housing@d.umn.edu

www.d.umn.edu/housing/contract.htm

Conditions of the Contract

The UMD Housing Contract, which includes all information contained in this booklet and the Housing newsletter, At Your Service, defines the rights, responsibilities and expectations of both the resident and the Housing Office.

This contract is made for the entire academic year (or while registered for classes at UMD during the academic year) and provides rooms in all residential areas (residence halls, suites, and apartments) and board in all residence halls and suites. Upon moving in, the resident (and his/her parents, if the resident is under legal age) is responsible for full contractual obligations. This contract is binding and the resident must remain in University Housing while registered for courses at UMD during the academic year.

The Housing Office reserves the right to reassign a resident to a different living area at any time if the Housing Office determines it is in the best interest of the resident, other residents or the University community. The Housing contract is binding for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) or while enrolled at UMD during the academic year.

The University reserves the right to refuse or cancel any contract and/or return any installment payment. Students wishing to live in a University residential facility must meet the following conditions:

• Be officially admitted to the University of Minnesota Duluth
• Be in good academic standing as defined in the current UMD Bulletin
• Be registered for a minimum of six credits at the University of Minnesota Duluth

Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Associate Director of Housing or his/her designee. Dropping below the credit minimum does not automatically release a resident from the Housing contract.

• Semester Break Housing Policy
• Assignment Changes
• Assigning Vacancies
• Roommate Conflicts: Your Options
• Consolidation Policy
• Payments
• Contract Cancellation
• Moving Off Campus
• Selling a Contract
• Check Out Procedures
• Unlawful Detainer Statement

Semester Break Housing Policy

Burntside Hall, Vermilion Hall and Stadium Apartments are the only University housing facilities open for semester break, which occurs from 8:00 p.m. on December 21, 2006- 12:00 noon on January 15, 2007. All other housing facilities will be closed during semester break. To qualify for semester break housing, residents must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Reside in Burntside Hall, Vermilion Hall or Stadium Apartments on or before December 11, 2006; and
2. Complete and submit a semester break housing request form to 149 Lake Superior Hall on or before December 15, 2006. [Top]

Assignment Changes

It is important that roommates work together to create a living environment that allows freedom with respect and responsibility. However, should problems arise, residents may request an assignment change to another living unit. Residents should contact their RA to discuss the situation and/or initiate the change of assignment process by obtaining an Assignment Change Referral Form.

The Assignment Change Referral Form (obtained from your RA) must be presented at the Housing Office (149 Lake Superior Hall, 726-8178) to obtain a list of on campus vacancies. A resident may not move until written approval is received from the Housing Office. Any resident moving to another assignment without written approval will be subject to Housing disciplinary action and may be required to move back to his/her original assignment and/or lose all assignment change privileges. No assignment changes are allowed until all students in temporary assignments have been placed in a permanent room or apartment. [Top]

Assigning Vacancies

Vacancies may be assigned at any time by the Housing Office (149 Lake Superior Hall, 726-8178). When possible, the Housing Office tries to have the present residents and the new resident meet prior to moving. Students are encouraged to spend time getting to know one another and to discuss issues important to living together. At semester break, present residents may not have an opportunity to be informed or meet an incoming student, due to their absence. Should roommate conflicts develop, students are encouraged to follow the Assignment Change procedures. Refusing to accept another roommate will result in being assessed the rate noted in the Consolidation Policy. [Top]

Roommate Conflicts: Your Options

• Discuss situation with the person directly, and/or;
• Contact your RA for assistance in how to phrase things when you address your roommate(s), and/or;
• Obtain an Assignment Change Referral form to relocate to another living unit from your RA.

Staff are prepared and willing to assist residents with facilitation-but are unable to make living decisions for them. The RA's can either advise you on how to approach your roommates or can actually join you and your roommates to facilitate the discussion, help keep the discussion focused and encourage civility. Only the residents living together are capable of resolving any differences. One of the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood is the ability to individually address problems or to choose not to address them.

If you have concerns about personal safety or security, contact Campus Police at 726-7000 during normal business hours or 911 after hours.

It is inappropriate for staff to intervene other than to facilitate discussions between residents.

Housing Staff will not decide who is to move out and who is to stay in an apartment. [Top]

Consolidation Policy

If the occupancy of an apartment/suite falls below four people or residence hall room below two people, the remaining resident(s) have the following options:

1. Accept another roommate(s);
2. Move into another apartment/suite (if two or less residents remain) or residence hall room;
3. Space permitting, pay an additional $500.00 per space (apartment/suite), per semester, to keep the apartment/suite with less than four residents or $455.00 per semester for the single room rate for the residence hall room. 

If another roommate(s) is not available, the additional rate will not be charged. [Top]

Payments

Billing for University Housing fees is included on the billing statement with tuition and fees. The $200.00 installment payment for Fall Semester has been credited to the first semester Housing charge. Housing charge questions should be addressed to the Housing Office (149 Lake Superior Hall, 726-8178). Payment questions should be addressed to the Student Accounts Receivable Office (window 15 or 16, Darland Administration Building, 726-7190). Failure to satisfy the financial obligations of the Housing Contract may result in any or all of the following:

1. Placement of a "hold" on the resident's records and/or registration materials
2. Denial of future residence
3. Termination of the contract and eviction
4. Referral of the student's account for collection
5. Referral to St. Louis County Conciliation Court for legal action [Top]

Contract Cancellation

A student may be released from his/her contract under the following condition:

• Official withdrawal from UMD
• Official graduation from UMD
• Legal marriage of student

Two weeks written notice and proof of pending withdrawal, graduation, or marriage at the end of Fall Semester is required by the Housing Office for cancellation of this contract.

A student who has been released from the Housing Contract for any of the above conditions or whose contract has been terminated by the Housing Office will be assessed a charge through the last night of occupancy and a meal charge through the evening meal of the same night. These charges are prorated on a daily basis. An additional charge of $50.00 will be forfeited or assessed for cancellation of the contract. The minimum charge assessed for Fall Semester is $200.00. Residents who have been officially released from their contract effective at the end of Fall Semester must complete all check-out procedures by 8:00 pm on December 21, 2006. [Top]

Moving Off Campus

After a resident has checked into University housing, the Housing Contract cannot be canceled to move into off campus accommodations unless approved by the Associate Director of Housing. Approval will be based on demand for space. If a contract cancellation request is not approved, a resident wishing to move off campus must sell his/her contract to an acceptable substitute. Depending on the time of the year, this may be very difficult. The Housing Contract cannot be canceled by merely paying the $50.00 cancellation charge.

A resident should not make a verbal or written agreement for off campus accommodations unless he or she has written approval of sale of his/her Housing Contract. A resident is responsible for the charges pertaining to the balance of the room and board contract until the person who purchased the contract assumes occupancy. [Top]

Selling a Contract

The person who buys the Housing Contract must not be a current resident of any UMD Housing facility

With the written consent of the Associate Director of Housing or his/her designee, a resident may secure an acceptable substitute who has not already submitted a Housing Contract to assume contractual responsibilities. A contract may be sold only by a resident who has moved into his/her assigned Housing space. If approval for an acceptable substitute is granted keep the following points in mind:

• The person who buys the contract must not be a current resident of any UMD Housing facility
• A substitute may be male or female depending on the availability of space in an on campus facility
• The contract being sold is for a space in on campus housing, not necessarily the specific space of the resident selling the contract
• Request for transfer of a contract by a minor requires written approval of a parent or guardian
• A $15.00 service charge will be assessed to the resident selling the contract

The resident selling the contract is responsible for the financial obligations of the contract until the date the substitute assumes occupancy in the residential facility. [Top]

Check Out Procedures

During the year when a resident receives approval to move out of a living unit, even if just moving down the hall, the resident must:

1. Schedule a time with the RA to complete a check out inventory.
2. Clean the living unit.
3. Complete the check out inventory with the RA and receive a Check Out Verification Form
4. Lock the door to the living unit
5. Turn in Check Out Verification Form, residence parking decal, keys and mattress pad at 189 Lake Superior Hall between 9:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Students not returning keys at the time of check out will be billed for a lock core change and/or replacement keys
6. Residents must check out in person. Residents who fail to follow check out procedures as outlined herein and in At Your Service will be assessed a fee of $25.00, in addition to any charges assessed for cleaning and/or lock core replacement.

Residents who have been released from their contracts (approved by the Associate Director of Housing) effective at the end of Fall Semester, must complete all check out procedures by 8:00 pm the December 21, 2006. [Top]

Unlawful Detainer Statement

As required in Minnesota Statute 504.22, Subd. 2, the following information is provided:

1. The person authorized to manage the premises where you live is John Weiske, Director, UMD Housing Office, 149 Lake Superior Hall, 513 Niagara Court, Duluth MN 55812-3046; and
2. The following agents of the University of Minnesota are authorized to accept service of process and receive and give receipt for notices and demand: Ann Cieslak, Executive Director and Corporate Secretary of the Board of Regents, 600 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455-2020; and University Attorney, Mark Rotenberg, 300 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455-2020. [Top]

© 2001 Regents of the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.

Page Design: Dan Darvell

Last Upadate: January 30, 2007 15:27