Housing Meal Plan Contract

Longwood is a residential institution that features residence life education focusing on student learning and personal development as part of its distinct academic mission. Therefore, students are required to live in Longwood-managed housing unless the Office of Residential and Commuter Life (RCL) approves an exception. The Longwood University Housing Contract is for the full academic year (August - May), or if entered into after the start of the academic year, for the balance of the academic year. Residents are responsible for compliance with all conditions, rules and regulations as stated herein, as well as for all pertinent procedures, rules and regulations found in the Longwood University Student Handbook. Click http://www.longwood.edu/judicial/Handbook.pdf to access or print the on-line edition.

Prior to the submission of an on-line application, a student must indicate that he/she has read and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Housing and Meal Plan Contract. It is recommended that a copy of these terms and conditions are printed for personal records. Submission of an on-line application will be considered legally binding. Rooms are to be occupied only by the person(s) properly assigned to them by Residential and Commuter Life. Room assignments are not transferable, and subletting is not permitted. If for any reason required by damage, fire, emergency, earthquake, accident, flood, riot, or act of nature, or other cause beyond the control of Longwood University or if Longwood University is unable to provide adequate housing, Longwood University shall have the right to cancel this contract with no liability to the residents or Longwood University except for commitments due prior to the date of cancellation.

Only students (either full or part-time) enrolled at Longwood University or others authorized by Longwood University are permitted to reside in campus managed housing. All enrolled undergraduate students must live on campus unless otherwise released, and notified in writing that they have been approved to live off campus. Conditions for release from the Residency Requirements are available in the Residential and Commuter Life Office and in the Longwood University Student Handbook. Undergraduate students should not sign outside contracts or leases until they have been formally notified of their release in writing. Graduate student housing may be provided on a space available basis.

All residential students are required to maintain a class load of 12 credit hours. This policy is designed to maintain the commitment to an educational residence hall environment. Except for medical reasons, service-connected commitments, or family emergencies, there are very few exceptions to this policy. Requests for exceptions that fall into one of the above categories should be addressed to the appropriate academic dean, together with supporting documentation. Final approval is required from the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee. The information is then communicated to Residential and Commuter Life as well as Cashiering and Student Accounts.

Residents may only occupy assigned rooms during the recognized academic calendar period. Rooms must be vacated between the Fall and Spring semesters, but may be occupied during all other break periods (fall break, Thanksgiving and spring break) with prior permission from the Director of Residential and Commuter Life or designee. Occupancy ends twenty-four hours after one's last final exam. Summer school housing is provided and contracted separately. Persons found in closed halls are subject to disciplinary and/or criminal action.

The period of occupancy for students who contract for room and board after the first day of each semester will begin on the effective day of their contract. There will be no reduction in cost for late arrival or early departure during the recognized academic calendar period. Rooms will be held for the first two class days of each semester unless prior arrangements have been made with the Office of Residential and Commuter Life. After the second class day, students who have not arrived in their assigned spaces will be classified as "no-shows." Contracts for "no-shows" shall be canceled and the spaces reassigned at the option of the Office of Residential and Commuter Life. With prior notice, exceptions will be made for death in immediate family, hospitalization or immigration problems, etc. Residents who are still enrolled and leave the residence halls during the academic year will continue to be liable for room and board charges which accrue against their accounts.

Assignments will normally be made on the basis of two students per room in the residence halls. However, demand for housing may require that the University assign three persons per room and, thus, the University reserves the right to assign students in this manner. Students also may be temporarily assigned to converted lounge space. Students so assigned will be reassigned to double occupancy spaces as they become available.

Students still assigned to transitional (expanded) housing after the sixth full week of classes will receive a prorated credit toward the next semester’s charges. Students who are offered reassignment prior to this date will not be eligible for the prorated credit.

New student room assignments are made by the Office of Residential and Commuter Life. New students are asked to submit assignment preferences. Assignments are made without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Returning students submit room, floor and/or building preferences during the advertised room and meal selection process.

All assignments are considered enduring throughout the academic year. Subject to available space, Longwood University will make every reasonable attempt to assign rooms according to student preferences. Longwood University does not guarantee assignment to a particular room, building, or type of accommodation or with a mutually preferred roommate. Requests for room changes are honored if the move is essential and authorized by a designated agent of the Office of Residential and Commuter Life. Room assignment changes may be based on consolidation, disciplinary action, a facility failure or for other reasons in response to unforeseen circumstances. Unauthorized moves will result in a $50.00 charge, reassignment, and/or removal from residence. Students are encouraged to work together and communicate with one another to establish expectations for sharing their room. Efforts to minimize conflict and differences amongst roommates should be made prior to requesting a move. Resident Assistants and/or Residence Education Coordinators must be sought out by the resident to help to resolve conflict with the roommate before a room change is made. Room changes are considered the last option of any conflict mediation. No changes of room assignments will normally be made until the tenth class day of each semester. Approved non-administrative moves (based on personal choice) will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee.

Students wishing to request modifications in housing based on a medical concern or a disability should contact the Director of Disability Support Services at 434.395.2391 or http://www.longwood.edu/disability.

Longwood University has the final authority regarding hall and room assignments, including the consolidation of residence hall vacancies and, when necessary, of reassignment or dismissal from the halls.

The Director of Residential and Commuter Life or designee has the authority to make all consolidation moves. Failure to comply with instructions to change rooms after three days may result in disciplinary charges and/or the removal and/or storage of student's possessions at the student's expense.

Students are responsible for payment of all charges related to the presence of their guest(s) on campus, and for ensuring that their guest(s) comply with housing policies and general campus rules and regulations.

Within the restrictions of the visitation policy, overnight guests are limited to no more than three consecutive nights on campus. Consent to host a guest in an individual student room must be obtained from all roommate(s). The guest policy is in no way intended to provide the opportunity for or encouragement of cohabitation. Failure to gain roommate(s) consent and to appropriately register a guest(s) will result in disciplinary action. For an expanded explanation of the visitation policy, please consult the on-line Longwood University Student Handbook at http://www.longwood.edu/judicial/Handbook.pdf or contact the Office of Residential and Commuter Life.

Longwood University will provide each room with one bed, mattress, desk, chair, dresser and closet space for each resident. Furniture shall NOT be removed without permission from the Director of Residential and Commuter Life or designee. In the case of transitional (expanded) occupancy room assignments (three students in a designated two-student room), a bed and mattress is guaranteed each student in the room. Dressers, desks, chairs, and study space will be provided equally to all students reasonably as possible. NO Longwood University property, including room and lounge furnishings, shall be moved within the building or taken from the residence hall or Longwood-managed housing. Stacking or altering furniture design is prohibited. Room modifications, either through painting or construction, are NOT permitted.

RCL recognizes that reasonable wear and tear is to be expected in residential facilities. Any damage considered to be in excess of reasonable wear and tear will be billed to the responsible student(s) on an individual basis. Determination of what constitutes “reasonable wear and tear” will be conducted on a room by room basis.

Longwood University will provide and maintain accommodations, electrical service, lights, locks, heat, and water in each residence hall. Residents will be responsible for cleaning their own rooms and bathrooms except as described for Tabb and South Ruffner. Corridors, stairwells, lounges, laundry rooms, and other common areas in residence halls (including the common bathrooms) will be cleaned and maintained.

Failure of utility services will not render the University liable for inconvenience to students or damage to property, nor reduce room rents, nor relieve students of obligations under the Housing and Meal Plan Contract. Utility services may be reduced or cut off during prolonged vacation periods in the interest of energy conservation or maintenance.

Students are obligated to report any need for repairs to furnishings and equipment. Requests for repairs must be made through the RCL website. Click http://www.longwood.edu/rcl/workorder.htm to complete a work order. Residents are expected to maintain their own rooms and common space in an orderly, safe and sanitary condition.

It is Longwood University's policy to respect each resident's basic privacy in his/her room. Where possible, 24-hours notice is given prior to entering a resident's room. However, authorized Longwood University employees and their designee(s) may enter a resident's room with less then 24 hours notice for an emergency, maintenance work, fire safety inspections, loft inspections, fire drills, ensuring compliances with health standards or a reasonable cause to believe there have been a violation of Longwood University policy or state or federal law. Please consult the Longwood University Student Handbook http://www.longwood.edu/judicial/Handbook.pdf for further detail. Fire, health and safety inspections will be conducted at least twice a year.

Longwood University will maintain the structure, state-owned furnishing/appliances, and utilities. Click http://www.longwood.edu/rcl/workorder.htm to complete a work order. Except where abuse or vandalism is involved, repair costs will be paid by Longwood University. In the event that damaged items cannot be repaired, replacement or substitution of repaired items will be made by Longwood University as soon as such items can be obtained. Residents are expected to report to the residence hall staff any maintenance problems or dangerous/hazardous conditions.

The resident is liable for damages to his/her room, damages for loss, alteration, abuse, or vandalism to furnishings and fixtures, and for housekeeping. Likewise, residents, as a group, agree to pay for the cost of damage repairs, etc. and cleanup to common areas of the residence hall when individual responsibility cannot be assigned. The "group" responsible may include suitemates, housemates, corridor-mates, or residence hall-mates as determined by the location of the damages and the nature of the circumstances surrounding the damage incident. Costs for such damages will be determined in conjunction with the Facilities Management Department and the Office of Residential and Commuter Life and will reflect the actual expenses incurred. Common area damage charges can not be appealed.

Longwood University will provide each resident, upon arrival, with an opportunity to note missing or damaged items, and the condition in his/her room on a Room Condition Report. At departure, a staff member will review the condition of room and furnishings with the resident using the completed form. In addition to the check out inspection facilitated by the residence hall staff, maintenance staff and professional staff will check the room for cleaning/damages, charges for which will be assessed to the responsible individuals.

Conditions not previously noted on the Room Condition Report or that are beyond normal wear and tear will be billed to the resident. The resident's presence is encouraged, but not required, at the departure inspection. All appeals of room damage charges are encouraged to be made at the time of campus departure. An "Express Check out" option is only available for main campus residents. Using the "Express Checkout" option, residents are not required to be present at the time of the room check-out inspection.

Failure to check out with a staff member or exercising the option to "Express Check-out" will result in a $50 improper check out charge. Students that fail to properly check out will automatically forfeit their opportunity to appeal any damage assessments.

Personal property left in a room following the termination of occupancy will be deemed abandoned. Students are subject to personal property removal fees for large items (furniture, carpet, lumber, etc.).

Longwood University will not be liable for, and the resident agrees to indemnify and hold Longwood University harmless, for any loss or damage of property resulting from theft, fire, water, casualty, or any other cause, or for personal injury occurring in Longwood University managed premises. Students assume the risk of loss of personal property they bring into their room and onto the campus. In assuming this risk, students agree to hold the University, its officers and employees harmless if personal property losses occur for the reasons stated or other unknown reasons. Residents are encouraged to carry personal property insurance (Renter's Insurance).

Longwood University is an open campus in the middle of a small town. Students are urged to be cognizant of their own safety and security needs while on and off campus. An escort service is available by contacting the Campus Police. Dial 434.395.2091 or click http://www.longwood.edu/police. Ultimately, the responsibility for personal safety and the security of personal belongings rests with the individual student.

Longwood University has taken steps to provide a safe and secure environment through the work of the Campus Police and the residence hall staff. Appropriate room locks and outside door locks are also provided.

Due to space limitations, there is no storage for personal belongings available on campus beyond the assigned residential unit.

The initial rate at which the resident is billed is guaranteed for the academic term unless a rent increase or reduction occurs as a consequence of the policy on transitional (expanded) housing (Section C.) Refunds of room rent will be made in accordance with the policy or "Refunds" as outlined in the Longwood University Catalog. Click http://www.longwood.edu/academic/affairs/catalog_home.htm.

The University must not honor rates documented or otherwise communicated in error.

Residents shall abide by the guidelines, policies and procedures of Longwood University and the residence hall in which he/she resides. In addition, no unlawful or illegal activities shall be conducted or permitted on the premises. The Student Handbook containing pertinent guidelines, policies and procedures is available on-line. Click http://www.longwood.edu/judicial/Handbook.pdf to access or print the on-line edition. It is understood that violation of the terms of this contract, or of any pertinent guideline, policy and procedure in the Longwood University Student Handbook, by the resident shall result in penalties ranging from warning to dismissal from Longwood University. Students will be held responsible for the conduct of guests and persons in their rooms. Longwood University reserves the right to make reassignments when it is determined by the resident's continued presence in the room, suite, or hall is detrimental to the community environment.

Should the University incur any expenses in the enforcement of any terms of this Housing and Meal Plan Contract, the student resident shall pay the costs of such enforcement including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees or collection fees.

The Longwood University Meal Plan Contract is for the full academic year (August – May), or if entered into after the start of the academic year, for the balance of the academic year. A meal Plan is mandatory for all residential students. Living on the main campus or with in any off-campus Longwood-managed housing.

Longwood University shall provide meals on a regular basis subject to the Food Service board contract. Student I.D cards are required for meal plan access. Residential students (new and returning) select a meal plan as they complete an on-line room and meal application. Prior to the submission of the on-line application, a student must indicate that he/she has read and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Housing and Meal Plan Contract. It is recommended that a copy of these terms and conditions are printed for personal records. Submission of an on-line application will be considered legally binding. Only the contracted student is permitted to use the purchased meal plan. Meal plans are not transferable nor are they intended for resale.

Changes to a meal plan selection must be reflected on the billing statement. Main campus residents failing to select a meal plan prior to the first day of classes will be assigned a 14 + $150 Meal Plan. Residents, living in Longwood managed apartments, failing to select a meal plan prior to the first day of classes will be assigned a 5 + $50 Meal Plan. Meals not eaten shall not be saved from one week to the next with the exception of the Block Meal Plan. Meal cards are not transferable and a replacement fee will be charged for lost meal cards.

Memberships come in many convenient shapes and sizes. A magnetic strip on the back of your student ID card works with our computer system to identify you as a dining plan member. By combining a “Semester Meal Allowance” with “Bonus Points” and/or “Longwood Dollars,” you can customize a plan that’s right for you. Meals can be used at our Residential Dining Facility in Dorrill Hall. Bonus Dollars and Longwood Dollars are accepted at all Dining locations on campus.

Unlimited Plan - features an unlimited all-you-care-to eat meal plan. This plan allows you to enjoy an unlimited number of meals per week with unlimited access to our residential restaurant, as often as you would like throughout the day. This plan includes $100 Bonus Dollars and five guest meals to treat family and friends. This plan is best suited for active students living on campus.

14 Plan - our most popular plan features 14 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. For maximum flexibility, this plan offers $200 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location and five guest meals to treat family and friends.

10 Standard - featuring 10 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. For maximum flexibility, this plan offers $150 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location and five guest meals to treat family and friends. This is the best value for commuters.

10 Premium - featuring 10 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. For maximum flexibility, this plan offers $300 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location and five guest meals to treat family and friends. This is the best value for commuters.

5 Standard - featuring 5 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. This plan comes with $100 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location.

5 Premium – featuring 5 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. This plan comes with $200 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location.

Block Plan - featuring 150 all-you-care-to eat meals a week in our Residential Restaurant. This plan comes with the flexibility of using as many or as few meals per week depending on your schedule and features $150 Bonus Dollars to be used at any Dining location. This plan is best suited for students at Longwood Landings or Lancer Park, or Longwood Village and comes with five guest meals.

A minimum 5 Standard is required for all residents assigned to Longwood managed apartments. However, a larger meal plan may be selected. Commuter students may select any of the offered meal plans.

Termination of the Residence Hall Provisions of the Housing Contract (paragraphs I. A-R above) shall not result in termination or diminution or rights pursuant to the Meal Plan provision (paragraphs II. A & B above).

Need Additional Information?

Please feel free to contact the Office of Residential and Commuter Life if you have questions or concerns at (434) 395-2080, e-mail address at housing@longwood.edu, or through our Questions/Feedback page.