Requesting an Exception to the University’s Residency Requirement

Students sometimes feel they may have extreme circumstances warranting an exception to the Board of Trustees residency policy.  Please note such exceptions are quite rare as nearly all* student needs are reasonably accommodated on campus (*as defined by the University and based on the request for accommodation).  The Housing Office, in an effort to provide a fair and unbiased review of requests, has assembled a peer review board to consider requests for exceptions to the residency requirement.  Every few weeks a board composed of 5 student leader volunteers, pulled from a pool of up to 20 student leader volunteers, meets to consider written requests and make recommendations for outcomes.  The written material presented by students requesting an appeal is stripped of any personally identifiable information and presented to the board for consideration.  The board makes recommendations for outcomes to the Housing Office for final determination.  The board and Housing Office may consult with appropriate University resources such as the Health Center, Financial Aid Office, Business Office, etc. as necessary when making final a determination.

The request for an exception to the residency policy process is a student driven paper process meaning consideration is given to the written materials submitted by students.  Please note that requests for exceptions to the residency requirement must be filed by the student.  Students, regardless of age and funding source, are the contract holder with the university. In keeping with guidelines set forth in the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), responses will be provided only to the student making the request. We are sorry to say we are not able to accommodate in-person meetings or telephone conversations concerning this process.  All decisions of the board are reviewed before responses are disseminated; because of this unbiased review by the board, the board’s ability to reference and confer with appropriate campus resources on reasonable accommodation, and with a review of the board’s recommended outcomes, all decisions of the appeals process are final.  Once a decision is rendered, further request for appeal will not be considered.

Below is an information guide for students considering a request for an exception.  Downloadable forms used to request an exception to the policy are linked to each paragraph as well as located at the bottom of this page.

Financial Concerns
Living with a sibling, other family member, or at a vacation property in the area
Student turns 20 after the first day of fall classes
Student has lived on campus at another university but is not yet 20
Student has medical concerns – allergies, students with temporary or permanent disabilities, etc.
Concerns with diet/availability of food
Need for quiet environment, ADD/ADHD, etc.
Need for more privacy
Need for housing over breaks
My parents are moving within the 50 miles radius of campus, I am buying a home in the area, my parent is leasing an apartment/house in the area
Student is over 20, or lives within 50 road-miles of the university, but signed to live on campus for the coming year

Financial Concerns
There is little doubt that college is an expensive investment in a student’s future.  The cost of room and board, like tuition, is kept as low as possible each year despite rapidly increasing costs for the university to provide a top-notch education experience.  Living on campus is as integral a part of the Ferris State learning experience just as the classes that are required for a particular degree.  Like tuition, the cost of living on campus is an expense students are expected to bear when choosing Ferris State.  There is, however, a great return on your investment. 

Generally speaking, a desire to “save money” by living off campus is not grounds for an exception to the University’s residency requirement.  Studies have shown that living on campus is truly no more expensive than living off campus when all such relative costs of conveniences are compared.  With the added convenience and opportunity for engagement in the university community, the University holds firm the belief that students are more successful when living on campus. 

It is important to submit all the information requested to receive the fullest consideration possible.  Students should understand that a desire to avoid student loans is not grounds for an exception to the residency requirement.  Similarly, a student’s inability to cover all of the costs associated with attending Ferris State through loans/financial aid is not grounds for an exception to the residency requirement.

All requested tax forms must be submitted.  Also:

• Students must have submitted FAFSA for the academic year (or semester) in which they are applying.  Failure to do so will result in the request being denied.
• Financial requests for any fall semester cannot be reviewed until financial aid has been awarded for that semester.

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Living with a sibling, other family member, or at a vacation property in the area
The policy explicitly states that students must live on campus unless living in the permanent home of their parents where the parent’s permanent home is located within 50 road miles of the university.  This exception to the policy is meant to allow truly “local” students an opportunity to live at home. Students are not approved to live anywhere other than the permanent home of the parent.  Unfortunately this precludes students from living off campus with older siblings, aunt/uncles, grandparents or other family members living in the Big Rapids area.  This also precludes the ability to stay at cabins or other vacation property in the area in lieu of living on campus.  The spirit of the policy also precludes a parent buying a second home in the area or serving as signor on rental property as such arrangements are not the permanent home of the parent. 

The 50 road mile radius distance from campus is firm.  The university has determined this as the furthest reasonable commuting distance to campus, therefore, those who are close but outside of 50 miles will not be granted an exception.  The mileage is generally determined using a website with an on-line mapping and distance calculator.  Please note the University reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify parents’ home address.

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Student turns 20 after the first day of fall classes
The deadline of reaching 20 years of age by the first day of classes is firm.  Historically, the threshold date had been July 1.  Out of fairness to others with summer birthdays the date was moved to the start of class to serve as the firm deadline date.  Students who are “close,” including those with birthdays in September, are precluded from exceptions to the policy.  The policy is explicit that students must be 20 years of age by the first day of class.

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Student has lived on campus at another university but is not yet 20
Ferris State’s residency requirement is independent of the policies of other institutions.  Despite previous living arrangements, our students must meet the specific Ferris State guidelines to be eligible for off campus living.

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Student has medical concerns – allergies, students with temporary or permanent disabilities, etc.
The residence halls are constructed of brick walls and most rooms have tile floors.  The furnishings of each room allow students to have total control of room cleanliness.  The residence halls utilize radiant heat rather than forced air which allows for maximum control of airborne allergens and irritants.  All housing facilities are 100% smoke free making the accommodations ideal for students to control exposure to allergens and irritants in their rooms.  Allergies are not a means by which the University would cancel the Housing and Dining Contract.

Issues of accessibility should be made known to the Disabilities Service Office at the time of initial enrollment.  Requests for specific accommodation should be made at the time of application for housing on the Housing and Dining Contract signature card as well as by contacting the Housing Office directly at 231-591-3745.  The Housing Office prides itself on providing specific accommodation for students with disabilities.  Students with temporary disabilities may consult with the Housing Office for accommodation.  All such requests or concerns may be directed to the Housing Office.

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Concerns with diet/availability of food
Special diets are happily accommodated through Dining Services.  A registered dietician is on staff and available to help students plan for and find the nutritious and tasty meals they desire.  Our Dining facilities are well suited to partner with students to meet nearly all dietary needs.  Please contact Dining Services for more information.  With the variety of food options, hours of service and the desire and flexibility of dining staff to meet specific student needs, dietary concerns are not a means by which the University would cancel the Housing and Dining Contract.

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Need for quiet environment, ADD/ADHD, etc.
Some students require a quieter environment to be successful with sleep and studies. To accommodate this need the University has created a 24 hour quiet floor whereby noise should be barely audible outside a room with the door closed 24/7.  Double room and single room (for an additional charge) options are available in this environment on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please contact the Housing Office for more details. A diagnosis of ADHD or related circumstance would not necessitate the cancelation of the Housing and Dining Contract.

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Need for more privacy
All students are eligible to contract for a private room on campus.  Space permitting, there is an additional cost of $900 per semester for the private room.  Learning to be successful while living in close proximity to others is a part of the overall educational experience at Ferris State. Besides, lifelong friendships are often formed with roommates, suitemates and the students across the hall.  A desire for greater privacy is not a means by which the university would cancel the Housing and Dining Contract.

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Need for housing over breaks
The residence halls close during the break periods and at the end of each semester.  Students are expected to make plans in advance for other accommodations during the break periods. The dates of closure are published more than a year in advance and are outlined in the Housing and Dining Contract.  Need for housing between semesters or other breaks are not means by which the university would cancel the Housing and Dining Contract.  Local hotels usually offer special rates for students who are not able to leave during the break periods.

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My parents are moving within the 50 miles radius of campus, I am buying a home in the area, my parent is leasing an apartment/house in the area
Unfortunately, some students have attempted to circumvent spirit and letter of the University’s residency policy by claiming a relative’s home or vacation property as the permanent home of the parent.  The Housing Office, in an effort to provide fair and consistent service to all students, may require proof of residency from students and/or parents.  The patience and cooperation of students and parents in this process is greatly appreciated.  Some general guidelines students should consider:

• Students anticipating a move of the family home within the 50 road-mile radius from campus should wait to sign the housing contract. 
• Once signed, the Housing and Dining Contract is generally binding through the academic year for which it was signed, even if the family home relocates during the year. 
• Situations where parents enter into lease agreements with local landlords on behalf of the student, when such property is not the permanent home of the parent, do not constitute grounds for release from the residency requirement.
• Similarly, some families elect to invest in a home in the area for their student’s use.  The home in this scenario is not the permanent home of the parent, thus, students would not be released from the residency requirement until the student reaches the age of 20 prior to the start of the academic semester (as outlined in the Housing and Dining Contract).
• Finally, the transfer of the student’s guardianship to a local friend or family member, to establish a local parental home,  is not within the spirit of the residency requirement and is not grounds for a release.

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Student is over 20, or lives within 50 road-miles of the university, but signed to live on campus for the coming year
The Housing and Dining Contract states explicitly that students should not enter into this contractual obligation until they are certain they are committing to all of the terms and conditions of the contract.  Once signed, students must fulfill all of the terms and conditions. Students will not be released from the contract once signed. The Housing and Dining Contract contains several pleas asking students not to sign until they are certain of fulfilling the commitment the contract represents.

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Link to Downloadable Forms

Ferris State Residential Life Main Page