Housing Agreement
WNMU Housing Agreement FALL ‘23/SPRING ‘24
The term “Resident” or
“Student” in this Housing Agreement refers to the individual named above. The term “University” refers to Western
New Mexico University. The Student shall not be released
from this agreement due to lack of
financial resources, dietary/medical needs, or switching to an online format.
Students are urged to carefully consider their
circumstances prior to entering into this Housing Agreement.
1. ELIGIBILITY: A person must be enrolled for at
least one credit hour each semester as a degree -seeking undergraduate or
graduate student to be eligible for on-campus housing. The
Director of Housing and Residence Life or his/her designee
may deem other students eligible for on-campus housing.
Applications for on-campus housing are subject to review by the
Director of Housing and Residence Life. Pursuant to such a review, on-campus
housing may be denied for cause and any rental fees
paid returned prior to occupancy.
2. TERM: Subject to earlier termination as
provided in Paragraph 6 below, THIS AGREEMENT IS FOR BOTH THE FALL AND
SPRING SEMESTERS OF THE INDICATED ACADEMIC YEAR, or any for any
portion of the fall and/or spring semester remaining at the time the Agreement
is signed. The Student
will be assessed all fees for the entire term if the Student enrolls but does
not occupy the assigned unit and has not cancelled this agreement pursuant to
Paragraph 4 below. The Student
shall not be released from this Agreement due to lack of financial resources,
dietary, or medical needs. Students are urged to
carefully consider their circumstances prior to entering into this Housing
Agreement.
3. BREACH OF AGREEMENT: Violation of any term, covenant,
or condition of this Agreement shall be considered a
breach of this Agreement. In the event of such a breach, the Student
shall be notified in writing by the Director of Housing and Residence Life or
designee. Remedies for breach of this Agreement include, but are
not limited to, denial of housing, permanent exclusion from on-campus
housing, University disciplinary action, reassignment to another unit, or
termination of this Agreement. The determination by the Director of Housing and
Residence Life will be final with regard to all such
matters.
4. CANCELLATION OF
AGREEMENT: In order to
initiate a cancellation of this Agreement, the Student must request a
cancellation by submitting an Exemption/Cancellation from Housing Residency
Requirement form with the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
a. This agreement may be cancelled, and the student may be prorated for the time
of residency under certain conditions including:
i. The Student withdraws
from, or fails to enroll, the student didn’t enroll, the University;
ii. The Student
participates in an academic program or has gained employment that requires
residence outside Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, or Catron Counties (the Four-county
area);
iii. The Student is expelled, suspended, or judicially removed from Housing;
(Financial obligation remains
for breach of the agreement despite vacating the residence halls.)
iv. The Student graduates
and does not continue as an enrolled student in another program.
v. The Student gets
married after signing the Housing Agreement.
vi. The Student is not admitted to the University.
vii. The Student joins
military service after signing the Housing Agreement; or,
viii. The Student becomes
(or is) legal guardian of a dependent (verified by Financial Aid) after signing
the Housing Agreement.
ix. Life-changing
events that are catastrophic in nature and supported by appropriate
documentation.
b. In order to obtain cancellation of this Agreement, the
Student is responsible for providing evidence of the occurrence of one of the
conditions for cancellation set forth in Section 4.a above. Cancellation will
not be effective until the information is filed and
verified by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. In the event the
cancellation is based on the student not enrolling for the following semester,
enrollment by the student in that following semester voids the cancellation of
the Agreement and the Student remains obligated to comply with the Terms and
Conditions of this Agreement.
c. Students wishing to
cancel their housing contract before their lease is up, must complete a Housing
Cancellation Request (found:
https://form.jotform.com/230594861767065 ). Should that request be denied, the student has the opportunity to submit a Housing Cancellation Appeal
Request, by emailing the Director of Housing and Residence Life. Note: approval
is not guaranteed, the decision will be made by the Faculty
Student Appeals Committee. If the appeal is denied,
the student is still responsible for the amount equivalent to the first and last month’s rent of the unit.
Please see below the
respective cost for breach of agreement:
i.
Mustang Village AN, AS, B: $1497.50
ii.
Mustang Village C: $1602.50
iii.
Muir Heights Single Unit: $1752.50
iv. Muir
Heights Double Unit: $1502.50
v.
Centennial Hall: $1209.00
d. Deadline
Dates
Fall Semester Cancellation
Fee
On or before June 30th $150
July 1st
through July 31st $250
August 1st
through day prior to 1st day of fall
semester classes $400
On or after 1st day of the semester classes until census
date* $500*
On or after Census
date
See Section 4. c.
Spring Semester
On or before November 30th
$150
December 1st
through December 31st $250
January 1st
through the 1st day of spring semester
classes $400
On or after 1st day of semester classes until census date $500
On or after Census
date
See Section 4. c.
*Census date is the 3rd
Friday following the 1st day of classes
*If not approved by the
Housing Director or designee, then the student will be held
liable for the equivalent to the first and last month’s rent (See section
4.c.).
*Please note those who
break the contract are subject to a cancellation fee, the equivalent of the first and last
months rent for the unit, or
the prorated amount of the unit for the period of use. *
e. The Director of
Housing and Residence Life or designee may approve
cancellations for reasons in addition to those listed in Paragraph 4a above. Approved
cancellations for reasons outside those listed in Paragraph 4a above are
subject to a cancellation fee of $500.00.
f. An exception to the
cancellation fee will be made for:
i. Graduating students
who do not enroll in another program.
ii. International or national
student-exchange students who cancel prior to the first day of classes.
iii. Students called to military service. (Proration may be applied for period of use.)
iv. Applicants who cancel prior to being
assigned a space.
v. Applicants not admitted to the University.
vi. Life-changing events that are
catastrophic in nature and supported by appropriate documentation.
g. Charges for on-campus
housing will be replaced by the respective amount owed
when a student meets or is denied cancellation. Failure to pay can result in a
hold on the account resulting in additional penalties and fees. (See section
12a)
h. All students whose
cancellation requests are not approved remain bound by
the Terms and Conditions of this Housing Agreement and are financially obligated to the
equivalent of the first and last month’s cost of the Housing Agreement (See
section 4c).
5. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: All freshmen
(less than 30 semester credit hours) residing outside of the Four-county area
(Grant, Luna, Hidalgo, or Catron counties in New Mexico) are required to live
in university owned and operated residential facilities.
a. Exceptions are made
for students residing with their parent or legal guardian; the parent’s or
legal guardian’s permanent address must be within the four-county area prior to
freshman move-in date.
b. Other
exceptions are students who are at least 21 years of age by the first day of
class; students who are married; and students providing support to dependents.
Failure to comply with this rule is a violation of University
policy and will result in a hold being placed on the Student’s account.
To request an exemption from this rule, please complete the Request for
Exemption from Housing Residency Requirement form.
c. Students who enroll as distance students (online
students) in the Fall or Spring semesters as freshman
and remain online until they meet another exception are not obligated to live
on campus. Switching from face-to-face to distance learning format is not
grounds for release from this agreement.
6. NON-ENROLLMENT: A Student who withdraws from, or
fails to enroll in, classes during any semester must notify the Office of
Housing and Residence Life in writing and must vacate the assigned housing unit
within 24 hours following his or her withdrawal from or non-enrollment in the
University. The Student
must follow all check-out procedures prescribed by the Office of Housing and
Residence Life.
7. TERMINATION OF THE
AGREEMENT: This Agreement may be terminated by the University. In the event of such
termination, the Student shall check out of the
housing unit within the time provided in the notice of termination and shall
follow all check-out procedures prescribed by the Office of Housing and
Residence Life. The University shall also have the right to cancel this
Agreement for any cause it deems reasonable including,
but not limited to, violations of any provision of this Agreement or of the
University’s policies or regulations. The same standards for pro-ration of
rental fees and cancellation fees explained in these Terms and Conditions will
apply.
8. APPLICATION/RENEWAL
FEES AND REFUNDS: All
new applications include a onetime $50.00 application
fee in addition to a $25.00 service fee. The Application/Service fee must be submitted with the Student’s Housing Agreement through RoomChoice. This is non-refundable.
The application fee is also non-transferable to another time period outside the time specified in these Terms and
Conditions. The application fee is a processing fee and is
not applied towards rental fees or any other
fees.
a. In the event of
cancellation of this Agreement in accordance with the procedures for
cancellation prior to the census date for the semester, a pro-rated portion of
housing fees paid will be refunded. The
pro-rated portion of the housing fees will be calculated from the first
official published check-in day to the day the student completes the check-out
process and vacates the assigned housing unit. No
refunds of rental fees shall be made for students who
check out on or after the Census date of each semester.
b. Housing fees will be
pro-rated for students who initiate a Housing Agreement on or after the first day
of classes. Any resident who transfers after they have moved into a different
room that has a different rental rate will be charged
the pro-rated per-diem rate based on the number of days from the first day of
move- in until the day the resident checks out of his or her current space.
c. Refunds are processed by the Business Office and inquiries regarding
refunds should be directed to that office.
9. CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT: Students may check into their assigned
housing unit on the published check-in day and are entitled to remain there
until 24 hours after their last day of examinations for the spring semester or
by the published check-out date and time, whichever is sooner, unless the
Agreement is terminated earlier.
a. In the event of
termination of cancellation of this Agreement, Student must vacate his or her
assigned housing unit within 24 hours of the notice of termination or
cancellation. If the Housing Agreement is terminated for the spring semester,
the Student must check out 24 hours after his or her
last exam or by the published check-out date and time for the fall semester,
whichever is sooner. Published check-out dates and times will also be established for graduating students who are participating
in a graduation ceremony.
b. When a Student moves out of a housing unit, the student must
schedule a check-out appointment with the Resident Assistant.
c. Failure to follow
established check-out procedures will result in a $150.00 improper check-out
fee.
d. Completion of any
portion of the check-in procedures, i.e., acceptance of a room key or placement
of personal belongings in the room, constitutes occupancy.
e. A Student is not considered checked-out until all published check-out
procedures are followed including, but not limited to, completion of a
check-out appointment with the Resident Assistant, removal of all personal
belongings, unit cleaned and inspected, and room key returned to the Office of
Housing and Residence Life.
f. Belongings or personal
items left behind by a Student will be considered
abandoned property. All items remaining in the Student’s
unit after check-out will be discarded. The Office of Housing and
Residence Life is not responsible for belongings or personal items left behind
by a Student.
g. Students who are
approved to check in earlier or to check out later than the published dates
will be charged a pro-rated fee for each additional date of occupancy. Students not approved for late check-out but
remaining in a housing unit beyond the published dates for check-out are
subject to a daily fee of $100.00.
h. Students planning to
check in after the designated check-in periods are required
to notify the Office of Housing and Residence Life of their late arrival.
Failure to notify the Office of Housing and Residence Life prior to the first
day of classes may result in cancellation of the Housing Agreement and all
appropriate cancellation fees.
i. Students are permitted to stay in their rooms during the semester
break period between the fall and spring semesters as long as they are in good
financial standing.
j. A Student with an
approved cancellation for the spring semester who check-out after the published
check-out date for the fall semester are subject to the
full cost of the meal plan for the fall/spring semesters.
10. ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments are made by the Office
of Housing and Residence Life without regard to race, religion, national
origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability, except as needed to accommodate
a disabled student. Assignment notifications
include room type, building, room, and roommate information.
Housing assignment notifications may be made in the form of e-mail
communication or written communication. The
student is responsible for providing current mailing address and e-mail address
information to the University for correspondence.
a. Adapted housing is
available upon advanced written request and is dependent upon availability.
b. While information
provided on the Housing Application is considered in
making assignments, no guarantee of a specific unit, rate, building, or space
assignment is implied or made.
c. The Student
understands that the Office of Housing and Residence Life may assign or
reassign Student to any space in on-campus housing at any time.
d. Any Student assigned
to any special-interest community is subject to all community standards
published on the Office of Housing and Residence Life web site.
e. Any Student assigned
to an apartment that has an Office of Housing and Residence Life Resident
Assistant staff member living as a roommate is subject to additional standards
and expectations published on the Office of Housing and Residence Life web site.
f. Occupancy is permitted
for the student only. Additional roommates,
including spouses and children, are not permitted.
11. CHANGES IN
ASSIGNMENTS: Students
may not change housing assignments (bedroom, apartment, or suite) without
following established procedures and obtaining approval from the Office of
Housing and Residence Life.
a.
No changes in assignments will be made based on
age, race, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation, except
as needed to accommodate a disabled student.
b.
Failure to follow established room transfer procedures will constitute a
breach of this Agreement and will result in a $100.00 improper-transfer charge.
c. The
Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to do overflow housing
and to require changes in room assignments, i.e., consolidation, in order to insure maximum utilization of space and
resources. Reassignments may occur do to unforeseen
events, including but not limited to, enrollment fluctuations, physical
facility problems, and staff changes. Room rates may be adjusted as a result of a room reassignment.
12. FEES: Rental fees are published on the
Office of Housing and Residence Life web site. The
Student shall promptly pay all fees based on the due
date in the University system (Student’s Mustang account). In the event of
unforeseen occurrences, fees in additional to rental
fees may be assessed. The Office of Housing and
Residence Life accepts cards, checks, money orders, and traveler’s checks drawn
on a United States bank. Payments must be made through
Western New Mexico University Business Office or online through Mustang
Express.
a.
Failure to pay fees when due shall be considered
a breach of this Agreement and may result in one or more of the following
actions being taken:
i. Denial of housing or housing services;
ii. Loss of assignment;
iii. Inability to register for classes;
iv. Withholding of University records or diploma; and,
v. Turning the matter over for collection.
b.
Additionally, a late fee of $25.00 will be assessed for any payment which
is not received when due. A $100.00 late
fee will be assessed if the semester bill is not paid
in full by the final due date.
c. When
the University is forced to turn the Student’s account
over for collection, the Student shall be responsible for all additional costs
of collection, including attorneys’ fees and costs. In the event of court
action to enforce the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement, the Student shall
be responsible for paying all court fees and costs including attorneys’ fees
and costs.
d.
Deferments may be granted, provided the official
notification of Financial Aid award shows an amount sufficient to pay for
tuition, fees, and housing in full.
e.
Deferment requests are subject to approval by the Director of the Office of
Housing and Residence Life or designee. If a
deferral request is denied, the Student must make
payment by the published payment date in order to guarantee housing.
13. USE OF THE ASSIGNED
UNIT: The Student
will not assign, sublease, or allow the use of the assigned space to another
person or guest.
a.
Guests and visitors must observe all published rules found in materials
listed in Paragraph 13. The student will be responsible for the conduct and
actions of his or her guests.
b. The
assigned unit may not be used as a place of business, nor may a Student conduct any business within any on-campus housing
facility.
c.
No animals or pets are permitted at any time
unless otherwise specified in the Housing Community Guide.
d. The Student shall use the space only for lawful purposes.
e. No
smoking is permitted within the housing units or in public areas associated
with the facilities. Smoking is
allowed only in designated public areas.
f.
Students are prohibited from possessing items
considered to be health and safety violations, including, but not limited to,
candles, incense, or halogen lamps, as published in the Housing Community
Guide.
g.
Occupancy is permitted for the Student only.
Additional roommates, including children, are not permitted.
14. BEHAVIOR AND
CONDUCT: The Student agrees
to abide by all University regulations and policies, all Office of Housing and
Residence Life guidelines, the Student Code of Conduct, the Housing Community
Guide, and this Agreement.
a.
The University regulations, policies, and handbooks are
incorporated into this Agreement by reference.
b. Any
behavior or conduct which 1) intimidates, threatens, or harasses another
Resident or a staff member, or 2) is disruptive to the residential community,
or 3) compromises the safety and security of the community, or 4) is intended to
cause a roommate to move out are all violations of this Agreement, and any one
or more of these behaviors may be grounds for removal from on-campus housing by
the Director of Housing of Residence Life or designee. The director or designee
will issue written notice of termination or modification of the Agreement. The Student will have the opportunity to discuss the notice
prior to a final decision of termination or modification of the Agreement.
All decisions by the Director of Housing and Residence Life are final.
15. HOUSING ALCOHOL POLICY:
This Policy applies to all Residence Halls; alcohol possession or
consumption in unauthorized is a violation of the University Student Code of
Conduct and of the University Housing Policy. The following alcohol community
standards apply:
a. Students who are 21 years of age or
older may possess and consume alcohol as permitted by law in all campus
housing. No underage individual(s) may be present while alcohol is being consumed in the Residence Halls. If a resident who is
21 or older has a roommate under the legal drinking age, all alcohol must be
stored in a separate area that can be clearly distinguished as the property of
the of resident who is over the age of 21 and is not readily accessible to the
underage resident.
b. Students who are legally consuming alcohol
may not have a total amount of occupants in excess of
10 people within the residence while doing so. At no time shall any student
over the age of 21 provide alcohol to students under
the legal drinking age. Consumption of alcohol outside the residence hall is strictly prohibited. Other restricted areas include the
parking lots of the residence halls and residential hall common
areas like the laundry rooms and game rooms. It is unauthorized to
consume alcohol in any public area. For this reason, residents may be asked to pour out contents of unmarked containers (cups,
glasses, sports bottles, etc.).
c. Excessive amounts of alcohol and devices
or games that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol, including, but not
limited to, kegs, trash cans, beer balls, other large containers containing
alcohol, beer funnels, beer bongs, progressive drinking parties, beer pong,
flip cup, water pong, and card games that promote drinking are not permitted.
d. WNMU maintains the right to revoke any alcohol
privileges of the entire suite if students violate any of the directives. Any
offenses may include fines implemented on the student’s account.
First offence: Revocation of the alcohol
privilege for 1 full academic year and a $100 Fine. Second
offence: Indefinite revocation and fines up to $500.
Third offence: Removal from housing.
16. CARE OF FACILITIES:
a. The Student is responsible for maintaining his or her assigned
unit in a clean and sanitary manner and free from damages.
b. No
housekeeping is provided.
c. Trash removal
bins are provided in designated locations.
d. Pest
control services are provided on a regular basis.
e. Facilities
are subject to periodic health and safety inspections by the Office of Housing
and
Residence Life Staff.
f. The
Student agrees to cooperate with roommates in the common protection of
property, to refrain from modifying the space in anyway, except as expressly
permitted in writing by the Office of Housing and Residence Life, and to
promptly pay all assessed charges for damages, special cleaning, or maintenance
resulting from misuse or modification of the facility.
g. The Student is jointly and severally liable with his or her
roommates for assessed charges, unless the responsible individual can be
identified. Students assigned to a specific building are jointly and severally
liable for assessed charges from damages occurring in the common
areas of their housing facility.
h. Student is responsible
for disposing trash in provided receptacles. Trash found outside of suite areas
will result in a fine of $100 per bag. Excessive trash fine within the suite is
up to $500.
17. REPAIRS AND
MAINTENANCE: Students are
expected to report damages and necessary repairs to
the Office of Housing and Residence Life in accordance with established
procedures. The Office of Housing and Residence
Life does not guarantee the availability of parts and services.
18. ACCESS TO UNITS: Employees and agents of the
University shall have the right to enter the Student’s unit at any time a) when
an emergency exists, b) when Student or residential staff have requested
service for the unit c) when a University staff member suspects a policy
violation as outlined in the Housing Community Guide, or d) with 24 hours’
notice provided to the Student via telephone, campus mail, e-mail, or
posting. Authorized Housing and Residence Life personnel may also
enter student rooms without the residents’ permission for maintenance and
housekeeping purposes and for fire, health, or safety inspections.
WNMU has the right to
search the housing units. Based on the results of the search there may sanctions levied upon the resident which may include
termination from being a resident.
19. SECURITY AND KEYS: The Student agrees not to duplicate any
keys assigned or to transfer their use to another person.
If keys are not returned at check-out, the Student
agrees to pay for all lock changes and key replacements. The Student
is responsible for securing the assigned unit at all times and taking such
precautions as are necessary to guard his or her safety and property.
20. FURNISHINGS:
a.
The Student shall be required to inspect and inventory
the contents of his or her assigned housing unit at the time of check-in and
check-out. Each Student shall be responsible for the condition of the
unit’s furnishings in accordance with Paragraph 14 hereof.
b. All
furnishings shall remain unaltered and in their designated units.
21. UTILITIES:
a.
The Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to assess
additional charges based on excessive utility consumption or as the result of
increases in rates charged by the utility service providers.
b. All
units are provided with Ethernet connection and cable television services. The University and the Office of Housing and
Residence Life are not financially responsible for any short-term outages or
outages due to uncontrollable circumstances (e.g., inclement weather).
22. LIABILITY: The University is not liable for damage
to or loss of personal property as a result of fire, theft,
or any other cause whatsoever, or for failure or interruption of utilities.
Students are encouraged to secure their own
health and personal property-loss insurance.
23. EVACUATION: The University retains the right to use
the residence hall facilities for emergency shelter purposes. In the event a
residence hall is evacuated because of an emergency, only those students deemed
eligible by University policy will be permitted to
occupy space in an on-campus shelter.
TO THE STUDENT:
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
TO REVIEW YOUR HOUSING NEEDS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS
AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT OBLIGATES YOU TO PAY ALL ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
FEES INCLUDING THE AMOUNTS MENTIONED IN SECTION 4. C.
I HAVE READ AND
UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LISTED ABOVE, AND MY SIGNATURE ON THE
APPLICATION FORMS INDICATES THAT I AGREE TO ABIDE BY AND TO BE
LEGALLY BOUND THEM.
· The sections listed
above encompass the entire agreement between the student and Western New
Mexico University. Any
alteration, amendment or addition must be agreed to in
writing.
Student Signature:
______________________________________________Date______________
WNMU Housing and
Residential Staff Signature:________________________
TIME ______AM/PM