Required Housing Policy

Policy
To ensure that all Clark Atlanta University students receive a strong foundation and create a path of success, we believe that all students with fewer than 58 earned credit hours should live on campus. All students enrolled or accepted to Clark Atlanta University will be required to reside on the campus until they have earned 58 or more credit hours. Residing on campus yields positive benefits such as higher GPA, higher retention, higher graduation (within 4 - 6 years), and likelihood to attend graduate or professional school (i.e., law school, medical school, etc.).

For first-time freshmen, residency is defined as residing in Brawley Hall, Bumstead Hall, Holmes Hall, Merner Hall, Pfeiffer Hall, or Ware Hall. For students that are not first-time freshmen, but have acquired fewer than 58 earned credit hours, residency is defined as residing in CAU Suites-East or CAU Suites-West.

Exceptions
As there may be compelling individual circumstances that would warrant residing off campus, exceptions to this requirement must be submitted to the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life or designee. Individuals seeking an exception must file a waiver form and submit the appropriate documents.

Exemptions may be granted with appropriate documentation under the following circumstances:

• The student is experiencing medical conditions which require special attention or is the caregiver of someone experiencing medical conditions which require special attention.
• Students with children, married students, and students involved in domestic partnership.
• Demonstrated financial hardship as confirmed by the Clark Atlanta University Office of Financial Aid.
• Nontraditional students age 24+ by August 1, 2005, with proof of age.
• The student has full-time employment off campus and employment is verified.

Deadline
Exemption information must be received in the housing office no later than June 15, 2005.

Exemption Procedure
The Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life must receive written notification no later than June 15 with all supporting documentation. The Assistant Director will review the information received and mail the student a written response no later than July 1.

All denials may be appealed to the Required Housing Implementation Appeals Committee by submitting written notification of the appeal to the Department of Housing and Residence Life no later than July 15. The Assistant Director will submit all information to the committee. Students will receive a response no later than July 25. All decisions of the Required Housing Implementation Appeals Committee are final.

Sanctions
Failure to comply with the requirements or providing false or misleading information to the Department of Housing and Residence Life to receive an exemption from the on-campus housing requirement may result in cancellation of registration privileges and/or revocation of acceptance to Clark Atlanta University.