License Agreement & Resident Handbook
Cancellation Request
We know that each student and their family have unique circumstances that impact their
ability to remain enrolled and to live in on-campus housing. In some cases, financial,
medical, or other hardships may require a student to cancel their housing License
Agreement. Up to 30-days before the beginning of the semester, students may be released
from their License Agreement without restrictions and without financial penalty.
Beginning on the 30th day before the start of the semester, and at any point after the start of the License
Agreement, cancellation of the License Agreement is generally not approved without
proof of hardship. The student must submit a Cancellation Request form and provide
documentation of the reason for the cancellation. This may include personal, medical,
or financial factors. License Agreement cancellations during this period are not guaranteed
and, if approved, are subject to the fees and pro-rated refund terms detailed in the
License Agreement.
To cancel your License Agreement, please complete the request form linked below. Please
review section 20 (starting on page 14) of the License Agreement before submitting
your request to understand the applicable terms and conditions! Once you have submitted
your cancellation request, it will be reviewed and a decision will be made by CSUSM
Housing based upon the circumstances of your request and the terms and conditions
of the License Agreement.
Appealing a Cancellation Decision or Charge
Students who wish to appeal a cancellation-related decision or charge may submit a
Request to Appeal. In order to appeal, a student must have already submitted a cancellation
request and received a resolution regarding that request. Students are allowed only
one appeal, which will be reviewed by Housing Leadership. Please allow for up to 10
business days for a decision to be made.
ADA & Disability-Related Accommodations
CSUSM Housing provides reasonable housing accommodations to student residents with disabilities.
We recognize the importance of providing reasonable modifications to our housing policies,
facilities, and services as warranted, in order to provide as many students as possible
the opportunity to live in CSUSM Housing.
All requests for reasonable accommodations must be submitted through Disability Support
Services (DSS). CSUSM Housing does not review accommodations directly from students
or their families. Disability Support Services (DSS) in partnership with CSUSM Housing,
makes every effort to determine and provide appropriate housing accommodations to
support eligible students with documented disabilities.
Once reviewed and approved, DSS will send information indicating approved accommodations
to Housing with only the relevant information needed to meet the accommodation. Housing
will work to meet the accommodation based on current availability.
In instances where more information is needed, housing may also contact students with
unique needs to work collaboratively to identify a space that best fits the students'
needs and meets their aproved accomodations.
Religious Accommodations in CSUSM Housing
CSUSM Housing is committed to building a community where residents of every religious,
spiritual, and secular background feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We recognize
that faith and belief are often central to who our residents are, and we want your
home in CSUSM Housing to reflect and honor that.
We work with residents to make reasonable modifications to our standard policies and
procedures so that residents can live according to their sincerely held religious
or spiritual beliefs. Examples of modifications might include things like flexibility
around dietary needs, space for prayer or meditation, accommodations for important
religious practices, and support through roommate conversations to establish mutually
workable living agreements — among many others. Every request is unique, and we review
each one individually and in partnership with the resident who submits it.
How The Process Works
Requesting a religious accommodation in CSUSM Housing is simple:
- Submit a request. Complete the online Religious Accommodation Request form linked
below. Please share the details you feel appropriate so that we can fully understand
your request.
- We review your request. A member of the CSUSM Housing team will review your request,
often in collaboration with campus partners such as Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
(DHR), the Office of Inclusive Excellence, or CSUSM Dining Services to make sure we
understand your needs and can evaluate the request thoughtfully.
- We follow up with you. We may reach out with clarifying questions or to talk through
options together. This is a conversation — we want to find an approach that works
for you and for others in the community.
- You receive a decision. We'll let you know the outcome of your request, along with
next steps if your accommodation is approved.
We encourage residents to submit requests as early as possible, since some accommodations
take time to arrange and certain options may be impacted by availability that is reduced
later in the housing licensing process. While we aren't able to guarantee every request
will be approved exactly as submitted, we are committed to working in good faith with
residents to find a workable option. Examples of why an accommodation may not be approved
is when it would create a genuine health or safety concern, significantly disrupt
community operations, or interfere with the rights of others.
Ready to Submit a Religious Accommodation Request?
Complete the CSUSM Housing Religious Accommodation Request Form linked here. If you have questions before submitting your request, please reach out
to the CSUSM Housing main office or your Community Director — we're happy to talk
it through with you.
If I am a parent or family member, how do I find out how my student is doing?
The university and housing staff may not disclose information from a student’s record
without first obtaining the written permission of the student. Parents and family
members do not have the right to have access to these records unless the student has
given written consent for release of such records to them.
We are restricted from sharing information due to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
How can family members be supportive from afar?
- Stay Connected
Support your student by staying connected. Communicate via phone, e-mail, IM, cell
phones, and ‘snail’ mail. Students love to get care packages!
- Checking-In
Give your student the opportunity to share feelings and ideas with you.
- Concerns
If family members have concerns about students safety or well being please refer the
student to the Counseling and Health Services office or contact the housing office.
- Continue to Have Difficult Conversations
Students will have to make their own decisions about sleep, academics, exercise, clubs,
alcohol, and sexual relationships. Provide your student with the facts on these
issues, and empower them to distinguish between good and bad decisions when it comes
to their behavior, health, and safety. Create an atmosphere of open communication.
- Expect Change
- Trust Your Student
Financial Aid
When financial aid is disbursed to the student account, the funds will first cover
tuition and fees.
Housing is on the student account. When financial aid is first disbursed to the student
account, it will first cover tuition and fees, and then be applied to housing.
It is recommended that all students and families are aware of the amount of aid the
student is receiving. If the amount of aid is not enough to cover tuition, fees, and
Housing, please plan ahead to cover Housing and any other costs out-of-pocket.
For any questions related to financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
