Resident Student Handbook
University Housing Policies & Procedures

Personal property which is left by a resident at the end of their contract period or when the resident vacates an assigned space will be deemed abandoned. The abandoned property will be photographed for inventory and packed up by Campus Facilities staff in the presence of a Housing staff member. The property will be temporarily stored. An email informing the former resident that they have thirty (30) days to claim the property will be sent to the former resident’s SVSU and personal email address on file with the university. Personal property not retrieved by the end of the thirty (30) day period identified in the email will be disposed of by the university or donated to a local charity. The university has no liability for the loss or damage to abandoned personal property. All inquiries regarding abandoned property should be directed to the Office of Housing Operations.

Cancellations or Deferrals by Resident. The Resident will not be released from the Contract to move to off-campus housing or to commute during the contract period. The University will release a Resident from the Contract or defer the terms of this Contract to winter semester without any cancellation fee upon advance written notice if the Resident:

1) Graduates during the contract period.

2) Participates in an SVSU study abroad program during the contract period.

3) Participates in any SVSU-sponsored clinical, student teaching or other similar internship program outside the Great Lakes Bay Region during the contract period.

4) Reports for military duty before or during this contract period.

The university will release a resident from the contract, subject to the below fees if the resident:

1) Is academically dismissed from the University ($100 fee);

2) Written notice of non-enrollment received prior to the official University payment due date for the fall or winter semester ($100 fee).

3) Notifies Housing Operations, in writing, of the intent to cancel by May 1st of this contract period for any reason ($200 fee); or

4) Completely withdraws from classes after the official payment due date for the fall or winter semester (pro-rated housing and meal plan amount for any actual days in residence and a $200 fee).

This Contract will not be canceled or deferred due to any change in class content delivery format, such as online. The University at its discretion will consider contract cancellations or deferrals outside the above criteria. Requests of this nature must be submitted in writing to Housing Operations and include supporting documentation. Requests that are approved will be charged a pro-rated housing and meal plan amount for any days in residence and are subject to additional cancellation fees. The Contract will be reinstated by the University for any resident who is released due to withdrawal from the University and subsequently re-enrolls during the contract period.

Residents are expected to vacate their rooms by the day, time and procedures posted at the end of each semester. Rooms are to be left clean and in the same general condition as they were at the beginning of occupancy. If lofts were used, residents must disassemble loft and return bed to original configuration before vacating. Residents with late final exams or special circumstances that prevent leaving by the date and time specified must request a late check-out via the housing portal. Any departure must involve proper checkout procedures.

Late Check-out: Residents may request a late check-out in housing portal via the Late Check-Out Request Form by the deadline communicated by Housing Operations. Requests approved may incur a per night charge through the date of check-out.

Students must review the Housing Contract terms prior to signing. This commitment, like any other contract, is legally binding. By signing the contract, students agree to abide by all of the contract terms and to comply with the policies and procedures published in the Resident Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. The contract is for the entire academic year (fall and winter semesters). Students should not sign the contract until they are certain they have access to sufficient financial resources to cover the entire contract amount. It is the responsibility of the student to understand the terms of the contract before signing it. Housing Operations will do its best to help students understand the contract terms. Students are encouraged to discuss the contract with a parent or guardian. Once the contract is signed, it is expected that the student will honor the terms of the contract.

The university, at its option, may terminate its contract and take possession of housing unit promptly without notice to quit (i) upon any failure of resident to timely pay any charges required under this contract; (ii) upon any failure of resident to comply with any of the terms of this contract; (iii) for health reasons; or (iv) when a resident is no longer enrolled in at least six semester hours at the university. The resident will remain responsible for all damage caused to the university as a result of the resident’s breach. If removed from University Housing due to disciplinary action, the student will remain liable for payment of their housing contract through the entire contract term. Non-payment of charges under this contract will result in the administrative dis enrollment of a student resident from classes at the university. If legal action is required to remove resident from the unit, the university shall be entitled to collect its costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in removing the resident.

In those instances when a resident is no longer enrolled in class they will be officially released (in writing) from the Housing Contract. Students may receive a refund minus charges for pro-rated residency, meal plans, and a cancellation fee. 

Residents who are officially released from their contract, but will still be attending classes may be charged 100% of the remainder of the contracted amount for the academic year.

Removal from housing for disciplinary reasons will result in the student remaining obligated for 100% of the contracted amount for the academic year.

No refunds are made to residents checking out of university housing during the final two weeks of the semester.

The university assumes no liability for claims of loss, injury or damage to people or property incidental to the occupancy or use of university Housing. Each resident accepts full responsibility for the safety and security of their own personal property. Renter’s insurance is strongly encouraged.

Students may occupy their rooms according to the schedule published by Housing Operations. No student will be allowed to occupy a room in advance of the official opening of housing facilities or other published periods with the exception of university-sponsored programs. All university housing facilities will remain open during Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Spring break. However, Dining Services may be limited or unavailable. The First Year Suites, Living Centers, and MJ Brandimore House will be closed during the semester break between fall and winter. Residents who must remain in the area should make other arrangements for housing during that period between semesters. Residents returning to the same room after a semester break may leave personal belongings in the suite, however we encourage them to take valuables with them. The university is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged property. Limited guest housing space may be available during the semester break at contracted rates. Any individual or resident who improperly occupies a room (i.e. does not check-in, has not been assigned to that room, has not signed a Housing Contract, etc.) will be considered a trespasser under the laws of the State of Michigan and will be subject to arrest.

Renter’s Insurance is strongly encouraged. The university assumes no liability for claim or loss, injury or damage to people or property incidental to the occupancy or use of University Housing.

SVSU's University Police provides Operation ID, a service allowing residents to register their valuables including make, model, serial numbers on technology, jewelry and other items that can assist in the identification and return of recovered property.  

Within the first seven days of occupancy, residents are required to inventory their suite, apartment and/or room on the provided Room Condition Report [2024 RCR (73KB)]. The resident agrees to notify the university within seven days of the commencement of the contract if the resident discovers any defect or damage to the unit, its furnishings, and appliances.

Residents should follow up with any maintenance issues by submitting a work order. Room Condition Reports will not serve as a maintenance request. 

In accordance with the Housing Contract, the student resident agrees to allow the university, its agents and employees, access at all times to inspect the premises and for purposes of maintaining the health, safety and general welfare, including, but not limited to, repairs, general maintenance, delivery of university notifications and inventory. Inspections may occur during breaks or recesses in order to check for open windows, thermostat settings, cleanliness and other administrative concerns. The university also reserves the right to inspect a particular room or apartment when staff has reasonable cause to believe that established health, safety or university rules and regulations are being violated. Upon inspection of a student’s room or apartment, if the Housing Operations or Residential Life staff find any violations of federal, state, local or university rules and regulations, the occupants will be referred for disciplinary action.

Housing Operations reserves the absolute right to change room assignments or to require a student to move to a different room assignment. This includes assigning a second student to a double room in which only one student is living to bring it to normal capacity. The right is reserved to assign or reassign rooms in any way that will best utilize the facilities available. For this purpose or for other reasonable cause, Housing Operations may change room assignments or require a student to move to different accommodations. The university also reserves the right to assign students to overflow accommodations (triples), in the event that sufficient regular spaces are not available at the beginning of the semester. If a resident who has requested a double occupancy room does not have a roommate, he or she will be given a reasonable opportunity to find a roommate, move to another double occupancy room or pay for a single room. If a resident does not choose a course of action, Housing Operations will select the option that best suits the university.

Saginaw Valley State University strives to provide safe and comfortable living environments for all students. SVSU offers Gender Inclusive and Mixed Gender Housing. 

Gender Inclusive housing is for LGBTQ+ students and Allies. Students elect to live within Gender Inclusive housing via the housing contract process.

Mixed Gender housing allows for students of any gender to live together in a university housing environment. Students can opt into this via the housing contract process.

Students who withdraw from the university must contact Housing Operations immediately and in-person to terminate the housing contract. Notification is the responsibility of the student, other university departments will not notify Housing Operations of a student’s change in status. Appropriate withdrawal also includes adhering to check-out procedures with a Residential Life staff member, cleaning the bedroom/unit, removing belongings and returning the key. Failure to properly check-out will result in a minimum $100 Improper Check-out fee and a $50 Lost Key fee. 

Damages: Residents are provided with room condition forms to document room and furnishing conditions at move-in. Room condition forms should be submitted within seven days of occupancy to any unit. [2024 RCR (73KB)] Residents are liable for missing items or actual damage to the unit or any ancillary facility (hallways, stairwells, lobbies, study lounges, laundry rooms, etc.), including furniture, appliances, equipment and for maintaining the unit in a safe and sanitary manner. In the event of such damage, the university will hold all residents of a unit jointly liable for damage charges, and resident(s) will be billed accordingly. Please report any damages immediately so that responsibility can be determined while occupants are still residing. The list of damage fines are below:

Bathroom Ceiling ($50) 

Bathroom Countertop/sink ($125+) 

Bathroom Door Damage ($75) 

Bathroom Door Replacement & Labor ($400+)

Bathroom Floor ($200) 

Bathroom Shower Head ($25) 

Bathroom Toilet ($75) 

Bathroom Towel Rack ($25) 

Bathroom Wall Damage ($50) 

Bedroom Blinds ($35) 

Bedroom Carpet Stain/Damage ($100+) 

Bedroom Chair ($150) 

Bedroom Closet Door Damage ($75) 

Bedroom Closet Door Replacement ($100) 

Bedroom Desk ($75) 

Bedroom Door Damage ($75) 

Bedroom Door Replacement & Labor ($400+) 

Bedroom Drawer ($75) 

Bedroom Lamp ($50) 

Bedroom Light Globe ($75) 

Bedroom Mattress Damage ($150) 

Bedroom Smoke Detector ($100) 

Bedroom Wall ($50) 

Bedroom Window Screen ($60) 

Bedroom Window Sill ($100)  

Carbon Monoxide Detector ($50) 

Door Adhesive ($40) 

Door Frame Damage ($150) 

Door Repaint ($60) 

Exterior Grease Stain ($75) 

Fire Extinguisher Missing ($100) 

Furnace Door & Labor ($1000+) 

Improper Checkout ($100) 

Kitchen Bulletin Board ($50) 

Kitchen Counter/Sink  ($125) 

Kitchen Dining Chair  ($150) 

Kitchen Dining Table  ($250) 

Kitchen Drawer ($60) 

Kitchen Floor ($150+) 

Kitchen Microwave ($50) 

Kitchen Refrigerator Dents ($100) 

Kitchen Refrigerator ($500) 

Kitchen Stove ($500) 

Living Room Carpet ($100+) 

Living Room Chair ($400) 

Living Room Coffee Table ($200) 

Living Room End Table ($75) 

Living Room Entertainment Center ($150) 

Living Room Lamp ($100) 

Living Room Sliding Door Blinds ($100)

Living Room Sliding Door Screen ($100) 

Living Room Sofa ($800) 

Lost Key ($50) 

General Cleaning ($100+)

Patio ($100) 

Public Area Damage ($50+) 

Thermostat ($150) 

Wall Adhesive Removal ($40+) 

Wall Repaint ($50/wall)

Wall Vent Damage ($50) 

Every attempt is made to determine parties responsible for any and all damages that occur. In the instance where responsibility cannot be determined, the charge, including labor, will be distributed among all residents of the facility.

University property, other than furnishings assigned to the licensed premises, is not allowed in student rooms. Such items will be removed and a charge will be levied to the occupants.

Early arrival requests can be submitted in the Housing Portal via the Early Arrival Request Form which is made available in July for Fall semester and November for Winter semester.

Requests approved may incur a per night charge on the date of check-in through the first billing date of the semester.

Residents are encouraged to have all immunizations up to date upon move-in. Meningitis vaccinations are also strongly recommended.

Residents shall be responsible for maintaining such renter's and liability insurance as the Resident chooses. The university shall have no responsibility for the personal possessions of the resident. 

Students with completed housing contracts are eligible to select roommates in the Housing Portal, much like a friend request on social media - it has to be mutual!

Room Selection is first-come, first-serve and timeslots are unique to each student, based on their contract submission timestamp. Students can find their unique timeslot on the main page of the housing portal. On the assigned date/time, students can log in to the housing portal and select their future home on campus! 

By signing the Housing Contract, students agree to make payment(s) according to the payment schedule. If students plan to utilize scholarships, student loans or any other student financial aid, they must submit the appropriate materials to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in a timely manner to ensure adequate time to complete any required review processes and their ability to meet payment deadlines. Failure to meet payment deadlines will result in the student's removal from registered classes and university housing. Students are not released from their Housing Contract if they re-enroll during the contract period.