In this section

Any undergraduate or graduate student who accepts their housing assignment, agrees to abide by all rules and regulations pertaining to the University of Puget Sound and the Office of Residence Life. Information on these rules and regulations can be found in the following source documents:

  1. University of Puget Sound Bulletin
  2. Student Integrity Code
  3. Residence Policy
  4. Environmental Health & Safety Information

The act of submitting an online housing application, using Puget Sound sign-on credentials to sign the agreement in PeopleSoft, indicates acceptance of the terms of the Housing Agreement. Students do not need to submit a signed copy of this form. The conditions of this Housing Agreement are binding for the entire academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) once a student has received their specific housing assignment, or chosen a room space as part of housing selection.

Residency Requirement
Undergraduate students are required to live on campus for their first two academic years of full time enrollment with the University.

  1. Students who live on-campus at another institution and transfer to Puget Sound are eligible to have those semesters count towards the two-year residency requirement.
  2. Students may appeal for automatic exemption from the residency requirement if they meet one of the following conditions:
    1. Married students
    2. Students with children
    3. Undergraduate students who are at least 21 years old
    4. Dependents of Puget Sound faculty and staff
  3. On rare occasions, an exemption from the residency requirement may be permitted outside of the above list of expectations such as financial hardship, documented personal medical/health-related need, or other demonstrated extenuating circumstances. Students should refer to information found on the On-Campus Housing Agreement Appeal Form.
    1. Staff in Student Affairs, Student Financial Services, and Student Accessibility & Accommodations review all residency requirement appeals (as appropriate). Decisions are communicated to students through their Puget Sound email addresses.
    2. Financial hardship is defined as a situation in which a student’s financial circumstances are so severe that they jeopardize the student’s ability to enroll or continue enrollment at Puget Sound. Financial hardship appeals require that a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) be on file with Student Financial Services.

Graduate students are not required to live on campus.

Housing Agreement Cancellation
Undergraduate and graduate students may appeal, based on extenuating circumstances, for a release from their Housing Agreement. Students must complete the On-Campus Housing Agreement Appeal Form.

  1. Staff in Student Affairs, Student Financial Services, and Student Accessibility & Accommodations review all housing agreement appeals (as appropriate). Decisions are communicated to students through their Puget Sound email addresses.
  2. Financial hardship is defined as a situation in which a student’s financial circumstances are so severe that they jeopardize the student’s ability to enroll or continue enrollment at Puget Sound. Financial hardship appeals require that a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) be on file with Student Financial Services. 
  3. Students who check out prior to the end of the occupancy period and whose housing agreement appeal has not been approved remain responsible for the full remaining room cost of the agreement.

Student Status
In order to live on-campus, undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 2.0 units per semester and must be attending classes. For graduate students, the unit value differs for half-time enrollment depending on the program. Residents who fall below half-time enrollment must request special permission from Residence Life to remain in a university owned facility. 

Occupancy Period
The Housing Agreement represents an academic year obligation beginning the first day the residence halls/houses open in the fall academic semester (Agreement Start Date) and ending when the residence halls/houses close in the spring semester (Agreement End Date) as published on the Residence Life website.

University housing facilities are closed for the winter break period. Access to Dining Services and Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services will not be provided during that time. The University is closed completely during a portion of the break. 

Graduate students residing in campus houses will be eligible to remain in their campus houses during the break periods, including winter break. Graduate students follow a ten month agreement (August 1st - May 31st). Housing in their residence over the summer break period will be available to graduate students at an additional cost. 

Room Rates
Room rates are approved and published after the February Board of Trustees meeting. The room rates for a standard room (double, triple, or quad spaces in residence halls or Union Ave/Greek Houses) or premium room (single rooms and all rooms in campus houses) can be found on the Residence Life website. Cost of attendance for the purpose of calculating financial aid eligibility is figured on the standard-rate room and will not be adjusted. The difference in rate for a Premium-rate room will be the responsibility of the resident.

Meal Plan Requirement
Undergraduate students who live in the residence halls, Union Avenue housing, and Langlow House must purchase a meal plan each semester. Undergraduate and graduate students living in residential houses may choose to purchase a meal plan voluntarily. Information regarding meal plans can be found on the Dining Services website. 

Refund Policy
Students who completely withdraw from the University, may be eligible for a refund under the following criteria:

  1. If a student completely withdraws by the 10th day of the semester, the student will be refunded 100% of the semester room fees, but will be charged a $500 housing cancellation fee.
  2. Meal plan charges for the semester are refundable on a pro-rated basis, depending on the number of remaining Dining Dollars on the plan and the number of weeks left in the semester.
  3. Room charges for the semester are non-refundable after the 10th day of class.

Room Changes
The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to reassign students to make the most effective use of available accommodations and promote a safe and healthy environment for the community or individual residents. 

  1. Rooms not at full capacity may be consolidated at the discretion of the Residence Life Office. A student may be required to move room spaces as part of the consolidation process.
  2. The Residence Life website advertises the specific dates room change requests will be accepted.
  3. Any student with a vacancy in their room/house must have the space move-in ready for potential new occupants at any given time. Students may not deny someone from moving into the vacancy.
  4. If a student is required to move out of housing for disciplinary sanctions, room charges will not be refunded for that semester.
  5. Residence Life reserves the right to make any adjustment in a resident’s housing assignment when deemed necessary or appropriate.
  6. Regardless of the time of the semester, students who move from a standard-rate room to a premium-rate room will be charged the difference between the rates. Cost of attendance for the purpose of calculating financial aid eligibility is figured on the standard-rate room and will not be adjusted. The difference in rate for a Premium-rate room will be the responsibility of the resident. 

Additional Information

  1. The University of Puget Sound and/or Office of Residence Life are not liable for the loss of, theft of, or damage to any property belonging to students. Students are advised and encouraged to purchase a personal insurance policy if belongings are not covered under family insurance (i.e., renter’s insurance).
  2. Damages caused to community or public areas (beyond normal wear and tear) will be equally divided among all members of the hall/house community unless the university can determine individual(s) responsibility. All charges will be assessed directly to the student’s account.
  3. The University of Puget Sound reserves the right to make reasonable modifications to this agreement to ensure safety or protection of property, provided reasonable advance notice is given.
  4. To the extent the University, in its sole discretion, reduces or suspends any operations or activities, or closes for other reasons including, but not limited to, acts of government or public officials, or in response to public health or safety concerns, University housing may also close during such periods.