Housing and Residence Life

18 Southwest Hall
Phone: (270) 745-4359
www.wku.edu/housing
e-mail: hrl@wku.edu

Brian Kuster, Director, Housing and Residence Life
Kit T. Tolbert, Director of Housing Operations
Pamela West, Associate Director for Facilities
V. Lynne Holland, Associate Director for Residence Life
Steve Briggs, Assistant Director for Residence Life
Peggy Crowe, Assistant Director for Housing and Residence Life

The Department of Housing and Residence Life, in partnership with the student and the university community, will provide a premier living/learning experience that ensures student success. We offer 15 residence halls with a variety of living options to accommodate the needs and preferences of our student population. Several of the amenities include the following: cable television, Internet connections in each bedroom, and laundry facilities in each hall.

Leadership is provided in each hall by professional staff members. Additionally, community advisors, desk assistants, resident assistants, desk clerks and night clerks work to provide services in the halls that include a 24-hour information/security desk operation.

Required Housing Policy
All full-time freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus. Exceptions to this policy include students who are married, have dependent children, 21 years old or older, military veterans of 181 continuous days or more, commuting from their parents permanent address (50 mile limit), sophomore fraternity or sorority members who are officers and are required to live in the chapter house, and special circumstances.

Housing Deposit and Fee Payment
The Residence Hall Housing Agreement requires an accompanying $150 deposit. This deposit will remain on file throughout the resident’s term of occupancy and serves as a combination room reservation, damage, cancellation and room checkout deposit. It does not apply to the semester housing fee, and may be carried over to subsequent academic years.

Students who submit a Residence Hall Housing Agreement prior to the first day of classes for either fall or spring semester will be billed their appropriate housing fee by the business office. Payment must be made in full by the date specified on the bill.

Students who submit a Residence Hall Housing Agreement on or after the first day of classes for either the fall or spring semester agree to submit the $150 housing deposit to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. The full semester, prorated semester, or full bi-term housing fee is also payable at the business office at the time the Housing Agreement is submitted and accepted.

Cancellations and Refund Policy
The Residence Hall Housing Agreement is for the full academic year.

Students who submit written notice of cancellation to the Department of Housing and Residence Life prior to the beginning of the academic year may receive a partial refund of the advance deposit based upon the following dates: cancellations received by July 1 for an agreement beginning fall semester or November 15 for spring semester only, students will receive 2/3 refund of deposit or $100.00.

Cancellations received between July 2 and August 1 for an agreement beginning fall semester or between November 16 and December 15 for spring semester only, will result in a 1/3 refund of deposit or $50.

For cancellations received after August 1 for fall semester or December 15 for spring semester only, students do not receive a refund of the advance $150 deposit. Exceptions to this policy include only those students who are denied admission to the University or not assigned due to lack of residence hall space.

Residents who cancel their Residence Hall Housing Agreement at anytime during the academic year, and subsequently continue full-time enrollment, will be assessed a $750 contract termination fee, will not receive any refund of their housing deposit and may be assessed housing fees for all applicable semesters. Requests for Exemption from the Cancellation Policy are available in the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

Extended Living
Extended living is offered at Pearce-Ford Tower and allows students to remain in their rooms during the Thanksgiving, semester and spring break periods. All other halls close for these periods which makes this a good option for those who cannot travel during the breaks, need to work in town during breaks or need to be here for University-related activities.

Room Assignments
Room assignments are made based upon the date of receipt of the Housing Agreement. Returning residents, who submit an Agreement before the priority deadline, are re-assigned in the spring semester before they leave for summer break. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are then assigned based upon their date of receipt.

Although there are no guarantees, special consideration is given to the indicated preferences. Roommate preferences are made based on availability and mutual requests. It is recommended that residents wishing to room together should submit their Agreements together when possible.

Residence Hall Rooms
Residence hall rooms are equipped to accommodate two students, and each room is furnished with beds, chests of drawers, closet space, mirrors, desks and chairs.  Many are equipped with one active telephone line. Long distance telephone service can be handled a number of ways, but Hilltopper Long Distance has proven to be the most economical choice. Each student receives his/her own personal access code and will receive monthly itemized bills. Students pay only for calls they make - no surcharges or monthly fees.

Reservations
Students should forward the completed Residence Hall Housing Agreement with their $150.00 deposit immediately upon applying for admission to the University.

Completed Residence Hall Agreement forms should be sent to the Department of Housing and Residence Life, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11093, WKU, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1093. Make checks or money orders payable to Western Kentucky University.