Syracuse University
Office of Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services
Office of Student Living
Terms and Conditions of Graduate Housing 2019-20
- Introduction
These are the terms and conditions for occupying student housing at Syracuse University. They are an inseparable part of the electronic application for student housing. When the application is accepted by the University, these terms and conditions shall be enforceable against it and against the student and other financially responsible person signing the application. Syracuse University requires students to reside in University housing during their first two years of enrollment at the University regardless of class standing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfer students are not required to reside in University housing but are encouraged to apply for housing, and housing will be assigned to transfer students at the University’s discretion if it is determined that space is available. Students will be financially responsible for the cost of University housing attributable to the mandatory periods even if they fail to occupy University housing as required by University policy. Similarly, students who elect to live in University housing for a given academic year by participating in the University’s room selection process will be financially responsible for the cost of University housing for that academic year if they fail to occupy the housing. Students not required to live in University housing may do so if they desire, with the consent of the University, provided space is available. Students who elect or are required to live in Syracuse University student housing are obligated to the terms of this Agreement for the period set forth in item 4. All students occupying student housing are required to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct published in the Student Handbook and the Residence and Departmental Community Standards as established by the Office of Student Living. All students and guests shall comply with this Agreement. Except as provided herein, a violation of any provision of this Agreement shall be considered a substantial violation of the Agreement and shall constitute sufficient grounds for removal or relocation to another housing unit. - Definitions
The following terms shall have the meanings set forth when used in this
Agreement:- ‘‘The University’’ shall mean Syracuse University.
- ‘‘The student’’ shall mean the student at the University occupying the
student housing unit upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement. It
shall also include, when the context requires, any other person signing the
application for housing as being financially responsible for paying housing
charges. - ‘‘Student housing’’ shall mean student housing at the University
designated by it for occupancy by students.
- Eligibility For Student Housing
The University reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine who shall
be eligible for student housing. The following are minimum requirements, but
the University may establish other requirements from time to time:- No person shall be admitted to student housing unless that person is an
graduate student at the University who meets the requirement set
forth in paragraph 3 (b) of this Agreement. - Graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credits per
semester. - Graduate students must be at least 16 years of age upon checking into the residence hall.
- No person shall be admitted to student housing unless that person is an
- Duration of Occupancy
Regardless of class standing, or how many semesters the student has resided in University housing, housing agreements are for the full academic year, both fall and spring semesters. Room charges are billed by the semester. The term of occupancy and financial obligation is from August to May. Students who select housing and are registered will be financially responsible for the occupancy term if notice of cancellation is not received by the following date: May 1, returning students who select housing during the spring room selection process; July 1, housing applicants other than those students assigned during the spring room selection process; January 1, housing applicants for the spring semester only. The housing unit shall be available for occupancy 24 hours prior to the first day of registration for the normal graduate semester and shall be vacated not later than:
(i)24 hours after the student’s last regularly scheduled final exam for the semester or
(ii)the end of the graduate exam periods for the year, whichever occurs first.
Occupancy of provisional housing for additional periods accommodating longer academic years in some colleges shall be at additional pro-rated rates. Should the student not obtain a key and occupy the housing unit assigned by the first day of classes of each semester, or provide notice of late arrival, the University may terminate this Agreement by written notice and assign the housing unit to another student. In such event the student shall remain financially responsible for the housing charge to the extent provided in this Agreement (including, without limitation, paragraph 1 above) are minimum requirements, but the University may establish other requirements from time to time. - Housing Charges
All housing charges are established each year by the University and are
uniform based upon the type of housing and the term of occupancy. Housing
charges shall be determined by the University prior to the beginning of
the occupancy term and published in its bulletin or other schedule of fees
and charges and upon publication shall be effective for purposes of this
Agreement. - Payment of Housing Charges
Housing charges must be paid to the Syracuse University bursar’s office
upon receipt of the bill. - Utilities
The University shall furnish at no additional cost all heat, light, and water
reasonably required for the housing unit occupied by the student. Such
utilities shall be furnished in accordance with the existing design of the
housing unit or building occupied by the student and shall be subject to
load limits and availability. The University may charge the student for
any extraordinary or unreasonable use of utilities. The student shall not
tamper with temperature sensors. The University shall not be liable for any
interruption of utility service unless such interruption is caused by its gross
negligence. - Use of Premises
- Recreational and Athletic Equipment. The use of recreational and athletic equipment is permitted in designated areas of building. The use of recreational and athletic equipment in hallways is prohibited.
- Residence Purposes Only. The student shall use the housing unit only as a residence for himself or herself. The living space may not be used for business purposes.
- Maintenance and Repairs. The University shall be responsible for all
maintenance and repair of the housing unit and its furniture and equipment.
The student shall not attempt to perform such maintenance or repairs,
but shall notify the University’s Facilities Services Office of the need for maintenance
or repairs. The University will inspect residential units for pest control
purposes, and will provide treatment as necessary. - Right of Entry. The University reserves the right to enter the housing
unit from time to time at reasonable hours for reasonable purposes and
not an excessive number of times to inspect the housing unit or perform
repairs and maintenance. The University shall endeavor to give advance
notice to the student of the proposed entry, but such notice is not
required and is specifically waived where emergency or other conditions,
including safety and security conditions, prevent the giving of notice or
make it impracticable. The student shall not interfere in any way with the
University’s right of entry under this subparagraph. - Notice of Safety Inspection. The New York State Office of Fire
Prevention and Control (OFPC) inspect annually all residential facilities,
including randomly selected student living spaces. The OFPC is able to levy
fines for all violations that are identified and not corrected. Students will be
notified in writing of violations found and provided a minimum of 30 days
to correct the violation. Payments of fines for uncorrected violations within
student living spaces are the responsibility of the student(s). - Furniture. Furniture supplied by the University shall be maintained in its
proper location. The student may rearrange the furniture within the housing
unit but may not disassemble it, exchange it with other students, or move
it to other locations. Furnishings shall not block windows, doors, or heating
units. Furniture shall not be placed on top of other furniture. Furniture shall
only be used for its intended purposes. No furniture shall be taken from
lounges or other common areas and placed in a student’s private area of
residence or moved to any other location. University furnishings are not to
be used outside the housing unit. - Elevated Beds. The University recommends the use of University-supplied
furniture and mattresses and does not endorse the use of student-constructed
bunk beds or other elevated beds (lofts) in campus residences.
In the event of use of such beds, students do so at their own risk. Elevated
beds must not exceed 5 feet, 6 inches from the floor, must be 3 feet from
windows, be at least 18 inches from sprinkler heads, and may not be
more than 48 inches wide. The University retains the right to order the
dismantling, or prohibit the use, of any elevated bed. The University does not
assume any obligation to inspect or approve elevated beds constructed or
installed by students. The failure to prohibit the use of any such bed is not to
be construed as approval. - Air Conditioning, Refrigerators, and Other Appliances. No air conditioning or other heating or cooling equipment or apparatus shall be added to or utilized in the housing unit. However, students requiring air conditioning for medical reasons may request special permission. Student may submit, in advance of occupancy, a Provider Verification form explaining the nature of the disability. Permission is subject to confirmation of the medical need by the University’s Office of Disability Services. Refrigerators, less than 5 cubic feet, may be used in student rooms. Space heaters, lava lamps, halogen lamps, and multi-headed lamps are prohibited and subject to immediate confiscation and disposal. The student shall be responsible for paying all costs and making necessary arrangements for the property to be removed from the University’s premises. The use of extension cords is prohibited in all
University Housing facilities including the South Campus apartments. The use of a UL- listed grounded power strip with a built-in fuse or circuit breaker is permitted. “Daisy chaining” or plugging two or more power strips into one another is prohibited. Extension cords will be confiscated and not returned. - Keys. Residence hall and apartment keys are issued by the University to
the assigned student upon checking into the residence facility. Issued keys
are for the express use by the assigned student and may not be given or
loaned to another individual. In the event that a student loses or misplaces
a residence hall or apartment key, that student shall be responsible for
the reasonable and actual cost of both parts and labor associated with
replacement of the locking cylinder and new keys for the unit. Replacement
keys shall be obtained only from the University. Keys may not be duplicated
by the student. The student may be charged a reasonable fee when the
University is required to unlock a door for a student who has lost or
misplaced a key or is otherwise locked out of his or her room. Keys must be
surrendered at check out. Keys received after check out will not be accepted. - Storage of Personal Belongings. No personal belongings are to be
stored in the parking lots or premises surrounding student housing or in
any of the common areas of such housing. All personal belongings are to be
stored in the student’s housing unit or such other place as may be designated
by the University from time to time. No flammable substances, including
motorcycles and motors, shall be stored or used on the premises. Storage
of personal belongings in student housing other than during the occupancy
term is not permitted. - Pets. Fish are permitted in tanks, not to exceed one 10 gallon tank per
student. Other than fish, no pets or animals of any kind are permitted in any
student housing or surrounding University property whatsoever under any
circumstances, except service animals for persons with physical disabilities
may be permitted upon written approval from the Office of Disability
Services. - Guests. The University will permit registered guests to stay overnight in
student housing for periods not exceeding three consecutive days, subject
to consent by all authorized roommates. Students are directed to the Office
of Student Living (orl.syr.edu) for policy information and to register an
overnight guest. If the University terminates its permission for any reason,
guests must vacate immediately. The student resident is responsible for the
conduct of guests and may be held financially and/or judicially responsible
for guests who remain in University housing for more than three consecutive
days and/or for any damage or misconduct caused by guests. - Smoking. Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and vapes, is not
permitted in any University residence hall or apartment. The University is a
smoke/tobacco free campus. - Other Rules and Regulations. The living and study conditions at an
educational institution are unique and must be adjusted from time to time
for the mutual benefit of the University and all of its students. Therefore,
the University may impose, and the student shall abide by, other and
further rules and regulations for the conduct of students occupying student
housing at the University. Such rules and regulations shall be published and
made generally available by the University from time to time. They shall be
enforceable upon the student upon publication and without further notice.
- Special Provisions—South Campus Apartment Housing
The following provisions relate only to student apartment housing located
on the University’s South Campus:- Duty to Pay Housing Charges. Each student shall be responsible for
paying the housing charges due for the term of occupancy based upon the
number of students occupying the housing unit. - Cooking or Electrical Devices. Other than devices furnished by the
University, no cooking devices (including, but not limited to, charcoal grills;
gas, butane, or propane grills or stoves and their fuel; and other similar
devices) shall be permitted or fuel stored in or around the housing unit, on
any balcony or porch, or in any other place constituting a fire hazard. Electric
freezers, washers, clothes dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers, roasting
ovens, and other major appliances are also prohibited. A microwave oven is
permitted if it is the single appliance in use on the circuit and is rated at 1000
watts or less. - Trash Disposal. All trash, rubbish, and recyclables are to be disposed of
in the facilities provided by, and the manner prescribed by, the University. No
other garbage cans or other disposal facilities may be utilized. The student
shall not prevent or hinder access of University personnel and vehicles to the
trash disposal facilities. Any trash, rubbish, and recyclables not disposed of
properly may result in a disposal fee. - Porches and Stairways. Porches and stairways must be kept free of
any obstruction to normal approach to the housing units. The use and/or
storage of personal belongings, upholstered furniture, or University supplied
furnishings on porches, stairways, and under stairways is prohibited, except
for approved outdoor furniture which may be used on front porches as
weather permits. Improperly stored items may be removed without prior
notice and disposed of following the University’s abandoned property
procedures. - Waterbeds. Waterbeds are prohibited. However, students requiring
a waterbed for medical reasons may request special permission. Students
may submit, in advance of occupancy, a Provider Verification form explaining the nature
of the disability. Permission is subject to confirmation of the medical need
by the University’s Office of Disability Services. Approved waterbeds are
permitted in ground floor, three-bedroom apartments only. - Pools and/or Hot Tubs. Pools and/or hot tubs are prohibited within the
housing unit, parking lot, sidewalk, or lawn surrounding University facilities.
- Duty to Pay Housing Charges. Each student shall be responsible for
- Room Assignments
Room assignments shall be made by the University in its sole discretion. Advance notification of roommate assignments may not always be possible. The use of room selection, preference, seniority, or time priority systems for making such assignments may be changed or limited in its sole discretion. Only individuals of the same gender are assigned as room or apartment-mates in student housing. During the room selection process only, a limited opportunity to select a gender inclusive room exists for returning students participating in the process. The University shall reasonably cooperate with students desiring a change in room assignments. Any student desiring a change shall apply to the housing office and comply with its prescribed procedures. Failure to comply with the housing office’s prescribed procedures may result in disciplinary proceedings and/or administrative fines. The student shall pay upon the University’s request any increase in housing charges for the new room assignment, including increases that are incurred by the student as a result of University judicial action. The University reserves the right to assign occupants to different University housing in the event of a re-designation of housing unit category, or substantial conflict with other community members. The University also reserves the right to assign occupants to other units in comparable student housing in order to make optimum use of space. At any point in the academic year, residents of rooms or apartments that are not occupied at capacity may be required to relocate to comparable space in another housing unit. Upon any change in the number of students occupying the housing unit, the housing charges payable by each student shall be adjusted as of the date of the change based on the University’s prevailing housing rates, including South Campus apartments occupied by three or four when occupancy decreases. Any additional housing charges due to the University shall be paid upon the University’s giving of a notice setting forth the amount due, and the University shall promptly pay any refunds due to the student(s). - Meal Plans
Graduate students are eligible to select any meal plan option while residing in a South Campus apartment. Meal plans entitle the student to enter a dining center once during the hours scheduled for a meal. In addition, each meal plan includes a SUpercard FOOD cash account that
can be used on an a-la-carte basis in designated cash dining operations
and University vending machines. The student’s valid SU I.D. card allows
entry into the dining centers for those on a meal plan. These cards are
not transferable. Lost or stolen cards should be reported to the Office of
Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services or the Department of Public
Safety as soon as possible. There is no reimbursement nor replacement of
unused, lost, or stolen portions of a meal plan. Appropriate changes in meal
plans may be made during the first two weeks of classes each semester.
Purchases of SUpercard FOOD amounts may be cancelled within three
business days. With the exception of academic vacation periods, meals
are served from the first day of the week of class registration through the
last day of the undergraduate examination period for the fall and spring
semesters. New York sales tax may be applicable and added to the amount
of any University fee and charged in accordance with applicable law. - Personal Injury and Personal Property
The University shall not be liable for any personal injury sustained by
students or guests in or about student housing units or for any loss or
damage to the personal belongings of students or guests occupying student
housing units, whether caused by or resulting from fire, explosion, theft,
vandalism, unlawful entry, falling plaster, steam, electricity, gas, water, the
elements, the acts of other persons and/or other students, or any other cause
whatsoever, unless the injury, loss, or damage is due to the negligence of
the University or its employees. The University recommends that personal
belongings be insured by the student under an appropriate insurance policy.
Any personal belongings left behind by a student following termination
of occupancy for any reason may be disposed of by the University at its
discretion without any responsibility to account for any property it may sell
or otherwise dispose of. - Termination of Occupancy
- Immediate Notice. Upon written notice from the senior vice president
of student affairs or his or her designee, the University may immediately
terminate the occupancy of a student if necessary to enforce the terms of an
interim suspension, suspension, expulsion, or enforced medical withdrawal
from the University or student housing. - Leave of Absence. Upon filing a medical leave of absence or other
voluntary leave of absence with the University, a student’s occupancy shall
terminate. - Three Days’ Notice. Upon three (3) days’ written notice, the University
may terminate the occupancy of the student upon the occurrence of any of
the following:- Failure to pay housing charges in full when due;
- Failure to comply with any other substantial term or condition of this
agreement or of any University rule or regulation whether or not contained
or referred to in this Agreement, including but not limited to failure to comply
with any requirement of paragraph 3 “Eligibility for Student Housing’;
paragraph 8 “Use of Premises”; paragraph 9 “Special Provisions – North
Campus/Skyhall Residence Hall Housing”; paragraph 8 ”Special Provisions
– South Campus Apartment Housing”; or paragraph 17 “Withdrawal from
Student Housing.”
- Fifteen Days’ Notice. Upon fifteen (15) days’ written notice, the
University may terminate the occupancy of the student if the housing unit is
closed or sold by the University. - Thirty Days’ Notice. Upon thirty (30) days’ written notice, the
University may terminate occupancy of the student and relocate the student
in order to renovate housing. - Refunds. The University shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether
or not a student who is terminated from occupying University housing
shall be entitled to a refund. In the event a refund is due, it shall be made in
accordance with the University’s prevailing policy on refunds.
- Immediate Notice. Upon written notice from the senior vice president
- Vacating the Premises
Upon termination of the right of occupancy, whether by expiration of the
occupancy term or otherwise, the student shall immediately vacate the
housing unit, remove all personal belongings and deliver possession to
the University. If the student fails to do so, the University shall have the
right to immediately re-enter the housing unit and remove all personal
belongings therein, without liability for trespass and without liability for any
loss or damage caused by re-entry and/or removal. Additional charges for
occupancy may be assessed. The student shall deliver all keys to the housing
unit within 24 hours of departure. Failure to return all keys may result in
an additional charge for the reasonable and actual cost of both parts and
labor associated with changing locks. A student shall leave the housing unit
in a clean and orderly condition, which includes the removal of all trash,
and at South Campus, the cleaning of all appliances. Failure to leave the
housing unit in a clean and orderly condition will result in a charge for excess
cleaning. - Notices
Except as may be otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all notices to
students shall be deemed sufficiently given if in writing and either:- mailed to the last known address of the recipient of the notice, such notice to be effective when placed in the United States mail in a properly addressed envelope with sufficient postage, or
- delivered personally to the student or any other occupant of the student’s housing unit over the age of 17, or
- placed in the student’s mailbox at the student’s housing unit by an authorized representative of the University, or
- sent to the student’s University e-mail address in accordance with University policy governing official communications.
Notices to the University shall be in writing and delivered to the housing office.
- Responsibility for Damage
The student shall be personally responsible for any and all damage to the
housing unit occupied by the student or any University property therein,
reasonable wear and tear excepted, unless such damage is shown to
have been caused by the University. The student also shall be personally
responsible for any and all damage to other housing units resulting from the
intentional or negligent act or omission of the student or any guest of the
student. Nails, screws, and adhesives which may cause damage shall not be
inserted into, or used on the wall or doors of the housing unit or any common
areas for any reason. Loss of property or damage to common areas may be
assessed to occupants of the floor or surrounding area. The student shall
pay on request the amount of any cost, expense, or loss resulting from any
such damage. Damage to University property may be reason for formal
disciplinary review. - Withdrawal from Student Housing
- Advance Housing Payment. All students desiring to live in University
housing shall pay at the time of application an advance payment in the
amount set by the University. Refund of the advance housing payment is
governed by the terms set forth in the publication Tuition, Fees, and Related
Policies, which is published annually. - Withdrawal from Housing—General. In all cases involving withdrawals
from student housing after the occupancy term begins, refunds of charges
for the housing unit shall be made only to students who have been
approved by the University. For students leaving student housing who
are also withdrawing from the University entirely, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily other than as set forth below, refunds of housing charges shall
be made in accordance with the University’s tuition and fees bulletin. For
students leaving student housing who are not also withdrawing from the
University entirely, refunds of housing charges shall be made in accordance
with the University’s tuition and fees bulletin only if the departure from the
housing unit is with the University’s consent; in all other cases, no refund of
charges will be made. - Withdrawal from Student Housing. As to all students leaving student
housing who are not also withdrawing from the University, in no event shall
any refund of the housing charge be made unless and until the housing unit is
occupied by a student not occupying University student housing at the time
of the departure of the first occupant of the unit (in which event a refund
pro-rated to the date of occupancy by the new occupant may be made by
the University in its sole, unfettered discretion). Any student who is expelled
from the University or is unable to continue in attendance at the University
due to injury shall receive a refund of the housing charge pro-rated to the
date the student departs from University housing. Notwithstanding any
of the preceding, the University may, in its sole, unfettered discretion,
permit students to withdraw from housing at any time. If such permission is
obtained, the student will be responsible for the payment of housing charges
only to the date of withdrawal and subsequent removal of belongings. - Payment of Refunds. Refunds to withdrawing students of any housing
charge shall be made only to those who meet all the requirements of this
paragraph. All refunds authorized under this paragraph shall be made in
accordance with the University’s then prevailing policy on refunds, with any
such refunds to be paid upon request to the bursar’s office within 30 days
after the time of withdrawal.
- Advance Housing Payment. All students desiring to live in University
- Right of Offset
In the event that any refund is due to a student, the University reserves the
right to offset the refund amount against any other amounts owed by the
student to the University for any reason. - Additional Remedies
In addition to all other rights and remedies afforded it under this
Agreement or applicable law, the University may suspend a student
who fails to perform (or with respect to whom there is a failure to
perform) the financial obligations of this Agreement, may prohibit the
student from registering (either currently or at any future time)
and from attending classes, and may withhold grades, transcripts,
and/or diplomas. - Location of Any Legal Action
Any student or other person financially responsible with respect to the
Agreement consents to be subject to the power and authority of the courts
of the State of New York. Any legal action for the enforcement of any term
or provision of this Agreement shall be brought in the appropriate court in
Onondaga County, New York. - Applicable Codes, Ordinances, and Laws
The student shall comply and shall cause all guests to comply with all
applicable codes, ordinances, and laws affecting the University’s student
housing and the student’s particular housing unit. - No Lease; Restriction on Transfer and Subletting
This Agreement and the right of occupancy granted by it are a license
to occupy space and are not a lease, do not create or constitute an
interest or right in real property, and may be terminated as provided
herein. The right of occupancy may not be transferred by the student,
by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
the University. The student may not assign or sublet his or her right of
occupancy created by this Agreement. Any attempt or purported
assignment or subletting arrangement in violation of the foregoing
is void. - Waivers
The University may exercise all of its rights under this Agreement either
separately or together. Any exercise or failure to exercise a right or remedy
under this Agreement or under applicable law shall not be considered a
waiver of any other right or remedy or of the right to exercise that or any
other right or remedy in the future. No waiver shall be enforceable against
the University unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer. - Changes
Any change or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed
by a duly authorized officer of the University and the student in order to be
effective. - Force Majeure
The University shall not be liable or responsible for any delay or failure
hereunder, including without limitation making housing and utilities available
if such delays or failures are the result of any happenings or events which
could not reasonably be avoided, including without limitation, Acts of
Nature, fire, flood, natural disaster, epidemic, loss of electricity or power,
riots, war, or terrorist attack (or threat thereof).
Office of Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services
Office of Student Living
April 2019