Housing Policies

The Residence Hall License is binding for the entire academic year (August-May), or for 2 academic years (4 full semesters) for incoming first time, full time freshman students. Release from this agreement is permitted only under specific and/or exceptional circumstances approved by Residential Experience and Housing. A release will be granted, subject to later verification, when proof of one of the following circumstances is presented to Residential Experience and Housing:

When verified, the following reasons constitute automatic granted release without application:

1. Official withdrawal from SUNY Oneonta
2. Graduation
3. Approved leave of absence through from SUNY Oneonta
4. Student involvement in a University-sponsored academic program such as student teaching, study abroad, or other program if the obligations demand commuting to and from SUNY Oneonta.

The following reasons require a release application with appropriate documentation:

1. Commuting from the legal/home residence within a 60 mile radius to campus
2. Documented medical need that cannot be accommodated in on-campus housing accommodations
3. Financial hardships: must provide documented evidence of extreme financial need by providing copies of the most recent financial aid verification/award letter, OR if no FAFSA is on file, copies of the most recent federal tax return, evidence of recent employment termination or other evidence of extreme hardship (i.e.: death of a primary income provider, medical expenses exceeding insurance maximum coverage, etc.) Note: Requests for residing off campus for financial savings is not a valid reason for financial hardship.
4. Students who are married
5. Students who have housing needs that are not able to be met on campus (extraordinary circumstances). Students that have experienced extraordinary circumstances, beyond their control, since entering this agreement. Documented evidence of the circumstances is required. As an example, this may include experiencing a disaster, such as home fire or flood, that has a severe financial impact.
   Please note: The existence of a pandemic does not meet this criteria, nor does signing a lease for an off campus apartment.

PROCEDURES

1. All requests for release from the Residence Hall License must be submitted via the form below.
2. Each request must be accompanied by relevant supporting documentation. Incomplete request packages will not be considered, and will be returned without action.
3. Each request will be reviewed by the License Release Committee.
4. The decision by the Committee will be made in writing to each applicant.
5. A $350 liquidation fee will be charged to any applicant approved for release from the Residence Hall License.
6. Application for release does not guarantee that your request will be approved.

APPEALS

1. The applicant may appeal a denial of release by the Committee by submitting a written appeal to the Director of Residential Experience and Housing
2. The appeal must be submitted in writing, including appropriate additional documentation, within five business days of the date of the Committee's letter.
3. The decision of the Director of Residential Experience and Housing is FINAL. No further consideration will be given.

DEADLINES

• The deadline for requesting a release from the Residence Hall License for the fall semester is April 2.
• The deadline for requesting a release from the Residence Hall License for the spring semester is December 1.

RELEASE APPLICATION

The Fall 2024 release application is for students who wish to be released from their on-campus requirement for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please complete the Fall 2024 Application for Release from the Residence Hall License. The Housing Release Committee will review all release applications.

Between 7 a.m.-11 p.m., residents may use any exterior door to access their building. After 11 p.m. resident card access only opens the front door of residence hall.

All 15 of our residence halls are non-smoking facilities.

First year students (those that this is their first full time college experience) live in our double-style buildings (Hulbert, Littell, Wilber, Tobey, and Golding). Transfer students will live in buildings where our upper-division students live (second year in college +). Some special interest living programs are housed outside of first year student residence halls.

Yes, if you have thumbtacks and adhesives that do not damage wall paint. Please do not use sticky tack as an adhesive or any devices that can put holes in the walls. Wall coverage is limited to 10 percent, and ceiling decoration is not permitted.

Appliances: Electrical devices such as stereos, TVs, hair dryers, automatic shut-off coffee/tea makers, microwaves (800 watts maximum), automatic shut-off rice cookers, and blenders are permitted, if they are UL approved and portable. Refrigerators are permitted but must be limited in size to counter-top height (4.8 cubic feet). The following items are PROHIBITED: Space heaters, 3D Printers, halogen lamps, and other appliances (examples: hotplates, toasters, air fryers, sunlamps, air conditioners, electric blankets and/or any appliance with an open heating element).

1. In addition, items with built in electrical or USB outlets that do not have a grounded plug (three prong) directly in the wall (ex. two pronged cords for desk lamps with USB plugs, bed risers with outlets, etc.) are NOT PERMITTED.
2. In Higgins: UL approved cooking appliances are permitted. Full size refrigerators are provided in the kitchen of each apartment.

Resident freshmen and sophomores may not register a vehicle for use on campus. More information is available in the Campus Parking and Traffic Regulations.