Request for Exemption to the NWU Residency Policy

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Residency Policy is as follows:

As a residential campus, it is the residency policy of Nebraska Wesleyan University that undergraduate students reside in approved on‐campus living units for three years or six semesters. All first‐year students must live in University‐administered residential facilities. Students in their third through six semesters who are members of sororities or fraternities may reside in Greek houses as meeting the criteria for approved residential facilities.

Students may request an exemption to this policy if they live with parents/guardians (as defined by Section 30‐220917 of the Nebraska Probate Code) within 30 miles of the Nebraska Wesleyan campus; have reached their 21st birthday prior to the start of the fall semester; live with a spouse; have a dependent child; are enrolled for fewer than 12 credit hours per semester as a part‐time student; health issues, or other extreme conditions.

If a student’s living arrangements are in violation of the residency policy, the student will be in violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will be subject to disciplinary action. Violation of this policy does not excuse financial obligation to the University.

Approved by the NWU Board of Governors
March 2001 (Revised, December, 2002)

This policy has been established by the Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors to support students’ academic success and persistence. The residential experience is an essential part of Nebraska Wesleyan’s undergraduate program; exemptions are granted only in rare cases. Students who request an exemption must be aware that failure to follow the policy or the process for requesting an exemption will have consequences.

It is your responsibility to read this information and to seek clarification if needed. Nebraska Wesleyan will expect you to have read and to understand the policy, the exemption process, and your responsibilities as they relate to both.

Who is the exemption process for?

Students of Nebraska Wesleyan University are required to live on-campus during the first 6 semesters (3 years) of their collegiate career. The exemption request process is intended to provide an avenue for those students who have not completed their 6 semesters, but fall under one or more of the categories listed below:

• Are married or in a documented domestic partnership
• Have a dependent child or children
• Have turned 21 prior to the first day of the fall semester
• Are in active military or veteran status
• Will live with their parent/s or a legal guardian within 30 miles of campus as measured by Google Maps. Please note that a legal guardian is a person appointed by the appropriate legal jurisdiction to act on behalf of the student in place of parents. Legal documentation will be requested for verification.

Students seeking an accommodation for a mental and/or physical health concern, please do not use this form and instead contact the Residential Education Office for the correct health-related accommodation form.

Students seeking financial assistance to afford living on-campus, please do not use this form and instead contact the Residential Education Office for the “Extreme Financial Hardship Housing Grant” application.

Generally, exemption requests made by students for the following reasons are not approved. Students are encouraged to instead contact the appropriate staff members to discuss their concerns and to explore all other options.

• Dislike their room, roommate or living on-campus in general
• Parents bought a house/condo and want the student to live in it
• Already signed a lease for an off-campus residence
• Have problems or concerns that need to be addressed but have not sought out staff assistance
• Are looking simply to save money

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY HOUSING EXEMPTION APPLICATION

As a residential, liberal arts institution, Nebraska Wesleyan University has a three-year (or six semester) residency requirement. NWU administers a process to allow exemptions to the NWU Residency Policy. These decisions are made in a way that is objective, fair and balanced with the University’s core value of personal attention to students. Late applications will not be considered.

Students wishing to request an exemption to the NWU Residency Policy must carefully complete the information in this document attach appropriate documentation and any additional required information and return it to the Residential Education Office. It is strongly encouraged that the student named on the application is the one that completes the form (not a parent, friend or other interested party).

If you are seeking an accommodation for a mental and/or physical health concern, please do not use this form and instead contact the Residential Education Office for the correct health-related accommodation form.

If you are seeking financial assistance to afford living on-campus, please do not use this form and instead contact the Residential Education Office for the “Extreme Financial Hardship Housing Grant” application.

If you are a new student, return your application to the Residential Education Office in Centennial Hall by August 1. If you are a returning student, you must submit this application by March 12 for consideration for the following academic year. Processing will take several weeks. You are encouraged to sign up for a residential facility room if a decision on your application has not been made by the spring housing selection dates. Exemption approval does not automatically cancel your room reservation. To cancel your room, you must contact Residential Education at (402) 465-2161, or stop by the Residential Education Office on the first floor of Centennial Hall. You may cancel your room assignment without financial penalty by June 1 if an exemption is approved.

Please understand that if you are granted an exemption to the NWU residency policy, you must reside in the location for which you are approved. Residential Education monitors the residential status of all full time students. Please contact the Residential Education Office with any questions relating to the NWU residency policy and the process to request an exemption.

I certify that the information that I have provided in this document, and any supporting materials attached to it, are true. I have read all of the information in this document, and I understand the residency policy and my personal responsibility to follow the policy, including all references to the exemption process.