Undergraduate Two-Year Residency Requirement

Policy Owner: Campus Housing and Dining

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 full-time Florida Tech undergraduate students registered for classes at the Melbourne campus.

Policy Statement

All full-time undergraduate students enrolled in classes at the Melbourne campus are required to reside in university housing through completion of their first four consecutive fall and spring semesters of enrollment, unless granted an approved exemption.

All students residing in university housing must execute a Housing Agreement. The Housing Agreement constitutes a binding agreement between the student and the University and applies for the occupancy period specified in the agreement, which may include the academic year, summer term, or other approved housing period.

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

• Are married
• Are the primary caregiver for dependent children
• Are 21 years of age or older
• Reside with immediate family within 50 miles of the Florida Tech campus
• Participate in a university-approved program that requires residence outside the local area

Students seeking an exemption under any of the criteria above must submit an exemption request and any required supporting documentation to the Office of Housing. Exemptions are not effective unless and until approved by the University.

Note: Under the policy, an exemption must be reviewed and approved at the start of the academic year or upon admission to apply during that academic year. If residing with immediate family is the basis of the exemption being sought, the student will be required to evidence:

• the identified immediate family member relationship meets the definition herein under the “Definitions” section,
• the identified residence of the immediate family member is and has been the primary home of the named family member for at least six months prior to the academic year. To satisfy this expectation, the student may use one of the following means to evidence this fact: a) the address being identified is the address listed on admissions correspondence for at least six months prior to the admission year, b) the property has been used for a homestead exemption for property tax purposes the prior year, c) the prior year’s federal tax filing shows that the identified residence of the immediate family member was listed on the filing, or d) the immediate family member’s Florida state driver’s license or passport issued at least six months prior to the exemption request identifies the location as the family member’s residence.

Students who do not meet one of the exemption criteria herein listed, but believe an exemption is warranted, should follow the appeal procedures under Procedures/Guidelines.

The university reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation.

Procedures/Guidelines

Housing agreements are an academic year commitment; therefore, the student is required to reside in university housing for the full academic year. Eligibility for residency or exemption status is determined as of the beginning of the applicable Housing Agreement Period. Changes in circumstances occurring after that date, including reaching the age of 21 or otherwise becoming eligible for an exemption during the agreement period, do not alter a student's housing obligation until the conclusion of the current Housing Agreement Period. For example, a student who turns 21 during the fall semester or satisfies the residency requirement during the fall semester must continue residing in university housing through the remainder of the housing agreement period.

Appeal Procedures – Students who do not meet the exemption criteria listed in this policy but who wish to request special exemption may email housing@fit.edu. The email should outline the student’s rationale for requesting special consideration. Appeals should be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the start of the applicable Housing Agreement Period whenever practicable. Appeals submitted after that date may be considered at the University's discretion. Appeals will be reviewed by the Office of Housing in consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Housing and Dining. Decisions are final unless otherwise authorized by university policy.

Definitions

Immediate Family: Parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian, or sibling over age 21 not also enrolled at Florida Tech.

Responsibilities

Students are required to adhere to this policy.

The Office of Housing is responsible for facilitating the housing and exemption process in consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Housing and Dining.

Enforcement

Students who fail to comply with this policy may be assigned university housing, charged applicable housing and meal plan fees, and/or be subject to administrative action as determined by the university.