Residence Hall Contract Cancellation

BEFORE AUGUST 17, 2024: CONTRACT CANCELLATION

• A Cancellation is the request for termination of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy initiated by a student prior August 17, 2024.
• Residents who are not required to live on campus and/or have received an exemption from residence life before the start of the Contract Term, or who are not attending the University, may cancel or terminate this contract and receive a refund of the prepayment/security deposit according to the terms/schedule listed below:

1.Residents who officially withdrawal from the University:

• • Residents who cancel on or after May 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment.

2.Residents who remain enrolled in the University:

• • Residents who cancel on or after May 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100).
  • Residents who cancel on or after June 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100) and receive a $250 cancellation fee.
  • Residents who cancel their contract on or after July 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100) and receive a $500 cancellation fee.
  • Residents who cancel their contract on or after August 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100) and receive a $750 cancellation fee.

AUGUST 17, 2024 & AFTER- OCCUPANCY RELEASE

• An Occupancy Release is a request for termination of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy agreement after the Resident has taken occupancy of the space assignment or after the first day of classes for the semester, whichever occurs first.
• Residents wishing to voluntarily request to terminate their Terms and Condition of Occupancy agreement, must submit a contract release request through the housing portal.
• Submission of a contract release request is not a guarantee that the release will be granted.
• The University reserves the right grant or deny a contract release request in its sole discretion.
• Terms and Condition of Occupancy Releases, if granted, will mean that the Resident will incur fees and charges associated with the date of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy release.
• Failure to pay the Release Fee in full and pursuant to the terms in “b” below will automatically nullify and void the release and will immediately result in the reinstatement of the full amount owed being due and payable.

Release Fees:

a.Fall Semester

• • On or after August 17, 2024: Daily rate + 50% of remaining contract (Fall & Spring) paid in full within 7 calendar days of the grant of the release.
  • On or After October 1, 2024: Daily rate + Remainder of the Fall Semester + 40% of the Spring Semester paid in full within 7 calendar days of the grant of the release.

b. Spring Semester

• • On or after January 11, 2025: Daily rate + 50% of remaining semester
  • On or after February 15, 2025: Daily rate + Remainder of the Spring Semester

BEFORE December 1, 2024: CONTRACT CANCELLATION

• A Cancellation is the request for termination of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy initiated by a student prior December 1, 2024.
• Residents who are not required to live on campus and/or have received an exemption from residence life before the start of the Contract Term, or who are not attending the University, may cancel or terminate this contract and receive a refund of the prepayment/security deposit according to the terms/schedule listed below:

1.Residents who officially withdrawal from the University:

• • If withdrawing from the university, cancellation requests submitted after December 1, 2024 will only incur the forfeiture of the room prepayment. There is no cancellation fee.

2.Residents who remain enrolled in the University:

• • Residents who cancel on or after December 1, 2024 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100).
  • Residents who cancel on or after January 1, 2025 will forfeit their entire prepayment ($100) and receive a $250 cancellation fee.

January 11, 2025 & AFTER- OCCUPANCY RELEASE

• An Occupancy Release is a request for termination of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy agreement after the Resident has taken occupancy of the space assignment or after the first day of classes for the semester, whichever occurs first.
• Residents wishing to voluntarily request to terminate their Terms and Condition of Occupancy agreement, must submit a contract release request through the housing portal.
• Submission of a contract release request is not a guarantee that the release will be granted.
• The University reserves the right grant or deny a contract release request in its sole discretion.
• Terms and Condition of Occupancy Releases, if granted, will mean that the Resident will incur fees and charges associated with the date of the Terms and Condition of Occupancy release.
• Failure to pay the Release Fee in full and pursuant to the terms in “b” below will automatically nullify and void the release and will immediately result in the reinstatement of the full amount owed being due and payable.

Release Fees:

• • On or after January 11, 2025: Daily rate + 50% of remaining semester
  • On or after February 15, 2025: Daily rate + Remainder of the Spring Semester

 

1. Already Signed a Lease –Students who sign leases without having received an “approved” email from the ATU Department of Residence Life will still be responsible for fulfilling the on-campus housing requirement. You are advised to not sign a lease unless you have received an email from our office indicating that you are exempt from the housing requirement.  
   
   
2. Allergies and/or Asthma –Many students come to campus with allergies, asthma, or some other type of chronic health problem. Some students develop allergies after they arrive due to the new environment. Although many students have allergies, it is rarely the basis for an exemption as it does not prevent them from living and academically achieving in the residence halls. In severe cases of allergies and asthma, the University can usually offer some type of accommodations that can help, such as year-round air conditioning, a single room, an air purifier (purchased by the student), etc., in addition to whatever medications or strategies are prescribed by their physician. While we do not attempt to ensure that all allergic symptoms are eliminated, we will do what we can to provide accommodations that help alleviate the symptoms in severe cases. Students who need an accommodation due to allergies, asthma, or any type of chronic health problem should contact the Office of Disability Services.  
   
   
3. Anxiety –The transition into college can be a stressful one, but our residence hall staff is trained to assist our students through such transitions and do so in a supportive environment. It is not uncommon for college students to face some level of anxiety; there are many resources on campus – Student Health and Wellness Center – that are available to assist our students through their college transition. Unless it can be documented that the student’s anxiety is unique and severe enough to warrant an exemption, such requests are typically not approved.  
   
   
4. Bad Experience with Roommates or Floor-mates –The staff of Residence Life wants students to have a rich and rewarding residence hall experience. Sometimes, however, roommates are not compatible – even roommates who originally chose to live together. In these cases, we recommend that both roommates work with the hall staff to try to work out their problems or make a room change. An room change process occurs within a couple of weeks after the start of each semester for any resident who would like to make a room change. Living in an undesirable situation can often be avoided by working with the professional residence hall staff to resolve the issue or make an immediate room change.  
   
   
5. Finances –If a student chooses to attend ATU, there is an assumption that he/she has the financial resources to pay for it. If a change in your financial situation has occurred since signing the residence hall contract, please work with the Office of Financial Aid to see what aid options may be available. Although having both a lease and a residence hall contract could cause a financial difficulty, it is not grounds for an exemption.  
   
   
6. Food/Dining –Food Service offers a wide variety of dining options and types of food, including low-fat and vegetarian options. Chartwells can almost always accommodate students who are on special diets and have food allergies (including gluten and dairy). Contact Chartwells at 479-498-6033 for more information.  
   
   
7. Lack of Privacy –Most students are used to having more privacy at home than they have in the residence halls and this can require a major adjustment. If it is extremely disturbing to the student or if the student is an individual with a disability and needs more privacy for medical reasons, the Office of Disability Services can determine if a reasonable accommodation is necessary.  
   
   
8. Want to Live with a Non-Parent Relative (sibling, cousin, aunt, grandparent, etc.) or Commute from Outside the Approved Commuting Distance –Students may live full-time and commute from home only under two conditions: 
   1. They will reside full-time with a parent or legal guardian (someone who has applied for and been granted legal guardianship by the court) and 
   2. That parent/legal guardian lives within a 30-mile driving radius of ATU’s Russellville campus. If either of those two conditions are not met, an exemption will not be granted.