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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Fall 2008

Housing and Dining Services Contract

When will the housing contracts be available? How do I get one? All Housing and Dining Services contracts for current residential students for the 2009-20010 academic year will be submitted through the Eaglelink portal between February 2 and 13. The text of the contract is online. Please be certain to read the contract before submitting your contract online!

Paper contracts will be sent (via fax, email or mail) to students who are on approved leave upon request.

Does submitting the contract secure a spot in Housing Selection? Fall housing is guaranteed to each student filing a housing contract by the February 13 deadline. Each student will be assigned a lottery number and be permitted to select housing. If space does not permit us to assign on-campus housing to all students who participate in the spring housing selection process, students remaining will be placed in temporary housing.

Once I sign the contract, am I obligated to live on campus? Yes. When the official Housing and Dining Services Contract is submitted via Eaglelink, it becomes a binding agreement between the student and the University. Please read the entire contract, and carefully consider your decision before filing the contract. The contract is for a space in campus housing, not specifically a space in the Apartments or with a preferred roommate. Juniors and seniors who are not housed in the Apartments will not be released from their contracts to pursue off-campus housing. Please do not sign up for on-campus housing as a “fall-back” position in case you don’t find something off-campus. You will not be released from the contractual obligation to University Housing.

I may want to move out of the residence hall in December. Is this possible? The Housing and Dining Services contract is for a full academic year. It is a lease between the student and the University, and releases from the contract are very rare! Exceptions are students who marry, transfer, graduate in December, do not return to the University of Mary Washington for classes in the spring, or are studying abroad during the spring semester. Please be certain to read the Housing and Dining Services Contract carefully!

Do I have to sign up for a meal plan? Yes, all residential students are required to have a meal plan. The University through the housing and dining contract requires that all residential students participate in a full meal plan. - p. 3, Section B. The main reason is that our residential facilities are not designed for students to prepare their own meals in the residence halls. The amenities provided (some areas microwaves only, others small kitchenettes) are for snack purposes only and are not appropriate for large numbers of people preparing meals adequate for nutritional support.

Deposits

We're not submitting additional deposits. Is there a financial penalty if I transfer or am released from the contract? Yes. You will forfeit your $200 housing deposit that is on account.

I may transfer but am getting housing just in case. Will I get the deposit back? The housing deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited if you transfer, withdraw or are released from the housing contract.

Housing Selection

How do I enter the Housing Selection process? Residential students (and students returning for the fall from approved leave, including Study Abroad) interested in entering the Housing Selection process need to submit a Housing and Dining Services Contract by 4 PM on Friday, February 13, 2009. Resident Assistants will hold floor meetings the week of January 26, 2009 to review the process and answer any questions that you may have.

What happens if I do not meet the February 13 deadline at 4 pm and I am a current residential student? Off-campus students, re-applicants and individuals who did not meet the deadline can begin selection at 9 AM on April 1, 2009. If no space is available, they can fill out a wait list form at that time.

What happens after submitting a completed Housing Contract? Each student will receive a housing selection lottery number Monday, February 23, 2002. Students who have already been assigned through homestead, theme housing, and SYE will not be listed on posted lottery lists.

How are lottery numbers assigned within each class level? Lottery numbers are system assigned randomly within each class level based on the projected credits you will have acquired by the end of Spring 2009. Students are grouped by class level within the system and lottery numbers randomly assigned within each class level. Seniors have 90+ credits, juniors 60-89, and sophomores 30-59. Students who are returning for a 5th year to complete a second major, to student-teach, or to complete a Masters have 120+ credits and have the highest lottery numbers. Current freshmen who will not have completed 30+ credits have the lowest numbers.

Should I pre-register at Residence Life in Marye House on the day of my general selection evening? Pre-registration allows you to get all the selection paperwork in order before your arrival at the Great Hall on your selection evening. It's not required - it's a convenience for those who wish to take advantage of it. Please note that selection begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. for those pre-registered.

I want to choose my suitemates and currently live in a single on-campus. Can I do this? No, a person selecting a single room through homesteading or housing selection may not fill an adjoining double room as a suite. RAs are also not permitted to indicate their preferred suitemates.

I have transfer credits still to be evaluated. Will they be included? Yes, all transfer credits processed through the Office of the Registrar before Friday, February 13, will be counted towards class standing. Lottery numbers cannot be reissued after numbers are assigned to include transfer credits posted after February 13.

Do you have to be able to fill a suite in order to be assigned one? Yes, you must be able fill an entire suite prior to selection. This also applies to the selection of triples and quads that are adjoined by a shared bath.

Are residents permitted to overfill in any room on campus? Residents are not permitted to overfill singles, RA rooms, quads or any rooms in Alvey or Arrington.

How will I know what singles and suites are available? Available space will be posted on our web site after homesteading, medical accommodations, and displaced housing has been completed and prior to the start of general housing selection by March 13.

My roommate is studying abroad in the spring. Can I buy out her half so I am not assigned a roommate? No. The application for consideration to buy-out process occurs after transfer, readmitted, and returning students from leave of absence are housed for spring the last two weeks of January. This is the only time of year a request will be considered.

Homesteading

What is homesteading, and how do I participate? Homesteading is the ability to sign up for the room or apartment you currently live in. Freshmen students are not eligible for homesteading in their current assignment and must go through housing selection unless they are roommates to upperclass students who homestead. Once a student has homesteaded, they do not need to attend housing selection. No homesteading will take place past February 13, 2009 at 4 PM

Do those who wish to homestead still receive lottery numbers? Yes, everyone who submits a Housing and Dining Contract will be system assigned a lottery number. While we try to remove those who have assignments before we send out notification emails, it is possible that someone may receive notification of the lottery number despite having homesteaded.

Can students decide to homestead after being notified of their lottery numbers? No, homesteading same room/apartment will be completed on February 13 before lottery numbers are posted.

I am going to buy out my room this spring. Will I be able to homestead it for 2009-10 as a single? No. Bought-out rooms revert at the end of each spring semester to the original designated capacity.

I would really like someone to pull me into their homesteaded room so I don’t need to attend general housing selection. Is there anything I can do to let people know I'm interested in this? Sometimes those homesteading have not yet filled their room. We suggest that those wanting to become the roommate of someone who is homesteading complete the form found in our “Search for a Roommate” notebook in Marye House and indicate on the form you are homesteading or are interested in doing so.

If the two occupants of a double elect to homestead, will they still be required to remove all of their belongings at the end of the spring semester? Yes. The rooms are used during the summer months for summer conference groups.

Does the University provide storage in the building for those who homestead? The University does not offer storage in the residence halls. We recommend placing your items in storage with an off-campus vendor.

I will be displaced homesteading. May I fill a suite? No, suites are offered only during General Housing Selection. You are welcome to fill a room on campus – a double, triple or quad. If you do not elect to fill a room, you may select from doubles only and the next individual selecting who wants to reside in that building will be required to fill the room as long as your smoking preferences match.

I currently live in a single and want to homestead the adjoining room with preferred roommates. May I do this? No, students are not permitted to homestead suites.

Must I displace homestead if my lottery number is good and I have a chance to select a space in the apartments? No. Please note after February 26 you relinquish your option to displace homestead.

What if I homestead and get a great lottery number? Can I go back into the process and select another room? No. Once you select a space, you are not permitted to re-enter the process.

Apartments

Are we allowed to homestead in the apartments? Yes. Students may homestead the same apartment by submitting the form with their housing contract by February 13 at 4:00 PM. and participating in the Homesteading process.

If I am unable to fill a room on campus or a bedroom in the apartment, may I sign up for housing? Absolutely! If you are a junior or senior, individuals may sign up to fill an apartment if there are vacancies. You may also homestead your current room if you are an upperclassman. Or, you may enter the selection process as an individual on your designated selection evening, at which time you will be assigned to a room with another individual without a roommate, or to an empty room and the empty space later assigned. Please consider completing a form for the “Search for a Roommate” notebook and attending the roommate socials to find a roommate!

How many one-, two-, and three-room apartments are there? There are 23 one-bedrooms, 83 two-bedrooms, and 12 three-bedroom apartments. This information and more is available online (see important contact info below for web address), or come to Marye House to review floor plans.

What if the demand for the Apartments is higher than the number of spaces available? Students who want assignment to the Apartments who, for lack of space, are assigned to traditional campus housing will be able to sign up for the Summer Room Change List during the evening of their selection. Those individuals submitting an apartment waiting list application at Housing Selection will be placed on the list in lottery number order. Only junior and senior students who reside on campus will be eligible for the Summer Room Change List. We anticipate some spaces becoming available during the summer, and again mid-year.

Is there a benefit to living on-campus if I want to eventually live in the Apartments? Yes. Only on-campus students will be eligible for the housing selection process, with those who choose to live off-campus being allowed to select any remaining on-campus housing after Housing Selection is over. It is unlikely that any Apartment housing would be available at that time.

Is there a limit on how many overfills we can add to each apartment bedroom? Yes. Please refer to the apartment floor plans to determine which rooms are available for overfilling..

Can all the apartment rooms be overfilled with an additional person? No, not all. Overfills are not permitted in the Jackson and Lincoln styled apartments or in the double bedroom of the Jefferson styled apartment. Please visit our website for apartment specifications. Please note that in order to overfill any room in an apartment that ALL residents of the apartment, including the person overfilling, must sign in agreement the Overfill Agreement form found on our web site.

I’m moving to the Apartments and I don’t think I’m going to need 15 meals a week, but I might want to eat a meal on campus occasionally. Is there an option for me? There is an Apartment Block meal plan, which provides 90 meals per semester (allowing about 5-6 per week), plus $175 in flex.

How do we select the apartment meal plan if we are living in the apartments next year? When you select an apartment assignment at general housing selection, you will complete an apartment addendum, available to you that evening, and on it may select the 90 block meal plan. On your housing and dining contract due February 15 before general housing selection, select only from the meal plans listed. If you do not, you will automatically be assigned to the 15 meal plan.

Are people permitted to select a single room in the apartments without filling the apartment during general housing selection? Yes, people are permitted to select a single room; however, they are required to first fill any vacant single rooms in partially filled apartments. Only after all singles are filled in partially filled apartments will individuals then be able to select a single in a totally empty apartment.

What if I want to select a space in a double in an apartment? Is that permitted? Yes. Please note that partially filled doubles must first be filled BEFORE any individual will be permitted to fill a space in an empty apartment.

Are the room rates for the apartments different from traditional housing room rates? Yes. The apartment room rates are about $150 more than the traditional housing equivalent. Please refer to the Student Accounts website for specific information on room rates.

Searching for a Roommate

I’d like a different roommate for next year, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t already have one. Where can I find someone compatible? Here at the Office of Residence Life we have a notebook for you, where other students looking for a roommate have posted personal information. You are encouraged to post your own form in the notebook and to review others’ forms to find someone compatible. After you find some possibilities, phone them to arrange a time to meet them in their room or to meet in Seacobeck to get acquainted over a meal. Come to the Housing Social hosted by ARH. It will provide you with a time to get together with prospective roommates to meet and talk.

What if I end up not getting along well with the roommate I found at the Housing Social? As always, the option will be open in the fall to change rooms, beginning three weeks into the semester. Remember, good roommates do not need to be buddies, but mutually respectful of one another in order to be compatible. Ask your RA for help if needed.

What if I don’t find a roommate at the social? You may come to Housing Selection night and try for a single room, and/or may come to Housing Selection without a roommate and be placed in a room with a person in a similar situation. We do recommend that you make the effort to find a compatible roommate before Housing Selection to reduce likelihood for need of room change in the fall.

If you have additional questions not answered by this brochure, please stop by the Office of Residence Life in Marye House between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or e-mail us at rlif@umw.edu. We will be happy to address any of your questions!

Office of Residence Life
University of Mary Washington
Marye House
1301 College Avenue
Fredericksburg , Virginia 22401
Telephone: 540.654.1058
Fax: 540.654.1527
http:// www.umw.edu/ residencelife