must be filed with the Department of Residence Life and Housing and approved to be exempted from living in UNIVERSITY owned/operated residence halls.
6. Before such STUDENT may reside in residence facilities, he/she must be registered for a minimum of six (6) credit hours during the term(s) of this Contract. Failure to maintain minimum credit hour registration will terminate this Contract and the STUDENT will be required to immediately vacate residence hall facilities. However, if the STUDENT subsequently satisfies the minimum credit hour registration requirement, the terms and conditions of the Contract will remain in effect.
7. Before any STUDENT may reside in residence facilities, the STUDENT, and if a minor the STUDENT’S parents or legal guardian(s), shall pay or make arrangements to pay to the UNIVERSITY the required fees for service by the designated due dates as adopted by the University Board of Trustees. The UNIVERSITY, in the event of changes in economic conditions and/or budgetary restrictions, shall have the right to change rates charged and/or payment(s) due for either room or board fees upon written notice to the STUDENT by the UNIVERSITY.
8. The balance of fees for each semester shall fall due and payable according to the fee schedule as indicated by the Zip Line on the University website. Failure to pay room and board fees by the established and published due date will terminate this Contract and the STUDENT will be required to immediately vacate residence hall facilities.
9. The STUDENT’S use of residence facilities is subject to the conditions of this Contract, superseding all previous Contracts and understandings as well as any verbal statements or telephone conversations made with the STUDENT or STUDENT’S parents or legal guardian(s) concerning this Contract.
10. Requests for disability-related housing accommodations should be submitted directly to the Office of Accessibility; Simmons Hall; Akron, OH 44325-6213. In order for accommodation requests to be considered for housing assignments, students must submit documentation of a current impairment(s) that substantially limits a major life activity. This documentation should be submitted directly to the Office of Accessibility as soon as possible, preferably at the time the Housing Contract is submitted to the Department of Residence Life and Housing. The Office of Accessibility will determine if the current impairment qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and whether or not reasonable housing accommodations are warranted. Final decisions regarding specific accommodations and how they will be implemented will be made after consultation between the Director of Residence Life and Housing and the Director of the Office of Accessibility or their designees.
11. The Office of Accessibility will determine if the current impairment qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and whether or not reasonable housing accommodations are warranted. Final decisions regarding specific accommodations and how they will be implemented will be made after consultation between the Director of Residence Life and Housing and the Director of the Office of Accessibility or their designees.
12. As part of the application to reside in UNIVERSITY residence facilities, STUDENT signature, and parent/signature when STUDENT is under the age of 18, denotes consent to a criminal background search and authorizes the UNIVERSITY to obtain and review criminal records and dispositions through a method deemed appropriate by UNIVERSITY. If denied the opportunity to reside in UNIVERSITY residence facilities on the basis of information received from a criminal background check, STUDENT may request and will be provided with a copy of the information. If STUDENT disagrees with the accuracy of any information concerning the criminal background check, STUDENT will notify UNIVERSITY of any challenge to the information within five (5) days of receipt of the report. The UNIVERSITY will not make a final decision regarding STUDENT’S eligibility to reside in the UNIVERSITY residence facilities until STUDENT has had a reasonable opportunity to address the accuracy of information.
Refund/release and forfeiture policy. A refund of paid Housing Accommodations and Food Service fees, including prepayment fees, will be paid in any of the following situations:
1. A full refund of paid room and board fees and the prepayment under the following circumstances:
  1. Graduation of the STUDENT from The University of Akron;
  2. Academic dismissal of the STUDENT from The University of Akron;
  3. Non-attendance or complete withdrawal by the STUDENT from The University of Akron prior to the start of the Contract term (except the prepayment which shall be forfeited). The prepayment will be refunded for new entering, transfer and graduate students when notification of intent to break Contract is received prior to the fifteenth of May for the following fall semester and the fifteenth of October for Contracts initiated for spring semester; or
  4. Mandatory or recommended participation in academic programs of The University of Akron requires the STUDENT to commute regularly beyond the Akron metropolitan area (e.g., student teaching or co-op assignments). At time of cancellation, documentation from the UNIVERSITY department affiliated with the program will be required.
2. A partial refund of paid room and board fees, except the prepayment fee, once occupancy has been established (e.g., acceptance of room keys and/or signing occupancy document) will be prorated beginning on the date the STUDENT officially surrenders use of UNIVERSITY housing and returns all appropriate keys (room and apartment keys) to UNIVERSITY staff and satisfied UNIVERSITY mandated housing separation requirements and procedures under the following circumstances:
  1. Cancellation of the entire Contract term after the start of the fall semester and subsequent spring semester.
  2. Cancellation of a single semester Contract after the start of that semester.
3. A partial refund of paid room and board fees when the STUDENT has fulfilled fall semester obligations and breaches the Contract for spring semester, except when under any dismissal or suspension. The STUDENT shall pay, as administrative fee for breach of the terms of the Contract, an amount of $200.00.
4. The STUDENT shall not be liable for further forfeitures and shall be released of further financial liability beyond the date of termination as per the refund/release and forfeiture policy if the UNIVERSITY, in its sole discretion, terminates the Contract:
  1. For reasons related to the orderly operation of the residence halls, or for reasons relating to the health, physical, or emotional safety and well-being of the STUDENT, or for reasons relating to the health and well-being of the persons or property of other students, faculty, staff, or UNIVERSITY property.
  2. In the event that the STUDENT is dismissed or suspended from The University of Akron for disciplinary reasons in accordance with laws or rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, or, if the STUDENT is placed on terms of disciplinary probation in accordance with laws or rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, whereby such terms of probation prohibit the STUDENT from residing in UNIVERSITY housing accommodations.
  3. In the event the student has misrepresented or purposefully omitted any fact on the Contract, specifically as it relates to the report of crime committed by the STUDENT prior to the submission of the Contract. Failure to report may result in the current Contract cancellation and future Contract submission.
5. Contract cancellations for a current semester received after the 12th week of that semester will be assessed the full semester fees.
6. The STUDENT is financially responsible for fees incurred through the date of such termination, dismissal, suspension, or probation or until the STUDENT has completed the check-out process with the appropriate UNIVERSITY employee, whichever date is later.
7. Notice requirements. All notices of intent to break this Contract must be submitted to the Department of Residence Life and Housing. If the STUDENT is under the age of 18, the written notification of termination must be co-signed by the STUDENT’S parent or legal guardian.
No Show Policy. The UNIVERSITY will hold the STUDENT’S assignment until close of business on Wednesday of the first week of each semester. At that time the room will be reassigned and the STUDENT’S Contract will be canceled and the prepayment shall be forfeited.
The UNIVERSITY will furnish room accommodations during the time the UNIVERSITY is deemed “in-session” as determined by the Board of Trustees as indicated by the ZipLine on the University website. Some residence halls may remain open during UNIVERSITY break periods (e.g., Thanksgiving, winter/semester break and spring break). STUDENTS residing in those residence halls which remain open during any of the UNIVERSITY’S break periods may maintain room occupancy and will be assessed the prevailing per diem rate for the additional services. STUDENTS will be required to register with the Department of Residence Life and Housing for break period housing.
The STUDENT may leave possessions in the STUDENT’S room during break periods occurring within the academic year, except that the UNIVERSITY may, upon advance notice, require the STUDENT’S room to be vacated completely during any such period. The UNIVERSITY will not be responsible for any loss or damage, from any cause, to the personal property of the STUDENT. Furthermore the UNIVERSITY will not be responsible for any liability whatsoever to person or property of the STUDENT. STUDENT assumes all responsibility for suitable personal and property liability protection at anytime during the period of residency to include break periods. The STUDENT is encouraged to obtain personal property insurance. In cases of emergency, STUDENT authorizes UNIVERSITY to deliver any or all such property or possessions of STUDENT to the emergency contact or as otherwise designated by STUDENT.
The STUDENT must vacate and remove personal property from STUDENT’S room within twenty-four (24) hours after withdrawal from the UNIVERSITY or termination of this Contract; the Director of Residence Life and Housing or his/her designee may request the STUDENT to vacate STUDENT’S room within twenty-four (24) hours after the STUDENT’S last final examination each academic session.
The UNIVERSITY acknowledges, and the resident is hereby made aware, that criminal activity, personal injury, and theft may occur, and the risk exists for such future occurrences on UNIVERSITY premises, specifically within and around housing and dining facilities. Therefore, the resident agrees to assume responsibility for his or her own personal safety and security, as well as for his or her own personal belongings.
The STUDENT must vacate and remove personal property from STUDENT’S room within twenty-four (24) hours after withdrawal from the UNIVERSITY or termination of this Contract; the Director of Residence Life and Housing or his/her designee may request the STUDENT to vacate STUDENT’S room within twenty-four (24) hours after the STUDENT’S last final examination each academic session.
The STUDENT hereby agrees to accept the room and board assignment as provided by the UNIVERSITY. The UNIVERSITY agrees to consider information and requests submitted by the STUDENT, but no guarantee of a specific assignment is implied by the UNIVERSITY.
Discriminatory requests or practices are contrary to the philosophy of the UNIVERSITY and will not be considered by the UNIVERSITY.
The UNIVERSITY may require the STUDENT to relocate during term(s) of Contract in an effort to consolidate occupancy due to vacancies or to accommodate other operational needs (e.g., remodeling/renovation projects; unusual demand for on-campus housing accommodations; interruption in utility services, etc.).
The STUDENT hereby agrees to conform to the rules and regulations governing the conduct of STUDENTS of the UNIVERSITY and residence hall system. Such rules and regulations are set forth in the Residence Hall Student Handbook, the Undergraduate Bulletin of the UNIVERSITY, the Student Disciplinary Procedures and Regulations concerning conduct and other published policies of the UNIVERSITY as adapted and, from time to time, amended by the UNIVERSITY. The STUDENT hereby agrees to abide by any such rules and regulations and the UNIVERSITY reserves the right to change such rules and regulations as the UNIVERSITY may deem timely and appropriate. Documents and policies referenced are available upon request to the Director of Residence Life and Housing, and the STUDENT agrees that said documents and policies by reference are incorporated in this Contract as a part thereof. The UNIVERSITY, per section 5321.03.1 of the Ohio Revised Code, may terminate this agreement prior to the expiration of the term of this agreement and require the STUDENT to vacate the residence hall after a hearing is held in which it is determined that the STUDENT violated a term of this agreement or violated the UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT disciplinary procedures or any other pertinent policies or procedures. Written notice of the hearing procedure will be provided to the STUDENT, which will include a right to be heard; and this action will otherwise comply with the UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT disciplinary procedures. Further information about the STUDENT disciplinary procedures may be obtained from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs or viewed on the Office of General Counsel website. In cases of allegations of misconduct, the status of an accused student will not be changed while a case is pending against the student, unless the Director of Residence Life and Housing or his/her designee, determines that an interim suspension is required to promote the safety and well-being of the UNIVERSITY residence community or the accused student. In all cases involving felony charges, the accused student will face interim CONTRACT suspension until the matter is resolved. In situations of CONTRACT suspension or termination, the UNIVERSITY may remove and provide for the safeguarding of all STUDENT’S possessions or property in the residence hall whether accompanied by the STUDENT or not.
It is agreed that the STUDENT will not use said premises on the University property for any unlawful purposes and/or to conduct a personal business enterprise, nor assign this Contract, or sublet the premises assigned to the STUDENT; nor sell, transfer or otherwise permit the use of personal food service privileges under this Contract to another person.
The STUDENT agrees to surrender possession of the premises in as good order and condition as when initially occupied, reasonable use and natural wear and tear thereof, and damages by fire or unavoidable casualty without fault of the STUDENT, excepted. All repairs and maintenance in the residence halls shall be made only by the UNIVERSITY through its authorized personnel. Billing damages and final inspection of STUDENT(s) rooms are at the discretion of Residence Life and Housing staff.
The STUDENT agrees to use due care in the use of the assigned living unit, the furniture and appliances therein, and of all other parts of University property. Charges for special cleaning, keys and repairing damages or replacing any loss to UNIVERSITY property necessitated by lack of due care on the part of the STUDENT(s) and/or guests will be billed to the resident(s) responsible for damages and/or charges. If the damage and/or charges cannot be attributed to an individual resident, the amount will be appropriately divided and charged to all resident(s) of the living unit.
UNIVERSITY officials have the right to enter property owned, leased or operated by the UNIVERSITY or housing occupied or used by recognized UNIVERSITY groups for purposes of inspecting for cleanliness, orderliness, safety and maintenance. However, in cases involving suspicion of misconduct as defined in rule 3359-41-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code, except under extreme emergency circumstances, student premises and possessions shall not be searched unless appropriate authorization has been secured and probable cause shown to the designated UNIVERSITY authority. For premises such as residence halls controlled by the UNIVERSITY, application shall be made to a designated UNIVERSITY authority before a search can be made. The application shall specify the reasons for the search and the objects or information being sought. The STUDENT should be present, if possible, during the search.

The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution.