Residency Requirement Policy (2024)

Hartwick College is a residential liberal arts and sciences college. The Office of Residential Life and Housing offers our residential students a variety of experiential learning opportunities to support their academic, social, and personal success. All students are required to live in college housing through their senior year.

Hartwick College will provide housing for all students that are eligible for housing, as space allows. Submitting appropriate applications, forms, and documentation before associated deadlines is required. All applications and forms can be found on the Housing Portal.

Only students currently enrolled and registered as full-time students are permitted to occupy College residences.

All full-time students are required to live in college housing through their senior year.

Three-Year Degree Program students are required to live on campus for the entire three years.

Part-time students are not eligible to live in Hartwick College residence halls. In some cases, students in their final semester of their senior year may be eligible for an exception to this policy, depending on the situation. These students must have the express written permission of the Director of Residential Life and Housing to live in on-campus College housing.

A part-time student is:
● a student enrolled for seven credits or fewer during the fall semester;
● a student enrolled for less than three credits during the January term

Any student who falls to part-time student status, except for those with written permission from the Director of Residential Life and Housing, will be removed from their on-campus residence.

For students who meet the Exemptions to the Residency Requirements, the Housing Exemption
Application for the succeeding fall semester must be completed by the appropriate deadline. The Housing Exemption Application must be submitted through the housing portal.

Once a housing exemption has been granted, a student wishing to move back to on-campus College housing during the academic year must notify the Residential Life and Housing Office of their desire to live in College housing. College housing will be provided in such cases as space becomes available after students required to live on campus have been housed.

Students seeking exemption from the college’s residency requirement must complete and submit the Housing Exemption Application.

Students are exempt from the college’s Residency Policy if they can show that they are:
● A recognized fraternity/sorority member living at the recognized fraternity/sorority house (requires roster submitted by fraternity/sorority President). Fraternity/Sorority members who wish to reside at the recognized fraternity/sorority house must complete the Greek Housing Exemption Application in the Housing Portal.
● An approved commuter (must live within a 30-mile radius of the campus at parent or guardian’s home). Commuters must submit appropriate documentation by the due date on the Housing Exemption Application. Students listed as a commuter and later found living in off-campus quarters will be assigned a room and meal plan on campus and charged accordingly.
● Married (requires marriage certificate and the Housing Exemption Application). Hartwick College does not offer married/family housing.
● In a domestic partnership or civil union (requires documentation recognized by the state where partnership/union is established and the Housing Exemption Application. Hartwick College does not offer married/family housing.
● Supporting dependent children (requires dependent birth certificates and the Housing Exemption Application). Hartwick College does not offer married/family housing.
● 23 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the Academic Year (requires birth certificate and the Housing Exemption Application submitted by the deadline).
● Fifth Year Senior (has completed 8 semesters at full time status not including January Term)
● Any student that has received written approval to live off-campus from the Office of Residential Life and Housing (Housing Exemption Application).

Students are strongly encouraged not to sign a lease until written approval is provided. Hartwick College students are billed for room and board until they have submitted all necessary paperwork and received written approval from the Office of Residential Life and Housing to live off campus.

Students should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the impact of their decision to live off campus on their financial aid award. Students receiving financial aid may have their award reduced once permission is granted for them to live off campus.

Please review the Residence Life and Housing Handbook for additional policies, procedures and information relating this policy and other Residence Life and Housing topics.

Residence Life and Housing Handbook