2020 – 2021 Contract, Cancellation Fees, and Calendar


This page contains the full KU Student Housing contract terms for the 2020–2021 academic year, as well as cancellation dates and fees, and a calendar of other important housing dates. To apply for Student Housing, go to your myKU portal, look under the "services" tab, and choose "housing." Please read through the full contract terms here before signing in the myKU portal.

Appeal of Contract Cancellation Fees due to Academic Schedule changes because of COVID-19:

Student Housing realizes that adjustment of KU class schedules, with some courses only being offered online due to COVID-19, has led to uncertainty about whether a student wants to live on campus and take all on-line classes. Once course schedule changes finalize by KU in early August, should a student’s classes be changed to on-line and the student decides they would prefer to remain at home vs. living on campus at KU, the student may cancel their housing contract and file a cancellation appeal to be released from the $750 cancellation charge that is in effect starting July 16 and through move-in. As part of the appeal process, Student Housing will verify that the student’s classes are online and that the student is opting to instead live at their permanent address. In the event that international students would not be allowed to resume in-person study, they may file the same cancellation appeal as domestic students.


Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 Student Housing Contract Terms

The University of Kansas

Reissued June 25, 2020

This contract is in effect for the entire academic year or for the remainder of the academic year if signed after the start of the fall semester. Occupancy dates are available on KU Student Housing’s website and are subject to change based on the university’s official academic calendar.

Assignments cannot be guaranteed if you do not check-in to assigned space by noon on the first day of classes each semester. Arrangements for late check-in may be made by contacting KU Student Housing in advance. This contract may not be assigned or transferred, and the space assigned may not be sublet.

General Administration of Student Housing

The university has the authority to establish and enforce housing policies and regulations developed within applicable statutes and Board of Regents policies. KU Student Housing hires and trains staff to participate with you and other residents in conflict resolution and to document incidents, initiating disciplinary action as appropriate.

The University of Kansas is a residential academic community. As a resident in this community, you must comply with the policies and regulations in place to protect and promote educational activity, maintain order, and manage behavior affecting the freedom and privacy of others.

General Policies Governing Occupancy

You must check-in by following check-in instructions at initial occupancy and check out when permanently vacating the assigned space. Unless you negotiate a modified check-out, you must vacate within 24 hours following your last final examination each semester.

You must be a regularly enrolled student to enter this contract for space in university housing. Full-time student status is normally required, although exceptions to full-time status may be made for good cause.

The university will determine whether this contract for space will be accepted. Persons who have a criminal record involving a felony offense are not eligible for university housing.

The University of Kansas requires you to receive the meningitis vaccine in order to live in Student Housing facilities.

The university retains the right to enter living areas under conditions described in the KU Student Housing Handbook. Your right to privacy will be respected while living in Student Housing facilities. Maintenance requests initiated by you constitute permission to enter the space where maintenance or repair is to be completed. Assigned space may be used for personal residence by you only. Activity involving regular use of housing facilities for personal financial gain is prohibited.

Unoccupied space inside the unit is reserved for use by the university. If you have contracted for partial space in a shared unit (shared bedroom, suite, apartment), you may be assigned a roommate by the university at any time. You can be reassigned to a different space by the university. Failure to move or refusal of a roommate assignment by an established date will result in charges at the higher rate to you and referral to the student conduct process.

Roommate and Building Assignments

No housing assignment for space is made on the basis of race, religion, color, disability, national origin, ancestry, and, to the extent specified by law, age or veteran status. You may select space and roommates based on contract application date. The university determines re-assignments or other occupancy changes. On rare occasions, you may be required to move to a different space in order to accommodate an individual with unique physical requirements, to address maintenance concerns, or resolve unforeseen situations.

You may request to transfer between spaces and/or buildings as space permits and if preapproved by Student Housing staff. Generally, the same policies and regulations apply in all spaces. When modified payment schedules, different amounts due, or new regulations apply, you agree to these changes as a condition of the space transfer. An administrative fee may be assessed.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in your assigned space due to a medical condition or disability, you must establish a file with University Academic Support Centers, 22 Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. University Academic Support Centers will make a recommendation to KU Student Housing regarding your space needs.

General Regulations

All residents, visitors, and guest must abide by the laws of the state of Kansas and the conduct rules of the university.

Acts contrary to federal, state, or local laws, and university regulations such as, but not limited to, sex offenses, gambling, possession and/or use of illegal drugs and/or controlled substances, theft, and disruption constitute violations of Student Housing policy. Recognition of the personal and property rights of others is expected by you, your visitors, and your guests. Weapons are prohibited in all Student Housing facilities. Pursuant to Kansas law, the concealed carry of handguns shall be permitted on University campuses beginning on July 1, 2017. KU is a tobacco-free campus.

You agree to the policies and regulations in this contract, those found in the KU Student Housing Handbookand other official publications, including: 1) The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the University of Kansas, 2) The University of Kansas Parking Regulations, and 3) The University of Kansas Policy Library. In addition, you give consent for your photograph or likeness to be used in publicity programs created for the University of Kansas.

Rates and Charges

Rates may vary by space, as rates are specific to the room type, community, amenities, and building. Rates are adjusted annually by the Board of Regents. Rates may be found on the KU Student Housing website.

You agree to accept room and food plan charges and pay the applicable fees in accordance with the scheduled due dates as posted by Student Accounts & Receivables. Fees not paid by the due date may result in one or more of the following actions being taken against you by the university: 1) postponement of scheduled check-in time, 2) suspension of access to housing and dining facilities, and/or 3) cancellation of this contract. Cancellation charges will apply.

Damage to Property / Personal Insurance

You are financially responsible for any damage you or any of your guests and visitors may cause in public or private areas of Student Housing facilities. Academic records at the university may be withheld for nonpayment of obligations such as lost keys, broken or missing furniture, and other debts owed to KU Student Housing.

You understand and acknowledges that insurance carried by the university covers university property only and agree to be responsible for obtaining and maintaining your own protection against loss or damage to property, personal injury, or liability. You further understand and agree that claims for injury or damage to persons or property resulting from the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of KU Student Housing and approved personnel acting in the course of their employment, are made subject to the terms, conditions, and liability limitations contained in the Kansas Tort Claims Act, K.S.A. 75-6101,et.seq.

Failure to Vacate Policy

You are responsible for your personal property at all times. If you do not vacate your assigned space as scheduled (following internal transfers as well as at the end of a contract period) and have not removed personal property, the university will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. You will be charged $50 per day plus the daily rate for each day you and/or your belongings remain in the assigned space. If after 48 hours, you have not vacated the assigned space, your remaining personal property will be removed and stored at your expense.

The university is not liable for damage to or loss of property that might occur during the course of removal or disposal. You will be billed for all costs incurred in removing personal property and restoration of the assigned space.

Food Plan Requirement

If you are assigned to a space in a residence hall or scholarship hall, you are required to purchase a food plan. In scholarship halls, food is purchased for you and other residents to cooperatively prepare meals through a food board management program. Changes to the food management program may be made by the university. In residence halls, dining plan options are offered by KU Dining. Refer to KU Dining for more information, including plan details and cancellation fee schedules. In apartment buildings, food plans are optional and may be purchased through KU Dining.

Violation of or Failure to Follow Policies or Regulations

Violation by you of federal, state or local laws, or the policies or regulations referenced above, or failure to independently manage daily life functions to the extent that custodial care might be required, may result in disciplinary sanction, reassignment to another space and/or building, revocation of future guest privileges, and/or other consequences including liability for full contract costs when this contract is cancelled by KU Student Housing. If a contract is cancelled for violation of a policy or regulation, you may not reapply for Student Housing for a minimum period of one calendar year from the end of the contract period in which the cancellation was effective.

This contract may be immediately suspended and you may be required to vacate the premises when circumstances indicate that your continued presence in the assigned space may constitute danger, or threat of danger, to property, yourself, or others in the housing system.

If you are arrested for alleged criminal acts or have criminal charges pending against you, this contract may be suspended. You will receive written notice from the university stating reasons for an interim contract suspension and the time and place for a hearing to be held within five class days at which time you will have an opportunity to show why continued presence in the housing unit does not constitute a danger, or threat of danger, to others, yourself, or property.

In lieu of an interim contract suspension, you may be assigned to another space, be restricted from entering specified housing areas or units, and/or be restricted in other privileges normally allowed to you in Student Housing facilities.


Cancellation by the University

The university reserves the right to terminate this contract due to emergency needs or other occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the university. In the event the university terminates this contract due to any act, order, regulation, or request of any governmental authority or agency or other occurrences including, but not limited to, natural disasters, floods, fires, tornadoes, riots, epidemics, pandemics or quarantines, the university will offer fair and reasonable credits of fees paid by impacted residents as appropriate and based on information available at that time. If the university invokes these force majeure rights the university will notify the impacted residents as soon as practicable.

Cancellation by the Resident

You may request cancellation of this contract through an on-line request form with Student Housing. Cancellation charges vary depending on the date and reason for request, as well as your student status at the university.

Before Check-in

This contract may be cancelled by submitting an online request. Cancellation charges (including applicable food plan charges) will apply.

After Check-in

After check-in, you must be approved for cancellation in order to be financially released from the full contract terms. The cancellation request is submitted through an on-line request. The official cancellation date is the date you check out and leave, not the date of cancellation request. Cancellation charges (including applicable food plan charges) will apply.

Cancellation requests are typically approved in the following circumstances:

  • Withdrawal from the university, failure to enroll, or academic dismissal
  • Assignment to a KU-sponsored internship, research project, or other KU program which requires living away from Lawrence
  • Completion of graduation requirements during the term of this contract
  • Marriage during the term of this contract
  • Compulsory military duty

Cancellation requests are considered for other unusual and compelling circumstances, including financial and medical hardship, which justify individual consideration. Documentation is required. Learn how to appeal a contract cancellation charge.

Cancellation requests are generally not approved when you remain enrolled but wish to move off campus, including to Greek chapter houses. Full academic year contract fees will apply.


2020 – 2021 Cancellation Fee Schedule

Fall Semester Charges

Date of CancellationCancellation Fee Withheld
On or before July 15, 2020$50 non-refundable application fee
July 16 through Check-in or August 23, 2020$50 non-refundable application fee plus $750
After Check-in or August 24 through September 7, 202025% of housing rate for fall semester
September 8 through October 5, 202050% of housing rate for fall semester
October 6 through December 31, 2020100% of housing rate for fall semester

Spring Semester Charges

Date of CancellationCancellation Fee Withheld
On or before January 1, 2021No spring rate forfeiture
January 2 through January 31, 202110% of housing rate for spring semester
February 1 through February 15, 202125% of housing rate for spring semester
February 16 through March 15, 202150% of housing rate for spring semester
March 16 through May 15, 2021100% of housing rate for spring semester

Calendar

Housing dates may be adjusted in accordance with changes in the official University calendar. We will continue to update this section with more specificity as dates are finalized.

Fall 2020

DateDescription
Aug18 (Tu) - 23 (Sun)Move-in, by appointment only, for all communities.
Aug 24(M)Fall semester classes begin.
Sept 7 (M)Classes in session – Labor Day observed – University offices open
Sept 8 (Tu)Last day to change dining plan or cancel optional dining plan for fall semester
Nov 11 (W)Classes in session – Veteran's Day observed – University offices open
Nov 24 (Tu)Fall Dining service ends with dinner. Unused Meals and Dining Dollars roll over for use during the spring semester.
Nov 25 (W)Noon. All Housing facilities shift to limited operations. Only students with extenuating circumstances allowed to stay in housing.
Nov 26 (Th) - 27 (F)Thanksgiving Break, University closed
Dec 7 (M) - 11 (F)Finals
Dec 12 (S)Noon. Residence halls and scholarships halls close for fall semester. Winter Break housing opens. To stay, sign-up will be required. Residents may be re-assigned to other buildings. Additional charges may apply.

Spring 2021

DateDescription
Jan 25 (M)Move in for apartments begins by appointment only.
Jan 29 (F) - 31 (Sun)Residence and scholarship hall residents return by appointment only.
Feb 1 (M)Spring semester classes begin
Feb 12 (Fr)Spring 2021 deadline to decrease / cancel deadline for optional dining plans.
May 7 (F)Stop Day
May 14 (F)Dining plans end and funds/meals expire. If you sign up for a Fall 2021 KU Dining plan, a maximum of $200 of your remaining balance will roll over to your Fall 2021 plan the first business day after the deadline to cancel, September 3, 2021. 425 plans do not expire.
May 15 (Sa)Residence Halls and Scholarship halls close at noon
May 16 (Su)Commencement (projected)
May 17 (M)Apartments close at 5 pm

 

When there are unusual issues connected with final examination schedules, graduation, or other compelling circumstances, contact the Complex Director to discuss the possibility of a modified check-out arrangement.

Residents of the residence halls and scholarship halls who will be on campus during winter break may arrange housing at additional cost. Information will be available prior to break regarding cost and building details.