RESIDENCE LIFE
One of the greatest experiences in college is living in community.  Residence hall living gives students the unique opportunity to live and interact with a variety of other people.  Students living in residence halls do better academically, are less likely to drop out, are more likely to graduate in four years, and are more likely to be involved in college activities and develop leadership skills.  Thus, Westminster College regards the residential experience as an integral part of the education of a student.

Westminster College has eight residence halls that house approximately 1,130 students.  The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Residence Life and Leadership Development is responsible for supervising Residence Life staff, formulating residential policy, and overseeing programmatic efforts.  The Director of Physical Plant is responsible for residence hall custodial services, building maintenance, and upkeep.  It is a joint effort to provide an environment that is conducive to the personal development and education of each student.

HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
Ordinarily, residence hall rooms are assigned with the understanding that they will be rented for the entire academic year.  All full-time undergraduate students are required to live in a College residence hall unless a student meets at least one of the following criteria:

·Is living with a parent(s), legal guardian(s), or family with whom they are working for room and board.  Written verification from parent/guardian or family employing the student is required.

·Has resided in a residence hall for at least four years prior to the request.

· Has reached the age of 23 prior to the term(s) for which the request is made.

·Is given special permission in writing by the Office of Student Affairs to live at his fraternity house.  To be eligible, a fraternity member must have at least junior standing (generally 68 credit hours), have at least a 2.0 GPA, and must demonstrate responsible behavior as a member of the Westminster College community.  Fraternity members are not permitted to move from a fraternity house to an off-campus setting without written permission from the Student Affairs Office.

·Participates in the Off-Campus Lottery held each year as part of the Westminster College Housing Selection process.  To be eligible to participate in the lottery, students must have at least a junior standing (generally 68 credit hours), have at least a 2.0 GPA, and be able to demonstrate responsible behavior as a member of the Westminster College community.  Students obtaining permission to reside off-campus through the lottery must submit a copy of their signed lease to the Office of Student Affairs to be kept on file.  Failure to do so will affect a student’s off-campus housing status.

· Violations of Housing Requirements Policy
The College reserves the right to take disciplinary action against students who violate the Housing Requirements policy.  Violations include, but are not limited to, residing in off-campus housing without the express written permission of the College.

Commuter status is reserved only for students living at home with one or both parents.  In order to obtain commuter status, written and verbal notification from the parent is required.  Additionally, a student must be living within a 50-mile radius of the College to be eligible for commuter status.  Students wishing to commute the following academic year should notify the Student Affairs Office of their intention by June 1.  Notification after June 1 will result in a contract breakage fee of $125.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
Westminster College works very hard to accommodate special needs/disabled students within the residence halls.  If a student’s medical condition requires special consideration by the College, a Housing Accommodation Form is available in the Student Affairs Office.  The form is to be completed in full by the student’s primary care physician and/or medical specialist and submitted to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Residence Life and Leadership Development.  The College will use the information shared on the Housing Accommodation Form to develop a strategy to best meet the needs of that particular student.  Please understand that due to the number of students that suffer from allergies and chronic respiratory illnesses, the College cannot provide special accommodations in such situations unless a major life activity is substantially limited.  The College will provide necessary equipment to accommodate students qualifying under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

VACATION PERIODS AND BREAK HOUSING
All residence halls close during fall and spring breaks, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Residents may not remain in College housing beyond the announced closing hour or day, or return to the residence hall prior to the announced opening unless given special permission by their Residence Director.  Students must vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last final exam each semester, or of their final class period, whichever comes first.  Residence Life and Security Staff are authorized to enter all rooms to ensure that all health and safety standards are met.

The College can provide housing for students over breaks, given that the student’s presence is integral to the operation of the department/program they represent.  Permission for these students to stay in residence halls over break must be made in writing by the department/program head.  Other students experiencing extenuating circumstances requiring their presence over College breaks should submit requests in writing to their RD.   Residents given permission to stay, but not participating in an authorized College program, may be charged a per night fee.  Guests are restricted to only those Westminster students permitted to reside in the residence halls during the break period.  Westminster College policies are in effect during break periods.