1. Housing Contract Process for the Academic Year 2013/2014
This Contract is for the entire academic year, BOTH FALL AND SPRING
TERMS (or the balance thereof, if the student enters university
housing after the beginning of the academic year). The student (or
parent/guardian) accepts full financial responsibility for paying housing
fees for the duration of this Contract. This Contract does not provide for
housing for the Minimester. Living in university housing for Minimester
is optional; students must be enrolled for Minimester, will be charged
an additional fee and are assigned to a special living area (except
students living in Towson Run Apartments who continue their residency
during spring term).
All resident students, except those living in Towson Run Apartments,
are required to purchase a meal plan option (minimum 10 meal plan).
Students living in Towson Run Apartments may purchase a meal plan at
their option. Meal service dates and hours will generally coincide with
university housing occupancy periods. Exact dates, hours and locations
during which meal service is available will be established by the
University each term.
Only Towson University degree-seeking students carrying a minimum
of 12 units per term are eligible to live in university housing. Resident
students must have proper academic and disciplinary standing
as determined by the University.
For more details and current information regarding eligibility, please refer to Department Housing & Residence Life, Housing Eligibility web page at:
Upon acceptance of the initial housing deposit, the University guarantees
on-campus housing to new freshmen for four consecutive terms
provided they are enrolled as full-time students, pay all fees, meet all
deadlines and follow all established procedures for continued living
in university housing. Once new freshmen complete four consecutive
terms, university housing is obtainable on a space-available basis.
Students who leave university housing before completing four consecutive
terms are no longer guaranteed housing. For all other students,
university housing is obtainable on a space-available basis.
The University will furnish space in university housing and will grant the
resident use of the housing facilities in accordance with the terms and
conditions specified in this Contract. Students agree to accept their initial
assignments. Although the University will attempt to accommodate
students' assignments and their roommate requests, students are not
guaranteed their requests will be granted. No room change requests
will be considered for the first two weeks of the term. Students may be
assigned to a "fall triple," a room for two students
furnished for temporary occupancy by three students. A resident who
cannot be assigned to a regular space may be assigned to "overflow"
housing, a temporary assignment until a permanent assignment is
made. Students residing in special living option areas (e.g., alcoholfree,
honors, etc.) must maintain the requirements of the area or be
subject to reassignment.
The University hereby grants to the student a revocable license to live
in the University's housing, subject to the terms and conditions of this
housing contract. The parties agree that, notwithstanding any language
to the contrary contained herein, this housing contract does not constitute
the grant of a tenancy or leasehold to the student, and Maryland
Annotated Code, Real Property Article, Title 8 "Landlord and Tenant"
does not apply to this housing contract. Furthermore, this
Contract does not constitute owning or renting and occupying living
quarters in Maryland for the purposes of the University System of
Maryland Policy on Student Residency Classification for Admissions,
Tuition and Change Differential Purposes.
Fees for housing and dining services are established each year by the
University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Fees may be increased
later in the year by the Regents. Fees must be paid in full in accordance
with the procedures and deadlines established by the University.
All resident students are required to make a non-refundable $350
housing deposit to reserve a space in university housing. The housing
deposit is non-refundable but will be united to the student's spring
term account if the student continues to live in university housing.
Each resident is responsible for his/her actions, for the actions of his/her
guests, and for proper use and care of the housing and dining facilities,
assigned space, common areas and university property. Each resident
agrees to use safety and security equipment within his/her assigned
housing space and building appropriately; report damages, interrupted
service or need for repairs; and assist the University in identifying
individuals responsible for damage, theft or loss. Each student is
responsible for cleaning his/her room and bathroom (if applicable). At
check-out, each resident will return the assigned space and its
university furnishings in the same condition as they were received, with
the exception of normal wear and tear. All university furnishings must
be kept in the assigned space at all times, remain in an upright position
on the floor and not be disassembled in any manner.
Individuals identified as responsible for damage, theft, loss or special
services (whether intentional or negligent) in their assigned space or
in common areas of the housing and dining facilities will be charged
the cost of repair, replacement or restoration, within or to the assigned
space or building or public areas, and any necessary cleaning charges.
When individual responsibility cannot be determined, residents may be
held collectively responsible at the University's discretion for damage,
theft, loss or special service to the assigned space, to common areas or
to university fixtures, furnishings or property within them.
An equal portion of the charges will be assessed to each student in the
assigned space, building or residence area, as appropriate.
The University will provide heat, water and electricity and will
remove trash from designated areas and clean common hallways,
floor lounges and public areas on a scheduled basis. The University
will make all repairs and perform maintenance in university housing
and the resident's room with authorized personnel upon request, on
routine schedules and under a system of priority scheduling.
Housing is provided under this Contract from the beginning of
check-in before the first day of classes each (fall and spring)
term through check-out within two hours after the resident's last
final examination at the end of each term, except for closings during
vacation periods listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. (Exceptions:
Students assigned to Towson Run Apartments and Global
Village should refer to their building guidelines for check-out deadlines.
An additional fee is charged for those living in nine-month
housing, which is open during breaks.) Towson
University may, in its sole discretion, declare that a campus
emergency exists, and may require any or all residents to vacate
university housing.
A resident is officially checked in when he/she accepts his/her room/
apartment keys from the building staff. During breaks at the end of the
fall and spring terms, all students are required to vacate university
housing before the time and date established for building closing and
may not re-enter their buildings or rooms until the break has ended.
Students must follow check-out procedures established by the Department
of Housing and Residence Life and must return all keys to the
building staff. Residents should remove all valuables from their rooms
during closings.
Each resident agrees to familiarize himself/herself with and to abide
by the rules, regulations, policies and procedures as outlined in the
Undergraduate Catalog, Student Policy Book, the University's Code
of Student Conduct, and other university policies and procedures, all
as amended from time to time. All such rules, regulations, policies
and procedures, and any amendments to them, are incorporated by
reference into this Contract. Each resident agrees to take primary
responsibility for his/her own safety and security and for the safety and
security of his/her residence and dining communities. Each resident
will ensure his/her roommate(s) has access to and equitable use of the
assigned space. Smoking is prohibited inside all university housing.
Towson University is a smoke-free campus.
The Department of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to
relocate a resident from one space to another in order to maintain
the academic atmosphere and ensure student health, safety, wellbeing
and maintenance issues. The assistant vice-president shall
have the final decision on relocation matters. Each student agrees
that room changes may be made only with the written approval
of the Department of Housing and Residence Life, in accordance
with established procedures. When a vacancy occurs in his/her
assigned room, the resident agrees to follow established procedures
for the reassignment of another student to that space.
When vacating an assigned space, residents must complete
established check-out procedures.
Each resident agrees to live only in the space to which he/she has
been assigned; not to sublet or otherwise use or grant use of the
assigned space or other university facilities for any unauthorized
purpose; and not to sell, solicit or conduct a business enterprise in
the assigned space or facilities without written permission from
the assistant vice-president.
The University shall have the right to enter the student's room to enforce the Code of Student Conduct and university policies and regulations and to otherwise carry out its responsibility to maintain discipline and order consistent with its educational mission. The right of entry shall include the right to inspect the room to protect the health and safety of students and university employees and/or agents, to maintain order and discipline and to keep the rooms in good order and repair.
In the event the University enters a student's room, it shall make reasonable efforts to provide the student assigned to the room reasonable notice of entry. Advance notice need not be given, however, if the University, in its discretion, believes that such notice will interfere with its ability to maintain order and discipline, or endanger the health and safety of students and/or university employees or where immediate entry is deemed necessary to protect and/or to maintain property, or where immediate entry is otherwise allowed by law. When a student initiates maintenance or housekeeping requests, appropriate personnel are authorized to enter the room to provide service without notice.
The University reserves the right to remove and dispose of any personal property remaining in a room following termination or expiration of this contract, the resident's separation by or from the University, and/or the date of check-out. The student may be assessed a charge for costs incurred.
The University cannot and does not assume responsibility for personal
accident, injury or illness to residents, guests or visitors, or the damage,
theft or loss of personal property. The student (parent/guardian) who
signs this Contract hereby releases the University, its officers, agents
and employees from any liability on account of any accident, injury,
illness, property damage, theft or loss. Students should have private
insurance against such harm or loss.
When the University determines that a resident has violated a term of
this Contract or any university rule, regulation or procedure, including
the Code of Student Conduct and/or policies for university housing,
the resident shall be subject to administrative procedures and action,
disciplinary procedures as described in the Code of Student Conduct,
and/or financial responsibility for any damage, theft or loss. Administrative
action may include termination of housing and/or dining services.
The University may terminate housing services to a student whose meal
service plan is terminated. The University may also take disciplinary
and/or administrative action including terminating this Contract on
account of a resident's violation of state or federal law.
The University also reserves inherent authority to take prompt disciplinary
and/or administrative action, including (a) temporary suspension
from university housing and/or dining privileges pending administrative
and/or disciplinary action and/or (b) termination of this Contract, when
in its judgement there is a reasonable basis to believe such action is
reasonably necessary to protect the safety, health, property and/or
well-being of the student or others.
The University may unilaterally terminate this Contract at anytime and require the resident to forfeit immediately the assigned space and meal plan privileges when:
A person’s enrollment is canceled or enrollment contract is not accepted;
Information furnished by or for the individual is incomplete, substantially misleading or false in whole or in part;
The resident is not properly registered, has ceased attending classes, is denied services from the University because of outstanding debts, is academically dismissed, is dismissed from the University or required to vacate university housing for administrative and/or disciplinary reasons, or for any other reason loses status as a student at Towson University, or fails to carry at least 12 credit hours per semester. In such cases, the individual may be required to vacate the assignment and accept termination of the meal plan on the date of separation from the University or as otherwise specified in writing by the University;
It is determined, as described in Paragraph 15, that the student has violated University rules, regulations or procedures. In such cases, he/she may also be denied continued access to any university housing and/or dining facility; or
University dining facilities are inadequate in number or physical condition to serve the student appropriately. When a resident’s contract is terminated he/she must vacate the assigned space within 24 hours.
The Housing Contract is for the entire academic year, both fall and spring semesters. A student may request a release from his/her Contract only for the following reasons:
Graduating in December/January
Separation (e.g., transferring, withdrawing, suspension) from the University
University-sponsored activities: student teaching, study abroad, exchange programs, or internships; any of which are beyond a 20-mile radius
Marriage
Not carrying the minimum of 12 credit hours
All students requesting a release will need to present appropriate documentation.
If a student is released or terminated from this Contract and checks out by the eighth (8th) calendar day after the official start of the semester (fall or spring semester), an 80% refund of the room fee will be processed; if the student is released from this Contract and checks out between the ninth (9th) and the twenty-first (21st) calendar day after the official start of the semester, a 60% refund of the room fee will be processed. No room fees will be refunded beginning with the twenty-second (22nd) calendar day after the official start of the semester. As noted in paragraph 6, the housing deposit is non-refundable. Meal plan refunds will be prorated based on either unused weeks or meals remaining, depending on the type of plan.
Interruptions to the services provided by the University pursuant to this Contract may occur by an act of God, limited or restricted control or availability of resources as determined by the University, maintenance activities or other condition reasonably beyond administrative control. Standards and levels of services are determined by the University.
When an individual neither claims keys at check-in, nor notifies the Department of Housing and Residence Life of delayed arrival by noon on the first day of class of fall semester, the Department of Housing and Residence Life will terminate this Contract and the individual, regardless of his/her University status, will forfeit his/her housing deposit.
The student (and parent or guardian if the student is under 18) must sign and submit this Contract without alteration. This Contract has not been accepted by the University nor does the student have permission to reside in university housing until he/she has been provided a confirmation of housing and dining services and/or a notification of room assignment.
Possession of any key for university housing not issued to the student by the Department of Housing & Residence Life is prohibited. Entry to any housing facility with an unauthorized key is subject to charges of illegal entry. Duplication of University keys is prohibited.
Students are legally responsible for any medical expense incurred during enrollment at Towson University. The university will not be responsible for any medical expenses. If the student is not covered by a personal or family health insurance policy, the student is strongly encouraged to purchase the university's health insurance plan.
The University, its administrators, officers, employees, and
agents, shall have access to University Housing, including
hallways and common areas, to perform university related
duties, including , but not limited to: working with University
housing residents or implementing student service programs;
performing custodial, maintenance and operational services;
and, performing safety, emergency, security, police or fire
protection services.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000