This document and those referred to within it (including without limitation policies posted online) constitute the Rockford University Residence Hall Housing Contract (the “Agreement”). The services described and referred to in this document are offered exclusively under the terms and conditions stated herein. Completing this form and returning it to the specified address indicate acceptance of and questions may be directed to the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee for resolution. This Agreement will become legally binding on Rockford University (“Rockford University” or the “University”) and the student applicant and/or his or her guarantor (“Student”) when it (the completed contract) and a $100 non-refundable housing deposit (that will be applied to future charges) has been received from the Student by Student Administrative Services (SAS). This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Rockford University and the Student (the “Parties”) with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments, understandings, and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. If any part of this Agreement is found to be unlawful, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and any unlawful part will not nullify the Agreement. Student represents and warrants that he or she has reviewed the Agreement and understands its terms. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any controversy or dispute will be resolved by arbitration pursuant to the Illinois Arbitration Act (“IAA”) and conducted with the Judicial Arbitrations and Mediation Services (“JAMS”) before a mutually agreed-upon arbitrator in accordance with the JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures to the extent consistent with the IAA (unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties at the JAMS location closest to the University. The costs of arbitration will be shared equally by the Parties. The arbitrator will have no authority to change any of the terms of this Agreement. All decisions of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon the Parties. The prevailing party will be awarded reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in the arbitration in addition any other relief awarded. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
1. Conditions of Occupancy
A. Students must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester at Rockford University to live in the residence halls. Students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours may petition, in writing, the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee for permission to live in the residence halls.
2. Conditions of the Housing Contract
A. The residence hall contract is for an assigned room for the period indicated on the housing contract. Each Student agrees to vacate his/her room within 24 hours after his/her final exam. Rooms may be occupied from the beginning of each semester to the end of each semester, except during break periods and/or when the University is closed.
B. The University will not discriminate in room or hall assignments on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law in any of its policies procedures or practices. New students will be assigned to a room based on their preferences to the extent possible.
C. The University reserves the right to reassign residents who are without roommates, whose roommates withdraw or are dropped from the University, or who have not registered for classes within the first week of the academic semester. In all cases, final determination of room assignments rests with the University.
D. No room changes will be permitted except as provided by policy. Unauthorized room changes will be considered to be a policy violation and will be subject to judicial process.
E. Rooms may not be sublet. The contract is with the named parties and is not assignable, saleable, or transferable. Exchanges, transfers, and vacating rooms require written permission from the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee.
F. The University reserves the right to have its authorized personnel enter and inspect residence hall rooms and the contents therein as deemed necessary in order to maintain its regulations and property, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
G. The University is not responsible for the loss or damage of goods and personal property. Private insurance in encouraged for the Student’s protection since no exception is made. To ensure safety against such losses, the University has deemed that any and all fire-causing practices, such as burning candles and incense, are strictly prohibited.
H. Students are responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by the University’s Student Code and all additional rules and regulations regarding living in the residence halls. Each Student agrees to abide by all applicable policies that have been established by Rockford University. Copies of said policies shall be made available to the Students upon request or may be found in the Rockford University Student Handbook and Student Life policies on the University’s website (www.rockford.edu). Violation of any of the standing policies mentioned above, or any conduct deemed to be such as to require the removal of a Student from a residence hall for his/her best interest or that of other residents, shall result in termination of this Contract as provided below.
I. Student accepts full responsibility for the actions of his or her guests and must agree to accompany them at all times while the guest is in the residence halls. Student agrees to defend, indemnify and hold University harmless from all claims, demands, losses, costs, and expenses and/or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) asserted against University arising from, related to, or based upon any claims involving guests of residents that are directly or indirectly caused by the gross negligence or reckless conduct of Student or his or her guest. Guests found without accompaniment will be asked to leave the hall.
J. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings at Rockford University.
K. Campus quiet hours can be found in the Student Handbook. 24-hour courtesy hours are always in effect.
L. Students who are not currently residents are required to pay a $100 housing deposit, to be submitted with the contract. This deposit will be used to reduce the housing bill by $100 in the last month of the first year’s housing contract entered into by the Student. Students who sign housing contracts for consecutive years will not be required to submit a new housing deposit.
M. Students who sign a housing contract and later withdraw prior to the semester census (generally in the third week of the semester) will be charged a $100 withdrawal fee, regardless of whether or not they move in. This withdrawal fee is in addition to the $100 deposit, which will be used to credit the last month of the housing contract but is otherwise non-refundable. Students who do not withdraw from housing prior to the census are subject to Section 3: Termination of the Contract.
3. Termination of the Contract; Vacating Student Housing
A housing contract covers the entire period indicated on the reverse side of this contract. The University assumes no responsibility for failure to perform any terms or conditions of this contract due to circumstances beyond its control.
A. The contract is between the named Student and Rockford University and is not saleable, transferable, or cancelable by the named student, and only, as follows:
1. If the Student is not enrolled in classes at Rockford University at the beginning of a semester and/or does not begin to participate in his/her academic program during a semester, the contract is canceled for that semester (or for the academic year if this occurs in the fall semester) and the Student is subject to the withdrawal fee described in Section 2.M.
2. If the Student attends the University and is dismissed, expelled, or suspended or his/her affiliation otherwise is subsequently involuntarily terminated by the University, the contract is terminated as of the date of dismissal, expulsion, etc. unless the Student applies for readmission for any part of the remainder of the academic year. If such readmission occurs, the Student agrees to accept a new room assignment to whatever accommodations are available and the contract remains in force.
3. If the Student withdraws from the University, or wishes to vacate his/her room before the end of the period under contract while still remaining enrolled at Rockford University, he/she may terminate the contract only upon written approval from the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee, which approval may be granted or denied in the University’s sole discretion. Absent extraordinary circumstances, it is the University’s policy not to terminate contracts for any student who vacates after the semester census is conducted (generally the third week of the semester), and a student who moves after that date will remain liable for the housing contract for the remainder of the semester. Please note that a student who withdraws from the University may not reside in student housing, regardless of whether her or she remains obligated under a housing contract.
4. Abandoned Property. If a student fails to check-out and move-out at the end of the contract, or when the contract is terminated, all personal items must be removed. Any items left in the room will be considered abandoned property and discarded.
B. The University may require any student living in student housing to vacate student housing upon written notice to the Student:
1. Upon the Student’s breach of the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation the requirement that the student comply with all applicable policies and procedures as provided in Section 2.H.;
2. Any conduct that is deemed to pose a threat to the safety of the Student or any other resident or guest of the residence halls; and/or
3. Upon the Student’s loss of eligibility for housing as described in Section 1.A.
4. Should the University need to close (related to emergency, act of God, force majeure, or other exigency), Students may not be reimbursed, nor prorated, for time not spent in their residence hall space.
a. “Force Majeure” shall mean fire, earthquake, flood, tornado, act of God, pandemic, strikes, work stoppages, or other labor disturbances, riots or civil commotions, litigation, war or other act of any foreign nation, power of government or order or mandate from any governmental agency or similar authority, which make it inadvisable, unfeasible, or impossible to uphold contracted terms of this Agreement.
C. If the University requires Student to vacate student housing, Student shall vacate the residence hall on the date specified in such notice. Students who are required to vacate housing remain liable for the housing contract for the remainder of the semester.
4. Refunds
A. No refund or credit of the charges for housing service during the contract period will be made unless submitted in writing and approved by the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee.
B. No refund or credit shall be granted should the Student be dismissed from housing, suspended or expelled from Rockford University or his/her academic program.
C. A schedule of current charges may be obtained from Student Administrative Services (SAS).
D. A schedule of refunds may be obtained from Student Administrative Services (SAS).
5. Payments
A. A room is not reserved unless the signed contract, notification that appropriate deposits have been made, and notification of acceptance to the University or enrollment for the upcoming semester at the University are received by Student Administrative Services (SAS). Rooms will not be held past the first day of classes unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director of Residence Life.
B. The University reserves the right to refuse a room assignment to an applicant, and to make all final decisions regarding assignments for housing.
C. Payments for housing must be made in advance of each semester, or under a deferred plan. Questions regarding payment should be directed to Student Administrative Services (SAS).
D. Student is solely liable for payment of costs resulting either from damage or conditions that require extraordinary cleaning, which will be determined and assessed in the University’s sole discretion. The cost of damages within the residence halls and living centers for which no one accepts responsibility will be assessed to each member of the floor, hall, or complex at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee.
Exceptions: Any exception to the terms or conditions of this Agreement as stated herein must be approved in writing by the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee.