Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 500 Student Success > 5.9.1 Mandatory Freshman and Sophomore Housing

5.9.1 Mandatory Freshman and Sophomore Housing

A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for use in implementing the freshman and sophomore residency requirement at The University of Texas at Tyler and to establish exemption criteria to be used in exemption requests.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to freshmen and sophomore students as defined under this policy.

C. Definitions

Freshmen. All undergraduate students who have earned fewer than 30 semester credit hours (excluding credit hours accumulated through Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment), who are enrolled for nine or more semester credit hours during the fall and/or spring semesters.

Sophomore. All undergraduate students who have earned fewer than 60 semester credit hours (excluding credit hours accumulated through Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment), who are enrolled for nine or more semester credit hours during the fall and/or spring semesters.

D. Policy and Procedures

Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus if facilities are available.

Students who are required to live on campus may reside in University Pines, Patriot Village, Ornelas Hall, Liberty Landing, or Victory Village. These are the only facilities that satisfy the residency requirement.

Exceptions may be made for students who meet the approved waiver requirement(s). A waiver request form may be obtained from the Department of Residence Life.
A waiver will be granted for the following reasons:

• Students who live within 50 miles of Tyler with a parent or legal guardian
• Students who are married
• Students who are 21 or over or will be before the 12th class day
• Students with a medical disability that cannot be accommodated on campus
• Students with custody of a child and who can provide the Housing Department with an original birth certificate of the child or custody documentation
• Students who are enrolled for eight or fewer semester credit hours during the fall and/or spring semesters

Students who meet one of the exemptions listed above and who wish to live off campus must submit a request for a waiver to the policy in writing to the Residence Life office. The Residence Life office must approve the waiver, even if it is a waiver for which the student automatically qualifies.

E. Responsibilities

The Senior Vice President for Student Success is over this policy.

F. Review

This policy shall be reviewed every five years or sooner if necessary by the following stakeholders:

Director of Residence Life

Student Government Association President

AVP for Enrollment Management

Senior Vice President for Student Success