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 who have signed up for housing and are no longer planning to be enrolled as a Binghamton University student for the 2023–24 academic year may petition to be released from the housing agreement if they meet one of the following criteria:
- are transferring, taking a semester off or withdrawing from the University
- are participating in a study abroad program
- are called to active military service
The process for students who are not attending to petition for release from the housing agreement is as follows:
- Submit the Petition for Release from University Housing Agreement – Not Attending form to their area office.
- Submit supporting documentation to their Community Office (for example, transfer or study abroad acceptance letter, copy of military orders, etc.)
- Drop all courses for the semester for which release is being petitioned. Housing will not be canceled until the student shows as not registered.
Students who meet one of the stated criteria and are not enrolled for the fall semester will be approved and housing will be canceled for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Students who are granted a release from the housing agreement will be assessed a $200 charge.
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–Apartments
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–CIW
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–Dickinson
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–Hinman
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–Mountainview
Petition to be Released from the University Housing Agreement–Newing
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:
- Complete and submit the Petition for Release from the University Housing Agreement–Financial Hardship form.
- Meet with a representative from the Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation and explore any options for additional financial aid that may exist.
- Submit supporting documents to Residential Life (TU 213) or email reslife@binghamton.edu.
- 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
- 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:
- 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.
- SSD will provide you with the Health Care Provider form. Your provider must complete and submit the form to SSD
- 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
- 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.
