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.

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 legally married or in a legal civil union. We require a notarized copy of your official marriage or civil union documentation.
• English Language Center (ELC) and English Conditional Admit (ECA) students, please see specific information about housing availability and requirements for your programs here.

Students may petition to be released from the two-year live-on requirement and the housing contract based on the following criteria:

• Live at home with parents or legal guardians whose permanent home address is within 45 miles of campus.
• Medical Accommodation.
• Financial Duress.

Live at Home:

1. Email the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy to schedule an appointment and to discuss and clarify the process and receive appropriate petition paperwork to complete (email housing@du.edu).
2. Complete the petition paperwork and submit it along with required supporting documentation to Housing and Residential Education or to the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy.
3. The Contract Release Committee will review petitions and decide based on the documentation provided.  Students will receive a final decision via e-mail within 7 business days of the committee's decision.  If the petition has been denied an appeal may be submitted following the instructions provided in the decision email.
4. The deadline to apply to live at home without any financial penalties is prior to the start of the academic year.  Any cancellation of the housing contract once courses begin could result in the automatic forfeiture of the housing deposit and a $1000 contract cancellation penalty.
5. If the committee releases you after courses have begun, you much check out properly with a Housing and Residential Education staff member and charges will be prorated according to the Prorate Schedule in the Guide to Residence Living.

Medical Accommodation

1. Email the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy to schedule an appointment and to discuss and clarify the process and receive appropriate petition paperwork to complete (email housing@du.edu).
2. Complete the petition paperwork and submit it along with required supporting documentation to Disability Services.  Information about the required documentation will be provided by the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy in your meeting.
3. The Contract Release Committee will review petitions and decide based on the documentation provided.  Students will receive a final decision via e-mail within 7 business days of the committee's decision.  If the petition has been denied an appeal may be submitted following the instructions provided in the decision email.
4. The deadline to apply for a medical accommodation without any financial penalties is prior to the start of the academic year.  Any cancellation of the housing contract once courses begin could result in the automatic forfeiture of the housing deposit and a $1000 contract cancellation penalty.
5. If the committee releases you after courses have begun, you much check out properly with a Housing and Residential Education staff member and charges will be prorated according to the Prorate Schedule in the Guide to Residence Living.

Financial Duress Release:

1. Email the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy to schedule an appointment and to discuss and clarify the process and receive appropriate petition paperwork to complete (email housing@du.edu).
2. Complete the petition paperwork and submit it along with required supporting documentation to Housing and Residential Education or to the Graduate Assistant of Occupancy.
3. The Contract Release Committee will review petitions and decide based on the documentation provided.  Students will receive a final decision via e-mail within 7 business days of the committee's decision.  If the petition has been denied an appeal may be submitted following the instructions provided in the decision email.
4. The deadline to apply for a financial duress release without any financial penalties is prior to the start of the academic year.  Any cancellation of the housing contract once courses begin could result in the automatic forfeiture of the housing deposit and a $1000 contract cancellation penalty.
5. If the committee releases you after courses have begun, you much check out properly with a Housing and Residential Education staff member and charges will be prorated according to the Prorate Schedule in the Guide to Residence Living.