Housing Contract
2024-2025 Academic Year
Please review the 2024-2025 Housing Contract below. You will electronically sign this contract during the housing application process in the MyHousing/Dining portal. Housing contracts are binding for the entire academic year (both fall and spring semesters).
A. INTRODUCTION: This contract sets forth specific rights and obligations related to student housing at the College of Charleston. The student agrees to abide by all College policies, regulations, and administrative requirements as a condition of retaining the right to live on campus. The College reserves the right, through appropriate authorities, to change its policies as necessary to maximize achievement of College goals.
Students attending the College of Charleston are not required to live on campus.
This contract becomes effective after the completed Campus Housing Application has been electronically submitted. For the purposes of this contract, a “signed contract” is created when students who are over the age of 18 digitally sign the Campus Housing Contract within the MyHousing/Dining portal. If the student is under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must digitally co-sign and submit the Campus Housing Contract in order for the housing application to be considered complete.
B. ELIGIBILITY: A resident of campus housing must be enrolled in at least three (3) credit hours at the College of Charleston, a College of Charleston approved Bridge program, or in a College of Charleston sponsored program. Exceptions due to extenuating circumstances may be considered. Priority for campus housing will be given to traditional undergraduate students who are enrolled in twelve (12) or more credit hours. A resident of campus housing must also be in compliance with the College’s immunization policy, prior to being able to move onto campus. The College reserves the right to refuse residence hall admission or readmission at any time if the student fails to meet College admission requirements. Students who are no longer enrolled in classes, no longer participating in the assigned College program, or are dropped for non-payment will be ineligible to remain in College housing and are required to move out of the residence halls within two (2) business days.
C. PERIOD OF OCCUPANCY: This campus housing contract is for two academic semesters (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025) beginning opening weekend in August and ending on the day following the last day of final exams for the spring semester. All residence halls will remain open for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break. All residence halls will close for Winter Break. A daily charge will be imposed for not vacating by the assigned date and time at the end of the fall and spring semesters. In connection with approved College programs, students may be granted permission to move in before or move out after the occupancy period outlined above. A daily charge will apply for each day outside the regular occupancy period. All terms and conditions of this contract apply during the periods of early and late occupancy. In the event of a national emergency, epidemic, or pandemic, as defined by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a safety emergency, civil unrest, natural disaster, act of God or other emergency, it is understood and agreed by the undersigned, that government, municipal and/or school officials may deem it appropriate for the safety, health and welfare of all concerned (students, faculty, staff and/or the general population at large), that housing students in a normal/traditional university residence hall setting may require significant alteration or re-design during the academic term, up to and including the partial or complete closure of residence halls. Residential students are required to comply with any de-densifying and other efforts needed on campus due to COVID-19 or other emergency, including, but not limited to, the relocation of all or some residential students to alternative off-campus housing. Relocation does not constitute a termination of a residential student’s housing contract. The undersigned acknowledges, understands and agrees that, should conditions require such changes, they are required to comply with these directives. The undersigned further acknowledges that these changes do not require the College of Charleston to issue any refunds or adjustments for housing fees paid.
D. MEAL PLANS: Students (regardless of credit hours) living in campus housing during their first academic year are required to purchase a qualifying College of Charleston meal plan. Cancellations are not permitted unless the student’s request has been approved according to the Medical Modification Procedure. Meal plans are billed by semester, itemized on the student bill, and assigned by academic year; the meal plan selected for an initial term is the default plan for the subsequent term. This selection may be changed until 5:00 p.m. on the last day of academic drop/add. All meal plan rates are subject to change with final approval by the Board of Trustees. Review the Cougar Card website for Meal Plan Terms and Conditions and the Meal Plan Accommodation Procedure.
E. HOUSING FEES: Once approved by the Board of Trustees, the 2024-2025 Housing Rates will be posted on the Campus Housing website. For the most up-to-date housing rates, visit the Residence Halls section of the Campus Housing website. Rates include fully furnished rooms, all utilities, laundry, and high-speed wireless internet. Note: Should a student’s housing assignment change, rates will be prorated based on check-in and check-out dates.
F. VIOLATION OF COLLEGE AND HOUSING POLICIES: The College may remove a student from campus housing, or move them to a different location on campus for violation of College, housing, and/or residence life policies or rules, whether such policies and/or regulations be now in effect or later enacted after due notice; the student’s health (mental or physical) renders the student unqualified for group living; and/or failure to enroll in classes or failure to participate in a College sponsored program. The College reserves the right to remove a student if it is deemed to be in the student’s best interest – for psychological/behavior problems or due to a change in the use of College residence hall space. The College reserves the right to revoke student privileges on an interim or permanent basis as a conduct violation measure. The College reserves the right to fine students individually or as a group for violations of residence hall policies or destruction of College property. The College reserves the right to remove students for multiple policy violations. If the student is moved to a different on-campus location or removed from the residence halls for conduct reasons and/or for a violation of housing policies, the student will be required to pay the full housing fee and meal plan fee for fall and spring semesters. There will be no refunds. Removal from campus housing does not automatically cancel meal plan enrollment. If the student no longer wishes to participate in the meal plan, the student must make the request through Campus Services HQ.
G. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The College of Charleston is committed to a policy of affirmative action, which assures equal opportunity in education and employment to all persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veterans’ status, genetic information, or disability, as proscribed by law. Gender may be considered, in accordance with law, for individual room assignments.
H. HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS: Students requiring accommodations based on disabilities may make inquiry with the Center for Disability Services. The deadline for requesting housing accommodations will be the same as the deadline to submit the housing application.
I. QUARANTINE/ISOLATION/SEPARATION: Residential students are required to comply with requests from the College of Charleston to leave their assigned space due to COVID-19 or other public health or safety emergencies. Failure to do so is a violation of College policy and may subject a student to emergency removal from their assigned space. Students may be required to make accommodations for off-campus housing should they be required to isolate or quarantine outside of their assigned space. Removal from the assigned space to isolate or quarantine does not constitute termination of a residential student’s housing contract and obligations.
II. OBLIGATIONS OF THE STUDENT
A. CANCELLATION OF APPLICATION/CONTRACT: It is the responsibility of the student to notify Campus Housing should the student wish to cancel their housing application or contract. The application fee is not refundable for any reason. A student may cancel their housing application via the MyHousing/Dining portal prior to move-in. After that date, a student may make a written request for a contract cancellation using the Housing Cancellation Request Form in the MyHousing/Dining portal according to the cancellation policy listed below. Note: The College reserves the right to cancel a student’s application if we receive notice that the student will not enroll during the term of the contract.
1. INCOMING STUDENTS WHO DECIDE NOT TO ATTEND THE COLLEGE: Students who decide not to attend the College may cancel their housing contract; however, a cancellation penalty of $200 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be submitted via the MyHousing/Dining portal if before August 15, 2024, or by sending written notification via email, fax, or US Postal Service to Campus Housing if after August 15, 2024.
2. INCOMING STUDENTS:
a. February 1 – June 30: Students may cancel their housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $200 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by June 30, 2024.
b. July 1 – July 31: Students may cancel their housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $500 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by July 31, 2024.
c. August 1 – August 15: Students may cancel their housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $1,000 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by August 15, 2024.
3. RETURNING STUDENTS:
a. February 1 - March 31: Students may cancel their housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $200 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by March 31, 2024.
b. April 1 - May 31: Students may cancel their housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $500 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by May 31, 2024.
c. June 1 - August 15: Students may cancel their academic year housing contract during this time; however, a cancellation penalty of $1,000 will be charged to the student’s eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/Dining portal by August 15, 2024.
d. February 1 - August 15: Students may cancel their academic year housing contract due to the following reasons: withdrawal, transfer, leave of absence, graduation, academic dismissal from the College of Charleston, study abroad/ exchange program, full-time internship outside of Charleston, Berkley, and Dorchester Counties, marriage, or induction into military service or military absences that necessitate a change in residence. A $200 cancellation penalty will be charged to the students eBill account. The cancellation must be received via the MyHousing/ Dining portal by August 15, 2024.
4. ALL STUDENTS: If a student fails to occupy their room by August 22, 2024, the room may be reassigned if proper notice is not given to Campus Housing that the student will arrive late. A student who enrolls in classes and fails to occupy their assigned room will be responsible for paying the full housing fee for the space. All rights will be forfeited if the assigned student does not occupy the space in a timely manner, as required above.
a. The only reasons a student will be released from the housing contract after August 15, 2024, will be:
- Withdrawal, transfer, leave of absence, graduation or academic dismissal from the College of Charleston
- Study abroad/exchange program
- Full-time internship outside of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties
- Marriage
- Induction into the military service or military absences that necessitate a change in residence
c. Notifying another campus department or office of any of the five reasons stated above does not constitute a valid cancellation of the housing contract. The student must notify Campus Housing of a cancellation via the Housing Cancellation Request Form in the MyHousing/Dining portal; check out of the assigned residence hall; and return their room key. Students will be responsible for all room charges based on when the room keys are returned and the date of checkout.
d. Students who are dropped from their classes (voluntarily or involuntarily) or become ineligible to enroll in classes must vacate their room assignment/residence hall within two (2) business days. Students will be responsible for all room charges based on when the room keys are returned and the date of checkout. If a student drops all classes and then re-enrolls at the College during the term of the contract, the College will require the student to be financially liable for the housing fees during the agreement period.
e. If a student is released from the contract due to withdrawal, transfer, or leave of absence from the College and then re-enrolls at the College during the term of the contract, the College will require the student to be financially liable for housing fees during the agreement period.
f. Students who wish to request a release from the housing contract after August 15, 2024, and who do not meet one of the five criteria stated above, may submit a request via the MyHousing/Dining portal along with any legally viable supporting documents or evidence to support their claim to be released from the contract to the Campus Housing Contract Release Committee. Requests for contract release will only be granted when circumstances are determined by the Contract Release Committee to be sufficiently extenuating as to warrant cancellation. Leasing or purchasing housing off campus is not an argument or justification to be released from the housing contract and students will not be released for this reason. The Contract Release Committee will review cases every few weeks. Students will be notified via email of the committee’s decision.
Students who are released from their housing contract via the Contract Release Committee will be charged the prorated housing fees that are based on when they move out of their assigned residence and return their residence hall key along with a $200 housing cancellation penalty.
B. KNOWLEDGE OF POLICIES AND RULES: The student is responsible for knowing and observing the principles, rules, and policies governing conduct and procedures as stated in the Student Handbook, residence life policies and the campus housing contract. Students may be removed from the residence halls or moved to a different residence hall for policy and/or rule violations. There will be no refunds due to a student being moved or removed from the halls. Full payment of residence hall and meal plan fees is required from students who are removed from the residence halls for any reason.
C. ROOM CONDITIONS/CLEANING: The student is responsible for the condition of their assigned room and jointly responsible with other students for their residence hall or house, and may be fined under the College’s collective assessment policy for damage to the residence hall or house and its common areas, such as lobbies, lounges, halls, elevators, and stairwells in addition to their room or suite. The College reserves the right to levy and collect charges for damages due to unauthorized use of rooms, equipment, or buildings, and for special cleaning necessitated by improper care of rooms or equipment. Each student is required to inspect their assigned room upon arrival and submit an online room condition report form to document any problems or malfunctioning equipment that exists at the time so that charges will not be levied against the student unfairly. The College of Charleston will continue to implement and modify its cleaning protocols to address COVID-19 or other public health or safety emergencies in the interest of minimizing the spread of disease. Residential students will be required to properly clean their assigned spaces, using a CDC and/or SCDHEC approved disinfectant, including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and other shared spaces.
D. ROOM CHANGES/SUBLETS: The assigned student must occupy their room in person and may not sublet it to another person. The student shall at no time collect payment or compensation from another individual for the use of their room. The student may not change their room assignment or move rooms without advance approval from Campus Housing. Unauthorized room changes will be subject to a fine to the student eBill account. Incoming first-year students will not be permitted to move into fraternity or sorority houses during their first semester in campus housing unless there is an extenuating circumstance to which an exception is made.
E. WAIVER/RELEASE/INDEMNIFICATION: The student, and if applicable, their parent or legal guardian (if the student is under 18), understanding all of the dangers and risks associated with campus housing and associated activities, and in consideration of being permitted to live in campus housing, agrees to assume any and all risks associated with such activities and such housing. Further, on behalf of themselves, their family, their spouse and children (if any), along with their heirs, assigns and personal representatives, hereby agrees to release, waive, forever discharge, and covenant not to sue the State of South Carolina, the College of Charleston and its Board of Trustees, officers, employees and agents, for any harm, injury, damage, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, costs, and expenses of any nature that I may have or that may hereafter accrue to me or a releaser, arising out of or relating to living in campus housing, or any activity related thereto in any way, or for any occurrence supplemental to such activity or housing situation. Both the student and their Releasors, referenced above, also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the College of Charleston and its Board of Trustees, its agents, officers, servants and employees from any and all suits, claims, demands, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from or arising out of any injury, damage or cost to the student, the Releasors, or their personal property, or the property of others while in the possession of the student, during the term of this contract, while the student is living in campus housing, and within any statute of limitations period thereafter. No one, including the College of Charleston, can completely prevent or control transmission of communicable illness, including Covid-19. Therefore, everyone should take all necessary health precautions for their own personal safety, as well as the safety of those around us. Residential students are required to comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations and health and safety guidance adopted by the College of Charleston as it relates to all public health crises, including COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to, social distancing, limitations on mass gatherings, wearing a face covering, COVID-19 diagnostic and surveillance testing (including before or upon arrival to campus), contact tracing, disinfection protocols, food, laundry and other service modifications, closing of certain communal spaces, limitations on guests into residence halls, and quarantine/isolation requirements (including before or upon arrival to campus). Adherence to health and safety requirements applies to all residents, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors and extends to all aspects of residential life, including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, courtyards, laundry rooms and other common spaces. All residential students are prohibited from creating a health or safety hazard within their assigned living environment. The College of Charleston may request or require a resident to leave campus housing if their continued presence in the housing community poses a health or safety risk for community members and others. The undersigned, on behalf of themselves and also their heirs and assigns, agrees that outside willful misconduct, they waive, release, hold harmless, forever discharge and covenant not to sue the College of Charleston, its Board of Trustees, officers, employees and agents (The Releasees) regarding any and all liability, claims, damages, and/or causes of action arising from illness, costs, expenses, damages of any kind, including death and/or disability, associated with living in a residence hall, historic house, or any alternative housing assigned by the College of Charleston and participation in its meal program. The undersigned further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the above releasees from any and all liability or damages associated with living in a residence hall or historic house, participation in the College’s meal program and/or residing in other alternative housing assigned by the College.
F. ROOM SPACE AND BED BUYOUT: The student understands that bedrooms are normally occupied by two or three students who share the bath, furniture, and closet space, and agrees to live in this space as provided. Students may not move College furniture outside of their room or suite. In the event that one of the occupants checks out or the other bed is not assigned, the student agrees to accept an assigned roommate or move to another available space upon request. Depending on housing availability students may also have the option to buy out the other bed within the room for the semester.
G. STUDENT PROPERTY: The College does not accept responsibility for student property and does not provide insurance of student’s property. The purchase of renter’s insurance is highly recommended and available for optional purchase in the My Housing/ Dining portal. During Winter Break and any other times the residence halls may be closed, personal property is to be secured and valuables removed.
Students are responsible for removing all personal belongings upon checkout, leaving the room in its initial condition, prior to move-in. Any property left behind will be disposed of and any cost associated with this disposal will be charged to the student account.
H. MEAL PLAN CHANGES: Students who wish to change their meal plans (first-year students residing in campus housing may only change to another qualifying mandatory meal plan) have until 5:00 p.m. on the final day of drop/add to do so. Additional meal plan dates and processes can be found on the Cougar Card website.
I. REQUIREMENT TO VACATE IN EMERGENCY: In the event the College orders the campus to close because of a hurricane, natural disaster or other emergency, Campus Housing will require students to vacate their room until further notice. There will be no abatement for housing or meal plans.
J. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT BY THE COLLEGE: Upon reasonable notice, in its sole discretion, the College of Charleston reserves the right to terminate housing contracts due to public health emergency needs, safety considerations, acts of God, civil unrest, natural disasters, or other emergencies, including but not limited to COVID-19 and related situations. In the event the College of Charleston terminates housing contracts related to any of the above, the undersigned acknowledges, understands and agrees that these changes do not require the College of Charleston to issue any refunds for housing fees paid. Partial, pro-rated refunds may be considered and offered by the College of Charleston on an individual and voluntary basis, as deemed appropriate by the College, in its sole discretion.
III. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COLLEGE
A. The College shall grant the use of the facilities from the published date that residence halls open, except during official recesses, until the published date that residence halls close.
B. In the event of severe weather, mechanical, electrical, heating, air conditioning or water difficulties, the College shall make all reasonable efforts to restore service but shall give no abatement in room rates because of inability to restore service and shall not be liable for any inconveniences or damage to student property.
C. The College shall furnish to each student premises containing furnishings and equipment in good working usable condition, which are to be shared by occupants of the room.
D. The College shall assign or make available a room for selection, based on available housing, upon receipt of the student’s completed housing application. Whenever possible, requests for a specific building, room, and roommate will be honored, but cannot be guaranteed. The College will not accommodate room change requests based on sexual orientation, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veterans’ status, genetic information, or disability. Priority will be given based on the date the housing application is completed. The College reserves the right to require assignment changes when it considers this necessary or advisable. The College also reserves the right to move students in order to accommodate a student with a physical limitation or disability. Due to an extremely high level of interest in on-campus housing, the College reserves the right to assign students to "overflow" accommodations including, but not limited to, converted study rooms, student staff rooms, and standard double rooms converted to triple rooms.
E. The College will conduct announced and unannounced inspections of rooms for sanitary and safety conditions, unauthorized property, rule violations, and property damage. Inspections will be conducted by Residence Hall Directors and College staff. Spot inspections will be conducted by authorized College employees for necessary repair and maintenance in order to maintain College property.
F. The College reserves the right for appropriate officials to search individual rooms in cases where there is reasonable cause to believe that the occupant has concealed within their room unauthorized property or contraband, or is engaging in conduct that is in violation of College policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and/or student rules and regulations. If such property is discovered, the College will seize the property. Students may be removed from the residence halls as a conduct action and will be held responsible for the full housing fee. If a student feels that they have been removed unfairly, they may submit a written letter of appeal to the Executive Vice President of Student Affairs.
G. The College reserves the right to request a search warrant from law enforcement authorities where there is probable cause to believe that (a) a violation of law has occurred or (b) the occupant has concealed within the room illegal property or is engaging in conduct which is a violation of municipal, state or federal law.
H. The College of Charleston assumes no liability for bodily injury or damage to or loss of personal property for occupants and their guests.
I. The Charleston Culinary Group may reduce or suspend service for the following College breaks: Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and Graduation. Meal Taps may not be valid during these breaks. College restaurants may be open for business during these breaks and will accept cash, Dining Dollars, Cougar Cash, and credit card transactions. Holiday schedules are posted on the Charleston Culinary Group website and at each dining location. The Charleston Culinary Group may suspend or limit service due to severe weather and other emergencies.