The University believes that students who live on-campus are more likely to stay enrolled, graduate on time, and feel connected to the campus community. In support of this commitment the Student Life Division has focused time and energy into campus resources to ensure student success. Research shows that living on campus has several positive outcomes that help students developmentally. Empirical research reveals seven areas in which residence halls have a significant impact on students (Blimling, 2003):

1. Retention - They have greater expectations for academic achievement and are more likely to remain in college.
2. Extracurricular involvement - More involved in campus activities. Students learn to work with others, manage budgets, express their ideas in meetings, negotiate with others, and follow through with projects.
3. Positive feelings about campus social climate. Students feel that the campus is more comfortable, more academic, more supportive, and more enjoyable.
4. Personal growth and development - Students meet more challenges, mature more quickly and learn to become interdependent.
5. Interpersonal relationships - Students build strong friendships and share more experiences. They interact more, develop more tolerance, and experience more cultural diversity.
6. Faculty interaction - Students have more contacts with faculty both in the residence halls and due to closer proximity to faculty offices.
7. Higher overall satisfaction with their college experience.

1- Set an appointment to meet with Graduate Assistant of Occupancy to assess eligibility requirements.

2- Complete Petition Form - and attach required documentation:

• A typed, dated and signed letter from the student that includes an indication from the student that he/she would like to be released from the his/her housing contract, an explanation of the financial difficulty he/she and/or the family is experiencing, a detailed cost analysis of current situation versus potential living situation.
• Letter from parents detailing the financial difficulty the family and/or student are experiencing (optional).
• Any documentation from the Financial Aid Office that indicates you do not qualify for aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc.) or documentation of the aid you are awarded including student loans.  

The two-year live-on requirement is fulfilled by the following criteria:

• if the student has completed two full years of attendance at the University of Denver or another accredited post-secondary institution before the residence halls open for fall quarter. For example, a transfer student who has attended another accredited institution for at least two years is exempt from the live-in requirement. Experience must be at an institution of higher education and does not include high school or boarding school experience.

• if the student is 21 years of age or older before to the residence halls open for fall quarter.

• if the student is married.

Two-Year Live-In Requirement Petition Criteria (one or more of the following criteria must be met)

• Live at home Student can choose to live at home with parents or legal guardian whose permanent address is within 45 miles of the campus. These students and the parents must notify the Housing and Residential Education office prior to the start of the each academic year, that they are choosing to live with their parents or legal guardian until graduation or until the live-on requirement has been fulfilled.
• Greek release First-year students are not eligible to live in Greek housing. Second-year students may pledge a recognized Greek house and elect to live in the University authorized chapter house for the duration of his/her sophomore year. Living in a Greek house fulfills one of the two residency required years. The Greek Release process occurs during the spring quarter of their first year. Students must meet all of the criteria and gain approval to live in the Greek houses. If at anytime Greek housing is terminated the duration of the two-year live-on requirement must be fulfilled in on campus housing.
•  Medical Accommodation Students needing a medical accommodation that conflicts with the two-year live-on requirement need to contact the Disability Services Program at  303.871.2278.
• Financial Duress Release Please read this information carefully and provide all required documentation by the deadline date to be considered for release. You must submit your petition prior to finals of the current quarter to be considered for release for the following quarter.  Incomplete petitions will not be reviewed. If you are completing a petition on the grounds of financial duress it is an expectation that you meet with the Financial Aid Office to explore and apply for financial aid which includes student loans. This must be done before completion of this form. Your petition will not be reviewed until the all financial aid available has been determined and utilized.