Housing Information and Policies

Business Appeals:

If you disagree with the assessment of a housing charge against your account, contact the Office of University Residences. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may file an appeal. The appeal will be reviewed by the University Residences Fee/Housing Agreement Appeals Board and a decision rendered. Written appeals related to a specific action must be submitted to the Office of University Residences within thirty (30) calendar days of the action under appeal. Appeals for non-housing related issues (e.g. student account late fees) should be filed with the Student Accounts Office in OM 360.

Cancellation Prior to/During Occupancy:

The student may cancel this Agreement at any time prior to occupancy. For Fall quarter, the entire $200 security deposit will be refunded for cancellations made by June 30. $100 of the security deposit will be refunded for cancellations made July 1 through August 31. After August 31, no refund of the security deposit or any portion thereof will be refunded. For Winter and Spring quarters, students will forfeit their entire $200 security deposit if the Agreement is cancelled prior to occupancy. Cancellations must be made in writing.

Students canceling their contract after occupying their room shall pay liquidated damages in the amount of $5.25 per day for the remainder or unexpired portion of the term of the academic agreement, not to exceed $400 ($2.67/day, not to exceed $200 for Birnam Wood Residents). Cancellations must be made in writing to the Office of University Residences.

Collection Costs:

The student further agrees to pay the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the collection agency fee and reasonable attorney's fees in the event that the University is required to place any outstanding account, debt or claim with a collection agency and/or utilize the assistance of legal counsel to collect on the account, debt or claim arising from this Agreement.

Damage/Security Deposits:

If you are remaining in University Residences, your security deposit will remain on account with the University. If you are moving off-campus, your security deposit credit will apply to any outstanding charges on your student account (e.g. contract breakage fee). If there are no charges or future charges, the credit will remain on your account until the end of the quarter unless you formally request the refund be mailed to your forwarding address (Please check your address in Web4U to ensure accuracy). The request needs to be submitted in writing to the Student Accounts Office in OM 360 or by calling 360-650-2865. Security deposits refunded at the end of the acedemic year normally take 3-5 weeks from the date of checkout.

Delinquent Accounts:

A "late payment fee" of $75 on all student account balances of $500 or more after the first 15th of the quarter AND a 1% interest charge assessed monthly on all past due balances will be assessed to all delinquent accounts. Students with a delinquent account in an amount greater than the amount of their security deposit of $200.00 may not be allowed to continue to live in University housing, may be prohibited from registering for subsequent quarters, and will not be able to obtain transcripts or other records. Student accounts which are extremely delinquent will be referred to the Washington State Attorney General for collection.

Meal Plan Billings:

Please note all Dining Dollars, meals, and guest meals are prorated. For example, if you leave halfway through the quarter, you will only be charged up through the end of the date of cancellation of your Room and Board or Off Campus meal plan agreement, therefore, you are only allowed to spend half of your Dining Dollars, meals, and guest meals. If you have spent more than the prorated amount, then you will be billed additional charges for the services used.

For a detailed description of each meal plan please refer to the Campus Dining Program Brochure or contact the Dining Services Office located in Edens Hall (360.650.2970).

Credit for absences:

The University will not give credit for absences from the University except in instances in which the student is compelled to be away from the University for (5) consecutive days due to extenuating circumstances AND has complied with the procedures outlined in The Residential Community Handbook. In such cases, the board portion of the room and board charge will be removed for those particular days. (Credit will NOT be granted to the student if the student's food is provided by another department of the University during the time of such absences.) The student may take a leave of absence from this Agreement for one quarter if he/she meets all of the following conditions: (A) the student is participating in an academic program that is a requirement for graduation; (B) the student is residing outside Whatcom and Skagit Counties during the program; and (C) the student requests the leave of absence from the Office of University Residences at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the quarter in which the program takes place.

Security Deposit:

The student shall deposit with the University the sum of $200 as security for the faithful performance by the student of all terms, covenants and conditions of the Agreement and other University obligations. The University agrees to refund to the student the security deposit upon termination of the Agreement, provided the student has performed all terms, convenants and obligations of the Agreement and provided further that the room to which the student has been assigned is left in a condition as good as it originally was as at the time of original occupancy, reasonable wear and tear excepted and provided the student has satisfied all other University obligations.

If you have any questions, please contact Financial Services directly at 360.650.3744.