Residential Life Handbook

6 disciplinary action will not be given a refund for room or board charges. A student who vacates his or her room before the end of the contract period, without properly checking out will be held responsible for the entire contract. Students are responsible for properly checking out of the residence halls according to established procedures. Additional charges for damages, missing keys, and cleaning will be assessed when necessary. Contract Release and Refund Policy In clearly unusual or extraordinary circumstances, students may petition for early release from their room and board contract. The Director of Student Life can provide students with a petition to live off campus and will forward it to the Associate Dean for Student Services for approval. Students who violate the room and board contract may have their registration cancelled or be held liable for charges that remain on the contract. In the latter instance, college policy stipulates that students who have financial obligations with the college can have their records withheld and be denied permission to register. Occupancy Eligibility Full-time students receive preference for residence halls. If residence hall space is available, part-time students may also reside in campus housing. Housing Policy All full-time, unmarried students under the age of 21, and who do not have dependents residing with them are required to live and board in college housing or live with their parents or legal guardians. Commuting students will be required to complete a Housing Exemption form verifying that they are living at home. Dependents are defined as individuals claimed on the most recent federal income tax forms. Exceptions to this policy are as follows: • Students who have two previous academic years of full-time enrollment, summers excluded. • Students who are living with a grandparent, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister who is the head of a household as defined by qualifying for independent status for financial aid purposes (verification form required). • Discharged military veterans, National Guard and Reserve who have been activated within the last 5 years. • Students who turn 21 by November 1st for fall semester and March 1st for spring semester. Students who fail to comply with this policy will be responsible for the cost of a double occupancy room each semester until an exception has been met. Petition to Live Off-Campus All first-year students are required to live in campus housing unless they meet Housing Exemption criteria. Students who are required to live in college housing may request an exemption and petition to live off- campus during their sophomore year if they meet the following criteria: 1.Are 21 years of age or older by November 1st of the fall semester. 2.Completed 30 semester credits, 15 of which must have been completed through DCB, (Note: Transferable credits earned while still in high school, including dual credit, AP, etc., will not be counted toward the total.) 3.Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and 4.Have an approved plan of study indicating they will graduate with a degree upon completion of their sophomore year. This plan must be approved by the Associate Dean for Student Services. Housing Fees Students must remit a $50 non-refundable application and reservation fee with the residence hall contract. Room assignments will not be made until the fee is received. Housing Contracts The housing contract is agreed upon by submitting the housing application. The contract may be printed from the Housing webpage under “Apply for Housing. This contract is a legal document explaining DCB’s policies as well as its expectations of students. Standards, procedures, and regulations concerning residence hall living are contained in the contract. Students are responsible for knowing and abiding by the contract’s terms and conditions. It is important to retain the document as a source of information. The 2023-2024 Housing Contract may be found here: www.dakotacollege.edu/admissions-financial- aid/housing Contract Period All room and board assignments are made on the basis of a full academic year, and students who remain enrolled are expected to continue residence in the hall