All new incoming full-time students under the age of 21 and enrolled in at least 12 hours of coursework each semester are required to live on campus or at home with a parent, legal guardian, sibling (over the age of 25), or a grandparent within 30 miles of campus.
Exceptions to the Residency Requirements:
- A student is 21 years old and in good academic and student conduct standing before August 1 of the academic year.
- A student acquired 90 credit hours before August 1 of the academic year.
- A student lives at home with a parent, legal guardian, sibling (over the age of 25), or a grandparent within a 30-mile radius of campus.
- *A 40-mile radius remains only for returning students who lived with a parent, legal guardian, sibling (over the age of 25), or a grandparent in 2023-24 while attending UT Southern.
- Documentation may be required to demonstrate the relationship in addition to a copy of the current driver’s license of the parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent with whom the student will reside. The student must live in the residence with the stated family member full-time. The parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent must have lived in the residence for at least one year before the first enrollment date.
- A student has a documented disability, with a corresponding Reasonable Accommodation on file with the Vice President of Student Affairs.
- A student is a military service veteran.
- A student is legally independent, with documented proof provided
- A student is married or has dependent children.
- A student is enrolled solely in online courses.
If a student believes themselves in an exceptional circumstance, they may submit a Petition for an Exception by the date listed in Due Dates/Timelines. Contact Residential Life for more information. If a student decides to move off campus and does not meet one of the above exceptions, they will be charged for on-campus housing.
Petitioning for an Exception
To petition for an exception to our residential requirement, a student must write a letter to the Housing Appeals Committee and submit as part of the Petition for an Exception.
The letter should explain the exceptional circumstances that the committee should consider. Please be as detailed as possible. Petitions should explain in detail why an exception is needed and what solutions the student has tried to make on-campus housing work.
Medical Exceptions
If the reason for petitioning is medical, the student must have a Reasonable Accommodation Request on file with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs submitted by the current Census Day. Petitions for exceptions are unnecessary in this case.
Fall 2024 Due Dates
Petitions should be submitted by July 1, 2024, to reslife@utsouthern.edu. (New Students to the University for Fall 2024 may submit until August 1, 2024.) Petitions will be presented to the Housing Appeals Committee for a decision. Petitions received after Census Day will not be considered.’
Living Off Campus
Signing a lease does not exempt a student from financial responsibility for an assigned space in campus housing. Students are recommended to refrain from signing an off-campus lease or making other contract obligations until they hear back from the Appeals Committee.
Students petitioning for an exception to Residential Life policies should consult with the Financial Aid office to determine how living off-campus may affect the student’s financial aid package.