Merrimack College
Office of Residence Life
2020-2021 Residency Agreement
This document (the “Agreement” or “Residency Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions under which a student (“Student”) may occupy space in Merrimack College (the “College”) operated residential buildings (townhouses, residence halls, apartments, leased spaces). The College hereby grants permission to occupy space during a specified time (the “residency period”) as assigned in a College residence commencing in accordance with the opening and closing of the residential buildings as described in the Residency Period section below. The Residency Period for each semester does not include any break periods, during which all residence areas are closed.
Residency Period
The Residency Period commences with the opening of the residential buildings, and concludes with their closure. The Residency Period excludes break periods during which the College is closed. Such break periods will be published on the College’s website in the Academic/Administrative Calendar. Move-in for the Fall 2020 semester is scheduled to take place beginning on Saturday, August 15, 2020 and continue through Friday, August 21, 2020. Students will be scheduled to move on to campus in waves each day. You will be notified as to which date will be your move in date no later than the last week of July. Residential buildings close for the winter recess on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The College has not yet made a determination as to when residential buildings will reopen for the Spring semester or when residential buildings will close for the summer recess. The College will communicate these dates to students late in the fall semester.
The College reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to adjust the Residency Period in the event of a health or safety emergency in order to preserve the health and safety of residents and the entire College community. Please note that there are no refunds for tuition or any fees (comprehensive fee, COVID-19 mitigation fee) nor a refund on room and board in the event that Merrimack College determines, at its sole discretion, that it must shut down and transition to remote learning.
Eligibility
Only full-time enrolled, undergraduate and graduate students of Merrimack College are eligible for housing. For an undergraduate student, full-time enrollment is defined as enrollment in twelve (12) credit hours or more per semester or as reasonably determined by the College. For a graduate student, full-time enrollment is defined as enrollment in eight (8) credit hours more per semester or as reasonably determined by the College. In addition, students must be registered for twelve (12) credits or more for the 2020 fall semester prior to the closure of the residential buildings at the conclusion of the 2020 spring semester in order to maintain their assignment. Similarly, students must be registered for twelve (12) credits or more for the 2021 spring semester prior to the closure of the residential buildings at the conclusion of the 2020 fall semester in order to maintain their assignment. Students not attending classes may, at the sole discretion of the College, forfeit their assignment.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all full-time students, all health science majors and all international students, regardless of credit load, receive immunizations for the following:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Meningococcal Meningitis (within the past 5 years)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) OR History of disease documented by Health Professional OR Positive Varicella Titer (Serology)
In order to be eligible for housing, students must submit records from licensed healthcare providers indicating completion of the above to the Hamel Health Center. Submission of these records must occur prior to arrival on campus for move-in. Should a student fail to provide these immunization records, Merrimack reserves the right to remove the student from housing until said records are provided.
All students are required to submit to COVID-19 symptom checking and/or COVID-19 testing, as determined by the College. Should a student fail to submit to COVID-19 symptom checking and/or COVID-19 testing, Merrimack reserves the right to remove the student from housing. Students are directed to the Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook for more information on COVID-19 testing.
Students will be strongly encouraged to get the seasonal influenza vaccination once it becomes available in the Fall. Should a student fail to provide a record of receipt of the seasonal influenza vaccination, Merrimack reserves the right to remove the student from housing until said records are provided.
All residential students will be required to create a Personal Departure Plan Guidelines.pdf for leaving campus if:
- You test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 and need to isolate or self-quarantine; or
- The campus closes or modifies its residential housing status due to an outbreak of COVID-19, or pursuant to local, state or federal guidance.
The following guidelines have been drafted by the College to assist students in drafting their Personal Departure Plans.
Students must create and provide the College with a copy of their Personal Departure Plan in order to receive their move in date and time. Students can fill out and submit their Personal Departure Plan on MyMack. Students who fail to provide the College with a copy of their Personal Departure Plan will not be eligible for housing.
Terms of Agreement
This Agreement shall be effective during the 2020-2021 academic year, excluding all established College break periods. Students are not permitted to return to campus before the scheduled dates as outlined in the Residency Period section of this Agreement. This Agreement does not include room and board any time during which the residential buildings shall be closed and no contract food service shall be available. Such times include, but are not limited to, the semester break and official College holidays. College holiday periods are subject to change upon reasonable notice by the College. An additional fee may be charged for time not included in this Agreement during which a student is granted permission by the Office of Residence Life to remain in their assigned space. Such permission is only granted through prior, written communication with the Director of Residence Life or their designee.
The Merrimack College Residency Agreement is a legally binding agreement and is in effect for the full period of time as described in this agreement. However the Merrimack College Office of Residence Life recognizes that students may experience unforeseen or extenuating circumstances that are beyond their control, which may affect their ability to honor the Agreement terms and conditions. Students who are unable to honor the Agreement terms and conditions may complete a Petition for Release from this Residency Agreement which will be reviewed by a committee of representatives appointed by the College. Students released from the Agreement will forfeit their housing deposit, be subject to a $500.00 early termination fee and any refund will follow the schedule of refund policy noted below. Please note that there are no refunds for tuition or any fees (comprehensive fee, COVID-19 mitigation fee) nor a refund on room and board in the event that Merrimack College determines, at its sole discretion, that it must shut down and transition to remote learning.
Assignment of Housing Space
This Agreement does not guarantee specific residential buildings, rooms, or roommates. Furthermore, the College reserves the right to assign, re-assign, and consolidate residents to other rooms in the best interest of the residence community or to make effective and efficient use of available space. The College may also cancel this Agreement at any time in response to students found in violation of the College’s Community Standards or if a student poses danger to themselves or others as determined by the Dean of Students or his/her designee. Students are not permitted to change rooms without prior written authorization from the Office of Residence Life. Unauthorized room changes are subject to disciplinary action.
The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to assign any student to any vacancy in a residential building or other suitable facility designated by the College as a residential building. The Office of Residence Life does not seek approval from residents when placing students into vacancies. Residents may not deliberately discourage a fellow student who is attempting to occupy a legitimate vacancy. Resident students with vacancies in their rooms are responsible for ensuring that the room is move-in ready, in anticipation of the assignment of a new student to the space. Specifically, the room must be orderly, safe, and sanitary; and all College-provided furniture must be accessible and clear of personal property.
Room change requests will only be granted by the Office of Residence Life in limited situations.
Subleases
Students may not assign or transfer to anyone, including but not limited to other students, this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations. They may not rent or otherwise sublet their space or otherwise transfer their agreement, or make any arrangement for someone to take over payment of fees or move into the space assigned to them, either on a temporary or permanent basis, without the prior written permission of the Office of Residence Life. A student who violates this policy may lose all future opportunities to apply for housing and be liable for all costs incurred by the College including any expenses related to the removal of any third party. Students residing in College operated residential buildings without the written permission of the College are trespassing and will be removed immediately.
Payment of Fees
Room and Board charges must be paid in accordance with the fee payment schedule established by the College. This includes the housing deposit that is payable each spring semester for the following academic year. Please keep in mind, for returning students, your deposit will not be reflected on your billing statement until the 2021 spring semester.
Schedule of Refunds
Students released from this Agreement may be entitled to a refund of housing monies paid. Students released should refer to the Bursar's Office to determine if they are entitled to any refunds.
Refund Policy
Fall and Spring Courses*
Within the first 15 days of the term (through 9/7/20) Full refund
After the 15th day of the term No refund
* Winter and summer session courses are provided through Professional Studies.
Please note that there are no refunds for tuition or any fees (comprehensive fee, COVID-19 mitigation fee) nor a refund on room and board in the event that Merrimack College determines, at its sole discretion, that it must shut down and transition to remote learning.
By registering for classes and signing this Agreement, students acknowledge and agree that Merrimack College reserves the right to modify all aspects of its programming (educational, both in-person and remote; extracurricular; and any other programs currently available, or created over the course of the 2020-2021 academic year) at its sole discretion, and in response to orders of civil authority or as a result of COVID-19 or other causes outside of its control. Further, students acknowledge that in the event of any changes the College deems necessary, tuition and fees and room and board are set for the year and will not be adjusted or refunded.
Students are also directed to the Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook for more information.
Condition of Room
Each student is responsible for the care and the use of their assigned space. The resident must observe all rules and regulations contained in the Merrimack College Student Handbook and any other published rules, policies or procedures promulgated by the College, which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Any requests for repairs and maintenance due to normal wear and tear should be directed to the College, with the costs of such repairs being the responsibility of the College. Cost for damages which are determined by the Director of Residence Life or their designee to have been committed intentionally, or otherwise not normal wear and tear, will be the responsibility of the student(s) living in the space. Students may not perform repair work on College property.
Guests and Visitors in Residence Halls
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to limit contact between people, particularly in residence halls. Therefore, the following protocols will be in place and strictly enforced until further notice
- No overnight guests are permitted in residence halls.
- Guests are limited to only immediate family members/guardians and must remain outside. Guests are not permitted inside any buildings.
- Guest registration must be completed for family members/guardians to come to campus 72 hours in advance through our guest registration online form. No on-site registration will be allowed.
- If guests from the same residence hall but of a different room or floor would like to visit an individual in their room, the consent of the individual’s roommate must be given. This will be strongly encouraged and enforced by Resident Advisors.
- Guests will also have to follow Campus Policies and Procedures, complete the COVID-19 Return to Campus Checklist, and sign a waiver of liability and assumption of risk upon entering campus.
- Non-residential students will not be permitted in residence halls. This includes but is not limited to commuter students and graduate students.
- Residential students are permitted only in their assigned buildings. Residential students may not visit their friends inside other residences.
Room Personalization
The following policies apply to residential students in the personalization of their rooms:
- Students are not authorized to paint (including washable paint), renovate, modify their rooms in any way, or attempt to make their own repairs to damages made in their room.
- Furniture in residence halls has been configured to comply with social distancing best practices and therefore cannot be moved or removed.
- In all bedrooms, a movable curtain has been placed to provide students an additional barrier. Students living together, at their discretion, can use the provided barrier as an additional tool to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.
- Students must use blue “painter’s tape” to adhere pictures and posters to their wall to prevent damage to the student’s room.
- Wall hangings, posters, curtains, or tapestries are prohibited from covering doors, windows, lights, smoke detectors, sprinkler heads, or electrical outlets. Items may not be attached to or suspended from the ceiling.
- The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to require the removal of any decorative items in view of the public.
- Bed raisers, cinder blocks, and other devices used to elevate the height of the beds are prohibited. Students who choose to bunk their beds must utilize College provided bed pegs.
- Decorative lights may not be hung over doors or other fixtures that prohibit easy exit from a room.
Pets
No pets other than fish in a tank no larger than 10-gallon capacity are allowed in the residence areas. Visitors may not bring their pets to the residence areas. This does not include service animals. Pets (other than service animals) discovered by the College staff and not removed within the timeline defined by that staff will be removed by the Office of Residence Life at the expense of the owner.
Damages
The College holds students responsible for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Assessments and billing for damage are done at regular intervals throughout the year in conjunction with Health and Safety Inspections or as needed. Students occupying a space in a residence area will have 72 hours after checking-in to report to the Office of Residence Life any damages which were not easily visible at the time of check-in using the Room Condition Form provided to students by the Office of Residence Life. Damages within a unit, suite, or room which are not attributed to a specific individual will be divided among all those living in the space.
Damages committed in public spaces within residential areas and are not attributable to a specific individual will be divided among all those living in that area. Common area damage charges are not eligible for appeal.
Students will be charged for items including, but not limited to: damaged, missing, or moved furniture; cleanliness; lost or otherwise not returned keys; damaged walls, floors, carpets, doors, fixtures, or appliances; and/or damaged or removed screens. Students will be notified of any damage assessments resulting in a bill via their College-issued e-mail account, and should make payments directly to the Bursar’s Office.
Furniture
Students are only permitted to occupy one set of furniture in their assigned space. Furniture provided by the College cannot be moved or removed and must remain assembled, regardless of use. Furniture in rooms must remain in the same location and setup as when students arrive. Furniture provided by the College for use in common spaces is not permitted to be relocated to student rooms. Furniture and drapes owned by the student must be fire retardant according to the California Bureau of Home Furnishings Technical Bulletin 117 or higher. Students are not permitted to possess personal mattresses in the residential buildings.
Inspection of Space
The College reserves the right to inspect a student's room, as well as all furniture and items in that room, with or without advance notice. The Student agrees that authorized College personnel or authorized agents of the College may enter a student's room whenever there is reasonable cause concerning the safety, health, and wellbeing of the individual residents; if there is reasonable suspicion that a violation of College policy is occurring; to perform damage assessments and/or repairs; to inspect for fire safety violations; to confirm vacancies; or for other reasons as determined by the Director of Residence Life or his/her designee. College officials, including police officers, will have access to lobbies, hallways, and other common areas for inspections and patrol, with or without advance notice.
Non-Liability for Student Property
The College shall not be liable for any damage to, nor loss or theft of any student's personal property due to any cause whatsoever, nor for the failure or interruption of utilities or computer or internet systems. The College does not carry insurance on the personal property of its students and students are strongly encouraged to have their personal property covered by their own insurance (homeowners or renters).
Check In/Out of Rooms
Residential students are required to check into their assigned room properly prior to gaining access to the aforementioned room. Students who fail to complete the check-in process forfeit the ability to appeal damage charges.
Residential students must check out of their room when there is a change in room, an administrative change in housing status, prior to closing, or before the end of their tenure as a residential student – whichever occurs first. Prior to checking out, students must remove all personal possessions and clean their assigned space. Personal items left in a room will be disposed of by the College at the expense of the occupants. Failure to check out properly may result in a fine.
Keys and Mack Cards
Students living within College housing are issued a key(s) upon their arrival to campus, when changing rooms, or when a lock change is completed. Students are responsible for picking up their key(s) at the check-in time established by the Office of Residence Life. Keys are the property of the College and their duplication is prohibited. Students must carry their key(s) at all times. Students who lose their key(s) or do not return them at the designated check-out time will be charged a lock replacement fee. Students may not lend any key issued by the College. Students are required to immediately report any lost or stolen keys to the Office of Residence Life.
All Merrimack College students are issued Mack Cards. Students must carry their Mack Cards at all times. Students may not lend Mack Cards.
College Policies
Students are expected to comply with all rules and regulations of the College. Each student is responsible for being familiar with College rules and procedures including, but not limited to those specified in the Student Handbook and all volumes of the Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook. Please make special note of the sections on social events and meetings, guests on campus, face mask requirements, and testing policies.