Effective Date: July 19, 2021
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Director of Housing and Residence Life, 478-301-2687
Purpose
Mercer University recognizes that a valuable aspect of one’s college education is the experience of living on campus. The Office of Housing and Residence Life promotes the principles of respect and responsibility within the Mercer community and provides services and activities to assist residential students.
Scope
This policy applies to students of Mercer University.
Exclusions
Mercer recognizes the need for students, employees, and contractors to reside in Mercer Housing during the summer transition months without having an active student enrollment. Students seeking special housing and meal plan arrangements during the summer term must have their accounts in good standing and must pay for housing and/or meals in advance with Residence Life or Auxiliary Services.
Policy Statement
Mercer Traditional Undergraduate, Residential Students
The University has a 3-year housing requirement for traditional undergraduates on the Macon campus. Housing is not guaranteed for seniors (4th year). All freshmen (1st year), sophomore (2nd year), and junior (3rd year) students, under 22 years of age are required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan.
Exceptions include those students who will reach age 22 before the first day of fall classes, those living with parents or guardians within a reasonable commuting distance (defined as either living within 40-miles of the campus or living in one of the following counties (Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach and Twiggs), and students who are married or are single parents.
Residential students are required to sign a residence hall contract for each academic year. Contracts are legally binding and once an assignment is made, the contract may not be canceled except in case of graduation, withdraw, or transfer from the university.
All Housing facilities (except the Orange Street Apartments and The Lofts) are closed during the winter break. Housing information and housing contracts for residence hall rooms, apartments, and Greek houses are available through the students MyMercer account.
Residence Hall availability varies from year to year based on classification and need. Residence Hall breakdowns will be determined each year when enrollment numbers are finalized.
All persons who enter Mercer University residence halls must follow the rules outlined in the Community Standards.
Although living at Lofts at Mercer meets the on-campus residency requirement for sophmore and juniors, the facilities are privately owned and managed. Rent is paid directly to the Lofts and will not be placed on Mercer student accounts. Assignments to the Lofts are made through Mercer’s central room selection process; however, residents must sign a lease directly with the Lofts.
General Information
Individuals not registered in courses are ineligible to reside on campus or use the University’s facilities or services. Students who are not registered for any classes will be actively evicted from University housing.
However, the University recognizes the need to offer a grace period to non-enrolled students who are actively seeking to address and correct reasonable financial or registration issues during the official add/drop period. Therefore, the following policy will apply:
- The Office of the Bursar will notify the Office of Housing and Residence Life one day after add/drop of any non-enrolled student who has accrued charges for room and board but are not registered for courses during that term.
- Residence Life will then contact each of these students and notify them (in person or by email notification) that they have 48 hours to correct their registration and/or financial obligations.
- If the situation is not resolved at the end of the specified 48-hour period, the individual will be required to immediately vacate their housing premises. Verification of resolution must be in writing from the office in question, or by direct phone call from that office, to the Office of Housing and Residence
Housing for Non-affiliated Individuals – Special Clause
In the event a non-affiliated program or individual is approved to reside in Mercer housing, the program/individual must go through the General Counsel’s Office to ensure that the University is protected and that the funds are non-taxable. This process will require all participants within the program, once approved through General Counsel, to sign a liability wavier.
Revenue will be recorded directly by housing through check or money order into the appropriate housing revenue account and submitted to the University Cashier. The Bursar’s Office will not post revenue to the student ledger for any non-affiliated program, student, University camp, or other individual.
Website Addresses
Office of Housing and Residence Life: https://residencelife.mercer.edu/
Office of the Bursar: https://bursar.mercer.edu/