Residence Halls Contract Terms

GENERAL INFORMATION
While every attempt is made to accommodate students’ preferences for room assignments, preferences are not guaranteed. The College reserves the right to assign or change an assignment to a location different from the student’s original assignment. Students with special housing needs should notify the Office of Residence Life as soon as possible after admission to the College. No smoking is allowed in the residence halls. Rent paid for Edgewood College housing does not qualify for the Wisconsin Homestead Credit or the Wisconsin School Property Tax/Rent Credit.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
This contract is for a full academic year. Therefore, students planning on studying abroad or student teaching should be aware that priority will be given to students who will be on-campus the entire year. On campus housing is reserved and prioritized for freshman and sophomore students of traditional age. If you drop to part time student status during your contract period or during the 2 year residency requirement you are still committed to the contract financially.
CONTRACT PERIOD
The contract period begins when residence halls open the day before classes begin and ends after the resident’s last Semester II final exam. Residents are expected to vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last final exam for both Semester I and Semester II. Residence halls are closed at 6:00pm on the last day of class before Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break. Residents are expected to vacate their rooms during those periods. Exceptions are made only for students with academic commitments and students whose residence is more than 1,000 miles from the College. The College assumes no liability for residents who are permitted to remain when the residence halls are closed. Personal possessions may be left in rooms between Semester I and II at the resident’s risk. All possessions must be removed when residents vacate at the end of Semester II. Students approved to live in the halls during the Winterim period will be billed for housing and meals. Please keep in mind that freshman and sophomores are required to live on campus (see the residency requirement below.)
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
All freshman and sophomore students under the age of 21 are required to live on campus for their first two academic years unless they choose to live with a family member and/or legal guardian (who is over 25 years old and lives within commuting distance.) Exceptions to this policy will include: students who have children, live in domestic partnerships, are veterans or are part-time. Students studying abroad are considered to be fulfilling the residency requirement. Students who sign a contract and move in to the halls for their freshman year are held to the residency requirement for their freshman and sophomore years (i.e., they may not move home after one year.)
PERSONAL POSSESSIONS AND DAMAGE BILLING
The college is not liable for residents’ personal property whether it is lost, stolen or damaged. Please check with your insurance agent for information on insuring your personal items (this is often included in a homeowner’s policy.) Residents will be billed for any individual or hall damages along with any cleaning, key, or improper check-out charges. Residents who do not remove personal possessions after the student leaves Edgewood housing will receive a letter of notification to their permanent home address listed by the resident. The resident will be notified that they have 30 days to retrieve their belongings or the belongings will be considered abandoned and become College property. The College will then have the right to dispose of the items. Residents will be assessed a charge for labor and packing materials along with a disposal fee if necessary.
CONTRACT CANCELLATION (before moving into the halls)
In order to receive a refund of the Room Reservation Fee, a request must be made in writing to the Office of Residence Life NO LATER than May 1. No refunds are awarded for cancellations received after the deadline. Students who withdraw from Edgewood after July 15 but before move-in will be responsible for half of their Fall room fee.
RELEASE FROM AGREEMENT (after moving into the halls)
- Individuals who complete a contract, enroll in the college and move in to the halls are obligated for the entire academic year room/board fee.
- Voluntary withdrawal from the residence halls and the College before the 100% deadline or between fall and spring semesters will result in a $250 Penalty Fee along with the cost of meals used.
- Voluntary withdrawal from the residence halls while remaining as a student at Edgewood after the 100% deadline or suspension/dismissal from the residence halls will result in forfeiture of all deposits and fees and the student will still be obligated for the full price of the room rent for the duration for the 2 year commitment. The unused meal dollars are the only portion of the cost which will be refunded (used meal dollars and the administrative fee are not refunded.)
- Withdrawal from Edgewood as a student after the 100% deadline will result in forfeiture of all housing fees. The unused meal dollars are the only portion of the cost which will be refunded on a prorated basis:
  - You will be refunded 75% of 1300 meal dollars or the amount that you have remaining (whichever is less) if you withdraw by the end of the 4th week of classes.
  -You will be refunded 50% of 1300 meal dollars or the amount that you have remaining (whichever is less) if withdraw by the end of the 8th week of classes.
  -You will be refunded 25% of 1300 meal dollars or the amount that you have remaining (whichever is less) if you withdraw by the end of the 12th week of classes.
- Students declared academically ineligible will be released from their contract.
- Residents unable to return for approved documented medical reasons will have the housing costs refunded on a prorated basis and any unused meal dollars refunded (used meal dollars and the administrative fee are not refunded.)
Residents leaving for any of the above reasons must vacate their rooms within 24 hours of withdrawal or dismissal.
APPEALS
Students who encounter situations beyond their control and which affect their financial status may appeal to the Residence Life Appeals Committee for an exceptional release (appeal forms are available in the Office of Residence Life.) An example would be the death of a parent who was providing financial support for a resident to attend college, or sudden major medical bills which severely impact a family’s budget.
MEAL PLAN
All resident undergraduate students living in a traditional residence hall are placed on the meal plan. Student’s receive 1300 meal dollars on their ID card each semester to be used to purchase items ala carte at Phil’s and the Wingra Café. Students who need additional meal dollars may purchase supplemental meal plans from Dining Services. Cost for the supplemental plan is billed to the student’s account. Any unused meal dollars are forfeited at the end of each semester. A dietician is available for consultation.
ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE ROOM AND BOARD FEE
The following is included in the room and board fee: housing costs (space, heat, electricity, water, furniture including: a bed, mattress, dresser and closet space, desk, desk chair; telephone with local telephone service, internet connection) and meal plan costs (meal dollars, administrative fee to cover labor and overhead costs.) Optional cable connection is available at an additional charge.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
A resident’s signature on the Housing and Meal Plan Preference Form and Contract signifies acceptance of conditions stipulated by the College in this contract, the Student Handbook, Residence Life Handbook, and all Edgewood College publications pertaining to the governance of Edgewood College residence halls.
Complete and return with fee to:
OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE
1000 EDGEWOOD COLLEGE DR
MADISON, WI 53711