University of Southern Maine
Residence Hall and Board Contract Terms and Conditions for 2007-2008
This contract is for the full academic year.

The residence hall contract is a license agreement between the University of Maine System, acting through the University of Southern Maine (”University”) and the individual student living in the residence hall (“resident”). It entitles the resident to the use of the residence hall accommodations only in such a manner as set forth herein. Transfer or assignment of this contract is prohibited. This contract is for room and board. (A board plan is required of all residential students, except in Portland Hall suites.) Residents must be currently matriculated and enrolled at the University of Southern Maine. Residents must comply with all U.S.M. Policies and Residence Hall Rules and Regulations, and they are expected to conform to standards of conduct which are consistent with the educational objectives and priorities of the University. Any exceptions to this contract must be approved, in writing, by the Department of Residential Life.

A. This contract, when signed and submitted to Residential Life, is binding for the entire academic year or the remainder of the academic year if entering after the beginning of the fall semester and this contract is nontransferable. The University reserves the right to make adjustments to the estimated charges, expenses and requirements, up to the date of final registration for a given academic term. These adjustments are reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees. The applicant acknowledges this reservation and agrees to the financial terms and conditions of the University by the submission of an application or by registration.

B. Occupancy is defined as acceptance of the key or moving personal possessions into the room or suite. For fall residents with written approval to cancel their license for spring, occupancy is defined as failure to vacate prior to opening day of spring semester. Occupancy will result in housing charges being reapplied for that year/semester.

C. If, during the first semester of occupancy, and prior to the end of the 4th week of that semester, a resident leaves the residence hall and does not withdraw from the University, the charge for room will be one-half the full semester rate, and the student shall be released from the remainder of the contract period. Meal plans will be pro-rated on a daily basis in accordance with University policies. 1.) In the case of Fall being the first semester of occupancy, after the fourth week of the semester, the student shall be charged the full rate for the Fall and Spring semesters; 2) In the case of Spring being the first semester of occupancy, the student shall be charged the full rate for the Spring semester. These provisions hold true unless the student is released from the contract in writing by the Department of Residential Life. If a resident withdraws from the University before the end of any semester, refunds for Room and Board will be made in accordance with University policies. Residents removed from University Housing for disciplinary reasons are ineligible for room refunds.

D. New students are entitled to occupy their rooms on opening day. Returning residents are entitled to occupy their rooms on the day immediately preceding the start of classes. Graduating seniors and graduate students receiving advanced degrees should review the Hall closing notice distributed to their room for details. All other residents must vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last examination. In the case of withdrawal, suspensions, or dismissals, residents must vacate at the time of clearance as stated by the Director of Residential Life or designee.

E. Residents must notify the Department of Residential Life if they plan to arrive after the official opening date for University housing. Housing assignments will not be held longer than 24 hours past the first day of classes. Residents who do not check into their assignment on time will forfeit their housing deposit and assignment.

F. In some cases, residents may be assigned to rooms beyond designed capacity. Residents who have paid for housing at the standard daily rate and are still assigned to temporary triple rooms after the end of the second week of classes are entitled to a prorated refund on a per diem basis, from the first day of occupancy through the date of reassignment. If space becomes available, residents may be reassigned to an under-occupied room. Residents who refuse reassignment from over-occupied housing to a vacant space in an under-occupied room are ineligible for any further refund after the date of refusal, unless the vacancy is filled by another resident of the hall who is also living in over-occupied housing.

G. Residents may not occupy or deliver items to their rooms or suites prior to the official opening date. The official opening date for new residents is different from the official opening date for continuing residents. Residents whose presence on campus is required by an office, department or organization to assist with the opening of the University may be granted permission to arrive early. Requests for residents to return early must be made in writing to the Department of Residential Life by the appropriate office, department or organizations for review and possible approval.

H. The student agrees that rooms shall be used only as student living rooms and that no commercial operations shall be carried on therein, except as provided under license issued by the University. The University and resident mutually agree that this document constitutes a license and not a lease. The resident agrees that continued compliance with the rules and regulations of the University (available in the Student Conduct Code), of the residence halls, and of state law, fire, safety, and health regulations is a condition of this contract. Sanctions for failure to observe the terms and conditions of the Residence Hall Contract may include, but are not be limited to, termination of the contract and/or removal of the resident from the residence hall.

I. The University reserves the right to consolidate vacancies by requiring residents to move from single occupancy of double rooms to double accommodations in the same or different residence hall. The University reserves the right to make reassignments to different residence halls or rooms for the benefit of the individual resident or the University. This includes, but is not limited to, reasons of health, safety, or repair services; disciplinary actions caused by the resident; or for unresolved incompatibility of roommates. In rooms that are not filled to capacity, the remaining resident may be charged an additional fee.

J. Rooms will be inspected regularly prior to each vacation period. The University reserves the right to enter a resident’s room at any time for the purpose of inspecting the premises when an authorized agent of the University has a reasonable belief that: an occupant may be physically harmed or endangered; damage is being done to University property; housekeeping, maintenance and/or repair is necessary; and/or University policy, a provision of this contract or a subsequent written notice is being violated.

K. Residents assigned to a given room will be held financially responsible for damage or loss beyond normal wear and tear to the room and its furnishings. Residents are liable for any damage that they cause to University property. Residents agree not to modify or allow modifications of the room or other part of the building without prior written approval from the Resident Directors/RHC. University property, including equipment and furnishings, must not be moved from the assigned area within the residence hall without written authorization from Residential Life. Residents assigned to a given hall will be financially accountable for damage in common areas of the hall where excessive or frequent damage occurs and responsibility is not placed. The Department of Residential Life reserves the right to hold the occupants of a floor or hall responsible for such damages.

L. The University is not responsible for loss or damage to property belonging to or in the custody of the resident, except to the extent that such loss or damage is the direct result of the negligence of the University. Residents are advised that the University has insurance providing SECONDARY coverage for the loss of such property by fire. It is in effect only after all personal and family insurances have been used and it carries a $25.00 deductible clause in all cases with a $500 maximum protection.

M. All room changes must be pre-approved by Residential Life. Both a Room Inventory Form (RIF) and a Resident Action Form (RAF) must be completed and submitted and proper check-out procedures must be followed.

U.S.M. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability or veteran status and shall comply with Section 504, Title IX, and the ADA in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Please read the Residence Hall and Board Contract Terms and Conditions carefully before signing the Contract Application.