Housing Policy

As a residential campus, committed to the education of the whole person, the residential experience is considered an integral part of a student's education. Research over the past 50 years shows that students who belong to a campus residential community have a more productive and more satisfying college experience than those who live off campus. Students who live on-campus are more likely to:

• Take full advantage of campus resources
• Be more involved in campus activities and educational programs
• Take more credits per quarter
• Achieve greater academic success
• Persist to graduate at a higher rate
• Be more satisfied with their overall university experience

Students are required to live on campus and purchase the Preferred meal plan if they fall into any of the following categories:

• Freshmen or sophomore and under the age of 21.
• First or second year SU student and under the age of 21.
• Within two years of high school graduation date as of first day of fall quarter classes, and under the age of 21. 

If students fall into any of the above categories (as of the first day of class for the academic year), they are required to live on campus for the FULL ACADEMIC YEAR.  If student status (class year, age etc.) changes during the academic year, they will not be released from this housing requirement until the following academic year.  The summer quarter is not included in the residential requirement. 

Returning students applying for an exemption to the residential requirement are required to submit a request by May 1^st.  New students are required to submit a request by August 2st.  Late requests will not be accepted. 

By signing the Student Housing Agreement, students will be subject to financial penalties for failing to honor the commitment for the entire academic year. While an exemption from the On-Campus Residency Requirement may be awarded in a given case, a student may still be subject to financial penalties under the Student Housing Agreement “Room Rates for Academic Year” clause for up to the full remaining rates due.

The Student Housing Agreement is a binding, legal document.  Therefore, we will not approve mid-year move-outs after the move-in date without a financial penalty for cancellation. 

Exemptions to the residential requirement are limited to the following categories:

1. Living with family within a commutable distance and falls within the residential requirement.  The student must live with the family member in their primary place of residence (approx 20 miles or less from campus, please see map with approved commutable areas).
1. “Family” is defined as a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, spouse, or children.
2. “Primary place of residence” is defined as a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation, to the exclusion of all others.  It is the place where the person intends to remain permanently.  

Students applying to live with family must submit the following documents (by May 1^st for returning students, or August 1^st for new students):

• A notarized letter from the family member (Must use the Residential Requirement Exemption Request form, which must be notarized prior to submission.)  
• A photocopy of a valid form of ID from the family member you will be living with. 
• A photocopy of a utility bill from the address that you will be commuting from.

2. Commuting from another location. If you are a third or fourth year student or over 21 years of age by the first date of your start term.  After moving in, because of the binding Student Housing Agreement, we will not approve mid-year move outs without a cancellation penalty.
3. Marriage. Occurring after the start date of the contract.  A marriage certificate to prove actual marriage is required.
4. Medical conditions for which the University is unable to accommodate on campus. A letter of support from the Office of Disability Services is required.  Contact Disability Services at (206) 296-5744.
5. Transfer to another Institution, Withdrawal, or Hardship Withdrawal. Documentation is required.  Students who are suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons will not be released from the financial obligations of their contract.  For mid-quarter withdrawals, students may have their housing charges prorated based off of the date of check-out.   
6.  Graduation occurring during the academic year.   
7. Academic Internship/Exchange/Study Abroad. Documentation is required if this is a non-Seattle University sponsored program.
8. Pregnancy. Pregnancy or the birth of a child by the student.  Students may have their housing charges prorated based off the date of check-out. 
9. Military Relocation. Documentation is required. Students may have their housing charges prorated based off the date of check-out. 

In order to be approved for release from the residential requirement, the student must complete a Housing Release Request (available through the online housing portal, myhousing) and submit any additional required documents.  Fulfilling the requirements for exemption will not constitute an automatic release from the residency requirement. Failure to obtain an approved exemption from Housing and Residence Life will result in the posting of the quarter housing charges to the student’s SU account.

Any student who falls within the residential requirement and fails to sign up for housing, or be approved for an exemption by May 1^st (returning students) or August 1^st (new students), will automatically be assigned a room and meal plan. 

Any student found to be providing false information on the Housing policy exemption request form or during a personal interview will be subject to University disciplinary action

Cancellation Fees and Timeline

Continuing SU students have ten (10) business days after receiving their official assignment to cancel their housing agreement without penalty (if the cancellation reason falls within the exemptions to the residential requirement) so long as the cancellation reason is within the housing policy.  After the ten (10) business days the following penalties will apply: 

• After May 1 (or 10 business days after receiving an assignment) whichever is later, $500
• After June 1 (or 20 business days after receiving an assignment) whichever is later, $1,000 room cancellation fee
• On or after the move-in date: Students are responsible for the housing fee for the entire term in which the student requires a release, plus 50% of any remaining term(s).

All other Students have ten (10) business days after receiving an assignment to cancel their housing agreement without penalty so long as the cancellation falls within the housing policy.  After the ten (10) business days, the following penalties will apply: 

• After 10 business days $500 cancellation fee
• After 20 business days $1,000 cancellation fee
• After the student moves-in or as of the move-in date: students are responsible for the full housing fee for the term that the student requests for a release and 50% of any remaining term(s).

Housing Application Fee:

All incoming first-time housing applicants will pay a $300 Housing application fee, which will be used as a pre-payment for their fall quarter housing charges.  This fee is independent of the cancellation penalties.  Students who are cancelling have until August 10^th to receive a refund of this fee.