Students may think a housing contract at Ohio State is as unyielding as any off-campus rental contract, but there are four ways students may break or cancel their agreement with OSU’s residence halls.
“We understand there are circumstances when students’ situations change since the cancellation deadline,” said Toni Greenslade-Smith, associate director for Housing, Food Services and Event Centers.
One option is for students to submit a petition to be released from their housing contracts. Students file a petition, which is reviewed by a five-member contract review committee. Each member of the committee, comprised of two students, two staff and a chairperson, reviews the petition and the chair makes the final decision.
The deadline for opting out of a housing contract at OSU is July 1, but Greenslade-Smith said the deadline is extended if there is a demand. This year, the deadline was extended to Aug. 31, and 25 students still missed it, Greenslade-Smith said.
She said there have been 15 petitions submitted to the Contract Review Committee this quarter.
Jeff Vogel, a senior in medical technology and one of the students who is occasionally on the committee, said the petitions he sees usually fall into two categories — medical and financial.
“One of the things we’re looking for is a drastic change in situation,” Vogel said. “Say, if someone comes down really sick and they are no longer able to live in the dorms and need to go home.”
Gabi Bockelman, a senior in education and chair of the contract review committee, said cases are handled on an individual basis, and cases are not compared.
Bockelman said there must be proof, such as medical records, doctor’s notes or financial aid statements for a petition to be accepted.
Bockelman and Vogel both said petitions are not accepted when a student simply wants to move off campus for less drastic reasons, such as roommate disagreements.
Three other methods are outlined within the terms and conditions of the housing contract. The document outlines seven conditions which would allow students to deactivate their housing contract with no charge, provided they previously agreed to the terms of the contract and they move out within 48 hours.
Students may choose a contract buy-out if they do not qualify under the conditions mentioned, which requires a $750 flat fee for each quarter they wish to buy out.
A third option is a contract exchange where students with housing contracts can trade with students who want them but don’t have them.
“In a year when there’s real heavy demand, it’s very successful,” Greenslade-Smith said. “We whip through the list and we hope people get in contact with us about getting out or canceling.”
The housing department maintains a list of students who have housing contracts and those who want them, and attempts to pair them up, Greenslade-Smith said. She said the program is not as successful when demand for rooms in the residence halls is low.
“Part of our philosophy is: you’re an adult, you signed a contract, and our part is to teach you responsibility,” Greenslade-Smith said. “There are consequences, and honoring a contract is one of them.”
Greenslade-Smith, Bockelman and Vogel all agree that students would not find off-campus landlords so understanding.
“It’s an option we offer, because a lot of places don’t offer the option to cancel your contract,” Vogel said. “Once you sign it, you’re stuck.”
