Studies have shown that students who live on campus are more likely to be satisfied with their collegiate experience, be more involved in campus life, achieve higher academic standards, have a more positive self- image, and are more likely to complete their degree than students who do not live on campus. Living on campus does not guarantee a successful college experience, but the advantages to living on campus are significant. The residency and meal plan policy requirements are maintained in support of these beliefs.
2-Year Requirement (4 semesters on campus – must be Fall/Spring)
All undergraduate students attending Sul Ross State University must be 21 years of age or have completed two full academic years (2 fall and 2 spring semesters) by the first class day of a semester or summer session in order to have satisfied the University’s residency requirement. Living on-campus at another university prior to Sul Ross can be submitted for consideration towards the residency requirement.
Exemptions to this policy must be submitted in writing, along with all supporting documentation, to the Director of Residential Living no later than one week before the 1st official day of class in any semester or summer term for which the exemption is being requested. The University reserves the right to deny any off-campus appeals. Failure to comply with Residential Living requirements may result in disciplinary action, which may include forfeiture of deposits, or complete charge for room and meal plan.
Appeal/Exemption Procedures
To request permission to live off campus prior to satisfying the off-campus requirements, a student must submit a request in writing and provide all supporting documentation to the Director of Residential Living via email (reslife@sulross.edu) no later than one week before the 1st official class day of the semester. The Residential Living Housing Exemption Request form is available by clicking here. Off-campus arrangements must not be made prior to receiving written notification from Residential Living that the appeal has been approved. The student filing the request may schedule an appointment prior to the final decision to discuss his/her circumstances with the Director of Residential Living. The decision will be communicated via the student’s Sul Ross email account.
Any student who submits a request for an exemption from Residential Living’s live-on policy shall comply with the established policies for Residential Living until such time as the exemption may be granted. Any exemption granted will be for no longer than one semester or summer unless communicated otherwise. As individual circumstances change, the student must reapply for the exemption each semester until the Residential Living requirement is met. If the circumstances which merited the exemption change during the semester of the exemption, the student must immediately notify the Office of Residential Living and arrange to move back into a residence hall on campus.
If the Director of Residential Living denies the request for an exemption, the student may appeal to the Dean of Student Life. Appeals to the Dean of Student Life must be filed in writing within five class days of the date of the decision.