First-Year Campus Housing Requirement

Undergraduate students who have less than twenty-four (24) transferable post-secondary credit hours, and who enroll full-time at UND within one year of their high school graduation or equivalent, are required to live on campus in university operated residence halls for the first, full academic year.

Note: Transferable credits earned while still in high school, including dual credit, AP, etc. will not be counted toward the total. Traditional first-year students entering with credit hours earned while in high school are still considered first-year students and are subject to the live on policy.

Transfer students may be exempted if they met comparable requirements at their previous institution. Verification will be requested. Requests to live off campus from transfer students will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Students are encouraged to apply for housing immediately after being admitted to UND. A UND student ID number will be required to apply for housing. Students will not be eligible to participate in the room assignment process until they have been officially admitted to UND.

Full Exemption Details

Exemption to the live-on requirement may be considered for the following reasons:

1. Residing with parent(s) or guardian(s) at their primary, local residence. Undergraduate students who enroll at UND within one year of their high school graduation (or equivalent) and who will continue to live at the primary residence of their parent/guardian within a 35 mile radius of the UND campus may be exempted from the live-on requirement by submitting a request for exemption and upon address verification. The parental/guardian address listed on the application for admission to UND will be considered the primary address. Exemptions will not be granted to live with other relatives (siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) unless the non-parent relative has established legal guardianship of the student. Proof of guardianship will be required. Allowances may be made for military or employment transfer with appropriate documentation.
2. Enrolling at less than full-time status. Students who enroll at less than full-time status may be exempt from the live-on requirement. Enrollment verification is required and will be monitored. Students exempted under these criteria initially, but who later enroll/add classes thereby becoming full-time students will be expected to move on campus. Students who drop below full-time status while living on campus will not be released from their Room and Meal Plan contract.
3. Married students or students with dependents. Students will be asked to submit appropriate documentation i.e. marriage certificate, dependent birth certificate or custody agreement.
4. Age 20+ prior to the start of classes for the semester in which they are enrolling.
5. Financial hardship. Students seeking exemption under these criteria must have completed the Financial Aid application process and may be asked to provide additional documentation. The availability of less expensive housing options or living situations off campus alone is not a valid demonstration of financial hardship.
6. Medical condition or hardship which cannot be accommodated in available on-campus housing options. Students seeking exemption under these criteria will be asked to submit documentation describing the medical condition, treatment, and demonstrate that appropriate accommodation is not available on campus.
7. Special circumstance. Extraordinary situation or circumstance that does not fall under other exemption criteria. Documentation will be required detailing the special circumstances and/or how the issue cannot be resolved through any other option than exemption to the live-on requirement.

Requests for exemption to the first-year campus living requirement policy should be submitted to the Housing Office in accordance with established deadlines. Exemption requests will be reviewed by the Associate Director, Housing Operations. Students will be notified in writing via official university email (if a current UND student) or by email address supplied on the exemption request if a UND email account is not available. Students, whose request for exemption is denied, will have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Exemption Application Review Board. The Executive Director of Housing & Dining Services or designee will serve as ex officio chair of the Review Board.

Providing false or misleading information in connection with a request for exemption will be grounds for disciplinary action under the Code of Student Life, Section 2-B-2. Failure to comply with the live on requirement or engaging in behaviors that would result in removal from campus housing will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the university.

Students are cautioned not to make other living arrangements until they are officially exempted from the first-year campus living requirement. Having signed an off campus lease, rental agreement or having purchased a home will not qualify the student for exemption from the first-year campus living requirement.

Rationale Supporting Our Policy

The mission of the Housing and Dining Services Department is to enhance the university experience by providing exceptional housing and dining services and programs. As a campus community, we believe these programs set the foundation for student success at UND. By living on campus, students learn and reinforce skills which foster citizenship, generate a sense of belonging, and build community.

Achieve Academic Success

Being a successful student takes time and dedication. When students live with others who are focused on attending class and studying, they are more likely to understand the effort it takes to get good grades. Student support services such as study halls and tutoring sessions also take place in the residence halls. UND research shows that residents have higher grade point averages (GPAs) from freshman through senior years.

Realize Learning Outcomes

There is so much more to residence life than academics. It’s the “learning beyond the classroom” that teaches students the value of volunteering, supporting a worthy cause, or collaborating in a global society. In recent surveys, students tell us what they have learned while living in the UND residence halls.

When answering the question, “Living on campus has enhanced my ability to…”, students say:

• Live cooperatively (95.1%)
• Improve communication skills (94%)
• Solve my own problems (93.1%)
• Respect other races and ethnicities (92.5%)
• Meet other people (92.5%)

Live with People Who Care

The transition to college life can be challenging. Navigating the academic world is a new experience for first-year students. Residence hall staff members know the resources students need to be successful and how to connect with residents on a personal and academic level.

The live-in hall staff team consists of 90 Resident Assistants (RAs) and 12 Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) and Assistant Hall Directors (ARHDs). This team builds communities, rolemodels appropriate behaviors, encourages faculty and staff interactions, mediates conflict, and encourages positive relationships.

Experience our Facilities

UND has always invested in student housing and dining services, and continues to do so through various upgrades.

Enjoy Amenities

The residence hall room and meal plan rate includes many extras and students only need to pay one bill at the beginning of the semester. High-speed internet, cable television with movie channels, laundry, and unlimited access to the dining centers are all included. Unlimited access meal plans mean students can enter a dining center for a full meal, snack or beverage any time the dining center is open. On-campus students enjoy campus life experience all within walking distance – academic buildings, Wellness Center, sports arenas, theatres, and fine art venues.

Read the options for exemption and select the one that fits your situation.

• All students requesting an exemption to the first-year living requirement must complete the online Live-on Exemption Request which can be accessed through Campus Connection. You must claim your user account before logging in the first time.
• From your Campus Connection:
  • Select "Self Service"
  • Select "On Campus Housing"
  • Select "University of North Dakota"
  • You will be redirected to Housing Self Service
  • Under Applications and Forms
  • Choose "Live-on Exemption Request"

Additional documentation may be required and can be sent via email or postal mail to the address below.

UND Housing & Residence Life Office
525 Stanford Rd Stop 9029
Grand Forks, ND 58202
housing@UND.edu

All exemptions will be processed as received. In most cases, a written approval or denial will be emailed to you after we receive all necessary information.

The decision to approve an exemption to the UND Housing first-year living requirement for financial hardship, medical hardship, or special circumstances may take longer to process because of the additional documentation required.

If you have questions regarding any of the exemption information, please contact our office for assistance at 701.777.4251.

Students who meet at least one of these criteria may request an exemption to the first-year campus living requirement. Below is criteria for complete instructions.

Living Locally with Parent(s) or Guardian(s)

Undergraduate students who enroll at UND within one year of their high school graduation (or equivalent) and who will continue to live at the primary residence of their parent/guardian within a 35 mile radius of the UND campus may be exempted from the first-year campus living requirement. The parental/guardian address listed on the application for admission to UND will be considered the primary address.

Exemptions will not be granted to live with other relatives (siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) unless the non-parent relative has established legal guardianship of the student. Proof of guardianship will be required. Allowances may be made for military or employment transfer with appropriate documentation.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Complete the Reside with Parent/Guardian Form and send to UND Housing via email or postal mail.

In most cases, completed applications will receive a written response within 10 business days.

Enrolled Less than Full-Time Status

Students who enroll at less than full-time status for both fall and spring semesters may be exempt from the first year campus living requirement. Enrollment verification is required and will be monitored.

Students exempted under these criteria initially, but who later enroll/add classes thereby becoming full-time students will be expected to move on campus.

Students who drop below full-time status while living on campus will not be released from their Room and Meal Plan agreement.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. UND Housing staff will confirm student credit hours with the UND Registrar.

In most cases, completed applications will receive a written response within 10 business days.

Transfer Student

Transfer students who have earned 24 or more transferable, post-secondary credits prior to the start of classes in the semester they are enrolling are exempt. Transfer students may also be exempted if they met comparable requirements at their previous institution and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service.
2. In the comment section of the above form, please indicate the school(s) you attended and how many credits you completed.

In most cases, completed applications will receive a written response within 10 business days.

Married or Have Children

Students will be asked to submit appropriate documentation (i.e. marriage certificate,
dependent birth certificate or custody agreement).

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Submit marriage certificate, birth certificate(s), custody agreement, etc.

In most cases, completed applications will receive a written response within 10 business days.

Age 20+

Students who will be 20 years of age or older prior to the start of classes for the semester in which they are enrolling.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Age will be verified from UND Admissions application

In most cases, completed applications will receive a written response within 10 business days.

Financial Hardship

All applicants for financial hardship MUST have completed their financial aid file BEFORE the exemption request can be processed. Requests for financial hardship may be denied if you have not completed your application for financial aid.

If you are not eligible for financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships, etc) or if your request for financial aid has been denied, you must include a copy of the notification from UND stating that you are not eligible to receive financial aid.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Complete the Special Circumstances - Appealing Your FAFSA Eligibility form with One-Stop Student Services.
3. Monitor your UND email for communication regarding your appeal. Send the decision made by One-Stop to the Housing & Residence Life office for final review.
4. Send an email or postal letter to UND specifying how your situation impacts your ability to live in the residence halls. Your letter should include this information:
• Reasons why you believe your case is extraordinary
• Why moving to another residence hall/room will not solve your situation
• The resources you have used (both on and off campus) to help you with your current situation
• How living off campus will solve your problem
5. Once all documentation is received, your exemption will be reviewed, and the results will be communicated via your UND email.

Students requesting exemption from the first-year campus living requirement should be aware that their ability to secure less expensive off-campus housing is NOT, in and of itself, valid demonstration that a financial hardship exists. Requests based solely on this reason will not be approved.

Medical Conditions

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Send an email or postal letter to UND Housing specifying how your condition impacts your ability to live in the residence halls. Your letter should include this information:

• • Your specific condition
  • When your condition was diagnosed (the duration of your condition)
  • How you currently manage your condition
  • How living on campus will interfere/prevent/disrupt the treatment of your condition

Special Circumstances

If you are seeking an exemption for reasons other than those listed, you may have special circumstances.

Request Exemption

1. Complete the online Live-on Exemption Request in your Housing Self-Service
2. Submit an email or postal letter to UND Housing with reasons why your situation is compelling or extraordinary. Your letter should include this information:

• • Explain why moving to another residence hall/room will not solve your situation
  • Describe the resources you have used to help you solve your situation
  • Explain how you believe living off campus will solve your situation

Exemption applications will be reviewed by the Director of Housing Operations.

How You Will be Notified

Students will be notified in writing via official university email (if a current UND student) or by email address supplied on the exemption request if a UND email account is not available.

Approvals

If your request for exemption is approved, you will receive written notification stating the reason your request was approved.

Denials

If your request for exemption is denied, you will receive written notification of the decision to deny, along with the reason(s) your request was denied.

Appeals

Students, whose request for exemption is denied, will have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Director of Housing.

How to Submit an Appeal

You may appeal the denial of your request by submitting a written request to the UND Housing & Residence Life Office. You can reach the Housing & Residence Life Office by phone at 701.777.4251. Your appeal must be received within 10 business days from the date of your denial notification.

Your appeal request should consist of a written statement of why you are appealing the decision as well as any additional or new information that was not included in your original exemption request that you would like to have considered for your appeal.

If the Director of Housing upholds the denial of your request for exemption, you will be expected to reside in university-owned housing. A space in the residence halls will be held for you to uphold the university's responsibility to the agreement.

If the Director of Housing approves your appeal, you will be expected to follow proper procedures. Any required room and/or meal plan charges (if applicable) will be pro-rated based on the date that you complete your proper check out.

Providing false or misleading information in connection with a request for exemption will be grounds for disciplinary action under the Code of Student Life, Section 2-B-2. Failure to comply with the campus live-on requirement or engaging in behaviors that would result in removal from campus housing will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the University.

Students are cautioned not to make other living arrangements until they are officially exempted from the campus live-on requirement. Having signed an off-campus lease, rental agreement, or having purchased a home will not qualify the student for exemption from the campus live-on requirement.