The Housing Contract

Upon submitting a housing application and the non-refundable housing deposit, the Housing Contract binds the student to living on campus for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) and cannot be broken mid-year.

If a student applies after the start of the fall semester, they will be bound for the remainder of the academic year - through the spring semester. If a student applies in the spring semester, the contract binds them for the entirety of the spring semester, but does NOT roll into the fall or new academic year.

Fall housing assignments will automatically roll to the spring semester if a student remains enrolled at Eastern. 

A single non-refundable $250 housing deposit covers the entire academic year. Students applying to only live on campus for the spring semester are also expected to submit a non-refundable $250 housing deposit to live on campus.

Housing applications, deposits, and the contract only cover the time within one academic year and do not roll into new academic years. 

Regarding occupancy, no. The annual contract occupancy term only to the normal "open/close" schedule for the fall and spring semesters as developed by the Housing Office each year. Students will check in and check out of the buildings, according to this schedule.

The residence halls are closed and students must vacate them during all University breaks (i.e., Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer breaks). Specific dates of University breaks will be published on University and/or Housing & Residential Life calendars.

The year long Housing Contract will end at the conclusion of the spring semester on the date publicized on the University and/or Housing & Residential Life calendar for residence halls to close.

Students who live on campus during the winter and summer breaks are bound to the policies and procedures governed by the Housing Contract, including but not limited to: entry, health and safety, student conduct and responsibility, and community standards.

For all terms and policies that are agreed to upon applying for housing, please review the Housing Contract.

Please Note: This summary highlights important Housing Contract terms but does not replace the full contract. Students are responsible for reviewing and complying with all terms of their Housing Contract and applicable University policies. For all Terms of Occupancy, please review the entire Housing Contract.

 

Housing Eligibility and Assignments

• Housing contracts are for the full academic year (fall and spring semesters), or the remaining portion of the year, and include a meal plan when required.
• On-campus housing is primarily available to full-time undergraduate students (enrolled in at least 12 credits) who are making satisfactory academic progress. Part-time and graduate students may be accommodated if space is available.
• Housing assignments are made individually. Married couples cannot be accommodated.
• All housing assignments are based on space availability and are made without discrimination.
• Students requesting disability-related housing accommodations must register with the Office of AccessAbility Services and provide reasonable advance notice. Students may be assigned or reassigned to accessible spaces based on individual needs.
• Housing assignments are not guaranteed for future semesters.

 

Occupancy and Break Periods

• Students may occupy their assigned rooms from the official residence hall opening date through their last final exam, excluding University breaks when their residence hall is closed.
• At the end of each semester, students must move out within 24 hours of their last final exam or by the official residence hall closing date and time, whichever comes first.
• Students who withdraw from the University must move out within 24 hours of withdrawal.

 

Room Assignments and Changes

• The University cannot guarantee a specific number of roommates. Standard room occupancy will be maintained except during emergencies.
• If a vacancy occurs, remaining roommates must accept a new roommate assigned to the space. Refusal may result in termination of the Housing Contract.
• The University may change room or residence hall assignments when necessary, including for health, safety, or community concerns.
• The University may use residence hall rooms and furnishings during official University breaks.

 

Housing Payments

• Students must pay or make approved payment arrangements for housing, meal plans, fees, and other outstanding University charges before moving in.
• Failure to pay required charges, including damage fees, may result in termination or non-renewal of the Housing Contract.

 

Student Conduct and Responsibilities

• All residents must follow University policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Students must cooperate with University staff performing their duties. Insubordination, disrespect, noncompliance, or providing false information to University officials may result in termination of the Housing Contract.
• Students are required to attend mandatory meetings scheduled by professional housing staff.
• Failure to attend or respond to meeting requests from University officials may result in residence hall access being disabled.

 

Community Standards and Respect

• Residents must respect the privacy, safety, and well-being of others.
• Recording another person through video or audio without their knowledge is prohibited.
• Excessive noise, obscene or disruptive behavior, and other residence hall violations may result in disciplinary review.
• Behavior that endangers individuals or property is strictly prohibited.

 

Students living on campus are expected to maintain a safe, respectful, and responsible residential community. 

Please Note: This summary highlights important Housing Contract terms but does not replace the full contract. Students are responsible for reviewing and complying with all terms of their Housing Contract and applicable University policies. For all Terms of Occupancy, please review the entire Housing Contract.

 

Room Entry and Inspections

The University respects students' privacy but may enter residence hall rooms when necessary for:

• Repairs, maintenance, inspections, or facility improvements.
• Fire, health, safety, and cleanliness inspections, including during University breaks.
• Emergencies involving health or safety.
• Recovering unauthorized University or state-owned property.
• Addressing suspected policy violations or removing prohibited items that pose a safety risk.
• Searches by authorized law enforcement officials as permitted by law.
• Reasonable efforts will be made to notify residents before entering their rooms.

 

Room Furniture and Personal Property

• Students may not alter, repair, or install equipment in their rooms without permission.
• University furniture must remain in the assigned space, fully assembled, and in its designated location.
• Students may not loft or bunk/unbunk beds. Bed risers up to 8 inches are permitted, but not on University-lofted or bunked beds.
• The University is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings. Students are encouraged to obtain renters insurance.
• Personal belongings left on campus during winter break are stored at the student's own risk.
• Students must remove all belongings when permanently leaving University Housing. Items left behind may be discarded, and removal or disposal fees may apply.

 

Room Condition and Damage Charges

• Students must complete their Room Condition Report (RCR) in the MyHousing Portal within 5 calendar days of moving in. Reports become final after this deadline.
• Students are responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• Roommates may share damage charges unless one person accepts responsibility.
• Final room inspections are completed by the Hall Director after the residence hall closes.
• Damage charges are generally billed at the end of the spring semester, including fall charges for students who have already moved out.
• Students may appeal individual room damage charges within 15 days of notification.

 

Common Area Responsibilities

All residents share responsibility for maintaining clean and undamaged residence halls.

• Trash and recycling must be taken to designated dumpsters, not left in lounges, bathrooms, or other common areas.
• Damage, vandalism, and cleanup costs in shared areas may be divided among residents with access to the affected space if the responsible person cannot be identified.
• Common area damage charges cannot be appealed.
• The Residence Hall Association may review common area damage to help determine which floor or area will be billed.
• Students with past-due University balances or fewer than 12 registered credits are not eligible to participate in Housing Selection.

 

Moving Out and Checkout

When leaving for a scheduled break or moving out, students must:

• Remove all belongings when moving out permanently.
• Empty trash and refrigerators.
• Sweep or vacuum floors.
• Close and lock windows and doors.
• Complete the required checkout paperwork with residence hall staff.

Failure to return keys, complete checkout procedures, or leave by the designated deadline (including the specified 6:00 p.m. checkout time) may result in charges, including a $25 improper checkout fee.

 

Fire Safety and Prohibited Activities

• Residents must evacuate whenever a fire alarm sounds.
• Tampering with smoke detectors, sprinklers, or other fire safety equipment is prohibited and may result in disciplinary or legal action.
• Residents may be charged for false fire alarms. If the responsible person cannot be identified, charges may be shared among residents in the affected area.
• Nothing may be attached to ceilings or hung from pipes or sprinkler equipment.
• Fighting, throwing objects, and other reckless behavior that threatens safety are prohibited.
• Students are not permitted on building roofs.
• Unauthorized connections to building utilities or use of electrical equipment requiring excessive power are prohibited.

 

Animals in Residence Halls

• Fish are permitted in tanks of 10 gallons or less.
• Other pets are not permitted to live in or visit residence halls.
• Service and support animals are subject to the University's AccessAbility Services approval requirements.
• Approved support animals are restricted to the student's assigned living space.
• Animals or specimens used for science projects are prohibited.

 

Guests and Visitors

Residents are responsible for their guests and must follow these requirements:

• Residents may have no more than 2 non-overnight guests at a time, consistent with their Roommate Expectation Form.
• Overnight guests may stay no more than 2 nights within a 7-day period.
• An overnight guest is anyone present in the building between midnight and 9:00 a.m.
• Overnight guests must be at least 16 years old.
• Guests under 18 require parental and University approval at least 2 business days in advance using University forms.
• All guests must have a valid photo ID: driver's license, state ID, passport, or Eastern ID.
• Guests must remain escorted by their host resident at all times.
• Residents are responsible for their guests' behavior and any policy violations.
• Unescorted guests may be removed, and hosts may face disciplinary action.
• The Hall Director has final authority to approve guests.

 

Quiet Hours and Courtesy Hours

Residents must be considerate of others and maintain reasonable noise levels.

Quiet Hours

Days	Quiet Hours
Sunday–Thursday	10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.
Friday–Saturday	12:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.
Final Exam Period	24-hour quiet hours beginning the Wednesday before final exams

 

Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, throughout the academic year. Residents are expected to respect others' right to study and sleep at all times.

 

Alcohol, Smoking, and Tobacco

• Alcohol use must comply with University policies and applicable laws.
• Only individuals age 21 or older may consume alcohol in designated 21-and-older residential areas.
• Drinking games, including beer pong, water pong, flip cup, and quarters, are prohibited.
• All residence halls are smoke-free.
• Smoking is prohibited within 40 feet of University building entrances.
• Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and medical marijuana are prohibited in residence halls.

 

Additional Student Responsibilities

• Students must carry their Eastern student ID and room keys at all times.
• Residence hall rooms and facilities may not be used for illegal activities, unauthorized commercial activities, or gambling.
• Solicitation and sales activities require approval from the Vice President for Student Affairs.
• Disorderly or disruptive conduct, including cyberbullying, is prohibited under University policies, while constitutionally protected expression remains protected.
• Students and guests must follow all applicable University policies, the Residential Life Handbook, the Housing Contract, and state and federal laws.

 

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted in University residence halls. Prohibited items may be confiscated by Residential Life staff. Items not claimed by the end of the semester will be discarded.

 

Weapons and Dangerous Items

• Firearms, air guns, and paintball markers
• Laser pointers
• Fireworks, explosives, and incendiary devices
• Dangerous weapons

Fire Hazards and Flammable Materials

• Live Christmas trees
• Combustible materials and liquids
• Candles and incense
• Hookahs
• Tart warmers and wax warmers
• Heat lamps and halogen lamps
• Spider/octopus lamps with plastic shades
• Lava lamps
• Barbecue grills

Electrical Appliances and Equipment

• Room air conditioners
• Electric heaters and space heaters
• Electric blankets
• Refrigerators larger than 4.4 cubic feet
• Extension cords (except UL-approved surge protectors)
• Electrical equipment requiring excessive power

Furniture and Room Furnishings

• Waterbeds
• Hot or cold baths/tubs and pools
• Wooden futons
• Cinder blocks

Electronics and Technology

• Personal wireless routers
• RFID, NFC, and radio emulators
• Penetration-testing devices
• 3D printers
• Camera surveillance equipment and doorbell camera systems

Decorations

• Wallpaper
• Official or public signs
• Self-stick lights and hooks attached directly to walls or University furnishings
• Decorations deemed unsafe by University officials
• Items attached to ceilings, pipes, or sprinkler equipment

Recreation

• Darts and dartboards

Drugs and Paraphernalia

• Narcotics and illegal drugs.
  
  • Includes cannabis, and cannabis products.
• Drug paraphernalia

Animals

• Pets other than permitted fish and approved service or support animals
  • Fish must be in a tank no bigger than 10 gallons.
• Visiting pets
• Animals or specimens used for science projects

Transportation

• Motorcycles and mopeds inside residence halls
• Recreational electric scooters, bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, and other rechargeable recreational micromobility devices inside residence halls

Restricted Items
The following items are permitted only under specific conditions.

 

Cooking Appliances

• Microwaves: One per room is permitted in first-year halls other than Mead and Niejadlik, where microwaves are allowed only in common rooms.
• Toaster ovens and other cooking appliances: Permitted only in designated cooking areas in High Rise, Laurel, Low Rise, Noble, Nutmeg, Occum, and Shafer.
• Keurigs and blenders: Permitted in all residence halls.
• Cooking: Not permitted in student bedrooms or hallways.

 

Alcohol and Tobacco

• Alcohol and alcohol containers: Subject to University alcohol policies and restrictions for designated 21-and-older housing areas.
• Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and medical marijuana: Use is prohibited throughout residence halls. Smoking is also prohibited within 40 feet of University building entrances.

 

Furniture and Equipment

• Dumbbells: Permitted up to 40 pounds. Other weightlifting equipment is prohibited.
• Bed risers: Permitted up to 8 inches, except on University-bunked or lofted beds. Cannot have electrical component.
• University furniture: Must remain assembled and in its assigned location. Students may not loft furniture or make unauthorized alterations.

 

Decorations

• Tapestries and flags: One per student, no larger than 3 × 5 feet, may be displayed on a bedroom wall. They cannot be placed over light fixtures.
• Wall attachments: Only painter's tape should be used. Thumbtacks are permitted on sheetrock walls in Burr, High Rise, Laurel, Low Rise, Noble, Nutmeg, and Shafer.
• Nails, screws, and other tape: May result in damage charges.

 

Music Equipment

• Amplifiers and drums: May not be used in residence halls.
• Electric guitars: May not be connected to amplifiers or played during quiet hours.

 

Animals

• Fish: Permitted in tanks no larger than 10 gallons.
• Service and support animals: Subject to the University's AccessAbility Services approval requirements. Approved support animals are restricted to the student's assigned living space.

 

Bicycles

• Non-electric bicycles: May be stored in student rooms only with approval from all assigned roommates and Housing staff.

 

Recording Devices

• Audio and video recording devices: May not be used to record others without their knowledge.

 

Because the contract will cover the entire academic year, there may be reasons a student may need to cancel the contract. Students who submit a Housing Contract Cancellation Request Form to cancel their Housing Contract and/or Assignment may be released for the following reasons:

• the student is participating in an internship, co-op, student teaching or other academic obligation that reduces or eliminates the need for on-campus housing (this is not a guaranteed release, as the experience must be closer to the home/commuting address than it is to Eastern)
• the student has medical reasons for cancellation that are verified by University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services staff or the appropriate medical professional treating the student
  
  • All medical requests for release should be followed up with medical documentation from the appropriate medical professional with only the following: that the student is a patient and how living off campus/commuting from home is better for your treatment plan than living on campus (can be emailed to the Associate Director, Blaine Fisher: fisherb@easternct.edu). Students do not have to provide this, but it will assist the committee in making the best decision if supporting information is submitted.
• the student is taking a leave of absence for the following semester (due to medical, non-medical, or military, although leaves during the semester follow the University's established refund dates/policy)
• the student has graduated from the University prior to the end of the contract period
• the student is academically dismissed prior to the end of the contract period
• the student has officially withdrawn from the University for the following semester (withdrawals during the semester follow the University's established refund dates/policy)
• the student is participating in the National Student Exchange program or on Study Abroad
• the student is officially dropping to a part-time student (which requires completing the form on the Registrar's website to drop from full-time to part-time status. Students who drop to part-time status will have a housing hold placed on their account that will prohibit the student from attempting to register for a full-time course load.

If you have a need to cancel your Housing Contract for a reason other than those listed above you must also submit a Housing Contract Cancellation Request Form, which will be reviewed by a Housing Cancellation Review Committee. Requests should be as specific as possible in order to give the committee as much information as possible when discussing requests. Requests for automatic cancellation of the Annual Housing Contract must be made by June 30th for the fall-spring semesters, or December 1st for the spring semester (Dec. 1st only for those students who are new to housing for the spring semester). Students who are assigned to housing after the cancellation dates will have one week from the date of assignment to cancel housing.

HOUSING CONTRACT CANCELLATION REQUEST FORM

If the committee approves your request to cancel, you will forfeit the Housing Deposit per Board of Regent policy.

A committee of University staff will be assembled by the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee to review Housing Contract Cancellation requests that are for reasons other than those listed above.

This committee includes staff from Housing & Residential Life, Student Activities, Financial Aid, Bursar, and the Dean's Office and other staff may be consulted that may provide any insight regarding the student's ability (or lack thereof) to fulfill their Housing Contract.

Students who have requested to have their Housing Contract cancelled for the current semester we are in will have a written decision related to the outcome of their request within 10 business days of submitting the request.

Requests for a spring release that are submitted during the fall semester will not be reviewed until after Thanksgiving break in late November. Students will receive a written decision related to the outcome of their request within 10 business days after the Thanksgiving break has ended.

Yes. An approved cancellation request for students who remain enrolled at the University will result in a prorated refund for unused housing. The prorate is calculated based on the date of the approval and then the date the student completely moves out and returns their University issued keys. Students are still subject to damage billing for damages found in their housing assignment after they have moved out and the space is inspected by a professional staff member. Students are still subject to community damage billing until they day they move out. 

If a student withdraws from the University mid-year, they must move out of their housing assignment within 24 hours of their withdrawal being finalized and they will receive a refund based on the University Refund Policy.

If the Annual Housing Contract is cancelled for judicial or disciplinary reasons, the student remains responsible for paying fees for the duration of the semester in which the contract was cancelled, and is entitled to no refund.

Students should contact the Card Services Office to discuss the meal plan if assigned to a meal plan required hall.

If the Housing Cancellation Review Committee does not approve the request to cancel a student's housing contract, the room will be maintained in the student's name, and the student will be responsible for paying all associated fees for the duration of the Annual Housing Contract.

Student may submit an appeal to the Dean of Students Office within 5 business days of receiving their denial notification.