Off Campus

 
Frequently Asked Questions about Off-Campus Releases

Who is required to live on campus?
What if I don't meet this criteria but I still want to live off-campus?
How does housing selection work for choosing an off-campus spot?
How likely is it that I'll be able to live off-campus?
How many off campus spots will be available for the 2013-2014 academic year?
What else should I know if I want to live off-campus?
Is there anything I should know if I do get an off-campus spot?
What if I don't get an off-campus spot through housing selection?

Who is required to live on campus?

Like many private liberal arts colleges, Roanoke is a residential college. Roanoke students are required to live on campus during their full four-years as a student unless they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• have lived in the Roanoke Valley area (within 30 miles of campus) for at least six months preceding the date of first enrollment and continue to reside with their parent(s) or guardian(s);
• are married;
• live with grandparents, or siblings who live in the Roanoke Valley area;
• are 23 years old (before the beginning of the term they desire to live off campus);
• are military veterans;
• are enrolled part-time (students who claim off campus status due to part-time enrollment and who return to full-time status during the current or a subsequent semester, will be charged the current room and board rate);
• have received and accepted prior approval by the Residence Life and Housing staff and currently live off-campus.

What if I don't meet this criteria but I still want to live off-campus?

We are able to grant off campus release to a limited number of students who do not meet the above criteria. Students who are interested in seeking off campus release for 2013-2014, unless they meet at least one of the above criteria, must participate in the housing selection process which begins on March 18, 2013. Because a minimal number of students will receive off campus release for 2013-2014, it is likely that only those students classified as rising seniors will be assigned a time slot to participate.

How does housing selection work for choosing an off-campus spot?

Choosing an off-campus spot is actually just like choosing an on-campus spot! We create a "hall" called "Off-campus" and each available spot is numbered. When you sign in for housing selection in your assigned time slot, you select one of those numbered off-campus spots as if it was a room. When the spots fill up, students who have not yet selected housing will only be able select on-campus spaces.

How likely is it that I'll be able to live off-campus?

The Office of Residence Life and Housing cannot guarantee off-campus spots or predict how many spots will be available versus how many students want to live off-campus. All students should prepare to live on campus. Students should not sign any leases for off-campus living before securing an off-campus spot through housing selection.

How many off campus spots will be available for the 2013-2014 academic year?

At this time, we do not have a definite number. The numbers are currently being calculated and will likely be available later in February. The Office of Residence Life and Housing does NOT control the number of open spaces, nor does it make decisions about appeals for off-campus release.

What else should I know if I want to live off-campus?

There are a number of factors that may impact your decision to seek off-campus housing. Please note:

• Roanoke Valley residents (those whose homes are within a 30 mile radius of campus) are not required to participate in this process to be granted off campus release if they plan to reside with their parent(s) or guardian(s);
• Students who change their residency status from on campus to off campus, for any reason, may experience changes in their financial aid package. Before seeking off campus release, they should first contact the Financial Aid Office at 540-375-2235 to determine how their financial aid might be affected;
• Students who have received and accepted off campus offers in the past and have since moved back on campus are not eligible for off campus release unless they again receive release by participating in the housing selection process;
• Students who are currently on disciplinary probation or in the first semester of substance abuse probation may not participate in the off campus selection process unless an exception is made.

Is there anything I should know if I do get an off-campus spot?

Students who receive off campus release during the process:

• will have $300 of their $800 deposit credited towards their tuition;
• may select from whatever rooms remain available until the housing selection process closes on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 should they decide to return to on campus living.

What if I don't get an off-campus spot through housing selection?

Students who do not receive off campus release during the process can:

• submit a waiting list request for off campus release in the event the need arises for more students to live off campus at a later date. The waiting list for fall 2013 opens Monday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m. Requests entered prior to this date and time will not be honored. It is important to note that submitting a waiting list request for off-campus housing does not guarantee a spot.
• submit an appeal for off campus release.   

How does the appeal process work?

• For non-medical reasons, the first step is to download the paperwork, which you can access here.
• Make sure to submit your paperwork by Wednesday, March 27th at noon in the Office of Residence Life and Housing. Late appeals will not be considered.
• A committee will meet and make decisions about off-campus release for each appeal submitted. The committee is composed of various staff members of the Roanoke College community. The Office of Residence Life and Housing does NOT have any influence on the decisions of the committee.
• Students who have submitted an appeal will be notified within two business days of the decision.