Housing Exemption

Research demonstrates that living in the residence halls for a student’s first year in college provides significant likelihood that the student will return and complete their education. In order to improve our students’ academic success and transition to college, UCCS administers an on-campus living requirement. First-year first-time students will be required to live on campus for their first two semesters (excluding summer term). Empirical research reveals seven areas in which residence halls have a significant impact on students (Blimling, 2003):

1. Retention – Students have greater expectations for academic achievement and are more likely to remain in college.
2. Extracurricular involvement – Students are more involved in campus activities. Students learn to work with others, manage budgets, express their ideas in meetings, negotiate with others, and follow through with projects.
3. Positive feelings about campus social climate – Students feel that the campus is more comfortable, academic, supportive, and enjoyable.
4. Personal growth and development – Students meet more challenges, mature more quickly, and learn to become independent.
5. Interpersonal relationships – Students build strong friendships and share more experiences. They interact more, develop more tolerance, and experience more cultural diversity.
6. Faculty interaction – Students have more contacts with faculty in the residence halls and have a closer proximity to faculty offices.
7. Higher overall satisfaction with their college experience.

Requirements/Guidelines:

1. All first-year, first-time students under the age of 20 are required to live on campus with a meal plan.
2. First-year, first-time students is defined as having fewer than thirty (30) credit hours. Credits taken concurrent with high school and/or credits attained through Advance Placement (AP), CLEP, International Baccalaureate or similar programs do not apply towards residency exemption.
3. Exemptions to the first-year, first-time time on-campus living requirement include:
   1. Student living in El Paso County in Colorado with a parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
   2. Student has previously lived in a residential school
   3. Student is a veteran of the armed forces or active duty military
   4. Student living with a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in military transition
   5. Student is married or has a registered partnership
   6. Student has a dependent child
   7. Student is enrolled for less than ten (10) credit hours
   8. Student is exempted by the Student Health Center, Disability Services or the Counseling Center for medical or psychological reasons
4. First-Year Housing Exemptions are NOT accepted as reason to move out after occupancy.
5. Exemptions should be forwarded to the Office of Residence Life and Housing for review.

This exemption form can also be completed as a paper form and mailed to our office. Click here for a downloadable form.

Again, first-Year Housing Exemptions are NOT accepted as reason to move out after occupancy. If you already live on campus, you MUST submit a formal petition to terminate your housing contract.