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Release & Appeals

The information on this page pertains to residence halls covered by the Undergraduate Housing Residence Hall contract (Residence Hall Contract). If you have questions about Graduate and Family Housing (Corry, Diamond, Maguire, UVS, and Tanglewood Villages) and the terms of the contract pertaining to those villages, please contact the Graduate and Family Housing administrative answer desk.

About the Residence Hall Contract

Your Residence Hall Contract is a legal contract. If you are or will be a registered student and have completed a Residence Hall Contract, you are obligated to the terms of the Contract and must therefore appeal to be released from the Contract if you wish to have your rental obligation removed.

Appeals Information

Only students, current and incoming, with written documentation of significant and unforeseen change in circumstances since entering into the terms and conditions of the Contract are likely to experience a successful release from the Contract. Additionally, for an appeal requesting a release from the Contract to be successful, the applicant for appeal will have to document to the satisfaction of the appeals committee that the reasons for the appeal cannot be addressed through transfer or other accommodation within the residence hall system.

For current students, Housing Appeals forms are available from the Housing Office and Residence Area Offices and should be submitted with appropriate documentation to UF Housing Undergraduate Assignments Office for review by the Appeals Committee. You will be required to meet with a Residence Hall Staff member prior to submitting appeal related paperwork. This part of the appeals process must often be scheduled in advance with an appointment. Applicants for release should not expect to be able to meet with a Residence Hall Staff member on .short-notice. and/or without an appointment.

Download the Contract Release Application.

For incoming students, a letter describing the reason for appeal should be submitted with appropriate documentation to support the letter to the UF Housing Undergraduate Assignments Office for review by the Housing Appeals Committee.

Residents may also seek release from their Residence Hall Contract during the Special Release Period, which if invoked by the Associate Vice President/Director of Housing. The Special Release Period usually begins at the end of the first week of Fall classes. It is important to note that the availability of a Special Release Period is not promised and, if invoked, can end after ANY duration and without ANY advance notice.

Residence Hall Contract Terms and Conditions and Instructions for Appeal

Terms and Conditions 2011-2012

Financial Hardship Appeals: You must complete the Housing Appeal Form and the Student Financial Statement as well as provide additional written documentation to support the claim of significant and unforeseen change in circumstances since entering into the terms and conditions of the contract that prohibits you from fulfilling your contractual obligations. You must also provide proof of an alternate housing arrangement priced below the lowest available on-campus space. However, proof of an alternate, less expensive housing arrangement does not automatically promise a successful appeal and release from the Residence Hall Contract. DO NOT SIGN ANOTHER LEASE UNTIL RELEASE IS SECURED!

Medical Hardship Appeals: Release from the Residence Hall Contract is likely to be approved only if the appeals comittee decides that the medical situation cannot be supported at an alternate location in campus housing. If your medical appeal is disability related, you must register your disability with the University by contacting the Disability Resource Center. Then, you must provide written documentation from a physician or licensed mental health counselor confirming the medical situation as described in the appeal. The written documentation must include specific criteria outlined in the Verification of Medical/Physical information sheet. If the appeals committee determines that a vacancy exists on campus that adequately addresses the condition, a medical priority transfer will be arranged, and the appeal will be denied.

Fraternity or Sorority Based Appeals: Release from Residence Hall Contract will not be granted for the purpose of residing in a fraternity or sorority house at any time during the Contract period, unless the Special Release Period is invoked as indicated above. Requests for releases that appear to be primarily Fraternity or Sorority-based in nature are likely to be denied.

Additional Information:

• Medical Appeals: The University of Florida is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and medical priority transfers can often be arranged.
• Financial Appeals: There are a variety of room types and rent ranges to assist residents who are experiencing financial difficulties.
• Fraternity or Sorority Appeals: Requests for release to reside in a fraternity or sorority are likely to be denied as per the Terms and Conditions of the Residence Hall Contract, Section C, #4.
• General Appeals: For appeals other than a Contract cancellation appeal, please refer to the General Appeal form.

Applicants for ANY appeal are encouraged to provide as much documentation as available to support their appeal and should understand that appeal decisions are based on not just on information provided, but also other situational information including, but not limited to residence hall occupancy metrics.

The appeals committee typically meets on Thursday of every week. For an appeal to be considered by the committee, all appeal documentation must be received in the main housing office by 12 noon on the Wednesday before the appeal committee meeting. Incomplete appeal documentation will be held for the next scheduled appeal committee meeting.