Petition

Petition to be released from the University Housing Agreement

Once a student selects a room/accepts a housing assignment, they are bound to the University Housing Agreement for the entire academic year and will remain financially responsible for the cost of their housing assignment for the entire year. 

Students who will not be enrolling for the term, are experiencing a significant and unanticipated change in financial circumstances, or are experiencing a newly diagnosed or exacerbated medical condition can petition for release from the housing agreement by following the corresponding procedure as outlined below. 

New first-year students are required to live on campus and are not eligible to petition for release from the housing agreement.

Not attending

Students living on campus who withdraw for the fall 2023 semester must work with their area office to make arrangements to be checked-out of their residence hall, return keys, etc. This is an important step to ensure a proper check-out and correct billing.

Spring 2024 

Residents who will not be enrolled as a Binghamton University student for the Spring 2024 semester and residents who are participating in semester abroad programs may petition to be released from spring housing.

Petition for Release requests must be submitted no later than November 20, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. to avoid a $200 late charge. Students who submit the form after November 20, 2023 will incur a $200 late charge.

Students who are enrolled at Binghamton University for the Spring 2024 semester are NOT eligible for release from the housing agreement.

Eligible students must submit the Spring 2024 Petition for Release from Housing Agreement form for their area by November 20, 2023 to avoid the $200 late charge.

Questions regarding spring cancellations should be directed to your Area Office.

Financial Hardship

Students who experience a significant and unanticipated change in their financial situation that occurred after selecting their room, may petition for release from University Housing.

Petitions for release from Housing based on financial hardship are reviewed by a team which includes representation from Residential Life, Auxiliary Services and Financial Aid.

The process to petition for release is as follows:

  1. Complete and submit the Petition for Release from the University Housing Agreement–Financial Hardship form.
  2. Meet with a representative from the Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation and explore any options for additional financial aid that may exist.
  3. Submit supporting documents to Residential Life (TU 213) or email reslife@binghamton.edu.
  4. Once these steps have been completed, the request will be reviewed by the Review Team. The team may take the following actions:
    • Approve release from housing 
    • Deny release from housing 
    • Request additional information/documentation
  5. Denials may be appealed by emailing reslife@binghamton.edu directed towards the Director of Residential Life and Housing. This should be done within 14 business days of the date the student is notified of the decision.

Medical

Students facing a newly diagnosed or exacerbated health condition that occurred after selecting their room, and cannot be addressed through a housing accommodation, may petition to be released from the University Housing Agreement.

Petitions for release from the housing agreement  are reviewed by a team that includes representation from Residential Life, University Counseling Center, Decker Health Services and Services for Students with Disabilities.

The process to petition for release is as follows:

  1. Email your request to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).  The email must include an explanation for the basis of your request.  In the email you must do the following:
    • Explanation of a new diagnosis or exasperation of a current condition that occurred after you signed up for housing including a clear timeline (i.e. date you selected housing, date you received the new diagnosis, etc.)
    • Where you will be living if you are granted a release and how that arrangement will meet your needs in a way that cannot be met on campus.
  2. SSD will provide you with the Health Care Provider form. Your provider must complete and submit the form to SSD
  3. Once these steps have been completed, the request will be reviewed by the Review Team. The team may take the following actions:
    • Approve release from housing 
    • Deny release from housing 
    • Request additional information/documentation
  4. Denials may be appealed by emailing reslife@binghamton.edu directed towards the Director of Residential Life and Housing. This should be done within 14 business days of the date the student is notified of the decision.