Housing Requirements
2008-2009

(2009-2010 - Available October 2008)

Charges, Reservations and Refunds

The basic room charge for the 2008-2009 school year is $4570 (tentative). There is an additional $920 (tentative) yearly charge for students living in Harriett House doubles; the upcharge will be reduced to $610 (tentative) for students who triple their Harriett double room. A $800 (tentative) yearly charge is assessed to students living in designated single rooms. Please consult the University Catalog for a more detailed breakdown of charges for each semester.

Fall 2008, Incoming students

Housing information is sent to incoming first-year students beginning January, 2008. Incoming students must complete the Residence Hall Housing Contract prior to June 1, 2008. All housing assignments are made chronologically by admission contract date. Residence Hall Housing Contracts completed after July 1, 2008 will be prioritized by date of receipt. Roommate requests must be made mutually and listed on the online Residence Hall Housing Contract. Confirmation of assignments and roommates will be emailed to incoming first-year students on or before July 11, 2008. Confirmation of assignments and roommates will be mailed to incoming transfer students on or before August 1, 2008.

Fall 2008, Returning students

Information regarding the housing selection and lottery process for the upcoming year is sent to returning students in February. Returning students must complete the Residence Hall Housing Contract online by March 14, 2008 to receive a lottery number and be eligible to participate in the housing lottery process.

Students not planning to return to University housing for the Fall semester must complete an online request prior to March 14, 2008. There is a $200 charge attached to student accounts in the Business Office for room reservations canceled after April 1, 2008. Returning students not pre-enrolled by July 3, 2008 forfeit their room reservations on that date.

Spring 2009, Returning students

Students not planning to return to University housing for the Spring 2009 semester must complete an online request prior to December 1, 2008. There is a $200 charge attached to student accounts in the Business Office for room reservations canceled after December 1, 2008. Returning students not enrolled in Spring classes or not in good standing with the Business Office as of December 14, 2008 forfeit their Spring 2009 room reservations on that date.

Fall 2009, Incoming students

Housing information is sent to incoming first-year students in January, 2009. Incoming students must complete the Residence Hall Housing Contract prior to June 1, 2009. All housing assignments are made chronologically by admission contract date. Residence Hall Housing Contracts completed after July 1, 2009 will be prioritized by date of receipt. Roommate requests must be made mutually and listed on the online Residence Hall Housing Contract. Confirmation of assignments and roommates will be emailed to incoming first-year students on or before July 10, 2009. Confirmation of assignments and roommates will be mailed to incoming transfer students on or before August 1, 2009.

Fall 2009, Returning students

Information regarding the housing selection and lottery process for the upcoming year is sent to returning students in February. Returning students must complete the Residence Hall Housing Contract online by March 13, 2009 to receive a lottery number and be eligible to participate in the housing lottery process.

Students not planning to return to University housing for the Fall semester must complete an online request prior to March 13, 2009. There is a $200 charge attached to student accounts in the Business Office for room reservations canceled after April 1, 2009. Returning students not pre-enrolled by July 3, 2009 forfeit their room reservations on that date.

Appeals to housing charges

        Students are able to appeal assessed housing charges for the following reasons:

• Charges were assessed in error
• Extreme circumstances warrant exemption from assessed charges
• Assessment of charges did not follow institutional process
• New information exists that would influence assessment of charges
  
  Appeals must abide by the following conventions:

• Must be in writing
• Must be submitted within 60 days of the assessment
• Must cite the grounds (numbered above) upon which the appeal is based
• Must make explanation of the associated circumstances to fully inform the deliberation of the Housing Appeals Committee.

The Housing Appeals Committee is drawn from the following individuals and groups: the Business Office, Panhellenic Council/Interfraternity Council, ORL Advisory Committee, ORL Professional Staff, Associate Dean of Students.  The Committee is co-convened by the Assistant Director of Residential Life and the Director of Fraternity/Sorority Life who serve as non-voting members. This group meets quarterly in October, January, April and July and hears appeals submitted prior to the first day of the month during which the meeting takes place. Students will be notified of the committee's decision within two weeks of the Housing Appeals Committee meeting or by the end of the month in which the meeting takes place, whichever is earlier. Students should decline payment of billed charges associated with an appeal until a final decision is made.

Greek Chapter Houses

Upperclass students with social Greek affiliation and two semesters of residence hall living are required to live in their fraternity or sorority chapter houses and board in the fraternity or sorority house dining rooms, where available. Residential fraternity and sorority chapters are grounded in the philosophy of living ideals‚ the daily practice of personal embodiment, in attitude and behavior, of the founding values of the chapter, and the cyclical passing down of chapter foundations and ideals from active members to new members by the act of living together over time as brothers or sisters.

Fraternity and sorority chapters at IWU that choose a residential focus are expected to self-manage the chapter and chapter members at a heightened level. Residential expectations of such self-governance include ongoing recruitment of new members to maintain chapter numbers appropriate to fill the housing space assigned. In cases where chapters recruit beyond their ability to house members within the chapter house, and the house fills to 100% capacity with members, the Office of Residential Life will assist in providing residence hall housing for the remaining members, as space allows.

Additionally, for chapters assigned to University-owned living units, it is expected that the chapter will manage occupancy above a 90% level. Chapters whose occupancy falls below 90% will be charged to help make up for lost revenue to the University because of chapter mismanagement. When a chapter's occupancy falls below 90%, the chapter will be charged $1000 for each open space below the 90% threshold. IWU will work with chapters in their advance planning to find alternatives to under-occupancy situations, such as the re-assignment of the chapter to a facility whose capacity numbers more closely align with the chapter's expected occupancy.

Moving Off Campus

Students who have four semesters of University-approved (Residence Hall or Greek Chapter House) housing history are eligible to apply to live off-campus. Married students, students with medical or mental health conditions that cannot be accommodated in University-approved housing, or students living with their parents and commuting to campus may also apply for off-campus housing. In any of these cases, permission must be obtained through the Office of Residential Life by completing an online request form and further documentation may be required for some claims.

The submission of an off-campus housing application is not a guarantee of approval. Students should wait for written approval from the Office of Residential Life before signing any leases or rental agreements for off-campus housing.

Students who are eligible for off-campus housing must submit an online request. For Spring 2009, requests received after December 1, 2008 will be subject to a $200 late charge. For Fall 2009, requests received after May 15, 2009 will be subject to a $200 late charge.  Student currently living off campus can either submit an online request or email with updated address and phone number by July 15th to avoid the $200 late charge.

For students who choose voluntarily to live off-campus, financial aid is usually limited to tuition and fees.

Part-Time Students

Housing is provided for part-time students only with the approval of the Office of Residential Life. Students who change from full-time status to part-time status during a particular term are expected to continue to live in University housing under the same policies and conditions affecting full-time students.

Residence Hall Activity Fee

Students living in residence halls pay a semesterly residence hall activity fee of $15, as established by the Residence Hall Association and the Office of Residential Life. This fee is billed directly to student accounts in the Business Office. The residence hall activity monies are used to fund Hall Council and Residential Life Staff programs throughout the year. These programs are designed to provide intentional social and educational opportunities for students living in the residence halls.

Meal Plan Changes and Information

All students who live in University residence halls are required to board in the Bertholf Commons. Several meal plan options are available.   

More detailed information is available here.  Meal tickets are nontransferable as board charges are based on some expected absenteeism.  All meal plan changes must be submitted in writing by the student.  For Fall 2008, all changes must be made by August 27, 2008 by 4:00 PM.  For Spring 2009, all changes must be made by December 11, 2008 by 4:00 PM for fall residents and by January 7, 2009 for new Spring residents.  

Our mission is facilitating enjoyable, sustainable and inclusive communities that support and enhance students' academic achievement and personal development.