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2021-22 Residence Hall Contract

2021-22 Residence Hall Contract

2021–22 Residence Hall and Furnished Apartments Housing Contract

This contract is between you and the Division of Residential Programs & Services (RPS) on behalf of The Trustees of Indiana University (IU). Your acceptance of the terms of this contract is indicated by electronic submission of this contract. If you are under 18 years of age, this contract will not be effective unless your parent or guardian agrees to its terms via electronic submission. This contract is for housing only. Based on your class standing and housing assignment, you may be required to sign a separate I-BUCKS meal plan contract. All first time, first year students are required to have an I-BUCKS meal plan contract.

You must agree to the contract terms before you can submit your housing preferences.

Indiana University (IU) makes all assignments without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

Definitions

"Start Date" means the earlier of the date you move in, if you have arranged for early arrival, or five (5) calendar days prior to the first day of in-person classes as determined by the Office of the Registrar. IU reserves the ability to modify the Start Date based on health or safety considerations, including, but not limited to, those related to COVID-19. In the event that Residents have the opportunity to select a time and date for move-in, which dates and times will be set solely by IU, housing costs and fees will not be prorated or otherwise refunded based on the selected date of a Resident's move-in or due to any revision of the University's academic calendar.
"End Date" means the earlier of the last day of examinations for the spring 2022 semester as determined by the Office of the Registrar, or the "Cancellation Date" as defined below. IU reserves the ability to modify the End Date based on health and/or safety considerations, including, but not limited to, those related to COVID-19. Housing costs and fees are fixed and will not be prorated or otherwise refunded due to any such modification, including revision of the University's academic calendar.
"Contract Term" means the period from the Start Date and the End Date of this contract.
"Unit" means the particular residential space to which you are assigned.
"Checkout" means the published checkout process for your particular residence hall or furnished apartment (including The Avenue on College).
"Cancellation Date" means:
1. The date you vacate your unit, turn in your unit key(s) if applicable, and complete Checkout, or
2. If you never occupy your unit, or if you vacate your unit and do not notify the Assignments Office in writing, the Cancellation Date is the day the Assignments Office learns that your assigned unit is vacant.
"Resident" refers to the person who has entered into a contract to live in an RPS Unit, or, in the event of the person being under 18 years of age, "Resident" refers to the student whose parent or guardian contracted for the RPS Unit on his/her behalf.
"First Time Resident" means a Resident who has never contracted to live at an RPS location prior to the start date of this contract.
"Continuing Resident" means a resident who has contracted to live in an RPS location during the fall or spring semester immediately prior to the start date of this contract.
"Learning Community" means either a thematic community, a living learning community, or a cooperative housing community.

Charges and Fees

Indiana University Bloomington's (IUB) enrollment deposit of $100 for all new students is due by May 1, 2021. This is not an RPS fee, but it must be paid before your housing assignment will be made.
Charges for housing are billed in the Fall and Spring semesters. All First Time Residents and all others who are not Continuing Residents are required to pay a non-refundable $200 application fee at the time of contract submission.
RPS offers three levels of housing options: Standard without AC, Standard with AC, and Enhanced. In consideration for an assignment in RPS housing, the student agrees to pay RPS the rates specified for the student's assigned housing, as announced, or as adjusted by, the Indiana University Board of Trustees. Room rates and costs are finalized during the prior spring semester. The Board of Trustees-approved rates, to which you are hereby agreeing, will be posted on the Costs page no later than May 1, 2021. For purposes of guidance only, specific housing costs for 2020-21 (the previous academic year) are available.
There is a per-day fee if you arrange for early arrival. If your contract is accepted after the Start Date, your housing charges will be adjusted on a pro-rated basis.
There is a $15 per semester residence hall student government fee and, depending on your particular Learning Community, an activity fee of $25, $50 or $100 per semester. Cooperative Housing communities and the Residence Scholars community do not incur a Learning Community activity fee.
Except for fees listed in Clauses 11 & 12, all charges and fees referenced in this contract will be billed to your bursar account.

Term and Cancellation

RPS may cancel this contract prior to the end of the Contract Term if you:
1. fail to pay the IUB enrollment deposit by May 1, 2021, or
2. fail to maintain eligibility requirements, or
3. fail to make timely housing payments, or
4. fail to comply with the terms of the housing contract, including without limitation the Behavior and Conduct terms (paragraphs 44-49 below), or
5. defer enrollment, or
6. are dismissed from or admission is rescinded by IUB
If you are a student subject to the IUB residency requirement, you may cancel your contract only if you receive a written exemption from the requirement from RPS. You must then follow the cancellation procedures, pay the cancellation fees, and complete Checkout.
Renewal of the contract at the end of the Contract Term is not guaranteed.

Eligibility

To be eligible to reside in an RPS Residence Hall Unit, you must be:
- at least sixteen (16) years of age on the Start Date, and
- a registered, full-time IUB student enrolled in at least 12 credit hours as an undergraduate student or enrolled in the number of credit hours defined as full time by your academic program as a graduate student, or
- a student who is enrolled in Hoosier Link and who has been approved by RPS for residency, or
- deemed eligible by the RPS Assistant Director for Assignments.
To be eligible to reside in an RPS Furnished Apartment Unit (including The Avenue on College), you must be:
- a registered, full-time IUB student enrolled in at least 12 credit hours as an undergraduate student or enrolled in the number of credit hours defined as full time by your academic program as a graduate student, and you
  - must be at least nineteen (19) years of age on the Start Date, and
  - cannot be a first year, first time IUB student, and
  - must have either lived in an IUB residence hall or apartment (including The Avenue on College) for two semesters or completed two semesters at another college or university; or
- deemed eligible by the RPS Assistant Director for Assignments.
Convicted sex offenders are not eligible to reside in university housing. If RPS learns that a current or pending Resident is a convicted sex offender, this contract will be cancelled.

Assignments

Your priority for requested assignment is based on the date of electronic submission of this contract and confirmation by RPS of payment of the fees identified in clauses 11 & 12 that are applicable to you. The inability of RPS to honor your housing preferences shall not constitute a breach of this contract.
RPS will make a preliminary unit assignment; however, if RPS is unable to deliver possession of the unit preliminarily assigned, you agree to accept assignment to another unit.
RPS reserves the right to change your assignment in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, age of the student, disciplinary reasons, catastrophe, health or safety considerations, renovation or closing of part or all of an RPS facility, consolidation of vacancies, exigent circumstances, or irresolvable incompatibility of roommates. If you are a member of a Learning Community, your assignment may also be changed if you violate the guidelines or requirements of your Learning Community.
RPS may make temporary assignments due to space shortages and, if you are assigned to temporary overflow accommodations, you agree to move when a permanent unit becomes available. Charges for assignment to temporary overflow accommodations will be adjusted from regular room rates.
RPS reserves the right to make a temporary or permanent reassignment to another RPS unit or building, or other alternative housing identified by the University, if you are required to self-quarantine or self-isolate, or if the University needs to de-densify the residence hall to which you are assigned. In such a case, you agree to relocate, and agree that removal from, or alternative assignment or relocation to, such housing does not constitute a termination of your housing contract.
If vacancies occur in a double or larger unit that you occupy, RPS may assign another student to the vacant space(s) without prior notice to you, or may reassign you to another unit of equal value.
Federal and state laws require that RPS notify you of the possibility that lead paint may have been used in the construction of some of our buildings. If applicable to your unit, you will be provided a link to the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure online, and you must electronically verify that you have read it before you will be allowed to occupy the unit.

Conditions of Occupancy

Your assigned unit shall be occupied only by you and other assigned residents. The University may limit or exclude visitors, as defined by the University and/or RPS, from RPS facilities.
You are responsible for keeping your assigned unit and any shared spaces sanitary and safe, including following the cleaning protocols identified by RPS to reduce the spread of viruses and other communicable disease within the residence hall. You agree to report any deteriorated conditions of your unit or its furnishings to your residence hall center desk. You agree to pay for damaged or missing furnishings and damages to the unit.
When you vacate your unit, you agree to return the furniture to its original position; to leave the unit in a clean, orderly condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted; and complete Checkout.

Room Entry

IU reserves the right to enter your unit according to the procedures set forth in the Residence Hall Rules and Regulations or for law enforcement purposes, as well as for custodial services, safety inspections, unit repair and maintenance, pest control, and emergency situations. In general, for non-law enforcement and non-emergency situations, twenty-four (24) hour notice will be given prior to entry.

Keys/Key Cards

Depending on your particular unit, your access may be programmed on your university ID or you may receive a unit key. If you misplace your ID or unit key, RPS staff may issue you a temporary key or card to allow access while you obtain a replacement. All unit keys and key cards, including university IDs, are the property of Indiana University and may not be loaned or duplicated. Programmed access is terminated on your university ID within twenty-four (24) hours of Checkout. Residents must return unit keys at Checkout.

Periods when In-Person Classes are Not in Session

Residence halls and furnished apartments (including The Avenue on College) will close and/or reduce staffing and services during scheduled periods when in-person classes are not in session, including during any fall break, winter break, spring break, and intersession periods.
During winter break, spring break, and any intersession period, you may petition to remain on campus and you must complete your petition by the published deadline. Failure to submit your petition by the deadline may result in denial of your petition. Your petition must be approved and such approval is at the sole discretion of the University. Residents who receive approval to remain on campus will be charged a fixed cost, flat rate determined by the University. The Resident will be charged this rate through a separate billing process. Guidance on the petition process, including the deadline and associated fee information, can be found on the RPS website in the Fall 2021 semester.
RPS reserves the right to temporarily change a Resident's housing assignment during any period in which in-person classes are suspended.
No guests are allowed in the residence halls and furnished apartments (including The Avenue on College) during periods when in-person classes are suspended, and services and staff available during this time will be limited.

Obligation to Vacate the Unit; Abandoned Personal Property

You agree to vacate your unit:
1. immediately if directed to do so in emergency or exigent circumstances, or
2. within three (3) calendar days of losing eligibility for housing, or
3. the earlier of twenty-four (24) hours after completing your last final examination or by 10 a.m. the calendar day following the last day of in person examinations, or
4. at the end of the Contract Term.
The University may choose not to refund any portion of the housing fees paid if the Resident is required to vacate or relocate pursuant to any emergency or exigent circumstances and the University determines that the Resident received the substantial benefit of this agreement. Exigent circumstances include, but are not limited to, University decisions related to community health and safety, including those related to COVID-19 or other public health or safety emergencies. These determinations will be made by the University in its sole discretion.
Personal property remaining in the unit after you vacate or abandon the unit will be disposed of by RPS after seven (7) days. Your bursar account will be billed the daily room rate for storage, plus any cost associated with such disposal.

Fees for Cancellation

To request to cancel this contract, go to one.iu.edu, search for and select the "Cancel Housing Contract" button and log in. Complete the form and submit. If you are unable to complete this process online, contact the Assignments Office for assistance. All requests to cancel must include your full name and ten digit IU ID number. If you are cancelling your contract because you are withdrawing from IUB for medical reasons or are called to active military duty, you will be required to provide documentation along with your cancellation request. In the event you must medically withdraw from the University for reasons related to COVID-19 infection, RPS agrees to waive the breakage fee associated with terminating the Housing Contract early, so long as IU’s medical withdrawal process is completed and approved.
Cancellation fees are set forth below. Before you make a decision to cancel, make sure you understand the fees that will be assessed.
1. First Time Residents and all others who are not Continuing Residents will be charged a $600 cancellation fee for cancellations after July 15, 2021 and prior to the Start Date. If your contract is accepted after the Start Date, you will be charged a $600 cancellation fee for cancellations less than thirty (30) days before your agreed move in date.
2. Continuing Residents will be charged a $600 cancellation fee for cancellations prior to the Start Date.
3. For cancellations occurring on or after the Start Date:
  1. You will be charged the daily room rate through the Cancellation Date and a $600 cancellation fee if you:
    1. are a no-show, or
    2. withdraw or are academically dismissed from IUB for the remainder of the academic year.
  2. You will be charged the daily room rate through the Cancellation Date and sixty (60) percent of the remaining balance of the contract if you:
    1. Move into an IU-recognized sorority/fraternity house, or other student congregate housing subject to approval by RPS, or
    2. move into an off-campus residence, or
    3. lose eligibility for housing, or are suspended or expelled from the university, or
    4. are suspended or expelled from university housing, but remain enrolled at IUB.
  3. You will not be charged a cancellation fee upon the approval of supporting documentation, and you:
    1. withdraw from IUB for medical reasons, or
    2. are called to active military duty, or
    3. cancel your contract for an internship for credit, student teaching, overseas study experience, or graduate.

Behavior and Conduct

You agree to familiarize yourself with and comply with all rules and expectations for conduct set forth in Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (the "Code") and the Residence Hall Rules and Regulations. Violations may result in assignment changes pursuant to the Assignments section of this contract, eviction proceedings, contract cancellation, and/or disciplinary action taken by the university. The RPS Rules and Regulations may be updated to include additional or modified rules and regulations related to COVID-19, and may otherwise be updated by IU as necessary to address health or safety issues. The RPS Rules and Regulations, including as may be updated or modified, are hereby incorporated by reference into your housing contract.
Residents are required to comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations, and health and safety guidance adopted by IU and RPS as it relates to public health or safety crises, including specifically COVID-19. This guidance may change as the public health crisis evolves and may include, but is not limited to, complying with the COVID-19 Student Commitment Form. Adherence to health and safety requirements applies to all Residents, staff, and visitors and extends to all aspects of residential life, including bedrooms, bathrooms, community kitchens, lounges, computer labs, courtyards, and other common spaces.
RPS reserves the right to make a temporary reassignment to another unit or building if it is believed that you pose an imminent threat of physical or emotional harm to an individual, physical harm to property, or a significant threat to the stability of the community. This reassignment will be made pending referral to the Office of Student Conduct for appropriate action, which could result in your return to your original assignment, permanent reassignment, or cancellation of your contract.
RPS reserves the right to cancel your housing contract and require you to leave university housing when you have exhibited behaviors that significantly disrupt the life of the residential community or pose a serious risk to any resident (including self), student, staff, faculty member, or visitor. Depending on the circumstances, the conduct underlying the university's decision to cancel this contract may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for appropriate action.
Residents are required to comply with requests from RPS to leave their assigned Unit due to COVID-19 or other public health emergency. Failure to do so may subject a Resident to emergency removal from their assigned Unit and/or cancellation of their housing contract.
You are responsible for your own actions and the actions of your guests while on university property. This contract may be cancelled if you or your guests violate contract provisions, state law, federal law, university policies, or RPS policies.

Liability and Insurance

The university does not assume responsibility for any loss to person(s) or personal property. It is recommended that you maintain adequate public liability insurance coverage and renter's insurance coverage for your personal property. IU recommends Grad Guard as the preferred vendor.
You understand that by residing in RPS housing, you are assuming the risks associated with communal living and, as in any shared living environment, those risks include potential exposure to contagious viruses, including COVID-19. You agree to release and fully discharge the Trustees of Indiana University, its agents, and employees from any and all damages, liability, claims, expenses (including attorney's fees), or losses (collectively, "Claims") related in any way to your use of space within RPS Housing, including those related to the potential or actual exposure to contagious viruses like COVID-19, and to indemnify and hold harmless the University, its agents, and employees from any Claims related in any way to your breach of the terms and conditions of your housing contract, or a breach by any third party, including, but not limited to other residents, of an applicable housing contract.

Payments; Late Fees; Other Remedies

You agree to make your housing payments to the Office of the Bursar according to the bursar's posted schedule. You agree that failure to make required payments does not relieve you of the obligations and duties of the contract. Past due balances on any part of your bursar account, including charges associated with this contract, are subject to the bursar's posted late fees.
You agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, court filing fees, collection agency fees, etc., incurred by the university in enforcing this contract.
The failure of the university to exercise its options under this contract does not constitute a waiver or relieve you from your remaining obligations and duties under this contract.