Room and Board Contract

The term of this contract is for the 2023 - 2024 academic year.

In order to be eligible for student housing, a student must be enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate degree candidate at the College, and be designated as a resident student. Individual housing eligibility is non-transferable. Please note that the College does not have housing facilities for spouses or children. All resident students are required to participate in the College meal plan. A student who withdraws from the College or who ceases to attend classes must vacate housing and cease using his/her Hill Card. A student who fails to do so will be held liable for the charges incurred after the withdrawal date or last date of attendance in classes.

Assignment of a room and/or receipt of keys does not constitute acceptance by the College of a student’s residency status unless this agreement has been signed and all other tuition, registration, health, and other documents are in order. Any student that does not complete registration fails to comply with College policies, fails to provide necessary documentation or health forms, or whose class load does not meet the College definition of a full-time student may be required to vacate the room immediately and will be responsible for any accrued charges.

Room and Board charges must be paid in accordance with the fee payment schedule established by the College.

The College by this contract does not guarantee specific halls, rooms or roommates and reserves the right to assign or re-assign residents to other rooms and halls in the best interest of the individual resident, the residence community, or to make the most effective and efficient use of available accommodations. The College may also cancel this contract for reasons of unsuitable resident conduct at any time after a disciplinary process or if a student poses a danger to themselves or others’ well-being as determined by the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee. Students who apply to participate in a study abroad program or domestic or international internship program are not guaranteed residency should they cancel their application.

By signing this contract, students will be guaranteed a bed, a desk, wardrobe or closet space, and a dresser within a room on campus. The College reserves the right to assign a student to any empty space in any residence hall, or other suitable facility designated as a residence area, at any time. In the case of roommate conflicts, when roommates have made every attempt to resolve their differences, one may request a room change by completing a room change form. Forms are available on the Residence Life webpage. There is a two-week freeze on room changes at the beginning of each semester. Students who move rooms without completing the necessary room change forms may be fined or face disciplinary action. Students may choose to voluntarily triple (or quad/quint) a room. Students who do so will not receive any financial compensation from the College and will have no priority to de-triple. Unless other arrangements are made with Residence Life, students living in voluntary triple rooms will receive two wardrobes, three beds, three desks, three desk chairs and three dressers.

Students planning to live on campus for at least one semester per academic year will be assessed an annual non-refundable Room Guarantee Charge. The amount of the Room Guarantee Charge will be determined each year by the College. For new resident students, this charge will appear on their accounts along with room and board charges. For returning resident students, this charge will be assessed at the time of housing selection each spring semester. This charge serves two purposes:

First: it acts as a reservation fee. Any student who withdraws from campus housing after reserving a room for the following year will forfeit their Room Guarantee Charge.

Second: This charge will cover costs associated with general/zone campus damage, not attributable to an individual(s), and normal wear and tear both within individual students’ rooms and the residence halls.

Current resident students who do not intend to return to housing for the 2023-2024 academic year must notify the Assistant Director of Residence Life in writing by the date by which housing selection applications are due in order to avoid the Room Guarantee Charge. Those students who submit housing selection forms and then withdraw from housing will forfeit their Room Guarantee Charge.

The date of a student's withdrawal from residence shall be determined by the Director of Residence Life or their designee. Refunds of room and board charges are not guaranteed; however, the College may decide to issue pro-rated refunds in accordance with College policy.

Each student is responsible for the care and use of the housing space assigned to them, together with its furnishings, and the resident must comply with all the provisions of the Room Condition Form. A student must not make any alterations to the interior or exterior of the residence areas without first obtaining the permission of the Director of Residence Life. The resident must also observe all rules and regulations outlined on the Community Standards website and any other published rules, policies, or procedures that have been promulgated by the College, which are incorporated here-in by reference and made a part of this contract, regarding the upkeep of the residence halls. The following terms and conditions must also be observed:

• Any requests for repairs and maintenance due to normal wear and tear should be directed to the College. Students may not perform repair work on college property.
• Furniture owned by the College may not be removed from the room. At no time is furniture to be left outdoors. Furniture and drapes owned by students must be fire retardant and approved by the Residence Director.

The College reserves the right to enter and inspect a student’s room. A student’s room may be entered by authorized College personnel, authorized agents of the College, or other individuals authorized by the College, whenever there is reasonable cause concerning the health, safety, and welfare of the individual residents, or for damage assessment and/or repairs by the Facilities Management Department, to secure the building prior to a vacation period, and to inspect for fire safety violations, or for other necessary reasons.

Accidental or deliberate damage attributable to an individual(s) will be charged to the student(s) consistent with College policy.

Students will not be allowed to return to campus before the scheduled return dates as outlined in the academic calendar without the express written consent of the College. A student must also vacate their room within 24 hours after their last examination at the end of each semester, or, in the case of graduating seniors, by 4:00 pm of Commencement Day. The Director of Residence Life or their designee must approve any extension or early arrival, and residents who return prior to opening or stay beyond closing without prior approval are subject to additional charges.

This contract does not cover room and board during the semester break, or during official College holidays, at which time the residence areas shall be closed and no contract food service shall be available. The official College holidays when the halls are closed are Thanksgiving break, Winter break, Spring break, and Easter break. College holiday periods are subject to change upon reasonable notice by the College. An additional fee will be charged for nights not covered by this contract; however, a student may only remain in the residence areas with the express written permission of the Director of Residence Life or their designee. The College reserves the right to require students to vacate their rooms completely over the semester break in order to accommodate winter and spring break housing needs or to conduct necessary repairs, improvements, or inspections. In these situations, the College will provide storage space on a limited basis for student belongings (excluding furniture) during this period of time.

The College is not liable for any damage to or loss/theft of any student’s personal property from any cause whatsoever, or for the failure or interruption of utilities or Internet/LAN systems. The College does not carry insurance on the personal property of its students, and students are strongly advised to have their personal property covered by individual or family insurance.

I understand that I am required to read and adhere to the guidelines outlined in Community Standards and Residence Life Policies as noted on the Stonehill College website

I have read and do understand and agree to live by the terms and conditions of this Room and Board Contract, Community Standards, and Stonehill College policies. In addition, I acknowledge I have had an opportunity to discuss and request clarification of this contract.

Stonehill College reserves the right to change, eliminate, and add to any existing rules, regulations, policies, fees, and other charges. Whenever it does, the College will give as much advance notice as it considers feasible or appropriate, but it reserves the right in all cases to do so without notice.

I understand that on-campus housing is a privilege rather than a right.

I understand that if I have not yet reached the age of majority within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (currently 18 years of age) that my parent or legal guardian must also sign this contract. I further understand that upon attaining the age of majority I must present myself at the Residence Life Office and re-execute this contract. Failure to do so may jeopardize my continued residency at the College. This contract will be construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If you are currently under the age of 18, you may continue this application process, but must download the contract and have your parent or guardian sign the contract. Students under 18 who do not mail in a signed copy of the contract will have their contracts marked as void. Contracts can be mailed to:

Residence Life Office Stonehill College 320 Washington Street Easton, MA 02357