Student Responsibility
Contract Period
Contract Cancellation
Housing Eligibility
On - Campus Residency Policy
Family Housing
Winter Break Housing
Processing Fee
Housing Assignments
No-Shows
Single Rooms
Contract Changes
Temporary Rooms
Occupancy
Termination of Contract
Policies
Food Service
Students with Disabilities
Hall Fees
Room Entry
Insurance
Loft Construction
Damages/Lost Keys
Maintenance
Changes and Corrections
Student Responsibility
This University reserves the right to determine, designate, change/or
restrict the utilization of university housing managed facilities or areas
within the facilities and grounds and to make/or change student assignments and
roommate assignments accordingly at any time.
The student must read all housing information provided before
signing the housing contract. If the student is under 19 years of age, a parent
or guardian must also read all housing information provided before signing the
housing contract. By signing the contract, the student or guardian understands
and is obligated to abide by the
terms.
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Contract Period
This contract is for the entire academic year (fall and spring
semesters) or that portion which remains when a student contracts to enter the
residence halls after the fall opening date. The student's right to
occupy the space assigned begins no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the designated
date of opening and will terminate at 5:00 p.m. on the day of Spring
Commencement.
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Contract Cancellation
The student guarantees
payment of this contract and understands that the contract is binding for the full
academic year. For any student living on campus, including University
Heights and the Greek Chapter Houses, a cancellation fee of $500 will be
assessed if he or she breaks the contract. For those students graduating,
withdrawing from school, getting married, dropping below full-time status, studying abroad (approved program) or
performing student teaching/academic internship, and military service requiring
students to live outside the Kearney area (documentation may be requested),
there is no contract cancellation fee. New students must cancel in
writing to the Office of Residence Life by June
1st to avoid a $500 cancellation fee. The Board of Regents and the University of Nebraska at Kearney require all full - time students under the age of nineteen on the first day of fall semester to live on campus for one academic year. This residency requirement serves important educational and developmental purposes. Students prosper in stable living environments that are close to academic resources and organized student activities that promote social interaction and exposure to new and diverse life experiences, and that afford supervision, counseling and other assistance as my be needed. On - campus residency provides unparalleled opportunities for multidimensional student development, and is part - and - parcel of the university's broad educational program.
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Housing Eligibility
Only enrolled students, designated guests of the University of Nebraska
at Kearney, and UNMC are eligible for University housing. Students must
maintain full-time student status at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to
maintain eligibility for
housing.
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On - Campus Residency Policy
All full-time students under the age of 19 on the first day of
class in the fall semester are required to live in University housing
for the duration of the academic year. The only exceptions to this
requirement are if:
- The student is living in the Kearney community (defined by UNK as absolutely no farther than 30 miles from the Kearney campus) with parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
- The student is married, a single parent, or
has a documented disability, which makes it impractical to
meet the housing requirement;
- The student will be
living in certain off-campus facilities, which approximate the educational
advantages of residence hall living and meet specified requirements.
A housing exemption will only be granted after
the appropriate forms have been obtained and completed with the appropriate
supporting documentation. The Housing Contract Exemption and Appeal form can be obtained from the Office of Residence Life or downloaded from the University’s website.
The form needs to be returned to the Office of Residence Life with
supporting documentation. The Housing Exemption form will be given to the Housing Exemption Committee to be processed for approval. The student will then be notified if their
housing exemption request has been approved. The student should wait to complete the housing contract until they are notified of the decision regarding their submission for exemption.
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Family Housing
Students, who are married and/or have custody of children,
please contact Office of Residence Life at 308-865-8519 for an application to
University Heights.
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Winter Break Housing
Antelope/Nester, CTW, Randall and Mantor will remain open during
Winter Break for students already residing in those halls. All other
residence halls will be closed during Winter Break when classes are not in
session. During the Winter break period, food service is not provided. Guests are not permitted for security
reasons. Unless a student is permanently assigned to a break hall, break
accommodations are NOT guaranteed. There is an additional charge per
semester to occupy a break housing
hall that is included in the price of the room. If the student decides to check - out of their residence hall prior to the start of the semester, additional break housing fees may apply..
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Processing Fee
The non-refundable, one-time application fee of $50 for
first time applicants must be received with the Housing Contract before
processing. The contract is valid and binding from the
time it is accepted by the University through the end of the academic year.
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Housing Assignments
The Office of Residence Life makes returning residents' room
assignments first, then assigns new students housing according to the date the
Housing Contract and Processing Fee are received in the Office of Residence Life.
Room space will be assigned by the Office of Residence Life. The Office
of Residence Life reserves the right to reassign the student's room
space. Housing assignments will be mailed beginning in June. The assignment letter will include:
- hall and room
assignment;
- room status (double,
single, etc.);
- roommate name, phone
number, and address.
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No-Shows
Any students not occupying his or her assigned room by 5:00 pm on the first day
of classes shall be considered a no-show and will have his or her contract
cancelled at that time unless he or she has filed an official notification of
delay of arrival (written notice submitted and accepted by Office of Residence
Life) by 5:00 pm on the first day of classes. No-shows who remain
enrolled as students at UNK are required to be in compliance with the on-campus
residency requirement.
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Single Rooms
If space permits, excluding Antelope and Nester Halls, single
rooms will be made available for an additional charge.
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Contract Changes
All
room changes will cease two weeks before the end of the fall and spring
semester. Students may request to
change rooms two weeks after the halls open at the beginning of both the fall
and spring semester, and must have prior approval from the Graduate Hall Director(s) or Complex Director(s) involved. No room changes will be granted two weeks prior to the end of
the fall semester or two weeks prior to the end of the spring semester. After
all temporary assignments have been reassigned, students assigned to a
double room who have a roommate move out may choose:
- reassignment to
another room;
- assignment of a new
roommate;
- assignment of the room
as a single room space permitting (for an extra charge);
- to be consolidated by
staff within the building.
It is the responsibility of the resident to
notify the Graduate Hall Director or Complex Director of their intentions. Failure to do so may result
in being reassigned by the Office of Residence Life or assessed the single room
fee.
**By federal law and University policy, room
assignments cannot be made or changed on the basis of race, color, religion,
disability, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
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Temporary
Rooms
In some cases it becomes necessary to assign students to
"temporary rooms." For example, a temporary designated
triple room*, a converted lounge or a large end room. As soon as
space becomes available, students are assigned to a regular double room.
The temporary spaces may not be equipped with all the furnishings of a regular
room. If a student will be assigned to a temporary arrangement, the Office of Residence Life will
notify the student before his or her arrival on campus. The Office of Residence Life
further reserves the right:
- To assign students to converted lounges;
- To designate a student as a “Temporary
Assignee” in large rooms not designated or furnished for permanent triple occupancy.
(* This excludes Men’s
Hall permanent triple rooms.)
Temporary
Assignee
If
we need to assign a third person to a room, the last person assigned to that
room will be designated as the Temporary Assignee. This person is also the first person who will
be moved to a permanent room space when a space becomes available.
Office of Residence Life will require the student designated as the “Temporary Assignee” (last person
assigned, first person out) to move as permanent space becomes available.
Any
student designated in a room with a “Temporary Assignee” after 5 p.m. on September 3, 2012,
will be eligible for a reduction in their room fee until offered a permanent
space. Any expense incurred by the student
moving from a temporary space to a permanent space
will be the responsibility of the student.
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Occupancy
Rooms may be occupied only by the students to whom they are assigned.
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Termination
of Contract
UNK reserves the right to terminate the Housing Contract if any
one of the following applies to the student:
- Is no longer enrolled
as a full-time student;
- Fails to claim the
assigned room space before 5:00 pm on the first day of classes each semester;
- Fails to attend class for 14
consecutive calendar days without the consent of an authorized agent of
UNK;
- The behavior of the
student is deemed not acceptable in accordance with University policies and
group living community standards;
- Fails to maintain the
room space assigned in a reasonable state of sanitation and neatness;
- Willfully violates any
policy or procedure as prescribed in the Housing Contract, contract terms or
University publications;
- Willfully fails to
admit an officer/agent of the University for reasonable inspection or fails to
comply with directions issued by an agent/officer of the University;
- Has displayed
behaviors that are harmful, threatening, and/or endangering to his/her
own life and/or the welfare of others;
- Is involved in
tampering with fire protection systems;
- Possess a firearm or
other weapon on University property;
- Is involved in assault
or bodily harm to another;
- Is involved in the
use, manufacture, possession, and/or sale of drugs on University property;
- Is involved in theft
or possession of stolen property.
Upon notice to the student, the Office of Residence Life may
terminate the Housing Contract for any breach of contract by the student.
The student will vacate the room within 24 hours and pay all associated
University charges and/or damages. Any student whose contract has been
terminated for policy violations will be held responsible for full payment of
the contract.
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Policies
The student is responsible for reading and abiding by all policies set forth by
the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the Office of Residence Life, UNK
Catalogue, UNK Code of Conduct, and subsequent written
notices.
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Food
Service
Students living in the residence halls are required to have
a meal plan. Food service is not provided during
the Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks.
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Students
with Disabilities
Students requiring
special room accommodations because of a disability or medical condition need
to contact the Office
of Residence Life a minimum of eight weeks prior to the desired move-in
date. Such early contact will allow for individual needs to be determined
before the student arrives on campus. This University
reserves the right to determine, designate, change/or restrict the utilization
of university housing managed facilities or areas within the facilities and
grounds and to make/or change student assignments and roommate assignments
accordingly at any time.
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Hall Fees
At the beginning of each term (Fall and Spring), students will be charged $15.00 to their student account. This fee is non-refundable. The fee will be divided as follows:
- Hall social fee ($10)
- Residence Hall Association Dues (RHA) ($10)
- METS payment ($10)
The $10 Hall Social fee funds programs and activities for
students. The $10 RHA fee funds
on campus programming for all on campus students. METS stands for Managing the
Environment through Students. Money from this account will offset common
area damages that occur in the hall. Money that remains in the fund at
the end of the year will be used to purchase hall improvement items that
benefit the residents. These fees are non-refundable. Please see
the Student Handbook for an explanation of fees.
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Pets
Non-dangerous fish which live
completely underwater are the only pets permitted in the halls. No cats, dogs,
gerbils, snakes, birds, crabs, turtles, frogs, spiders, etc; only fish are
allowed. Aquariums may be no larger than 10 gallons.
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Room
Entry
The University reserves the right to enter a student room for
the purpose of inspecting the premises when an authorized agent of UNK has
reason to believe, including but not limited to, the following:
- Housekeeping,
maintenance or repair may be necessary;
- Occupant is at risk;
- Damage is being done
to University property;
- University policy as
stated in the University Catalogue, Student Code of Conduct, Office of Residence
Life Handbook, subsequent notices, or local, state, or federal law
is being violated.
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Insurance
Students are encouraged to contract for personal property insurance coverage,
as the University will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal
property kept on University
property.
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Loft
Construction
Residents
are not permitted to construct lofts or bunk beds. More information on loft rental will be included with the
housing assignment
packet.
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Damages/Lost
Keys
Students are responsible for damages to University property and
will be assessed
accordingly.
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Maintenance
Students are responsible for reporting any maintenance concerns by completing a
work order within 24 hours.
Emergencies should be reported immediately to the live-in staff or to the the Office of Residence Life by calling 865-8519.
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Changes and Corrections
The University has made every reasonable attempt to make sure
information contained herein is accurate at time of publication. However,
we reserve the right to make corrections as necessary. Also, because Office of Residence
Life tries to respond quickly to student concerns and to facilitate the
best possible housing program, we reserve the right to make changes in
operations as needed. By way of example, such changes may include, but
are not limited to; location and availability of certain special interest
housing, changes in dining service hours and location of break housing
halls. Every effort will be made to provide students with notice.
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