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Introduction and Residence Policy

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INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENCE LIFE POLICIES

All of the policies and regulations provided in the Student Handbook outline the standards and behaviors expected of all Hilbert College students. This section includes additional standards and policies that apply to students living in on-campus housing.  

The policies described within this section are not meant to serve as a comprehensive list and are subject to review and modification by the Office of Residence Life or the Dean of Students, as deemed necessary for the safety and security of the community.  

Please note: Throughout this section, the terms residence halls, apartments, and housing may be used interchangeably, and all refer to any and all on-campus housing, including St. Joseph Hall, Trinity Hall, St. Agnes House, Rufino House, Sr. Katharine House, and Leo House.  Additionally, the terms resident and resident student refer to a Hilbert student assigned to on-campus housing.   

For more information regarding residential living, please refer to the Residence Life webpage.

RESIDENCE POLICY

All undergraduate students are required to live on campus during their first three years, equivalent to six semesters, of attendance. Hilbert College’s residency requirement is derived from national statistics that demonstrate students who live on campus in residence halls benefit in a multitude of ways, including: 

  • Positive interactions with other students who share similar and different interests; 

  • Engagement with other students through study groups and academic support resources and networks; 

  • Development of friendships easily and quickly; 

  • Participation in on-campus social and student programming opportunities; 

  • Increased interaction with faculty and residential staff; and 

  • Greater satisfaction with the overall Hilbert experience.  

A student may request an exemption from the Residency Requirement if they meet one of the following: 

  • Student lives full-time with a parent, legal guardian, or College-approved family member at the primary residence of the parent, legal guardian, or College-approved family member within 35.0 driving miles of Hilbert College.  A College-approved family member is defined as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister or cousin.  Approved family member must be at least 25 years old. 

  • Student is an incoming transfer student with at least 60 college credit hours and is at least 21 years of age. 

  • Student is at least 21 years of age before the start of the semester. 

  • Student is married and provides proof of marriage certificate. 

  • Student is a veteran and provides proof of military service. 

  • Student has dependent children. 

  • Student is an international student living with a verified host family. 

  • Student is financially independent as determined by the student’s FAFSA application. 

  • Student has a medical, religious, or well-being housing need that cannot be reasonably accommodated by Hilbert College. 

  • Student has a well-documented, extenuating circumstance not covered in any of the above exemptions. 

The Dean of Students or their designee will review all requests for exemption from the Residence Policy.  Returning students interested in submitting a request for exemption must do so by April 1st for the upcoming Fall semester.  New students must submit their request for exemption at least 30 days before Hilbert College’s official move-in date. Students submitting a request for exemption are encouraged to meet with the Office of Financial Aid to understand how living off-campus could impact any financial aid or scholarships awarded.    

Students must comply with Hilbert College’s Residence Policy unless a request for exemption has been approved. Alternative arrangements for housing, including a lease commitment, will not be considered sufficient reason for approval of the exemption request. If a student’s request for exemption is denied and the student fails to complete a housing form, the Office of Residence Life will assign the student to on-campus housing, and the appropriate charges will be added to the student’s bill. 

Students aged 23 and over at the start of the academic year who choose to live on campus may reside only in on-campus apartment housing on a space-available basis.  Graduate students may request on-campus housing and these requests will be considered after all undergraduate students are placed.   

Students dismissed from on-campus housing for disciplinary reasons and students on probation or parole for misdemeanor or felony offenses are not eligible to live in on-campus housing. Students are required to notify the Office of Residence Life within 48 hours of a change in circumstances that would affect their eligibility to live on campus. Students who fail to notify the Office of Residence Life within the stated timeline will be subject to Hilbert College disciplinary action.