Students who enter into a Housing Contract are committed to the entire academic year (Commencing at the Start of the Fall Semester in August through the conclusion of the Spring Semester per the Academic Calendar).

This document and those referred to within it constitute the Mississippi University for Women, Office of Housing and Residence Life, Housing Contract for residence halls and dining services. The housing and dining services described are being offered under the terms and conditions stated herein. It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with all provisions of this Housing Contract. These terms and conditions are not intended to provide general or specific residence hall policies, which are contained in the Student Handbook available online at www.muw.edu/handbook. No term or condition of this Housing Contract can be waived except in writing, signed by the student and the Director of Housing and Residence Life. No oral statement made by the Office of Housing and Residence Life or its employees is considered a waiver of any term or condition. The Housing Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi.

1. Eligibility: In order to be eligible for occupancy in University residence halls, the student must be enrolled at The W, carrying an undergraduate or graduate credit load of six (6) credit hours or more. If a resident fails to enroll, or fails to pay fees resulting in the loss of status as an enrolled student, the resident agrees to vacate the premises within 48 hours.

2. Meal Plan Requirement: All students who reside in University residence halls must have a meal plan through Dining Services, as part of the housing contract.

3. Contract Terms: “Move In Day” is the first day the halls officially open in August to residents. The Housing Contract begins on Move In Day and binds the resident for the full academic year, excluding the summer sessions. If a Housing Contract is entered into at the start of the fall semester, the Housing Contract will be binding until the final day of the spring semester. If the Housing Contract is entered into at the start of the spring semester, the Housing Contract will be binding until the final day of the spring semester. If the dates of the academic year are revised, those revised dates will apply and will not alter the financial obligation of this Housing Contract. An applicant for housing will only be considered once a completed application has been submitted. A $50 non-refundable processing fee will be applied to new student accounts during the first full week of classes.

4. Cancellation Policy: If at any time a student decides to cancel this Housing Contract, written notification must be provided to the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Depending upon the timing of the cancellation, a cancellation fee and other charges may apply. The cancellation fees and applicable other charges will be assessed to the student’s account.

A. Prior to June 1, there is no charge to cancel the student’s housing contract.

B. After June 1 but before the date the residence halls open on “Move In Day,” a cancellation fee of $150.00 will be charged to the student’s account.

C. For new students who apply to live in Housing for the Spring semester, a cancellation fee of $150.00 will be charged to the student’s account if canceled between November 1 and Opening Day (“Opening Day” is the first day of hall opening in January at the start of the Spring semester).

D. Once the halls open (on Move In Day in August or Opening Day in January), students are held to the contract as long as they are enrolled in classes.

E. If a student withdraws from the University after Move In Day in August or Opening Day in January and during the first two weeks of class, the student will be allowed to cancel the Housing Contract, but the student will be assessed 15% of the room and meal plan charges for the semester.

F. If a student withdraws from the University after the first two weeks of class, the student will be assessed the full amount of their Housing Contract.

G. Declining the assignment “Offer” does not cancel the housing application, and the contract is still binding by the dates listed above.

5. Disciplinary Action: Students are expected to abide by all University policies. Any infractions of University policies or federal, state and local laws will be addressed following Housing and Residence Life procedures or may be referred to the office of the Dean of Students. The Office of Housing and Residence Life has the right to terminate this contract as a disciplinary action. The student understands that all room and meal charges and any rights to refunds from the University for the academic year in which they are enrolled as a student will be forfeited if they are removed from University Housing due to disciplinary action by the University.

6. Assignment Policy: The Office of Housing and Residence Life will not illegally discriminate in room or hall assignment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or any other status that is protected by federal law. The Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to change residence hall and/or room assignments, as deemed necessary by the Department. The Office of Housing and Residence Life also reserves the right to reassign one or both persons when irreconcilable differences occur between roommates or others living in close proximity.

7. Room Change Request Policy: After arriving on campus and claiming an assigned space, requests for room changes will be accepted 10 working days after the first day of classes. All approved changes to be effective at the beginning of the spring semester must be made prior to the end of the fall semester. All residents must receive authorization from the Office of Housing and Residence Life to cease residing in their assigned room or to move from the residence halls. The Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to levy a $150.00 service charge for unauthorized moves or failure to follow proper check-in/check-out procedures.

8. Room Consolidation: Room Consolidation is the process in which during the first 14 days of the semester, any student who becomes the sole occupant of a room may receive a written notice from the Office of Housing and Residence Life indicating to the student that they must do one of the following:

• Find a new roommate. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will provide a list of students looking for roommates.
• Be reassigned a new room or roommate.
• Claim the room as a private with the added private room charge being placed on the student account. Students who do not respond to the written notification in the first 14 days will, at the discretion of the Office of Housing and Residence Life, either be:
  • Reassigned a different room.
  • Assigned a new roommate.

Office of Housing and Residence Life will make the final decision on all moves during room consolidation. In the event that room consolidation occurs within a learning community, themed housing and/or other special interest housing, Office of Housing and Residence Life will work in cooperation with the respective department, social club, faculty, and/or staff member to ensure the best overall consolidation plan for that community.

9. Single Room Request Policy: If space is available, students may request a single room accommodation at the prevailing single rate upon approval by the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

10. Subleasing is Prohibited. A resident may not sublease or rent a room assignment or permit another person to share a private room assignment or otherwise reside in, use, or occupy the room.

11. Over-Assignments: The Office of Housing and Residence Life may assign a third occupant to a double room when necessary. As space opens, the third occupant in a double room will be reassigned.

12. Room Rental Rates and Fees: The student understands and agrees that the Housing Contract is for space in the residence halls and not for a specific room or building. Current rental rates are published on the Office of Housing and Residence Life web page at www.muw.edu/housing. It is the sole responsibility of the resident to pay all applicable room rates and fees to the University Accounting office by the established deadlines. All students who claim their room assignment and key for the fall semester will be charged for both fall and spring semester room rent, provided that they are academically enrolled at the University for both fall and spring semester.

13. Room Condition: The Office of Housing and Residence Life agrees to equip resident rooms with appropriate furnishings. Upon termination of this Housing Contract, the student must leave the assigned room, its furnishings, and its equipment in the same condition as it was upon commencement of the student’s occupancy, ordinary wear and tear is expected. The Office of Housing and Residence Life assumes no liability for loss or damage to a resident’s personal property due to fire, flood, theft, or any other causes. The temporary failure or interruption of water, heat/air conditioning, electricity, cable television, internet access, elevators, and the like shall give residents no claim for damages, cancellation of this Housing Contract, or reduction of rent. The Office of Housing and Residence Life agrees to provide reasonable amounts of heat/air conditioning, water, and electricity during the Housing Contract period. Interruptions of any one or all of these services including, but not limited to, cable television, internet access, elevators on a temporary basis for reasons of maintenance, repair, or catastrophe will not be considered a breach of this Housing Contract, and the Office of Housing and Residence Life assumes no responsibility for damages such as food spoilage. Provision of air conditioning and heat is determined by the guidelines of the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

14. Waiver of Liability: Student understands that by signing this Agreement, the student agrees to hold the University harmless for any damage caused to student’s personal property due to fire, flood, theft, or any other causes. Student also agrees to hold the University harmless for any interruption of water, heat/air conditioning, electricity, cable television, internet access, and elevators.

15. Checkout Procedure: Assigned rooms must be vacated, checkout procedures completed, and all keys returned to the Department of Housing and Residence Life staff member within 24 hours after a resident’s last final examination. Students who have a scheduled examination on the last official day of finals must vacate the halls by 10:00 AM the following morning. Failure to checkout properly and/or return room key will result service charge. Failure to remove belongings from a room after cancellation will result in a service charge per day for storage of those items up to (10) ten days. After ten days, the items will become the Office of Housing and Residence Life property. The Department of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to dispose of all stored items not properly claimed and all items left in rooms after the halls have officially closed, all of which property shall be deemed abandoned by the resident. If damages are found and/or the room needs to be cleaned, the student(s) will be billed a service charge on the student’s account. A student’s records will be placed on hold if the service charge is not paid. The Office of Housing and Residence Life will accept appeals to the charges for 10 working days after the service charge is billed. However, after that 10-day period, no appeals will be accepted. The Department of Housing and Residence Life does not guarantee that appeals will result in reduction of the service charge. All appeals must be in writing to the Director of the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

16. University’s Right to Entry: The Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to have authorized personnel enter a resident‘s room for any of the following reasons: inspection and repair of University property; ensure the health and safety of its students; for disciplinary purposes or upon reasonable cause to suspect violations of any University policy, such as Office of Housing and Residence Life‘s conduct regulations; to determine occupancy; in an emergency; or whenever necessary to aid in the basic responsibility of the Office of Housing and Residence Life regarding maintenance of an educational atmosphere. Upon any such entry and discovery of reasonable cause to suspect violations, authorized personnel may then also search and seize items related to illegal activity or violation of the Office of Housing and Residence Life policies and University policies.

17. No Waiver: Failure of the Office of Housing and Residence Life to strictly and promptly exercise any right granted in this Housing Contract shall not operate as a waiver of Office of Housing and Residence Life’s right to subsequently enforce such rights and no indulgence, extension or delay by the Office of Housing and Residence Life shall be construed as a waiver of any such right.

18. Community Standard: It is the sole responsibility of the resident to obtain, read, and abide by the Office of Housing and Residence Life Standards, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Housing and Residence Life Standards are published in the Student Handbook at www.muw.edu/handbook and on the Housing and Residence Life web site www.muw.edu/housing. The student should be familiar with all housing and residence life policies.

19. Contract Authority: If the applicant is over 18:

I am 18 years or older and I am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this application before submitting, and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this Agreement. I understand that by submitting this application, it will be interpreted as a free and knowledgeable acceptance of the terms of this Agreement.

Student Signature

If applicant is under the age of 18: A parent/guardian signature is required.

Parent/Guardian acknowledges his/her child is under the age of 18 and that Parent/Guardian has read, understands and agrees to be responsible for the terms and conditions outlined above in this agreement.

Parent Signature

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 662.329.7127

ADDENDUM TO 2022-2023 STUDENT HOUSING CONTRACT

The W will update its housing policies and may further amend its student housing contract, as needed, as additional information and public health recommendations regarding COVID-19 become available. This Addendum is incorporated into and shall amend and supplement the 2022-2023 Student Housing Contract between you and The W. By signing this Addendum, accepting your housing assignment, or occupying your assigned room or apartment, you agree that you have read, understand, and are bound by this Addendum as well as the 2022-2023 Student Housing Contract.

Please read and initial each paragraph:

I acknowledge and agree that, if I exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, even if I am fully vaccinated, I will contact The W Health Center and self-isolate until I can be tested for COVID-19.  Self-isolation means that I will not have any human contact with anyone.  I understand that even if my symptoms are mild, I can still spread the virus to others.

I acknowledge and agree that if I am an unvaccinated and I have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive (i.e., within six (6) feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period), I will contact The W Health Center immediately and self-quarantine.   

I understand that if I need to self-quarantine or isolate, I should immediately contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life for assistance, and I promise to follow the directives of The W Health Center and/or Office of Housing and Residence Life during the quarantine or isolation period.

I acknowledge and agree that, if I receive a positive test result for COVID-19 from a medical provider other than an on-campus provider, I will report my test results to The W Health Center and the Office of Housing and Residence Life immediately.

I understand that, if I have been exposed to COVID-19, diagnosed COVID-19 positive, or am directed to self-quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19, I may be reassigned to another room, residence hall, or campus apartment, so as not to jeopardize my health or the health and safety of others. I acknowledge that this reassignment does not constitute a termination of my student housing contract or warrant a refund of any of my housing or dining costs.

I understand that, as a result of COVID-19, visitation hours or the number of guests allowed in residence hall rooms may temporarily change, and Student Housing may temporarily suspend guest visitation in order to limit density on campus.

I understand that I may not rearrange the furniture in my room in a way that impairs my ability to remain six (6) feet apart from either my roommate or guest.

I understand that living in a residence hall or campus apartment could increase my risk of contracting COVID-19 or any contagious disease because of the dense populations in the residence halls.  I understand there are known and unknown risks that could affect my health, safety, and well-being, including but not limited to illness, injury, temporary or permanent impairment, and death. I acknowledge that I knowingly elect to live in a residence hall or campus apartment with a full understanding and acceptance of these risks and without any undue pressure or coercion.

I understand that the best way to reduce my risk of exposure and minimize the spread of COVID-19 to is get vaccinated and to follow the public health recommendations issued from the CDC, and therefore I agree to:

• Wash my hands often with soap and water for a least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer, with 60-95% alcohol if soap/water is not available.
• Avoid touching my eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if I am sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover my mouth and nose with my elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and immediately dispose of the used tissue.
• Wear face coverings as required by the University, the City of Columbus, and the State of Mississippi.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touch objects and surfaces in my assigned room.
• Practice social distancing by remaining six (6) feet away from others.

I understand that The W and/or Housing and Residence Life may take specific measures to protect the public health of the University community which may include, but are not limited to, periodically or routinely conducting Covid-19 testing for residents, changing housing assignments, shortening the academic term, and/or modifying how coursework is delivered.

I understand that this Addendum is intended to protect my health and safety. My non- compliance with the terms of this Addendum may result in my removal from Student Housing and could trigger student conduct disciplinary proceedings.

I acknowledge that The W has exercised good faith by following applicable public health guidance and recommendations and by providing me with the above information so that I, too, may do my part to stay safe and limit the spread of disease. I recognize that I am responsible for modifying my own health and safety practices when asked to do so by public health officials or The W.