Gallaudet Mission and Vision Statement

Eligibility - Students must have a full-time course load in any academic program (defined as twelve (12) credits for undergraduate students or nine (9) credits for graduate students per academic semester) in order to live on campus. Anyone carrying less than these numbers of credits must have permission from the Office of Residence Life and Housing in order to live on campus.

Housing Contract - All students who will reside in the residence halls are required to sign a housing contract, which contains the terms of the lease. This will allow students to acknowledge the responsibilities that they have as residents.

Housing Deposits - Each student is responsible for paying a housing deposit of $200 to reserve a room, prior to enrolling. All housing deposits must be pre-paid before housing is assigned/given. Each student is required to maintain the one-time housing deposit on file while residing in University residence halls. Housing deposits are transferred from academic year to academic year if the resident returns to live in University residence halls. These housing deposits are held against the possible incurrence of a damage charge. All contracts are based on the full fall/spring academic term. Residents who break their contracts before the end of the fall/spring semester will automatically lose their housing deposit. To be eligible for a refund of the housing deposit, a student who remains enrolled in the University must demonstrate extenuating circumstances that have arisen after the beginning of the contract period, which prevent him or her from honoring the terms of the contract. Room deposits will be refunded within four to six weeks after a student leaves the University by either graduation or other valid reason without violation of the housing contract and after all room inventory forms have been completed and processed to show that no damage to the student's room and its contents has occurred.

Student Accounts - Student account balances will be checked before business registration to determine if there is any outstanding balance due the University. An outstanding balance remaining one week before business registration will result in the cancellation of a student's course schedule. An unpaid balance remaining five business days after business registration may result in an automatic forfeiture of a student's room assignment. The student would then be placed on the waiting list for overflow space (if any is available). It is the student's responsibility to maintain his/her student account and to pay any outstanding balance before business registration.

Meal Program - All students who live on campus are required to participate in the University meal program. Students who live off campus may buy commuter dining dollars which starts with a $150 nonrefundable plan. There are additional meal plan options to select from. Residents will be given the opportunity to sign up for a particular meal plan during business registration; students who do not sign up during business registration will be billed for the lowest meal plan. Special dietary plans may be available to those students who need them. These students are responsible for arranging a special diet plan with the Food Service manager. Board charges are made for each semester at registration time. Block meal plans are not transferable from semester to semester. When a student leaves the University and returns his/her ID and meal cards, refunds are prorated on a weekly basis, with each week starting on a Sunday.

Board fees do not include the winter break period between fall and spring semesters and the spring break period during the spring semester (usually a week in mid-March), and Commencement week. All students are responsible for their meals during these periods.

Room Cancellation - Students who underwent the room selection process during the spring semester will automatically lose their housing deposit if they cancel their room selection and be billed a room cancellation fee which will be determined by when they communicated with the Housing Operations Manager of their intent to cancel their room selection for the Fall semester.

Students who plan to cancel their housing contract for the Spring semester must communicate with the Housing Operations Manager before the residence halls close for the winter break. Those who do so will be eligible for a housing deposit refund after all room inventory forms have been completed and processed to show that no damage to the student's room and its contents has occurred.

Room Charges and Refunds - Room charges are made for each semester at registration time. Prorated room refunds are made only when a student leaves the University, following proper room checkout procedures, before the fifth week of a semester. There will be no refunds for disciplinary dismissals. (For additional information, see Refunds section.) Residents who do not return as students and follow proper room checkout and notification procedures at the end of the fall or spring semesters may be charged additional fees.

Room rates are based on double occupancy (quadruple occupancy in suites in Carlin and Clerc Halls). The University reserves the right to reassign student rooms at any time.

Room fees do not include the winter recess between semesters. Room and board is provided only during the time the University is in session. In some instances, rooms may be occupied while the University is closed; this must be cleared with the Office of Residence Life and Housing. Students staying without permission will be charged a daily room rate and additional penalties may be assessed.

Graduate students who are required as part of the academic requirements for a degree to do a practicum or student teaching assignment off campus may have their room charges prorated for a semester, provided they vacate the room during the time period of the off-campus assignment. Upon returning to campus, students will be assigned to a room depending on space availability. Students who wish to leave personal effects in a room are required to pay the entire semester charge. Graduate students who wish to have their room charges prorated for the spring semester must make arrangements with the Office of Residence Life and Housing during the month of December.

Room Changes - Only Residence Life staff may grant authorization for residents to change rooms and only when circumstances allow. When a bed becomes available in a student's room, the resident must keep the bed and corresponding furniture in half of the room vacant for a potential roommate in case of room consolidation, room changes, new room assignments, or any other reason deemed necessary.

Room Consolidation - At the end of the room change period, all students who do not have roommates will be consolidated. The occupants of rooms with vacancies will be merged with others in a similar situation to make a full room. This means some residents will be reassigned to different rooms in order to maximize the use of space as well as to retain vacant rooms for emergencies and guests. Non-compliance with consolidation assignments will result in disciplinary action.

Refunds for tuition and room charges for Fall and Spring Semesters - Refunds for the unexpired portion of the semester will be made according to the time of withdrawal as follows:

During first week of classes - 80% of the charges
During second week of classes - 60% of the charges
During third week of classes - 40% of the charges
During fourth week of classes - 20% of the charges
Thereafter - no refund

A student is not eligible for a refund if he/she stops attending classes but remains as a resident in the residence hall. The refund will be determined by the date of checkout from the residence hall.

Board - prorated refund
Fees - no refund
Any disciplinary suspension or dismissal - no refund

Refunds for Summer Sessions - Refunds for tuition and room fees for the unexpired portion of the session will be made according to the time of withdrawal as follows:

During first week of classes - 75%
During second week of classes - 25%
Thereafter - no refunds
Board - prorated refund based on full weeks only
Fees - no refunds
Any disciplinary suspension or dismissal - no refunds

Single Rooms for Older Students - The Office of Residence Life and Housing has a limited number of single rooms every year based on availability. Single rooms are priority assigned to students who have a medical condition which has been cleared by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSWD) and any remaining single rooms may be assigned to students who are older than 35 years based on availability. If you are a student older than 35 years and are interested in applying for a single room, please go to the Office of Residence Life and Housing for further information.

Single Rooms for Students with Disabilities - The Office of Residence Life and Housing has a limited number of single rooms every year based on availability. Single rooms are priority assigned to students who have a medical condition which has been cleared by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSWD).

In order to qualify for a single room or single room with additional accommodations (such as access to a single room with a private bathroom) students must apply for OSWD services and the application will be reviewed by OSWD staff to determine whether the student qualifies and is eligible for OSWD services. In addition of providing medical or psychoeducational documentation for OSWD services, it must be explicitly stated in the documentation that a single room is warranted and reasons given for the single room must be included in the report.

To apply for OSWD services you must complete an OSWD intake form and submit medical and/or psychoeducational evaluation report along with the intake form.

If you are already a student receiving services from OSWD and you desire a single room, you must submit a single room request form from the Office of Residence Life and Housing, any medical or psychoeducational documentation supporting your need for a single room, and submit all materials to the Coordinator of Office for Students with Disabilities for review and signature approval. OSWD will communicate with the Office of Residence Life and Housing of any approvals for single rooms.

Housing for Single/Married Students with Children and Married Students - Housing is available on a limited basis in unfurnished apartments located on the upper level of the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for those students who have children. To reside in an apartment with a child, a parent must be a full-time student. Individuals such as boy/girlfriends do not qualify as residents. Also, space permitting, special arrangements may be made in the fall/spring semester to provide residence hall housing for a limited number of married students without dependent children. In order to qualify for such housing, at least one partner must carry a full academic load. Double occupancy rooms with regular residence hall furniture and a private bath may be assigned. Children may not live with parent(s) who are students residing in the residence halls.

Withdrawals/Leave of Absences - Residents who withdraw from all classes and/or declare a Leave of Absence (LOA) during a semester must vacate their rooms within 48 hours of submitting completed paperwork to the Registrar's Office.

Custodial Services - Each residence hall has custodians assigned to do general cleaning in public and common areas, bathrooms, lounges, and hallways.

Custodians strive to provide the residents a safe and clean place to live. Their work is greatly facilitated by residents' efforts to maintain the cleanliness of the residence hall by the proper disposal of trash and the minimizing of unnecessary mess. The custodial staff is not expected to clean up after residents' parties, practical jokes, or any other unusual circumstances. Residents are responsible for the cleanliness of their residential units.

Custodians are not responsible for cleaning bodily fluids, feces, and/or vomit. An external contractor will be responsible for safely removing bodily fluids, feces, and/or vomit with appropriate chemicals and equipment. The cost of clean-up will be billed to the person(s) responsible.

Entry into Student Rooms - The University reserves the right of entry into any residence hall room for purposes of inspection, cleaning, repair, painting, maintenance, or assessment of damages. The University also reserves the right of entry into any residence hall room to maintain discipline and to provide for the security of persons and property. Regular inspections are made of all areas. When possible, inspections will be arranged in advance; however, the University has the right of immediate entry in the event of fire alarm, emergency, or when a violation of law, University policy, or residence hall policy is suspected. Members of the Residence Life staff, University administration, Department of Public Safety, or Facilities Department will exercise the right of entry under those circumstances. The Office of Residence Life and Housing reserves the right to conduct unannounced health and safety inspections each semester. The Director of Residence Life and Housing, Program Manager, Housing Operations Manager, Coordinators of Residence Education, and/or Graduate Assistants are empowered to conduct an administrative search of student rooms and University property when it is deemed necessary.

Extermination - The University provides extermination service twice each year to prevent pest infestation. When this happens, residents will be notified in advance. If you find your room to be infested with pests, immediately notify the residence hall staff so that a maintenance work order can be issued immediately to the Facilities Department to correct the situation.

Furnishing - In each room or suite, the University provides one each of the following furnishings for each student:

twin bed
dresser
closet or wardrobe
study desk and chair

Housekeeping - Housekeeping is the responsibility of the resident(s) who occupies the room. Rooms must be kept clean for health and safety reasons. Industrial-type vacuum cleaners may be borrowed from the residence hall office. However, for those who suffer from allergies, it is recommended that a personal vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter be purchased.

Insurance - Because residence hall living presents a unique set of living circumstances, it is strongly recommended that students purchase renter's insurance or student insurance to protect their items against theft, fire, and/or damage and liability insurance to protect the student if the student has caused damage to University and other student's property. Gallaudet neither undertakes nor assumes any responsibility for protecting private personal property from any type of loss. It is strongly recommended that students insure any personal property on campus through a family policy or the purchase of separate insurance. Second, Gallaudet reserves the right to hold people responsible for any damage that they cause to University property or any liability claims. Liability insurance coverage can protect students from this risk. If liability coverage in a family insurance policy does not extend coverage to a student's campus activities, separate insurance for this exposure is advisable and available from any insurance agent

Laundry - Every residence hall is equipped with coin and card-operated washers and dryers in the basement. Cards can be bought and updated at the laundry card machine located by the Post Office in the basement of the Jordan Student Academic Center. The laundry machines are for use by on-campus residents only. If a laundry card does not function correctly, assistance can be attained at the Post Office. Any machine malfunctions should be reported promptly to the residence hall staff or by emailing Caldwell & Gregory at Service@CaldwellandGregory.com or calling 1-800-927-9274 (V).

Maintenance and Repairs - Prompt reporting of maintenance and repair requests by each resident will keep residence hall costs to a minimum, therefore keeping student room fees low. These requests should be reported at the residence hall office. The University repaints all residence rooms on a regular schedule. Residents will be notified one week in advance if their rooms are to be painted during the school year.

Room Occupancy - Students are assigned a room as space permits. If a student fails to occupy his/her assigned space on or before the first day of class, the assignment may be cancelled unless advance notice of late arrival, subject to approval, is given to the Office of Residence Life and Housing. All students are required to have a roommate. All new, incoming freshmen are required to reside in the freshmen designated residence hall(s) during their first year of attendance with the exception of older students who may request a different housing arrangement. During the winter break, all residence halls are closed. Special permission must be obtained from the Office of Residence Life and Housing to remain on campus.

University Liability - Students are responsible for any property brought to school. The University cannot assume any responsibility for property damage or loss of property use, nor can it assume responsibility for harm caused by other students or their guests. It is strongly recommended that students take measures to protect valuable property and to insure any belongings before arriving at the University. A student's family may have a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy that extends to property located on campus, or an insurance policy can be purchased directly by students from any insurance agent.

Gallaudet University also reserves the right to transfer any costs or expenses for property damage or liability claims to any person responsible for causing such damage or liability. Students are responsible for the consequences of their actions or neglect. Again, a family's existing insurance coverage may protect the student for his or her activities on campus, or students can purchase separate insurance.

Vending Machines - Vending machines providing a variety of food and beverages are available in every residence hall. In the event of a monetary loss in a machine, go to the Cashier's Office, located in the basement of College Hall, to make a report and request reimbursement. Vandalism of machines will result in their removal from the residence hall until responsibility is determined.