With fewer housing exemptions approved this year, students familiar with living off campus may be packing their bags and literally heading for campus housing this fall.
“The application hasn’t changed since last fall,” Associate Dean of Students Teresa Clounch said. “The application has only been updated to have the dates for the new deadlines.”
Clounch said when students apply for a housing exemption it is stressed that in most cases the exemption applies for one year unless otherwise stated on the application, such as in a marriage.
A committee consisting of staff members from the business office, student aid, student development and enrollment management offices determine decisions for exemptions.
The decision to deny or approve the same student’s exemption year to year can rely on a variety of factors, Clounch said.
It may vary from a change in personal finance to the results of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
For an exemption involving finances, the university requires that the FAFSA be completed.
“I think it is ridiculous that I was denied the first round,” sophomore Katie Worley said.
Worley’s application for exemption was accepted for off-campus living due to financial reasons last year but was denied for the 2009-2010 year because it lacks sufficient evidence that she is financially unable to live on campus.
“I don’t see how they can say that there isn’t evidence when my family is much worse off this year,” Worley said.
Although some students may be unhappy with the original decision on their housing application for next year, an appeals process is available.
Students interested in appealing the decision on their application were to submit a written statement with reasons for reconsideration by March 26.
Dean of Students Cassy Bailey has been reviewing the appeals throughout the week.
“It would really help my family if I lived off campus,” sophomore Haley Oborny said. “It is fair to require people to live on campus their freshman year, but after that they should be free to choose where and who they want to live with.”
Oborny is waiting to hear the decision on her original application because of a delay in submitting her FAFSA.
Clounch said even students who have chosen to go through the appeals process should have attended the housing lottery Wednesday because they will not receive the decision on their appeal until after the lottery.
Clounch advises students interested in applying for next year’s housing exemption to be sure to meet the deadline for the application as well as turn in any documents that are required for the exemption.
She said students should make sure all documents are updated. Clounch said students with questions should be sure to ask student development for assistance with the process.<br/>&#160;