Rule 3359-60-04.5 | On-campus residential requirement.
(A) Purpose.
The university of Akron seeks to provide a learning environment supportive of its academic mission and complimentary to its academic programs. The university acknowledges national studies that find students uniquely benefit from a residence hall experience. Social integration, access to faculty, staff, and institutional resources are better achieved through an on-campus experience, which positively influences academic persistence and success. Further, the university considered and accepted findings that living on campus facilitates integration into the campus social network of peers and extracurricular activities, all of which positively affects degree completion.
(B) On-campus residential requirement.
All undergraduate students taking a total of nine credit hours or more, with any credit hours occurring on the university of Akron main campus, must live in university residence halls unless: they live in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark or Wayne county with a parent, legal guardian, or close relative (as determined on the application for admission); or they are twenty-one years old or more by the first day of the semester; or they have attended college for at least two semesters (excluding summer sessions) at the university of Akron or any other college or university post high school; or they are otherwise exempted per paragraph (D) of this rule; or if residence hall space is unavailable.
(C) Rule compliance.
Students who are required to live in university residence halls must submit a housing application and contract in order to be assigned to residence in university housing. Except for those entitled to an exemption as provided in this rule. Housing applications and contracts are for an entire academic year (both fall and spring semesters). Students admitted for a spring semester will submit a spring only application and contract for their first semester. Any student who fails to reside in university housing, as required by this rule, may be subject to assessment of residence hall fees for the semester(s) that the student fails to reside in university housing. The chief housing officer, upon finding that any such student is not in compliance with this rule, will assess residence hall fees to student bills accordingly.
(D) Exemption from the on-campus residential requirement.
Students may make a request for exemption from this rule for any of the categories listed in this paragraph. The student must submit their request for exemption using the provided form on the university admissions portal.
(1) Active-duty military experience (one plus years: DD-214 discharge documentation required);
(2) Marriage (submit copy of the marriage certificate);
(3) Student is a single parent with custodial care responsibilities (submit copy of the most recent tax return showing the child is claimed as a dependent or a copy of the medical eligibility card for student and dependent child);
(4) Student lives with a parent, legal guardian, or close relative (as determined on the application for admission) outside of Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties but such residence is twenty-five miles or fewer from main campus ("302 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron, OH 44325").
(5) The address for which the student lives with their parent, legal guardian, or close relative has changed since the time of admission and now falls within the exemption region of this rule (submit proof of residence of the parent, legal guardian, or close relative).
(6) Medical condition, disability, or special dietary needs (student must register with the office of accessibility and exemption from this rule through that office requires a written statement from student's non-university attending physician/licensed mental health practitioner which outlines the reason why living in a residence hall is detrimental to the student's health or well being);
(7) Other extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to, cultural or religious needs or accommodations, undue hardship, or any other such circumstance or circumstances in support of an exemption, which, if not granted, would undermine or contravene the purpose of the on campus residential requirement.
(E) Appeal procedure.
Any student who disagrees with a decision about eligibility for exemption from this requirement, assessment of any charges or fees for violating this policy, or any other decision made under this policy may appeal such decision. The student must first contact the chief housing officer, or designee, and request clarification or reconsideration of the decision. Should the student continue to disagree with such decision, the student may thereafter appeal, in turn, to the chief student affairs officer, and, lastly, the vice-president of student affairs.
(F) Availability of housing.
This policy is subject to the availability of university housing, as determined by the university. Accordingly, the university reserves the right, at any time without any requirement for prior notice, to suspend or cancel applicability of this policy to any or all students under such terms as the university deems reasonable and necessary.
Last updated January 15, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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