MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Summer 2022 Residence Hall Contract

All students living in the Residence Halls for the summer must accept the terms of this agreement.

SUMMER RESIDENCE HALL CONTRACT CONDITIONS

Housing is provided to students who agree to contract a room for the duration of their course work (i.e. four-week course) or students who are working full-time for University Student Housing. This agreement is effective upon the satisfactory completion and signing of this contract and the receipt of the contract/application. Room payment for the term becomes due and payable upon check-in to the residence hall. Room charges begin the day a student accepts a room key and/or moves into the residence halls.

ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY

To be eligible to reside in the residence halls, the student must be enrolled as a student of the University while taking at least 3 undergraduate or 3 graduate credits, enrolled in a Gallatin College Workforce Development Program or employed as a full-time student employee with University Student Housing.

ASSIGNMENT

The University will assign a room only after the student has submitted a completed Residence Hall application and agreed to the Residence Hall Contract. Students currently residing in the residence halls who submit an application before the advertised priority application deadline will be given first choice in room assignments. Assignment according to student preferences is not guaranteed. The student must reside in the room assigned and may not reassign or sublet the room. The University reserves the right to change room assignments as needed.

CONTRACT PERIOD

This contract becomes effective upon the student’s completion of the housing application and agreeing to the terms of the contract in the application and shall continue for the duration of their course work (i.e. four-week course) or full-time employment with University Student Housing.

SUMMER OCCUPANCY

Summer occupancy begins on Sunday, May 15, 2022 and ends at noon Saturday, August 6, 2022. Summer residents may be eligible to stay in the residence halls during the interim periods between spring and fall semesters for an additional charge. No refunds are issued for late arrivals or early departures. Summer residents who are eligible to stay during the fall interim period between Saturday, August 6, 2022 and Saturday, August 20, 2022 agree to switchover to their Fall 2022 assignment on Thursday, August 11, 2022 between 8am-11am.

ROOM CHANGES

  1. Residents with approved room changes must vacate the old room and move into the new room within 72 hours of accepting the room key to the new room.
  2. Residents holding two spaces (occupying space in two rooms while transitioning from one to the other) past 72 hours may be subject to the charges associated for both spaces.
  3. Unauthorized room changes will result in an improper checkout fee, and Residents may be required to move back to the original assignments. Residents who make unauthorized room changes may be charged the room rate for both rooms until either the room change has been approved and the Resident has completed vacating the originally assigned room, or the Resident has moved back to the originally assigned room.
  4. University Student Housing staff reserve the right to restrict room changes at any time.

RESIDENCE HALL & UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

Occupancy of a residence hall room is a privilege extended to the student by the University. Continuation of this privilege is dependent upon his/her reasonable and satisfactory conduct, academic progress, and the observances of University regulations.

The Student agrees to observe all University and Residence Hall regulations applicable to students of the university. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including eviction from the residence halls and/or suspension/expulsion from the University. All University rules and regulations published in the Montana State University Catalog, the Student Conduct Code, the Residence Hall Community Standards and the Culinary Services Handbook are specifically made a part of this contract by this reference.

ROOM AND BOARD COSTS

All room and board costs, as approved by the Board of Regents, supersede all other information regarding costs. Rates are subject to change and the parties to this contract agree that the room and board rates shall be those approved by the Board of Regents. The student agrees to pay all room and board fees for each semester by the deadline for payment of University fees.

SOCIAL FEES

A Social Fee, established by the Residence Hall Association, is assessed in conjunction with room and board payments each semester to every student living in the residence halls and is nonrefundable.

UNIVERSITY RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENT’S PERSONAL PROPERTY

  1. The University assumes no responsibility for the theft, destruction or loss of money, valuables or other personal property belonging to or in the custody of the Student, no matter the cause or location of the property.
  2. The University does not carry insurance against the loss or damage of individually owned personal property, so students should provide their own personal property insurance coverage.

KEYS

Students are issued a room key, and if applicable a mailbox key, when they check into the residence hall. There will be a charge for any lost keys and/or lock changes as the result of lost keys.

COMMERCIAL USE

Commercial use of any part of the room or facilities, and commercial solicitation and promotion in the residence halls is prohibited. Students may not conduct commercial activity or promote commercial activity using the room, room address, or university computer address (montana.edu domain).

CULINARY SERVICES

Residents are not required to contract for a meal plan for Summer Semester, but meal plan options will be available.

UNIVERSITY AUTHORITY

The University has the right to:

  1. Move students from a specific room, floor, hall, or the residence hall system if necessary, for order, sanitation, health, safety or disciplinary purposes.
  2. Move students in order to isolate students who are being tested for COVID-19, exposed to COVID‐19 whether asymptomatic or symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID‐19 and limit the further spread of infections caused by COVID‐19 or for any other health reason including other Pandemics.
  3. Inspect all rooms, with notice in writing, for purposes of inventory, fire protection, sanitation, safety, maintenance and rule enforcement. Students may not block or restrict a University official from access to their rooms.
  4. Enter any unit without notice in cases of emergency or when attempts to provide notice by phone or in person fail.

STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE AND LOSS OF UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

  1. The Student’s signature on the Room Condition Card is the Student’s acceptance of the condition of the room and its contents at occupancy. The form is the standard for determining the condition of the room and contents at the termination of occupancy.
  2. The Student is responsible for any damage or loss caused to the building, room, furniture and equipment; ordinary wear and tear is excepted. Damage or loss within student rooms will be charged
    to the assigned students. The Student agrees to pay the University for damages.

RESIDENCE HALL ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance and processing of this contract by University Student Housing does not constitute approval of academic admission to the University and application for admission is not an application for housing. Such approval is granted only by the Director of Admissions. The University reserves the right to refuse any application for accommodation in University residence halls.

TERMINATION

  1. Students who want to be released from this contract for any reason before the end of the contract period must file a Request for Residence Hall Contract Release with the University Student Housing Office.
    1. The Student will be released from the contract only if he or she meets the criteria for release stated on the request form. The Associate VP of Administration and Finance will make the final decision regarding contract releases.
    2. If the student is released from this contract prior to the expiration of the term, a $300 contract cancellation fee and pro-rated room and board charges will be assessed as of the date of final check out. Refunds of housing payments will not be processed until final checkout is completed, cleaning and/or damages are assessed, keys are accounted for, and any outstanding debt to Montana State University has been resolved.
    3. A student must pay the full amount of the room and board charges for the full contract period unless the student is granted a contract release by the University Student Housing Office.
  2. This contract may be terminated by the University Student Housing Office at any time for violation of the terms and conditions of this contract. If the contract is terminated, the University may assess a $300 contract cancellation fee, retain all payments made under the contract and may seek any other remedy in law or equity. If this contract is terminated, the Student agrees to vacate the residence hall within 72 hours, unless the student requests and is granted an extension by the Director of Housing.
  3. Until all sums owed to University Student Housing are paid in full, the Student may not register for future courses or receive transcripts, diplomas or degrees.
  4. If collection is required the Student agrees to pay all additional collection fees, including but not limited to collection agency fees of up to 33.3% and reasonable attorney fees made or incurred by the University in enforcing this contract.

CHECK-OUT

The student must use the established check-out procedures upon termination of this contract. Students who fail to return a key will be charged for a lock change. Students who fail to clean the room and/or cause damage to the room and its contents will be charged the actual costs for University personnel to clean and repair the premises.

In the event the University determines that a reassignment/relocation or move out on a temporary basis must occur on an urgent basis due to health and/or safety reasons, including without limitation, a Pandemic or Emergency Declaration by any governing authority, the Student may not have the opportunity to retrieve his or her personal property left by Student in their residence hall room. In such event, the University shall have the right to pack, store and/or ship the Student’s belongings to the address designated by the Student, exercising reasonable care including the engagement of professional moving services selected by the University.

ABANDONED PROPERTY

If the Student leaves property in the room or on University property after termination of occupancy, the property shall be deemed abandoned. The University will dispose of the property if not removed by the Student after notice is sent to the Student’s last known address. Any charges incurred to remove, store or dispose of the property will be assessed to the Student.

DISPUTE OF CHARGES AND CANCELLATION FEES

  1. If a Resident disagrees with a housing charge, damage charge or Cancellation Fee that has been assessed to the Resident’s Student Account pursuant to this Contract, the Resident may submit an appeal in writing to the University Student Housing Office to be reviewed by the Director of Housing or their designee.
  2. Appeals can only be made after a charge has been assessed to the Resident’s Student Account and must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the invoice for the charges.
  3. All appeals will be initially heard by the Director of Housing or their designee. If the Resident disagrees with the original decision, the Resident may request in writing a review by University Student Housing Contract Review Committee. If the Resident disagrees with the Committee, the Resident may request a final appeal in writing to the Associate Vice President of Admin and Finance.

EXCEPTIONS TO CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Only the MSU Director of Housing or their designee is authorized to modify the Terms and Conditions of the Contract. Program Coordinators (PCs), Community Directors (CDs), Resident Assistants (RAs) and Area Coordinators (ACs) are not authorized to modify these Terms and Conditions.

APPLICABLE LAW

This Contract is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, without resort to any other jurisdiction’s conflict of law rules or doctrines. Any claim, action, or suit between Montana State University and the Resident that arises out of or relates to this Contract must be brought and conducted solely and exclusively within the district court for Gallatin County, for the State of Montana.

SEVERABILITY

The invalidity, illegality, or enforceability of any provision of this Contract shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision of this Contract, which shall remain in full force and effect and shall be liberally construed in order to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Contract.

EFFECT OF SIGNATURE

By entering this Contract, you certify that you have read all the terms and conditions of the MSU University Student Housing 2021 Summer Housing Contract and agree to the terms stated therein.

EQUAL AVAILABILITY

The University is an equal opportunity institution, and offers its living accommodations without regard to race, color, national origin, or handicap (as provided in Title VI and Title IX and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).