HOUSING &
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Living On CampusArmstrong Atlantic State University Housing Agreement
Undergraduate and Graduate StudentsTHIS IS A LEGAL AND BINDING DOCUMENT WITH FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCEPTING.
Definitions:
1. Armstrong Atlantic State University is herein after referred to as the "University".
2. Housing Student and/or parents is herein after referred to as the "Student".
I. PURPOSE, APPLICATION FEE, AGREEMENT COMMITMENT
A. The purpose of this document is to establish a mutual agreement between each housing Student and Armstrong Atlantic State University, a public 4-year unit of the University System of Georgia. By signing this agreement, Student acknowledges that he/she has read and agrees to the full terms and conditions of this agreement.
Agreement Note: A total application fee must be submitted with this agreement. Students and their parents, guardians and/or guarantors are urged to read carefully the contents of this Housing Agreement before accepting.
B. Application Fee: Submitted housing agreements must include a $250.00 application fee. The application fee is only refundable according to the terms and conditions listed in section IV of this document. Students may submit payment by check or money order. The application fee does not constitute prepayment of any housing or other university fees.
C. No term or condition of this housing agreement can be waived and no statement made by the University and/or its employees is considered a waiver of any term or condition, whether expressed or implied.
II. CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT
A. It is understood by all parties that this agreement is enforceable for the specified term regardless of whether the Student transfers, withdraws, is suspended from AASU, chooses to live off-campus OR if Student's physical, mental, emotional condition or parental or marital status changes OR the Student encounters family or financial hardship OR the Student is administratively removed from housing OR for any other reason is unable to continue occupying assigned space. The Student's obligation to pay housing expenses hereunder shall continue for the entire term of the housing agreement.
B. Privacy: Under this agreement, the Student is entitled to the privacy of the assigned room, (except as stated in item III-F), the use of housing common space, and the services rendered in order to pursue his/her educational goals.
C. Duration: This is a year long agreement that shall commence and terminate at 12 noon the last day of the scheduled school year. The only exception to these dates are University Terrace Phase I and a limited number of Compass Point apartments in which a student is assigned to a two semester agreement. Graduating seniors and upper class Students not wishing to hold an agreement during the summer term should apply to University Terrace I.
D. Checkout Requirement: If the Student fails to check out of the assigned housing space by the date and time announced for the closing of housing facilities or the end of Student occupancy period, Student will be assessed an additional service charge of $100 per day until the time Student completes a proper checkout. This is in addition to any other charges associated with improper checkout.
E. Enrollment Qualification: A Student must be enrolled in at least 9 (nine) hours per semester as an undergraduate student OR at least 3 (three) hours as a graduate student during the fall and spring semesters at AASU or affiliated academic program/institution. If Student falls below the required hours, Student will not be eligible to live in university housing facilities. Student may petition the University for a waiver of this condition within 72 hours of date Student fell below required hours as posted by AASU registrar. If waiver is denied, Student must move out within 72 hours of notification of denial. Waiver may be revoked at any time by the University therefore allowing Student 72 hours to vacate premises. Applicable housing fees are owed per conditions in item IV of this agreement.
F. Assignment Policy: The University's acceptance of this agreement does NOT guarantee assignment to a particular type of accommodation, specific request or final admission to the University. It does establish priority for residence hall assignment.
G. Residency Requirement: Starting in 2010, freshman are required to live on campus (with an exception of students in the adjacent-four-county area). All other students are not required to live on campus. The university reserves the right to adjust residency requirements in the future.
III. CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS
A. Student may only occupy the room to which they are assigned. Transfer of agreement to another Student may be made by following published procedures located within the University Housing Rules and Regulations.
B. Students are responsible for care of rooms and equipment. The University provides no janitorial service in Student rooms. Charges may be made for damages to, unauthorized use of, or alterations to rooms, equipment or buildings and for special cleaning necessitated by improper care of rooms or equipment. Students are jointly responsible for care of common space and equipment. Common space is defined as those areas available for use by all Students living within a university housing property. Charges for damages to common space and equipment may be made to all Students assigned to specific hallways or buildings of a property.
C. Students are responsible for knowing and observing University regulations and procedures as set forth in official University publications including the University Housing Rules and Regulations. The AASU Student Code of Conduct supercedes University Housing Rules and Regulations for discipline related issues. The University reserves the right to promulgate rules and regulations in its judgment as may be necessary for the safety, care and cleanliness of the premises and for the preservation of order. The Student agrees to abide by all additional rules and regulations that are adopted.
D. The University is not liable for damage or loss of personal property, failure or interruption of utilities, or unforeseen accidents/injuries. Students are strongly encouraged to secure their own personal property loss insurance. AASU recommends National Student Services, Inc (http://nssinc.com) or CSI Insurance Agency, Inc. http://www.collegestudentinsurance.com)
E. Authorized University personnel may enter Student rooms for normal inspection and/or maintenance purposes. In addition, a Student room and personal property may be entered and searched by authorized University personnel when a reasonable belief exists that the room is being used for a purpose which is illegal or which would otherwise seriously interfere with discipline, personal or university property, and/or personal safety of Student or others, and/or for suspected violations as outlined in the AASU Student Code of Conduct and/or the University Housing Rules and Regulations.
F. Room assignments may, at any time, be changed, canceled or terminated by the University in the interests of order, health, discipline, maximum utilization of facilities or disaster after notice to the Student as is practical. Disregard for the rights, responsibilities and duties of others, as well as the creation of circumstances which could jeopardize life, limb or property, are conditions which are not acceptable in University housing and may be cause for termination of the Housing Agreement.
All roommate requests must be mutual. Please refer to the roommate selection portion of this agreement to make your preferred roommate request.
G. Alcohol and Drug Policy: All residential property at Armstrong Atlantic State University is "dry" meaning no alcoholic beverages or similar products may be brought to, stored, displayed (empty, partially full or full), or consumed on or in any residential property. Any person, regardless of age, found in violation of this policy will be subject to but not limited to the maximum penalties in force and in accordance with University, local, state and federal laws.
The University takes a zero tolerance stance towards drugs on campus, which includes University residential property. Therefore, any person who is found guilty of the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of marijuana, controlled substances or dangerous drugs as defined in Section I-B-4 "Drugs" of AASU Student Code of Conduct, or as defined by local state, and federal laws and statutes could be suspended from the University and be subject to criminal prosecution per local, state and federal laws. In addition, the University prohibits drug paraphernalia.
H. Within the residence halls, students may NOT possess firearms, weapons, explosives, fireworks or any materials that may be hazardous to the health or safety of other occupants of the building. Also prohibited in Student rooms include motorcycles, waterbeds, weights, drums, pets, open flame elements or full size refrigerators in addition to those already provided. Bicycles may be stored in University provided bike racks external to residential buildings. University reserves the right to prohibit other items that are deemed hazardous to the health and/or safety of other occupants of the building and/or are otherwise deemed a nuisance to other occupants of the building.
I. Visitation shall be in accordance with Housing Rules and Regulations.
J. In keeping with the policies of the University, all rooms are assigned without regard to race, creed or national origin.
K. Students shall not pursue any business and/or commercial endeavors in their apartments or on University residential property. Solicitation is strictly forbidden.
L. Meal Plan: Any Student living in University housing will be assigned and required to pay a minimum food service plan. Food service plan details are listed in the "Meal Plan Selection" addendum to this agreement.
M. Should the University deem it necessary to evacuate the campus for any reason, the Student must comply.
IV. RATES, PAYMENTS AND REFUND POLICY
A. Residence hall room rates are outlined in the "Community Selection" section of this agreement. Room rates may be changed after 30 days notice to the assignee in the event of unanticipated circumstances beyond the control of the University, including increased utility rates.
B. PAYMENTS - The undersigned Student agrees to pay housing payment to the University for the full housing agreement period. The university has instituted a semesterly housing payment schedule requiring Student to make housing payments as follows:
Fall semester: payment due in August
Spring semester: payment due in January
Summer semester: payment due in May
1. Student payments must be received on or before due dates. Housing fees are due to the Office of Financial Services no later than 4 p.m. on the business day prior to the first day of class for affected semester. Student who moves in after the first day of classes of affected semester must pay housing fees upon move-in.
2. The undersigned Student understands that failure to satisfy his/her financial obligations may result in penalties, including, but not limited to, suspension, blocking or canceling class registration and/or the refusal to issue transcripts or diploma. The University will remove Student from housing upon failure to make payment per this agreement. Student is not eligible for any refund of application fees. In addition, Student will be required to pay for the time spent in University Housing as well as 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement. A student who withdraws (for any reason) after the specified date (fall semester) is not eligible for a refund of any part of that semester's housing fees and will be required to pay 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement. A Student who withdraws (for any reason) after the specified date (spring semester) is not eligible for a refund of any part of that semester's housing fees and will be required to pay the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement.
3. Student understands and agrees that he/she shall reimburse University for any and all costs incurred by the University (or any entity acting on University's behalf) in any action for collection of sums due hereunder, including, but not limited to, court costs, collection agency fees, attorney's fees, interest fees and any other related fees. Failure of the University to enforce or pursue any of its rights hereunder shall not act as a waiver of that right or any other right to later exercise any right or enforce any remedy which it may have at law and/or equity.
4. Failure to provide electricity, hot and cold water, heat and/or air conditioning, phone service, cable service, Internet service shall not be a reason for reduction, abatement or withholding of housing fees or other payments legally due. No housing fee adjustment or other compensation shall be claimed by the Student for inconvenience or discomfort from the making of repairs, improvements to facilities or temporary service outages, provided such occurrences are re-mediated within a reasonable amount of time and with minimal inconvenience to the Student.
5. Internet Service: AASU Housing provides the initial setup and installation of Internet access. Future re-installations and Internet troubleshooting will be charged to the Student. The Student agrees that his/her computer is "ethernet ready." If Student's computer is not "ethernet ready", the Student is responsible for all installation charges and fees. In addition, University reserves the right to require wireless capabilities of student equipment for Internet use in the future.
6. FINANCIAL AID NOTICE: Like Armstrong Atlantic State University, each institution eligible to offer Title IV aid is required by the Department of Education to set a cost of attendance. This is a dollar figure that averages the direct costs to Students. Students who live on campus are assigned to an "on-campus" budget, which reflects the average costs a Student may incur. This budget includes line items such as tuition and fees, transportation, room and board, personal expenses and books and supplies. The unavailability or disbursement date of financial aid funds will not constitute an exception to terms and conditions for timely payment of fees and agreement installments.
C. CONSOLIDATION: The University reserves the right to reassign Students for the purpose of consolidation and to schedule unoccupied rooms for guests' usage throughout the year. Where there is a vacant space, it must be maintained in a manner by the occupant(s) that will allow a Student to move in immediately. The University reserves the right to make temporary assignments and to assign or reassign accommodations for the benefit of the University, the Student, Department of University Housing or a living unit.
D. CANCELLATION, REFUND POLICY, WITHDRAWALS
1. Cancellation - New Housing Students: If Student cancels housing agreement prior the date specified by the housing department, the university will refund the $250.00 application fee.
2. Cancellation - Returning Housing Students: Returning Students who renew their housing agreement for the relevant academic year and cancels prior to the date specified by the housing department, will be subject to a $250.00 cancellation fee. Renewal cancellations will not be accepted after this date and Student will be responsible per the terms of the agreement.
3. Timelines for refund processing: Refund due to cancellations will be processed by university housing within 1 (one) month of submission of the cancellation form. The actual amount of time for the refund to be received by the Student will vary depend on the University calendar and postal services.
4. Voluntary withdrawal from both housing and the University: A Student who has submitted a housing agreement and plans to no longer attend Armstrong Atlantic State University must file a "Notice To Vacate" with the Office of University Housing AND file appropriate class withdrawal forms through the Division of Student Affairs. Student is not eligible for any refund of application fees. In addition, Student will be required to pay for any time spent in University housing as well as 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration this agreement.
5. Voluntary withdrawal from ONLY Housing: If Student wishes to withdraw from housing, BUT continues to matriculate at AASU, Student must first meet with the director of university housing or his/her designee to discuss reason for housing withdrawal. If contract cancellation is granted, Student will remain responsible for all housing fees through date of checkout and 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement. If contact cancellation is denied, Student will remain responsible per the terms of the contact.
6. A Student whose housing agreement has been terminated by the University will forfeit the privilege of living in university housing. Student is not eligible for any refund of application fees. In addition, Student will be required to pay for any time spent in University Housing as well as 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration this agreement.
7. A Student who withdraws (for any reason) after the date specified by the housing department (fall semester) is not eligible for a refund of any part of that semester's housing fees and will be required to pay 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement. A Student who withdraws (for any reason) after he housing department (spring semester) is not eligible for a refund of any part of that semester's housing fees and will be required to pay the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement.
E. ADMINISTRATIVE / JUDICIAL REMOVAL OR RELOCATION
The University reserves the right, at its discretion, to determine if past behavior and or criminal activity is such that the interest of the University, Student and/or other Student would be best served by alteration or cancellation of this housing agreement. If the University becomes aware that the Student has a record of criminal conviction(s) or other actions indicating behavior that could pose a risk to a person or property and/or could be disruptive to the housing community, the University may not accept or may cancel Student application to university housing or change Student's existing assignment.
If Student's housing agreement is terminated or Student is suspended or expelled, Student will be required to vacate assigned space as directed by the director of university housing or his/her designee. Student will not be refunded semester housing fees and will be required to pay 50% of the remaining cost of housing for the duration of this agreement.
F. REFUND FOR MILITARY RELATED WITHDRAWALS
The University will offer pro-rate refunds to Students who are affected and thus withdraw from the University due to military duty under the following scenarios:
- Military reservists (including members of the National Guard) who receive emergency orders to active duty after having moved into a University residential property
- Active duty military personnel who receive an emergency reassignment after having moved into a University residential property
- Military Personnel unusually and detrimentally affected by the emergency activation of members of the reserve components or the emergency deployment of active duty personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and who demonstrate a need for exceptional equitable relief after having moved into a University residential property
V. MOLD AND MILDEW
Student acknowledges that it is necessary for Student to provide appropriate climate control, keep the apartment clean and take other measures to retard and prevent mold and mildew from accumulating in the unit. Student agrees to clean and dust unit on a regular basis to remove visible moisture accumulation on windows, walls and other surfaces as soon as reasonably possible. Student agrees not to block or cover heating, ventilation or air conditioning ducts in the unit. Student also agrees to immediately report to the University housing office: 1) any evidence of water leak or excessive moisture in the unit as well as in any storage room or common area; 2) any evidence of a mold or mildew like growth that cannot be removed by applying a common household cleaner and wiping the area; 3) any failure or malfunction of the heating, ventilation or air conditioning system in the unit, and; 4) any inoperable windows and doors. Further, Student agrees that he/she shall be responsible for damage to the apartment and Student's property as well as injury to Student and/or occupants resulting from failure to comply with the terms of this agreement.