Release & Appeals

About the Residence Hall Contract

Your Residence Hall Contract is a legal contract. If you are or will be a registered student and have completed a Residence Hall Contract, you will not be released and will not be able to cancel your Contract to move off campus.

Petition

Only students, current and incoming, with written documentation of severe financial or medical hardship that cannot be addressed through transfer or other accommodation within the residence hall system may petition for release from the Contract.

DO NOT SIGN ANOTHER LEASE unless you have received formal written release from your Residence Hall Contract.

For current students, Housing Petition forms are available from the Housing Office and Residence Area Offices and should be submitted with appropriate documentation to UF Housing Undergraduate Assignments for review by the Housing Petitions Committee.

For incoming students, a letter describing the reason for petition should be submitted with appropriate documentation to support the letter to UF Housing Undergraduate Assignments for review by the Housing Petitions Committee.

Residents may seek release from their Residence Hall Contract during the Special Release Period, which if invoked by the Director of Housing, usually begins at the end of the first week of Fall classes.

Terms and Conditions 2008-2009

Terms and Conditions 2009-2010

Financial Hardship: You must complete the Housing Petition Form and the Student Financial Statement as well as provide additional written documentation to support the claim of financial hardship beyond your control. You must also provide proof of an alternate housing arrangement priced below the lowest available on-campus space. DO NOT SIGN ANOTHER LEASE UNTIL RELEASE IS SECURED! Other documentation may also be requested.

Medical Hardship:Release from the Residence Hall Contract will be approved only if the medical condition cannot be supported in campus housing. The University is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You must register your disability with the University by contacting the Disability Resource Center. Then, provide written documentation from a physician or licensed mental health counselor confirming the medical hardship condition with your petition. The written documentation must include specific criteria found here. If a vacancy exists on campus that adequately addresses the condition, a medical priority transfer will be arranged.

Greek: This Contract may not be canceled for the purpose of residing in a fraternity or sorority house at any time during the Contract period, unless a special release is invoked by the Director of Housing. The Special Release Period, if invoked, usually occurs beginning at the end of the first week of classes. Requests for releases to Greek houses based on financial and/or medical hardship are not viable requests. The Petitions Committee will not review petitions for release into Greek houses.

Graduate & Family Housing (Village Communities): There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee. If you signed a Village Communities Contract, there is a 45-day Notice to Vacate clause. Be sure to communicate in writing with the Village Communities staff regarding withdrawal of an application and/or cancellation of a Contract. Refer to the Terms and Conditions of the Village Communities Contract which describe fully the conditions for cancellation and related financial obligations.

Appeals To Petition Committee Decisions: To appeal a Housing Petitions Committee decision, residents must provide documentation of a medical, financial, or personal hardship that cannot be accommodated by transferring to another residence area/hall. Documentation for the Appeals Officer should be brought to Darlene Niswander in the main Housing office. Information will be reviewed and evaluated. Residents may be contacted for appeal appointments. Residents will be notified of the Appeals Officer's decision in writing.

NOTES:

Medical Appeals: The University of Florida is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and medical priority transfers can be arranged.
Financial Appeals: There are a variety of room types and rent ranges to assist residents who are experiencing financial difficulties. Remember that "cheaper rent" is not a viable circumstance for a financial hardship.
Fraternity/Sorority Appeals: Requests for release to reside in a fraternity or sorority will not be reviewed in the appeals process per the Terms and Conditions of the Residence Hall Contract, Section C, #4. This includes appeal requests for medical, financial, or personal hardship releases to fraternities or sororities.

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