Housing Contract Terms & Conditions

This housing contract is for the entire 2009-2010 Academic Year (Fall & Spring Semesters) at the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM), excluding semester breaks and holidays. This contract cannot be terminated solely for the purpose of living off-campus. Residence halls will be open: Fall Semester: August 23rd (8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for new students, 1:30-5:30 p.m. for returning students)-December 18, 2009 (close at noon.); Spring Semester: January 17th (noon)-May 14, 2010 (halls close at noon for anyone not participating in the commencement ceremony) (excluding Spring Break, March 13-21). Students must be out of the residence halls 24 hours after their last final or by 12 pm on Friday, which ever one comes first.

Dining Service will not be available outside the above listed dates or after lunch on the first dates listed: October 16-20, 2009; November 26-29, 2009; December 17, 2009-January 18, 2010 (winter break); March 12-21; and May 13, 2010. Residence halls will reopen at noon on Sunday at the end of each break (except for Fall Break - halls will open on Tuesday).

This contract becomes a binding legal document when it is signed by you (or your parent or guardian if you are under 18), and it is accepted by UMM. Read it carefully so you understand its provisions thoroughly. If you have questions, please check our website at www.mrs.umn.edu/services/reslife, e-mail housing2@morris.umn.edu, or write to the Office of Residential Life (ORL), UMM, 600 E. 4th St., Morris, MN 56267-2132.

The provisions of this contract must be either accepted as written or rejected. Any alterations, cross outs, additions, etc. will be disregarded and the contract, when signed and accepted, will be binding on both parties as originally written. By signing and returning the contract (or by submitting a completed electronic copy) the $50 application fee (first time students only) will be charged to your fee statement, the student agrees to this contract for the entire academic year, or the remainder thereof. Non-occupancy of assigned space does not terminate the contract, and the appropriate charges under the contract will continue.

A. Eligibility - Only admitted enrolled students who are actively attending UMM classes and maintain at least 6 credits may reside in UMM housing. Students who cancel their academic registration must move out within 72-hours of their academic cancellation date. Students who cancel during Fall Semester and have registered for Spring Semester may request an exemption from ORL. UMM reserves the right to deny housing to an otherwise eligible applicant or to remove a current resident if it determines that the individual’s presence in student housing would not be in his/her and/or the University’s best interest.

B. Application Fee - First-time applicants for a residence hall will have a $50 non-refundable application fee for on-campus housing charged to their fee statement in August.

C. Contract Period and Conditions - Subject only to the provisions of termination - see Eligibility (A) and Contract Cancellation (H), this contract is for the entire academic year. Every effort will be made to comply with the room assignment choices that are indicated on this contract; however, UMM reserves the right to make assignments in accordance with availability of space. UMM also reserves the right to reassign students to another room or apartment. New students may move in no earlier than 8:30 a.m. on the Sunday before the first day of Fall Semester classes. All students who are not graduating students or participating in commencement must move out no later than 12 p.m. Friday of Spring Semester finals. (Exceptions are not guaranteed and must be communicated to the Office of Residential Life for approval). Dining Service plans begin on the first day of classes each semester (Orientation opening picnic Fall Semester) and end with lunch on the last day of final exams. Holiday break meals are not included in meal plans, including Fall and Spring Semester breaks. Meals will commence on the day classes resume following the holiday. All housing facilities are closed during winter and spring breaks with the exception of the Apartments.

Students moving in more than one week after the start of a semester are credited for a prorated portion of the Housing and (if applicable) Dining Service fees adjusted for the number of full weeks missed. Students attending UMM for one semester only, or wishing to live on campus only one semester, should consult in advance with ORL. Contracts are not transferable from one student to another; this contract may not be assigned or sold. Sub-letting of rooms or apartments or of space within them is prohibited. Conducting businesses within them is also prohibited.

D. Check In Procedures - Hall Directors (HDs) will issue room or apartment keys to students at check in. At that time, students must complete and sign an inventory of furnishings and a Room Condition Report (RCR). These reports assure that students will not be charged for damages or missed items caused by previous occupants. Failure to fill out and return the RCR and data card to the Community Adfisor (CA) within one week after check-in will result in assessment of a $60.00 improper check-in fee.

E. Damages and Additional Charges - Residents will be charged individually for damages they cause. If individual responsibility cannot be established, residents of a given room will be held jointly responsible for any damages, other than normal wear and tear, not indicated on the Room Condition Report completed when they assume occupancy.

An allocated share of damages and losses occurring in the public areas of the residence halls or apartments which cannot be traced to and collected from individuals will be assessed on an allocated basis at the end of spring semester. Within 15 business days after check-out, a renter will be assessed for any damages owed, either individual or public areas. A renter has 10 business days from the date damage charges are assessed to contest the charges. Lost keys will be replaced and locks recorded for a $60 charge. A renter who fails to return his/her key upon checkout will be billed $60. An additional $60 will be charged for failure to comply with check-out procedures. Cleaning charges will also be assessed, if the room is not left in a state of reasonable cleanliness.

F. Rules and Regulations - Students residing in UMM housing are subject to all relevant federal, state, local and University laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, which may be amended during the contract period. This includes information contained in the University of Minnesota, Morris Catalog, the Student Life Handbook found at www.morris.umn.edu/services/reslife and the Student Conduct Code. Violations will result in action being taken by ORL and UMM, varying from issuance of a warning to seeking prosecution in criminal court, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Forfeiture rules apply to anyone evicted from the residence halls (see section H).

G. Room Changes - Fall Semester: No room changes after December 1. Spring Semester: no room changes after May 1. If you are moving from your current fall assignment to a new spring assignment and the room is not vacant, you will need to take all belongings home and check into the new space immediately upon return to campus on Sunday or Monday prior to the first day of Spring Semester. If the space is vacant, you must move within 24 hours after your last final. Room changes are normally allowed only after the first week of classes in the beginning of each semester. All changes must be cleared in advance through the HD and ORL. Male-female roommate combinations are not allowed.

Residence Halls:

1. Should your roommate move out of your room for any reason or if a roommate never moved in, you have 8 business days to do one of the following:

(a.) Find a new roommate of your choice. If this option is selected and no new roommate is found, you will be billed the super single supplemental rate from the date of the departure of your former roommate.

(b.) Take out a super single room contract for the remainder of the year provided there is no demand for the space and pay the supplemental rate associated with that agreement. Once you have selected the super single rate, you may only revert back to a double rate at the end of a semester unless you have a new roommate move in with you. You must notify your RD 10 business days prior to the end of the semester of a desire for a roommate.

(c.) Remain in your room and accept assignment of a roommate by ORL. If such a person is not available, you may be reassigned to another half-occupied room in your hall or be billed the super single rate.

2. Students will be charged super single room supplemental rates after a roommate moves out if they do not find another roommate, accept relocation to another room, or choose not to have a roommate assigned. Super single supplemental rates will be assessed from the date of departure of your former roommate.

Apartments:

1. Should occupancy in an apartment fall to three students, the remaining students will be billed one super single supplemental rate among them from the date of departure of their former apartment-mate unless (a.) they, not ORL, find a new apartment-mate within 8 business days of the date of departure of their former apartment-mate or (b.) they are assigned a new apartment-mate (if required) by ORL.

2. Should occupancy in an apartment fall to two students, the remaining students will both be billed the super single supplement from the date of departure of their former apartment-mates unless (a.) they, not ORL, find new apartment-mates within 8 business days or (b.) they are assigned new apartment-mates (if required) by ORL. The two remaining students may request to be reassigned by ORL to another apartment to avoid paying super single rates.

3. Should occupancy in an apartment fall to one student, the remaining student will be billed two super single rates from the date of departure of their former apartment-mate unless she/he finds at least one new apartment-mate, who will also be billed for the super single supplement, within 8 business days of the date of departure of the former apartment-mate(s). If student does not find a roommate and ORL does have a resident to place in the apartment, the student must accept this apartment-mate.

H. Contract Cancellation:
Students who submit a written request for cancellation of housing prior to move-in on August 23 will be charged a $200.00 cancellation fee.

For any students who cancel after Aug. 23 and have moved into the residence halls/apartments, see Authorized Cancellations and Unauthorized Cancellations.

Students Who Are Presently Living On-Campus:
Authorized Cancellation:
Students who are withdrawing from UMM, getting married, not registered for classes, graduating, student teaching/internship/study abroad, or for medical/health reasons must comply with all check-out procedures. Request for cancellation of this contract after moving in or after the opening day will require students to fill out a Petition for Contract Release to be received by 4 p.m. of the third Friday of November (academic dismissals exempt). The student must show just cause for termination (major unforeseen circumstances). Petitions received after the third Friday of November may not be reviewed until after the start of spring semester. Rental charges owed upon cancellation of the contract are computed on a prorated basis over the course of the semester until the completion of check-out procedures. Unauthorized Cancellation:
Unauthorized cancellations occur when any student moves off campus without showing just cause for termination. The student must provide at least 10 days advance notice of intent to vacate to ORL staff. Students who move out with less than a 10-day notice will be charged for an improper checkout. No credit or refund on the rental obligation will be allowed for the semester in which the cancellation occurs. If a student moves out during fall semester, an additional 25% of the contracted room value for spring semester will be charged to the student fee statement. Contracts are not transferable.

I. Insurance - UMM assumes no responsibility for theft, destruction, or loss of monies, valuables, or other personal properties belonging to or being in the custody of the student from any cause whatsoever, whether such losses occur from the student’s room or public areas. Each student is strongly encouraged to carry personal property insurance.

J. Supplemental Fees - The fees for residence hall double occupancy rooms and apartment rates are listed on the front of this contract. Additional fees are charged as follows:
1. Residence Hall Designed Singles - An additional semester fee of $404 is charged for a room designed as a single.
2. Residence Hall Super Singles* - An additional semester fee of $588 is charged for a double room rented as a single.
3. Apartment Super Singles* - An additional semester fee of $645 is charged for an apartment bedroom rented as a single.
(*The Office of Residential Life reserves the right to assign roommates to super singles.)

K. Dining Service - Students choosing to live in UMM Residence Halls must elect one of four meal plan options. Meal plans are also available to students choosing to live in the on-campus UMM Apartments or in off-campus housing.

L. Due Dates/Late Fees - Fees are due at the end of each month. An electronic billing statement is sent to the students UMM email account at the beginning of each month. Overdue room and board payments will preclude registration for subsequent semesters until payment in full is received together with the late fee. For more information on late fees see this web site: www.morris.umn.edu/services/business/paymentplan.