UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Residence Hall Contract & Rates

2 Year Residency Policy

2 Year Policy

 

Active Housing Contracts

Academic Year
Housing Contracts

Students starting in the fall semester sign a contract for the full academic year. This contract is activated on the first day of fall semester classes.

Spring Semester Only
Housing Contracts

Students starting in the spring semester sign a contract that is only for the spring semester. This contract is activated on the first day of spring semester classes.

 

Exemptions may be requested when:
  1. You do not have an active housing contract; and
  2. You meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • You are a veteran with 2 years active military duty
  • You are married
  • You are a parent
  • You live with a parent or legal guardian and will commute daily from their residence which is within a driving distance of 30 miles from UWRF, according to Google Maps.
  • You have an extreme personal hardship
  • You have an extreme financial hardship
  • You are registered for 100% online classes
    (see Online Learner Exemption section of this page below for details and process)

 

Exemption Request Process
  1. Submit a Residency Policy Exemption Request Form and any required documentation to Residence Life.
  2. You will receive a response via your UWRF email only after your request and required documentation have been received.
  3. Appeal requests must be submitted via email to the Director of Residence Life at reslife@uwrf.edu.

 

Commuter Policy

Students may request to commute if:

  1. They will be residing with a parent/legal guardian, and
  2. The address is within a driving distance of 30 miles from campus (410 S. 3rd St. River Falls, WI 54022), according to Google Maps.

Students who have moved into the halls for the academic year are required to fulfill the full duration of their signed Housing Contract and are not eligible to commute until the duration of that contract is fulfilled. Submission of an exemption form does not imply nor guarantee that the request will be granted; students should assume their request has not been granted unless they have received written confirmation from Residence Life. 

Students who have not been officially granted commuter status are cautioned not to make arrangements to commute from the address of their parent(s)/legal guardian, as they may not receive commuter status.

 

Common Situations and Reasons Exemption Requests Would Be Denied

PDF version >>

Residence hall living is a new experience for most students and requires a certain amount of adjustment. If a student has made a fair adjustment to the hall environment, but is still unhappy; a change of hall, room, floor, or roommate may be an effective remedy. Residence hall staff are available to work with residents individually to find a solution if a specific issue continues to be a problem or concern.

Even with documentation from a doctor or therapist, most conditions do not automatically exempt students from policy and contract obligations. Specific health-related conditions and needs must be outlined by a medical or mental health professional. We will work with students individually to make residence hall rooms environmentally and health-friendly.

Requests based on disability require students to identify and discuss with Reisdence Life staff the specific areas of concern and issues they are experiencing in the living environment. Through this process, the student and staff member will explore access solutions. Residence LIfe works collaboratively with the Ability Services office to meet students' disability-related needs.

Lack of funds alone is not a basis for exemption or contract termination. Finances for the academic year should be considered before choosing to enroll at the University or activating the residence hall contract. Financial aid is available to those who qualify based on need, and Residence Life relies on the expertise of the Financial Aid Office to determine if a student has sufficient financial aid and other funding options to attend UWRF. Financial hardship means there has been a significant change in your financial situation that cannot be rectified.

Needing to be at home to help with a family business, take care of siblings or other family members, or take care of pets or other animals is not a reason for an exemption or contract termination. The student, along with their family, must explore alternative solutions to accommodate these needs.

The choice to commute from the home of a parent or legal guardian must be made before activation of the residence hall contract. Students who are eligible to commute from the home of their parent or guardian must submit their request and be approved before the start of the academic year.

The commuter exemption does not allow for living with siblings, grandparents, other relatives, or a partner/significant other.

A contract termination will not be granted for a student who wants to become a commuter after the start of the academic year.

Pets are not allowed in the residence halls, but if a student has a documented need for an emotional support animal, they will need to go through the housing accommodation process. Students are encouraged to review materials available on the Ability Services website before starting the request process to ensure they qualify for an emotional support animal accommodation.

 

Exemption Request Forms

Note: Students currently living on campus for Fall 2023 have already signed a year-long housing contract, so they are not eligible for an exemption for Spring 2024.  These students need to refer to the Contract Termination information in the terms and conditions of the contract for more information.

2024-25 Academic Year (Sept 2024 - May 2025)

2024-25 Exemption Request Form

 

Online Learner Exemption Request

  • Online Learner Exemption may be requested when:
    • You do not have an active housing contract; and
    • You are registered for all online classes (must be listed as online in eSIS, not as hybrid or in-person); and
    • Will be living with your parent or legal guardian
  • Process:
    • Submit the Online Learner Exemption Request form to Residence Life before the first day of classes. See form for specific date information.
    • You will receive a decision via your UWRF email once your request has been reviewed.

Students who have moved into the halls for the academic year are required to fulfill the full duration of their signed Housing Contract and are not eligible for the Online Learner Exemption until the duration of that contract is fulfilled. Submission of an Online Learner Exemption form does not imply nor guarantee that the request will be granted; students should assume their request has not been granted unless they have received written confirmation from Residence Life.

Students who are approved for a Fall Online Learner Exemption will be required to live on campus for the spring semester unless they complete the Spring Online Learner Exemption form prior to the first day of spring classes.

Contact Us

Department of Residence Life
reslife@uwrf.edu
715-425-4555
M-F, 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
B3 East Hathorn Hall
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