Housing Policies

The Residence Hall License is binding for the entire academic year (August-May), or for 2 academic years (4 full semesters) for incoming first time, full time freshman students. Release from this agreement is permitted only under specific and/or exceptional circumstances approved by Residential Community Life. A release will be granted, subject to later verification, when proof of one of the following circumstances is presented to Residential Community Life:

When verified, the following reasons constitute automatic granted release without application:

1. Official withdrawal from SUNY Oneonta
2. Graduation
3. Approved leave of absence through from SUNY Oneonta
4. Student involvement in a College-sponsored academic program such as student teaching, study abroad, or other program if the obligations demand commuting to and from SUNY Oneonta.

The following reasons require a release application with appropriate documentation:

1. Commuting from the legal/home residence within a 60 mile radius to campus
2. Documented medical need that cannot be accommodated in on-campus housing accommodations
3. Financial hardships: must provide documented evidence of extreme financial need by providing copies of the most recent financial aid verification/award letter, OR if no FAFSA is on file, copies of the most recent federal tax return, evidence of recent employment termination or other evidence of extreme hardship (i.e.: death of a primary income provider, medical expenses exceeding insurance maximum coverage, etc.) Note: Requests for residing off campus for financial savings is not a valid reason for financial hardship.
4. Students who are married
5. Students who have housing needs that are not able to be met on campus (extraordinary circumstances). Students that have experienced extraordinary circumstances, beyond their control, since entering this agreement. Documented evidence of the circumstances is required. As an example, this may include experiencing a disaster, such as home fire or flood, that has a severe financial impact.
   Please note: The existence of a pandemic does not meet this criteria, nor does signing a lease for an off campus apartment.

PROCEDURES

1. All requests for release from the Residence Hall License must be submitted via the Fall 2022 Application for Release from the Residence Hall License. The Spring 2023 Application for Release from the Residence Hall License is now available.
2. Each request must be accompanied by relevant supporting documentation. Incomplete request packages will not be considered, and will be returned without action.
3. Each request will be reviewed by the License Release Committee.
4. The decision by the Committee will be made in writing to each applicant.
5. A $350 liquidation fee will be charged to any applicant approved for release from the Residence Hall License.
6. Application for release does not guarantee that your request will be approved.

APPEALS

1. The applicant may appeal a denial of release by the Committee by submitting a written appeal to the Director of Residential Community Life
2. The appeal must be submitted in writing, including appropriate additional documentation, within five business days of the date of the Committee's letter.
3. The decision of the Director of Residential Community Life is FINAL. No further consideration will be given.

DEADLINES

• The deadline for requesting a release from the Residence Hall License for the fall semester is April 2.
• The deadline for requesting a release from the Residence Hall License for the spring semester is December 1.

APPLICATION

The Fall 2022 application is for students who wish to be released from their on-campus requirement for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Fall 2022 application is located here: Fall 2022 Application for Release from the Residence Hall License. The Spring 2023 Application for Release from the Residence Hall License is now available.