REQUESTING OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING EXCEPTION
The total social and educational program at Southern is based on the premise that this is a residential university, not a commuter institution. The campus provides two residence halls: Thatcher Hall for women and Talge Hall for men. Another option for upper classmen is apartment living in Southern Village.
Single students under the age of 23 who are enrolled for six (6) or more semester
hours and do not live with their parents or legal guardians are required to live in
the residence halls. Exceptions may be made for students who have completed 94 credits.
*All students who wish to move off campus MUST fill out a housing exception application.
WHO MAY APPLY FOR AN EXCEPTION TO LIVE OFF CAMPUS?
- The three previous semesters should reveal no violations of the code of conduct and having met worship-attendance expectations.
- Not be on citizenship probation
- If an exception is made, it applies only to the current academic year.
- You will need to re-apply for each subsequent academic year.
- If approved to live off campus, you are expected to abide by the standards and codes of conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook.
- A petition will not be processed until all documentation has been submitted.
- All documentation requests and materials must be received by noon on the Friday prior to the date the committee will be meeting (see below dates).
- Please wait at least 72 hours following the meeting for a decision. If for some reason you have not received an email after 72 hours, please contact us.
Filling out an application is a petition on your part to move off campus but not a guarantee that you will be approved. Until you have heard from the committee, please plan to remain in the residence halls and do not sign any leases.
DEFINITIONS AND CONDITIONS:
- Application for living in the community must be made at the beginning of each academic year or semester (where applicable).
- A "parent" is a student's biological parent or legal step-parent. A "grandparent" is a biological parent of a student's parent. An "aunt" or "uncle" is a biological sister or brother of a student's parent. While Southern understands the custom of addressing a close family friend as "aunt, uncle, etc.,” the University, as it relates to the residential living Policy, only honors biological family relationships.
- To be eligible for community housing, students must be a minimum of 21 years and senior or 22 and junior status, be in good and regular standing, and evidence a willingness to abide by the code of conduct of Southern. This includes being current on worship credits for the last 3 semesters.
- Under the terms of the application, the parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling age 23+ must agree to live on a daily basis in the same household as the student, who has achieved JR (55 credits) status. Students must not live in a separate apartment or basement apartment with a different entrance and must notify Student Housing of any changes of address, conduct concerns, irregularities or any concern that impacts the welfare of the student.
- A parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling age 23+ who owns or rents more than one residence may not divide their time between residences during the school year.
- Students are strongly advised not to make contractual agreements or financial commitments in the community before receiving full approval from the Housing Exceptions Committee (HEC). The HEC does not recognize a signed lease as a reason for granting an exception and the student may be asked to move back on campus and may be subject to further sanctions.
- Students who make false statements on an application jeopardize their student status and ability to reside in the community—additional consequences may apply.
- Students who wish to request alternate housing arrangement due to a disability or to a chronic health condition should contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 423.236.2574. Southern Adventist University will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodations within the on-campus housing facilities for students with documented disabilities or chronic health conditions.
MOVING OFF CAMPUS
- Parental agreement must be submitted directly to us from the parents along with a phone number and email address where they may be reached. The agreement must include specifics regarding the residence requested and reasons an exception to the policy is being requested. It can be emailed to studentdevelopment@southern.edu
- Invitation from the person(s) you are wanting to live with. Must include the address, names of all who reside there, amount of rent for which you will personally be responsible, and what all utilities that includes.
RETURNING TO PARENTS' PERMANENT RESIDENCE
- Parents must submit a letter stating that you are moving back home with them full-time, along with a copy of both parents local Tennessee or Georgia drivers license that shows the current address (which needs to match the address you are applying to move to) along with a signed letter of intent. Address may not be farther than 30 miles from the university. Southern considers a primary address the address at which the parents and entire family live full-time. A parents second home, additional rental property, or temporary local address is not considered a primary residence.
HOUSING EXCEPTION APPLICATION
DATES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND DEADLINES
- June 18th (paperwork deadline, noon, June 14th) Fall '24
- July 23rd (paperwork deadline, noon, July 19th) Fall '24
- August 13th (paperwork deadline, noon, August 9th) Fall '24 - This is the final meeting for Fall '24
Dates for Winter '25
- December 10th (paperwork deadline, noon, December 6th) Winter '25
- January 7th (paperwork deadeline, noon, January 3rd) Winter '25