Housing Contract, Residency Requirement, and Release
Housing Contracts (Residential License)
Housing contracts are for the entire academic year. Regardless of the residency requirement status (for example Juniors or Seniors), once a student has filled out the housing application, they are agreeing to a full year contract.
If you wish to be released from your housing contract, please fill out the Release From Housing Application. Completing a release from housing application, does not guarantee approval.
Fulfilling the two residency requirement residency requirement is not a reason for release if you have completed an application to live in on-campus housing. Once committed to on-campus housing, that agreement is for a full academic year (or the remainder of the academic year for spring start).
SUNY Geneseo guarantees housing for all undergraduate students - late applicants included. Unless you are committed to living on campus, do not complete a housing application as a backup plan, as that will not be an acceptable reason for release.
Residency Requirement
All first-year and freshmen students at Geneseo are required to live on campus through the spring semester of their sophomore year or four consecutive semesters (two year residency requirement).
Fall transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, must live on campus for two full academic years (four semester). Spring transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, must live on campus for the remainder of that academic year (spring) and the following academic year.
Release from Housing/Residency Waiver
Justification and Documentation Required
The Director of Residence Life or designee must approve all requests for release and waivers of the residency requirement.
The Release From Housing Application is needed for any student trying to be released from their housing agreement once they have already committed to living on campus and have an assignment. This includes release from spring semester housing.
The Request for Waiver of Residency Requirement is needed for students who are looking to be released from the two year (four semesters) residency requirement. Students requesting a Waiver of Residency after already committing to on-campus housing must fill out both forms.
Completed applications should be filled out and submitted by any of the following methods:
- Residence Life Office, which is located in the College Union, Room 319
- Submit it via our Service Desk
Timeline
It will take up to seven business days (longer during busier times of the academic year) for the committee to review each Release From Housing Application. Notification of approval or denial will be sent to the Geneseo e-mail address of the requesting student.
- Release requests for spring semester should be submitted by December 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for spring billing.
- Release requests for fall semester for returning students should be submitted by April 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for Housing Selection.
- Release requests for fall semester for incoming students should be submitted by June 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for Housing Placement.
The housing release process is rigorous and releases are not granted without a major demonstrated change in circumstance that prevents the student from residing on campus. Some reasons for Release from Housing or Waiver can be found below.
| Justification | Reason for Residency Waiver or Release from Housing | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Residency Waiver Only | Students entering the College aged 25 or older may request a waiver from the residency requirement. |
| Gap Time | Residency Waiver Only | Students who have lived independently away from family for a significant amount of time (longer than 1 year) post-high school due to time in the military, peace corps, athletic training or competition centers, etc. and have demonstrated financial independence are eligible to apply for release from the residency requirement at their time of enrollment. Students should provide supporting documentation and a personal statement. |
| Family Status | Residency Waiver and Release from Housing |
Students who are married or have dependent children may request a waiver from the residency requirement upon admission to the College. A student who is marrying or expecting a dependent child may request a release from a current residential license agreement. |
|
Medical / Accessibility |
*Do not fill out Release from Housing or Residency Waiver - this must go through OAS |
The Office of Accessibility Services manages the review process for medical or disability-related documentation submitted in consideration for release from the residency requirement. Requests are reviewed by OAS staff who forwards their recommendation to Residence Life. Students must follow the Steps for Requesting a Housing Accommodation. The same deadlines apply. Additional documentation may be requested as part of the review process. Please refer to the OAS Housing Accommodation Requests web page for more information on policy, procedures, and deadlines for release of housing requests. If you have any questions, you may contact the OAS via email (access@geneseo.edu), phone (585-245-5112), or visit the office (Erwin Hall 22). |
| Commuting from Home | Residency Waiver |
Please include a notarized statement with your Release from Housing Application from from a parent/guardian that you are commuting from their residence/home for the duration of the residency required period. Students wishing to commute, must reside with a legal guardian at their residence - please include full address. The residence must be within a 35 mile radius from campus. The College address is used to determine the distance from the residence. The legal guardian's address must be within 35 miles from SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454. Note: signing a lease with an off campus apartment is not a justified reason for release and is not considered commuting from home. *Students must make the decision to commute prior to entering into a contract with Residence Life. Commuting releases will not be considered mid-year or as a reason for a contract release. **Incoming students should submit commuting paperwork prior to the June 1 (for fall)/December 1 (for spring) deadline to avoid the administrative fee. |
| Graduating | Release from Housing | Students graduating in December should submit a Release From Housing Application. |
| Diet Needs / Nutrition | *Do not fill out Release from Housing or Residency Waiver - this must go through OAS |
Students with dietary needs that rise to the level of disability can apply for release per the Medical/Accommodation section with the Office of Accessibility Services. As a first step in the process, students will be asked to meet with Campus Auxiliary Services Dietician to discuss accommodations or modification that campus dining can make for medical needs. |
| Transferring/Approved Leave of Absence/ Withdrawal | NA |
No need to complete a release form. Students are referred to Enrollment Management in Doty Hall. Students are asked to visit the Enrollment Management website to complete the Leave of Absence request. Once approved, you should contact your AC/RD for check out instructions. *Note if a student is still residency required when they take a leave of absence they will need to return to on campus housing when they return to complete this requirement (this may also result in needing to complete a full year contract). Contact Residence Life for questions. |
| Study Abroad or Student Teaching | Release from Housing |
Students should provide an acceptance letter from the Study Abroad Program or Student Teaching Placement (to ensure the student teaching placement is outside the commutable range) with the Release From Housing Application. *Note if a student is still residency required when they study abroad or student teach they will need to return to on campus housing when they return to complete this requirement (this may also result in needing to complete a full year contract). Contact Residence Life for questions. |
| Financial | Release from Housing |
Demonstration of an extraordinary change (since signing up for housing) in financial condition beyond your resource base, which cannot be remedied through existing College financial aid programs (students must speak with financial aid prior to applying for this type of release). Parent or guardian will need to provide a notarized letter as well. Students who qualify for loans and other types of aid, but choose not to accept, will not be granted a financial release. A detailed, notarized letter from the guardian and student outlining their family's financial constraints should be submitted.
Note: the ability to save money by living off campus is not a justification for exemption.
Note: signing a lease with an off campus apartment is not a justified reason for release.
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Requests based on personal reasons, such as general dissatisfaction or unhappiness, are not approved because they are based upon personal feelings, which are subjective -- and therefore do not allow the department to be consistent or fair in the administration of the Residential License. Personal reasons are generally not able to be approved. If a student still wishes to apply, documentation (such as meetings with Residence Life staff) should be included in the appeal. Note: signing a lease with an off campus apartment is not a justified reason for release.