Boise State University Housing

By applying to live in University Housing, residents have agreed to the conditions set out in the University Housing Agreement which outlines specific provisions and information. University Housing encourages all residents to re-read this information to familiarize themselves with the agreement. The Housing Agreement can be found on the University Housing website.

ADA REASONABLE HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS
By law, students with disabilities do not have to self-disclose or register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) or University Housing. If, on the other hand, a student is seeking reasonable housing accommodations or adjustments, he/she must contact the Disability Resource Center. All housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. The procedure for requesting reasonable housing accommodations is as follows:

Student must contact the Disability Resource Center and follow the documentation process as outlined on their website. http://drc.boisestate.edu/Students/index.cfm?subsection_id=1
Once the DRC has received all necessary documentation, they will notify University Housing if they are recommending any reasonable accommodations should be made.

University Housing will then notify the student of their specific room assignment/accommodation via their Bronco email account within 48 business hours of receiving the recommendation from the DRC.

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ASSIGNMENT TO ROOMS
University Housing makes all room assignments in an effort to allow students to succeed academically and socially. Occasionally, room changes are in the best interest of the residents and/or the community. University Housing has established procedures for having requests for room changes approved. Only approved room changes are permitted. University Housing reserves the right to make changes to assignments as necessary. [back]

BREAK HOUSING
The Residence Halls are officially closed during Semester Break and any other break when classes are not in session. Any student desiring to remain in the halls for all or any portion thereof will be required to fill out a break housing request and pay a flat rate if approved to stay. All such requests will be reviewed by the Housing Department and approval is subject to space availability, staffing capabilities and student’s financial and conduct standing with the university. Based on demand, availability and security concerns, students may be required to relocate to temporary housing in another residence hall for the duration of the break.

Student’s Bronco cards will be deactivated from the date the residence halls close for each break through the date the halls reopen. During breaks when classes are not in session, limited or no food service hours may be initiated by University Dining Services. Notification of food service offerings will be made prior to the break application period. [back]

CHECK-IN PROCESS
Upon checking-in to a new room, residents will be given a room inventory, keys, mailbox key or combination as applicable. Residents will also be required to meet with their RA to sign a Roommate/Suitemate Contract, Balcony Use Agreement and 21+ Floor Agreement if applicable.

Do not drive cars or trucks on grassy areas to unload belongings. Such action could cause damage to sprinkler systems or landscaping and will result in additional charges. University Housing provides carts for students to use during check-in. There is a $5 deposit for a half an hour. If the cart is not returned within the half hour, University Housing will retain the $5 deposit. Carts may be re-checked out if no other students are on the waiting list. [back]

CHECKOUT PROCESS: YEAR END OR OTHER APPROVED DEPARTURES
Residents must complete the checkout process within 24 hours of their last final exam or by noon of the last day the halls are open (whichever comes first). Closing information will be provided via email, flyers and floor meetings. Any damage to the room/suite will be charged to student Bronco accounts. Students who fail to follow posted and written information about the checkout process will be assessed an administrative improper checkout charge of $150.00. [back]

CONSOLIDATION
In order to be fair and equitable, it is important to assess the proper fees or room assignment based on the payments a student is making. Therefore, University Housing has developed a consolidation process to reassign students based on occupancy after the second week of the semester.

By the second week of the semester, the Resident Directors will assess the occupancy of each building, making note of rooms where residents are living alone in a double room. University Housing will make every effort to match students’ requests with needs in the community. If the room/suite is 50% or more vacant, the Resident Director will contact the resident(s) and inform them of the following options:

1) The resident may find another roommate to move into the room by the deadline prescribed by the RD;

2) The resident may be moved into another room where a space exists.

3) The resident may be given the opportunity to “buy out” the room at a large single room rate for the rest of the semester based on availability, capacity and the discretion of University Housing staff ;

Students will be given 72 hours to complete a room change if warranted. Failure to comply with consolidation procedures will result in fines and/or assessment of charges for occupying a single room. Some halls, due to demand and space, do not allow for the option to “buy out” a double room as a “single.”

Note: Residents who do not presently have a roommate may get a roommate at any time and you should not take possession of the other part of the room. [back]

CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT
Students living in University Housing must be enrolled in 8 or more credits. Any student requesting an exception must notify University Housing in writing of the specifics of their situation and include documentation verifying their status. Instances where Boise State University will not allow students to take the full amount of credits will be considered. [back]

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
University Housing residents must abide by all local, state, and federal laws along with University Housing policies and procedures. Residents or applicants who have criminal convictions may have their application denied or be removed from housing facilities. Registered sex offenders must comply with reporting requirements by contacting the University Housing Office and reporting to the Associate Director for University Housing, prior to moving in. Students who are convicted after they have moved into a University Housing facility, must notify Housing of their conviction immediately.

University Housing conducts criminal background checks of all live-in employees. [back]

EARLY TERMINATION OF THE HOUSING AGREEMENT
The University Housing Agreement is a binding agreement for the full academic year. However, in the event of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances that impact students’ status, students may meet with their Resident Director to discuss the process to petition for a release from the agreement. Examples of extenuating and unforeseen circumstances include complete withdrawal from Boise State, significant changes in a student’s financial status, military deployment, graduation, or medical withdrawal from the university. Petitions are granted on a very limited basis and include a contract buy out fee and deposit forfeiture. Students who know in the summer or fall that their circumstances require a one-semester contract, MUST request an exception at the time of application. [back]

REMOVAL FROM HOUSING
University Housing reserves the right to terminate a student’s housing agreement due to behavior that is not congruent with the Boise State University Student Code of Conduct or the University’s Statement of Shared Values. Students who jeopardize the overall safety and security of the residential facilities or cause significant disruptions to the community may result in having their housing agreement terminated. University Housing reserves the right to remove any student whose conduct is severely disruptive or harmful to other residential students, staff, or the BSU community, regardless of the number or type of prior policy violations. [back]

RENEWAL
In early spring, students returning to Boise State University are given priority to preference on-campus “upperclass” housing for the next academic year. Information will be posted in halls, emailed and distributed prior to the sign-up period to give returning students priority for room selection over new residents. [back]

ROOM CHANGE REQUESTS
Students may request a room change within the current hall or between residence halls as long as eligibility requirements are met, their student account is current and space is available. Eligible residents from traditional residence halls (Chaffee, Driscoll, Keiser, Morrison, Taylor, Towers) may transfer into University Suites A, B, C but they will be required to keep their meal plan. University Suites residents may be eligible to transfer into a traditional residence hall with the purchase of a meal plan. Students are not allowed to transfer to apartments unless authorized by the Executive Director of University Housing.

Room changes will NOT be considered during the first two weeks OR the last two weeks of each academic semester in order to create hall rosters and complete administrative procedures. However, after this time University Housing will attempt to accommodate requests when space permits. University Housing also has found that many roommate differences can be resolved between roommates in the first two weeks, eliminating the need for a room change.

Students wanting to request a room change should acquire Room Change Request Form from the front desk. Permission from the Resident Director is needed before a move can take place. Once a room change request is approved, residents have 72 hours to complete the move, including inventorying the new room, checking-out of the old room, exchanging keys, and signing off on any necessary forms. Failure to move within the prescribed deadline or to follow other guidelines as set in the process will result in a fine of $150.00 for improper check-out (in addition to any charges assessed for cleaning or damages in your old room) and/or having the approved request revoked. Room changes made prior to written approval by the RD will be considered an improper room change and will be subject to the improper checkout fee in addition to disciplinary action.

The first approved room change is free of charge to the student. Subsequent requests that are approved will be assessed a $25.00 processing fee. [back]

ROOMMATE CONFLICTS
University Housing recognizes that conflicts arise within any group living situation. University Housing encourages residents to try and work out these differences for themselves. In an effort to alleviate simple roommate misunderstandings, Resident Assistants (RAs) will complete a roommate/suitemate contract with all students after moving in. University Housing encourages all residents to be honest and specific in working with their roommates/suitemates and the Roommate Contract as it will help to set the standard of the living environment for those residents.

If assistance is needed, University Housing staff members have experience and training in mediation and conflict resolution and are always willing to lend their assistance. If no solution can be found to a conflict, the Resident Director and University Housing have the option of moving one or more of the people involved in the conflict, in order to best serve the needs of the residents and the community as space permits. [back]

ROOM ENTRY
University Housing respects students’ right to privacy. However, there are times during which University Housing staff may enter a student’s room or suite without notification. These include:

(1) When an immediate threat exists to the health, safety or property of student or of the other occupants of the assigned room;
(2) When University or private property is at risk of damage or destruction;
(3) To secure space during breaks and conduct routine safety inspections;
(4) To make necessary or desirable repairs and perform routine or other maintenance;
(5) To show the room to prospective residents; and
(6) For other purposes as deemed necessary or desirable by University.

University Housing staff will knock and announce themselves prior to entering a student’s room. However, it is within the rights of Housing Staff to enter as deemed necessary. [back]

SEMESTER BREAK DEPARTURES AND GETTING A NEW ROOMMATE
Due to graduation or other changing situations of students, space may become available in the University Housing system in December. Students whose roommate is not returning for the spring semester will be required to make the room presentable for a new student/roommate. This must be done prior to departure in December for Winter Break.

Students may not take possession of the other half of the room. Clean the room and be sure that the other bed, dresser, closet, and so forth is ready for a new student to move in. Failure to comply with this policy may result in a fine and/or cleaning fee to be assessed to properly prepare the room for a new roommate. [back]