Understanding Your Housing Agreement
Every student who lives in residence must sign an agreement. This is a legally binding agreement between the student and the University, specifically the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Nothing replaces a careful reading of the ODU Housing Application/Agreement.
Application Process Highlights for 2009-2010
- Admittance to Old Dominion University is required to be eligible to apply for Housing.
- On-campus housing is not guaranteed. Apply early for priority in the room assignment process.
- Read the application, agreement terms, and conditions before completing the process.
- Retain copies of your completed application and agreement for future reference.
- Beginning Fall 2009-10, a $250 application fee of which $50 is nonrefundable is required at the time of application. It may be paid through the online application process or mailed to the Office of Finance. The application fee may be refunded minus the $50 nonrefundable portion if cancelling your application by the May 1, 2009 refund deadline. Requests must be made in writing and may be submitted through the housing@odu.edu email address. Please be sure to include UIN.
- Although the University will try to match your requests, room assignments are not guaranteed.
Conditions in Brief
- The Housing Application/Agreement is a legally binding document and should be read completely before the resident signs the Agreement.
- The agreement is valid for the specific agreement periods. Check the agreement periods listed in the Housing and Residence Life Handbook.
- Residents are responsible for being aware and abiding by the rules and regulations of the University.
- Residents may not sublet on-campus living spaces.
- The agreement may be cancelled only as stipulated in the Terms and Conditions.
- Once resident reserves a room, he/she is obligated to the terms of the agreement. Personal decisions to move to off-campus housing after signing the Housing Agreement do not release residents from the financial debt.
- Some residence halls require the resident to agreement for both the room and meal plan.
- No person may live in the residence halls if they are not enrolled for classes for the terms of the agreement.
- Residents who elect to move to another residence within the term of the agreement period continue to be responsible for the contracted meal plan.
- The University is not liable for personal loss of money or valuables. Residents are encouraged to carry appropriate insurance to cover such losses.
- The University may terminate the agreement for disciplinary reasons.
About Cancelling Your Agreement
From time to time, it becomes necessary for students to consider cancelling their agreement or withdrawing from residence. Before this happens, students are strongly advised to meet with the Residence Hall Director (RHD). The RHD can provide options, resources, and referrals to assist students in their decision-making process.
The cancelling of your agreement can come with a penalty. Residents are released from their obligation in the following cases only.
- Withdrawal or graduation from the university
- Student teaching outside of commuting distance
- Marriage (proof required)
- An involuntary call-up for military service
- Transfer to another university (proof required)
- Co-op, internship or similar approved programs outside
- Participation in an approved exchange program of commuting distance
