For the 2011-2012 USI academic year, changes have been made to the on-campus housing contract. These changes, depending on the type of apartment chosen, can potentially cost a student up to $4,000 in fines.
Melanie Hay, an on-campus junior resident and employee of Housing and Residence Life, said she won’t be surprised if many students aren’t aware of the new changes.
“They are making drastic financial changes to the contract this year,” Hay said. “Students need to pay close attention to what they are signing their name to.”
The old housing contract allowed students the ability to cancel their contract without any penalty or fee. The new contract, however, will make students pay half the year’s housing cost should the contract be terminated.
Hay said the school has good reasons for making such changes due to an absence of numerous students who were supposed to live on housing grounds during 2010-2011. USI had to form a contract with Eagle Village, a local apartment complex close to the campus, in order to house students the Housing and Residence Life supposedly didn’t have room for.
“Last year, we had close to 150 students not show up for housing. This forced Residence Life to move the overflow of students to Eagle Village, until all assurances were clear that the 200 students were not moving in like they said they would,” Hay said.
While some say Residence Life is changing the contract for the better, other students believe housing is being too cautious and is stripping students of their money.
Candice Parsley, an on-campus sophomore resident, said she won’t be able to renew her housing contract due to the new changes. Parsley relies on paying her tuition and housing fees with money she receives after filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
“Money is tight right now, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford next year’s housing bill,” Parsley said. “I won’t know how much Federal Aid money I will get until June. But, if I sign up for housing now and later learn I didn’t receive enough Federal Aid money to afford the bill, then I’m forced to pay a termination fee of $2,000 for the type of apartment I would have chosen.”
However, Hay said finding a valid reason to terminate a contract isn’t easy.
“Housing and Residence Life will only allow penalty-free termination if a student has a health-related occurrence,” Hay said. “This health-related issue must be long term. For example, if a student is injured in a car accident and cannot live independently any longer. Proof must be shown to Housing and Residence Life for any contract termination to take place.”
Another contract change includes instead of returning a down payment on a student’s apartment, Residence Life now put the down payment money toward the total housing bill for the year.
Blake James, a sophomore on-campus resident, said this is a positive change.
“I’m glad my deposit money will be going toward my total bill,” James said. “This way I won’t use the money I get back on other non-essential items. I’ll know my
money is going to help my total cost.”
Whether students agree or disagree, Housing and Residence Life is making changes for students who sign their name to a 2011-2012 housing contract.
“I hope students hear about the changes and ask questions when needed,” Hay said. “Students should be aware of what they sign their name to, and maybe one day we’ll have a contract that suits everybody’s needs.”
