Research shows that students who live on campus have a higher graduation rate than those who live off campus. Marshall wants to do what is best for our students, and is committed to seeing them graduate. Therefore, we require that all freshman and sophomore students live in a residence hall. Some limited exemptions to this requirement are possible. The following links will help you determine if you are eligible for exemption from the residency requirement. You may also download the entire residency requirement here.


Who does it affect?

Exemptions from the Residency Requirement

Quick Tips for Release Requests

Common reasons for seeking a release

Release Review Process

Forms

Who does it affect?

Marshall University requires that all freshman and sophomore students with a class load of twelve or more semester credit hours reside in the university residence halls and participate in a meal plan. This requirement excludes summer sessions and is applicable until the attainment of junior academic standing (fifty-eight semester credit hours), or the receipt of an exemption from the Department of Residence Services.

Exemptions from the Residency Requirement

You may be exempt from living in the residence halls if you:

• Can prove you live in a permanent residence within a 50 mile radius from campus with your parents or a legal guardian who raised you
• Have dependent children
• Are 21 years old or have been out of high school for at least two years
• Are married
• Can demonstrate extenuating medical or financial circumstances that prohibit you from staying in the halls

You MUST apply for release from the residency requirement if you are a freshman or sophomore and will not be living in Marshall's residence halls. The following information will help you through the release process.

Quick Tips for Release Requests:

The following tips may help expedite the processing and review of your release request.

1. If you have any questions about this process, you can call our office at: 304-696-6766 or 800-438-5391.
2. Be specific and organized in presenting your reason(s) for requesting a release. Avoid generalizations. List your reasons in priority of importance, and include all of your documentation, i.e. financial statement, doctor's letter, etc. If you have previously signed a housing contract, the request must establish how your circumstances or conditions have changed since the agreement was first signed.
3. All documentation and information must be furnished along with the request form. Do not submit documentation and Release Request separately.
4. The request will be made in writing as soon as possible, usually no later than two weeks after the deadline if all documentation was provided.

NOTE: You should not make alternative housing plans until a written decision has been received.

It is important that you include ALL your reasons and information with your completed form. If your release request is denied and you choose to appeal, no new information will be considered.

Examples of common reasons for seeking a release:

The following examples pertain to the most frequent reasons for seeking a release from the contract or residency agreement. Your rationale is not limited to these examples.

1. Marriage: Please include date of marriage on the Housing Release form. A notarized copy of your marriage certificate must be submitted within ten working days after the marriage and prior to any refunds processed for a room and/or board. Release will be effective the day the release request is received and approved for currently married couples, or the day after the marriage occurs for couples who are not yet married at the time of applying for release.


2. Medical: A statement should be obtained from your personal physician. The statement should indicate:
1. History of medical problem(s)
2. Pertinent physical finding(s)
3. Diagnosis
4. Report on related laboratory or X-ray findings;
5. Treatment, including a copy of any special diet or restriction
6. How the medical problem prohibits you from residing in a residence hall

Follow These Steps for Medical Release

• Download the request forms for medical release here.
• Make sure your treating physician presents detailed medical information about your condition and explains why in their medical opinion you should not live on campus in a signed letter printed on their office's official office letterhead. Medical releases from the residency requirement are rare. We offer a variety of living arrangements and will do our best to accommodate your medical needs. Contact us to find out more information on how we can help you.
3. Financial: Requests based on financial need must be verified by your parent(s) or legal guardian, Marshall University's Financial Aid Office, and/or your parents'/guardian's former employer(s).

The release will not be granted if the Financial Aid Office has met your needs. Please complete Section I of your form titled "Release Request for Financial Reasons" if you receive financial assistance through the Financial Aid Office.

Documentation if you are not receiving financial aid includes, but is not limited to:

• Household Information: Parents' marital status, number of family members during current academic year, number of college students in family, etc.
• Past Year's Income, Earnings and Benefits: Father and/or Mother's last year's income earned from work, past year's untaxed income and benefits, i.e. social security, AFDC, child support, etc.
• Expenses: Past year's medical and dental expenses not paid by insurance, past year's elementary or high school tuition for dependent children.
• Assets: Cash totals, savings and/or checking account(s) total, home value, other real estate and investment totals, business value, etc.
• Next year's Total Income and Benefits: Father and/or mother's income, other taxable and non-taxable income and benefits.

Other information pertaining to a Financial Release

• Financial releases are based on what you have been awarded from Financial Aid in grants, scholarships, and loans; your parents' income; the number of people in your household; and your amount of financial need. This information is given to the Department of Residence Services by the Financial Aid Office.
• If your parents claim you on their taxes, we consider your financial need based on their income, even if they are not paying for college or housing.
• Signing a lease to live off-campus will not be considered as financial burden. DO NOT sign a lease without receiving a letter from the Department of Residence Services saying you are exempt from the residency requirement.
• Download and fill out the request forms for financial release and return them to the Department of Residence Services.
• Be certain you have exhausted all of the financial aid that has been awarded to you, completely filled out your FAFSA, and accepted all scholarships, grants, or loans offered.
• If you have not been awarded financial aid, be sure you have submitted all financial information the residency requirement policy asks you for.
4. Living with a Family Member: A request to commute and live with a parent or guardian will require the completion of a "Release Request to Commute" form in lieu of application for housing and food service. Commuting distance is considered if the permanent residence is less than 50 travel miles from campus.

Follow These Steps for Commuter Release

• Check that you actually live within the 50 mile radius. Use Mapquest to obtain the distance from your home to Marshall. Put in your permanent home address as the starting point and One John Marshall Drive, Huntington WV, 25755 as the ending point. If it is over 50 miles, you will not be released.
• If your home address is within the 50 mile radius, you will need to supply a utility bill to prove your parent or guardian's residency at that address for an extended period of time, as well as copies of your birth certificate and your parent or guardian's drivers license.
5. Conditions in the Residence Halls: Conditions such as noise, food, roommate problems, etc. are not considered valid in terms of release from your contract. These types of problems should be discussed with your Resident Director or the Director of Residence Services. Problems such as these can be solved by staying within the residence hall system either by a room change, building change, or strict enforcement of rules and regulations.
6. Other: Please provide appropriate and relevant documentation supporting any request that is not covered by the above categories.

Review Process

1. Upon receiving all required information, the Director of Residence Services will evaluate your request. You will be notified in writing of the decision as soon as possible. (Generally decisions are rendered no later than two weeks after the deadline date.)

2. An appeal must be submitted, in writing to the Housing Review Committee, within ten days of receiving the denial notification.

3. Submission of an appeal does not release you from any current financial or residential obligations. The effective date of action will be specified in a notification. You will be accountable for all financial charges up to and including that date, and for any charges occurring as a result of damage to your room.

4. Students who are granted a release from the Housing and Food Services Agreement are required to follow established procedures for checking out of their room. You should consult your Resident Director about those policies.

Release Request Forms

You may obtain the forms you need for a release request by doing any of the following:

1. Call 1-800-438-5391 or send an e-mail to residence-services@marshall.edu to receive a form by mail.
2. Pick one up in the Department of Residence Services located in Holderby Hall on Marshall's Huntington Campus
3. Access, complete and submit electronically by clicking link below: http://www.marshall.edu/residence%2Dservices/


Request Forms

Release Request - Fill out this form for a release from the residency requirement on any grounds. Releases for financial and medical reasons, and requests to commute, require the additional information listed below.

Release Request for Financial Reasons - Fill out this form if you are submitting a release for financial reasons. Complete Section I of the form and submit it to Residences Services.

Release Request for Medical Release - Fill out this form if you are submitting a release for medical reasons. By completing this form you are granting permission to us and your treating physician to discuss your medical records. This should be accompanied by a letter from your doctor.

Release Request to Commute - Fill out this form if you will live within 50 miles of campus with a parent or legal guardian who raised you. You should also submit a copy of your birth certificate, a copy of a utility bill proving your permanent residence, and a copy of your parent or legal guardians' drivers license showing their permanent residence.