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Housing Policies and Guidelines

Welcome to the housing policies page. These guidelines outline what you can expect from us here at CMU as well as ways you can actively create a safe and comfortable living environment for everyone. Carefully review all documents so that your transition to living on campus is smooth and successful. 

Skip to a specific policy or guideline:

Housing Contract

The Housing Contract is a legal agreement between you and the university. It applies in all instances where a student lives in housing provided by CMU, whether that is in a residence hall, apartment or other type of housing. While it's written using legal language, we encourage you to download a copy and familiarize yourself with it. If you have any questions, a member of the Residence Life staff can help.   

Please note that Michigan law does not allow a minor to void a contract for housing. If you sign this Housing Contract and are under the age of 18, you cannot cancel it merely for that reason.

DOWNLOAD the THE HOUSING CONTRACT

Residence Life Handbook

As a member of the Central Michigan University residential community, residents are responsible for all policies and procedures outlined in the Residence Life Handbook and the Housing Contract. These policies include:

  • Code of Student Rights
  • Responsibilities
  • Disciplinary Procedures

Make sure to review the handbook, and all supporting documents, before you move to campus.

Residence Life Handbook

Residency requirement

Central Michigan University's campus residency policy requires that first- and second-year students live on campus. Those who reach the four-semester requirement at midyear are required to complete the full term of the contract for the academic year (fall and spring semester).

National research shows shows that students who live on campus are more successful. Students who live on campus have higher grade point averages, are more satisfied with their college experience, are more engaged in co-curricular experiences and are more likely to graduate than students who live off-campus.

Requesting an exemption from the residency requirement

Exceptions to the policy may be granted if special circumstances are outlined, and approval is obtained, prior to the signing of the Housing Contract.

Some of these exceptions include, but are not limited to, students who are:

  1. Living at home with parents and commuting within 60 miles.
  2. Married and living with a spouse.
  3. Veterans with one or more years of active service.
  4. 21 years of age or older.

Requests for exceptions must be submitted in writing to the Office of Residence Life. 

All Office of Residence Life Housing Contracts are for one academic year. If a student does not qualify for an exception to the policy at the beginning of the year, the student must fulfill the contract even though he or she may become eligible for an exception during the year. 

For more information on the residency requirement or questions on the exemption request form, contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@cmich.edu or 989-774-3111.

Download the residency requirement exemption form

Campus safety and security

Each resident must be aware of and abide by safety and security regulations to protect themselves and their community.

Here are some guidelines for campus safety:

  1. Keep your door locked: This is especially important when you are asleep or when you are leaving your living unit for a couple of minutes.
  2. Carry your Central Mobile ID or CentralCard: Residents must use their Central Mobile ID or CentralCard to tap/swipe into residential buildings.
  3. Never prop open an outside door: Propping doors allows people who aren't supposed to be in the hall access to the area. Door propping is a policy violation and will lead to disciplinary action. 
  4. Don't keep your ID with your keys: Those key chains with ID holders are a convenient way to carry your things, but if you lose your keys, you lose your ID. Whoever finds them knows where you live.
  5. Report missing keys immediately: Residents should immediately inform a front desk staff member or a paraprofessional staff member if their keys are missing.
  6. Immediately leave when a fire alarm sounds: When you hear the fire alarm, leave the building. It's a good idea, and it's the law.
  7. Don't tamper with fire equipment: Tampering with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or fire alarm pull stations puts everyone in the community in great danger and will result in disciplinary action.
  8. Immediately report any suspicious persons or unescorted guests to the front desk or to the CMU Police.

Central Michigan University Police

The CMU Police Department employs more than 20 police officers to help keep our campus safe and secure. 

Get instant alerts and updates in case of campus emergencies through Central Alert and the Rave Guardian app.

Learn more about the CMU POLICE

Report a serious issue

If there is an emergency, first call 911.

The Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) provides resources for students to address concerns such as; crime, discrimination, harassment and other misconduct. The office provides official reporting processes as well as support for victims. 

Room change requests

The Office of Residence Life is committed to providing residents a comfortable, educational, diverse and caring community where academic success, personal growth and social responsibility are valued. And research shows that living in a community with people from different backgrounds, values, personalities and interests is an integral part of the college experience.

The Office of Residence Life does not move students due to differences of race, ethnicity, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation, physical ability or any other social identity.

Guidelines for requesting a room change

  • Typically, Residence Life has very few open spaces during the academic year, so the opportunity for space changes is limited and not guaranteed.
  • If you have a friend who has a vacancy in their room or apartment, and you would like to move into that space, you should contact the RHD of that building to request the space change along with the friend. That RHD will make the determinations, provide a timeframe for completing the move, and direct you to check out of your current space with your current RHD.
  • Approved space changes may take place beginning the third week of the semester (after two full weeks of classes).
  • Space changes typically are not granted during the summer term due to our facilities' maintenance schedule.

Resolving conflict with roommates

Room changes are a last resort in dealing with roommate conflict, except in emergency situations. If your request is due to roommate conflict, you'll need to take these actions first. 

  • Upon move in, you'll complete the Roommate Agreement Workbook. This document helps facilitate discussion between you and your roommates and sets general guidelines for living together. For example, the division of chores and how often guests stay. Take time to discuss the workbook with your roommates. Doing so can help you negotiate arrangements before differences turn into conflict.  
  • Connect with your Resident Assistant, Inclusion Assistant or  Residence Hall Director (RHD) as soon as possible. They are there to assist you with your on-campus living experience and can help mediate. Resolving conflict can be a positive experience. The residence hall director is always a great first stop!
  • Be sure to communicate face-to-face with this person in a manner meant to resolve conflict.

No space change will be granted until the above steps are complete. 

Tips for resolving conflict

Break closures

Some of our university housing closes over the three major university breaks - Thanksgiving, semester and spring break. Make sure to double-check with hall and community you live in, so you can arrange alternative housing.

The residence halls in the  South and  Towers communities and CMU Dining Operations close for the three major break periods. This would include the following halls:  Beddow, Merrill, Sweeney, Thorpe, Campbell, Carey, Cobb, Kesseler, Kulhavi, Troutman and Wheeler Halls.

The  East Community halls and Graduate Housing remain open during these break periods, but CMU Dining operations are closed. There are kitchenettes available throughout the East Community. This would include the following halls: Celani, Emmons, Fabiano, Herrig, Saxe, and Woldt. 

Limited Emergency Break Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis to students who do not have an alternative place to stay during the break. Contact our office at reslife@cmich.edu or 989-774-3111 for more information.

Guest and visitor requests

Guests (any person who does not have a contract for that living unit) are allowed within the residence halls. Residents are required to escort their guest at all times, including entering and leaving the building. Overnight guests are not permitted during weekdays.

Review the guest policy in the student handbook

Parking information

All students are allowed to have a car on campus.

Residence hall parking permits are distributed to sophomores, juniors and seniors on first-come basis. All freshmen will be assigned to the Maroon lots (63, 70 and 75) located south of their residence hall. 

Students who wish to park on campus will need a parking permit. Permits are virtual and are automatically active when purchased online.

Learn more about parking on campus

Pet Policy

Fish are the only type of pet allowed in university housing with a tank size limit of 20 gallons. 

Unauthorized animals/pets which are observed or reported will receive an immediate fine of $50 and given 48 hours to remove the animal. If the animal is not removed within 48 hours a $25 fine will be assessed for everyday the animal remains on the premises. The student may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. 

Assistance animals

Residents who require an assistance animal must obtain approval through the Student Disability Services office prior to brining the animal to campus. 

Request an accommodation for an assistance animal

If your assistance animal request is approved, Residence Life will reach out to any roommate to ensure there are no concerns (allergies, etc.). You will also need to meet with your RHD/RD to discuss assistance animal expectations and provide emergency caregiving information. 

Checkout information for break closures

    The residence halls in South and Towers communities close promptly at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and will reopen at noon on Sunday, Dec. 1.

    Checkout instructions will be provided to residents in multiple ways including in writing on their living unit door/distributed by paraprofessional staff members and formal communication from Residence Hall Directors. The last resident in the room to leave MUST check out with a staff member. Please follow the checkout instructions to ensure you and your roommate(s) check out properly.

    The East Community Halls (Celani, Emmons, Fabiano, Herrig, Saxe and Woldt) and Graduate Housing apartments remain open during break. The dining units and markets will be closed. Kitchenettes are available throughout the East Community. You mustsign up through this linkby 9 a.m.on Wednesday, Nov.27, if you plan to be in your East Community Hall or Graduate Housing apartment at any point over Thanksgiving Break. This is a safety and security effort and allows us to ensure your ID card has necessary access.

    Dine & Connect in East Community will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The Eatery in the Towers Community and Food Hall in South Community will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Towers and East markets will reopen at noon on Sunday, Dec. 1. Dining units will resume regular operations on Monday, Dec. 2. For the most up-to-date information on hours of operation and menu changes, visithttps://dineoncampus.com/cmichdining.

    The residence halls in the South and Towers communities will close promptly at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. The residence halls will reopen at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12. This includes the following halls; Beddow, Merrill, Sweeney, Thorpe, Campbell, Carey, Cobb, Kesseler, Kulhavi, Troutman and Wheeler Halls.

    The East Community Halls and Graduate Housing remain open during the break. You will receive an email with details for preparing for semester break in early-December.

    The residence halls in the South and Towers communities close promptly at noon. On Saturday, March 8. The residence halls will reopen at noon on Sunday, March 16.

    The East Community Halls and Graduate Housing remain open during the break. You will receive an email with details for preparing for Spring break in late-February.

    Student support

    Living on campus puts you right in the heart of student support services. 

    Care Advocate Program

    The Care Advocate Program puts licensed mental health professionals directly in residence halls with the mission to provide support, crisis intervention and proactive mental health support. 

    Staying active with Residence Life Fitness

    Residential Fitness Centers are located in the Towers and East Communities. Programming is free and includes; personal training, group fitness classes, weekly exercise challenges and more. 

    In addition, you'll also have access to University Recreation, which offers fitness facilities, intramural sports and other fitness programing.

    Additional campus student support resources 

    In addition to the student support services located in your residence hall, you'll have access to campus support services and centers.

    Here are just a few of the additional resources available to you as a student:

    • Academic support: Including our Mathematics Assistance Center, Writing Center and Presentation Skills Center.
    • Financial aid and wellness support: Including our Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Student Employment Services and Career Development Center.
    • Physical and mental health support: Including access to University Recreation to stay active and free, confidential support through our Counseling Center. 
    • Connection and community support: Including opportunities through the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, Student Activities and Involvement office and more.  

    Learn more about student support resources