Applies to:	Original Policy Date:	Date of Last Review:	Approved By:
Melbourne Campus Full-time Undergraduate Students	August 9, 2023	August 9, 2023	Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Policy Owner: Student Affairs 

Policy Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to establish residency requirements for full-time undergraduate students enrolled at the Melbourne campus, to support their academic success, and to encourage their engagement.  This policy is based on research on college students nationally that suggests that students who live on campus are more satisfied with their college experience, earn higher grade point averages, and are more likely to graduate than their commuting peers. Residence hall programming also enhances a student’s educational experience by providing the opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities and programs. 

Policy Scope 

The policy applies to first-time in-college Florida Tech students that are full-time status registered for classes at the Melbourne campus. 

Policy Statement 

All first-time college students that are enrolled full-time at the Melbourne campus are required to live on campus during their first year at Florida Tech.  

Students who meet one or more of the following criteria may be exempt from this policy:

1. Students who have attended another college or university while not simultaneously enrolled in high school.
2. Veteran of military service (two years or more).
3. Married.
4. Primary caregiver for dependent children.
5. 20 years of age or older.
6. Reside with immediate family within 50 miles of the Florida Tech campus.
7. Participant in a university-approved program, such as an off-campus internship, that requires living outside of the local area (50 miles or more).

Students meeting one or more of these exemption criteria may apply for this exemption at the time of admission. 

Procedures/Guidelines 

Housing contracts are an academic year commitment; therefore, the student is required to reside in university housing for the full academic year.  

First-time college students that first enroll at Florida Tech during a spring semester, are only required to reside on campus that spring semester.  These students are considered returning students the following fall semester and would no longer be classified as first-time college students.  

The scope of this policy is based on the student’s credit hour status as of the first term of enrollment that academic year.  That status for the purposes of this policy is not adjusted in the second term of the semester.  For example, if a residential student reaches 30 credits at the conclusion of the fall semester, the student must continue to reside in university housing for the spring semester.  

Students who are requesting an exemption to the policy must submit a housing exemption request form which is available during the new student onboarding process through Admissions.  The form can also be found on the housing website: https://www.fit.edu/housing/applications-and-forms/. 

Definitions 

Immediate family: parent, stepparent, grandparent, or legal guardian

First-time in college: Student that has not attended another college or university since high school graduation. 

Responsibilities 

Students are required to adhere to this policy. 

The Department of Campus Housing is responsible to facilitate the housing and exemption process in consultation with the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. 

Enforcement 

Students who violate this policy may be assigned a room at the lowest rate for which the student is eligible.