1. Occupancy

Residence Requirement
Room Use
Part Time Students
Holidays, Interterm & Summer
Triple Rooms
Married Undergraduate Students
Graduate Student Housing
Adult Degree Program Students
Vacancies

Contract Cancellation
Check-In Procedures
Room Changes
Visitors
Open House
Absence From The Hall
Illness
Check-Out Procedures

Residence Requirement

All unmarried freshmen and sophomores are required to live in University housing unless they are living with their parents, are enrolled for less than full-time coursework or are 21 years old.

Residents who turn 21 during a semester may move out of University housing at the end of that semester, but not before the end of that semester (see Contract Cancellation).
Residents who drop to less than full-time coursework may move out of University housing immediately or may request to remain in their room assignment if space is available.
Any freshman or sophomore under 21 years of age and not living with their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be required to live in University housing if at any time they register for full-time coursework, unless they have been granted an exception to the Residence Requirement (see Residence Exception Process, under Contract Cancellation).
Students 21 or older and students of junior status or above will be housed on a space available basis.

Room Use

Only students officially assigned to a room or apartment may reside in that room or apartment.
University housing is to be used only for residential purposes. Selling or conducting a business from rooms or apartments is prohibited.

Part Time Students

Students enrolled for less than full-time coursework or who are involved only in student teaching or practicum assignments will be offered University housing on a space-available basis.
Part-time students and students involved only in student teaching or practicum assignments must be cleared by the Housing Office and by the Finance Office in order to be assigned to University housing.
Graduating seniors who have less than a full-time load of units to complete in order to graduate are considered “full time” for the purposes of housing and may occupy University housing for their final semester.

Holidays, Interterm & Summer Housing

The 2008-2009 Academic Year, for the purposes of the Housing Contract, begins Opening Day, Friday, August 22, 2008 and runs through the day of Commencement, Saturday, May 23, 2009, excluding Christmas Break (Saturday, December 20, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009).
Semester housing fees do not apply to Christmas Break, Interterm or summer. Residence hall housing for Interterm and summer as well as apartment housing for Christmas, Interterm and summer must be arranged for separately and is subject to the relevant fee structures (see details below).

Christmas Break

All undergraduate residence halls are closed for Christmas Break. Non-graduating residents must vacate their rooms no later than 10:00 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2008. Residents graduating in December must vacate their rooms no later than 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008 (see Check-Out Procedures).
International students or students who cannot go to their parents’ homes are encouraged to make alternate housing arrangements with friends or through their local churches.
Undergraduate apartment housing is not closed during Christmas Break. Apartment occupants interested in occupying their apartments during the Break should apply by the deadline posted in the Housing Office. The fee for apartment Christmas housing is $105.00 per calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or any portion of a calendar week.

Interterm

Occupancy during Interterm is limited to students enrolled for Interterm classes, international students and students with local employment continuing through Interterm.
All students planning to live in University housing during Interterm must sign up on or before 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 7, 2007, one week before Christmas Break. You may register on the Biola Student Information (BSI) section of the University web page.

Easter Break

No sign-up process is required for remaining in undergraduate housing during Easter Break. There is limited meal service in the Eagle's Nest only during Easter Break (see IMPORTANT DATES).

Summer

Summer Housing is available to students who are registered for summer session, or who are pre-registered for the upcoming fall semester regardless of whether they are taking summer classes. Summer Housing is NOT available to students who have graduated or withdrawn from the University as of the end of the spring semester.
All students planning to live in University housing during summer must sign up in the Housing Office during the posted dates.
The fee for apartment Christmas housing is $105.00 per calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or any portion of a calendar week.
Summer Housing is not available to students who have graduated or withdrawn from the University as of the end of the spring semester.

At any time you are living in University housing you are responsible for all terms and conditions of the Housing Contract and the Housing Handbook at the rate(s) determined by Auxiliary Services.

Triple Rooms

Designated Triple Rooms

Each year, in the event the University deems it necessary to accommodate new incoming students, rooms will be designated as three-to-a-room occupancy.
A discounted triple occupancy room rate will apply to all rooms with three occupants at the time of semester billing (September 15 or February 15) and is valid through the end of that semester. Residents of rooms with fewer than three occupants at the time of semester billing (September 15 or February 15) will be billed the double-occupancy room rate for the semester, even though the rooms are designated as triple rooms.
The Housing Office reserves the right to assign any third person to any designated triple room in the event one or more of the original roommates leaves the room assignment.
All furnishings in triple rooms must remain in the rooms. Should the room revert to double occupancy, the third set of furniture will be removed by Auxiliary Services personnel at the request of the remaining residents.

Married Undergraduate Students

Married undergraduate students may inquire about availability or apply for apartment housing through the Graduate Relocation office in Auxiliary Services.
The Auxiliary Services department secretary maintains a list of local apartment complexes and property owners eager to rent to Biola students. Check at the Student Services Building front desk or call 562-903-4872 for the latest available listing.

Graduate Students

Off-campus apartments, owned or leased by Biola University, will be made available to single and married Graduate students. All Graduate students interested in Biola-provided housing should contact Auxiliary Services for availability and locations.
Single graduate students may be housed in undergraduate housing on a space-available basis. Rooms are double occupancy. Meal plans are required (10-meals-per-week minimum). Graduate students are not offered the option of reserving rooms in undergraduate housing for the following academic year, but must apply to be put on a waiting list for space-available housing in undergraduate halls for the upcoming year.

Adult Degree Program Students

No University housing is provided for students enrolled in the Adult Degree programs. These continuing education programs provide evening and weekend classes and are considered, for the purposes of housing, to be commuter programs.

Vacancies

If you are the single occupant of a double occupancy room you may be provided the opportunity after the semester Room Claim Deadline (the first day of class; see IMPORTANT DATES) to remain as the sole occupant if 1) there is no waiting list for that hall, floor or building, 2) you agree to pay the additional 30% charge to “buy out” the vacant space and 3) you are not a freshman. All furnishings must remain in the room even though a vacancy has been “bought out”.
If your apartment has a vacancy you may be provided the opportunity to keep that space vacant if 1) there is no waiting list for that apartment building and 2) you agree to pay the additional 30% charge to “buy out” the vacant space. The “buy out” charge will be apportioned as agreed among the remaining residents of the unit. All furnishings must remain in the apartment even though a vacancy has been “bought out”.
Because of higher demand for housing during the fall semester, no vacancies will be offered for “buy out” until all students desiring housing have been placed and “Room Change” has ended, whichever comes latest.
If you move into an empty room during "Room Change," you will be required to "buy out" the room at the additional 30% rate.
If you are the single occupant of a double occupancy residence hall room and have not “bought out” the vacant space, you should be prepared to accept a new roommate at any time, at the discretion of the Housing Office.
If there is a vacancy in your apartment and you have not “bought out” the vacant space, you should be prepared to accept a new roommate at any time, at the discretion of the Housing Office.
All vacancies are considered equally available for placement of new residents or breakdown of temporary triples. There will be no “last priority” assigned to “protect” any vacant space.
Any resident who, by their behavior or attitude or by moving personal belongings into a vacant space, makes it impossible or undesirable for a newly assigned roommate to stay in the vacancy will be considered to have “bought out” the vacancy and billed retroactively to the date the space became vacant. Disciplinary action may also result.
The Housing Office reserves the right to assign any third person to any designated triple room in the event one or more of the original roommates leaves the room assignment.

Contract Cancellation

Your Housing Contract will be considered cancelled if you officially withdraw from, or are no longer enrolled at, Biola University. The official withdrawal date is the date your completed Departure Card is received in the Registrar's Office.
If you are a freshman or sophomore under 21 years of age and wish to move to your parents' home you will be expected to exercise the Purchase Release Option described in Contract Cancellation. Complete a Refund of Housing Deposit/Contract Purchase Release Form (available in the Housing Office, Student Services Building).
You may request a cancellation of the Contract if you will turn 21 or complete enough units to achieve junior status prior to the first day of Spring Registration, AND you were not already either a junior/senior or 21 at the beginning of the Fall semester. In this case, you may be released from the Housing Contract for the Spring semester. If you exercise this option you must complete a Refund of Housing Deposit/Contract Purchase Release Form (available in the Housing Office, Student Services Building) no later than December 15 and must check out of your assigned room by Christmas Break Closing Day.
You may request a cancellation of the Contract if you are an International student 21 and older attending Biola for your first semester. In this case, you may have the option of a single-semester Housing Contract. If you exercise this option you must complete a Refund of Housing Deposit/Contract Purchase Release Form (available in the Housing Office, Student Services Building) no later than December 15 and must check out of your assigned room by Christmas Break Closing Day.
If you are at least 21 or are a junior or senior as of the of the beginning of the Fall semester and wish to be released from your Housing Contract, you will be expected to exercise the Purchase Release Option described below.
If you change from full-time to part-time status during the academic year and wish to be released from your Contract you will be expected to exercise the Purchase Release Option described below.Complete a Refund of Housing Deposit/Contract Purchase Release Form (available in the Housing Office, Student Services Building).
Purchase Release Option: All contracted residents are expected to fulfill the full term (the entire academic year) of their Housing Contract. Housing at Biola is in high demand; some students who desire housing are turned away due to lack of available beds. Therefore, the expectation is that all students who contract for housing will have thought out the legal commitments of signing a Housing Contract ahead of time, and will have entered into an academic year Contract with the full intention of abiding by all its provisions. Students who wish to exercise the Purchase Release Option will pay a prorated housing charge to be released from the balance of the Housing Contract. The amount of the charge depends upon when the contracted resident wishes to be released. Students wishing to be released from a Housing Contract prior to or during the Fall semester will pay two (2) months’ prorated housing fee. Student wishing to be released from a Housing Contract at the end of the Fall semester or during the Spring semester will pay one (1) months’ prorated housing fee.
If none of the above circumstances apply AND you have experienced an extreme change in your financial circumstances, you may apply to the Residence Exception Committee for permission to be released from your Housing Contract without exercising the Purchase Release Option. Contact the Housing Office for any necessary instructions, deadlines and/or forms related to the Residence Exception process.

Important Cancellation Information

Regardless of when your Contract cancellation is submitted or approved, official cancellation will not take effect until you have properly checked out of your room. Follow the Check Out Procedures.
Should your Contract be terminated, you must vacate your Housing Assignment within 24 hours unless special permission, in writing, has been obtained from the Housing Manager (extension 5838) or his/her designee.
Cancellation of your Housing Contract does not cancel your Meal Plan Contract. You must cancel your meal plan contract in person at the Auxiliary Services office, Student Services Building or e-mail Carolyn White (carolyn [dot] white [at] biola [dot] edu). Do not rely on any office, department or personnel to inform Auxiliary Services for you.

Refunds

If you qualify for or are granted a cancellation of your Housing Contract, you will receive a prorated refund of housing charges credited to your student account balance.
Refunds are calculated on a weekly basis from the beginning of the week (Monday-Sunday) following the date on which you (1) officially withdraw from the University, or (2) properly check out of the Housing Assignment, whichever is latest.
Neither contract cancellation nor checking out of the Housing Assignment constitutes cancellation of a meal plan. You must cancel meal plan contracts in person at the Auxiliary Services office, Student Services Building or e-mail Carolyn White (carolyn [dot] white [at] biola [dot] edu). Do not rely on any University office, department or personnel to inform Auxiliary Services for you.
Refunds for meal plans will be calculated from the beginning of the week following the date on which you cancel the meal plan at the Auxiliary Services office, Student Services Building.
All refunds, including housing reservation deposits, prorated housing charges and prorated meal charges will be applied to your University account balance. Requests for cash refunds of amounts in excess of your account balance must be directed to the Accounting Office, extension 4760. See the “Housing Reservation Deposit” section, for deposit claim deadline dates.

Check-In Procedures

All residents must check in with the Housing Office during the Fall semester check-in period and when they return for either Interterm or Spring semester. Failure to check in will result in a $100.00 fine.
For new students the check-in period for Fall begins 9:00 a.m. Opening Day, Friday August 22, 2009. For continuing students the check-in period for Fall begins 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008. For all students check-in ends at 12:00 Noon on the Housing Claim Deadline Day, Wednesday, August 27, 2008.
No residents are to check in prior to Opening Day except by permission of the Housing Office.
Students who have not checked in to their Housing Assignment by Noon on the Housing Claim Deadline must first check with the Housing Manager in the Housing Office, Student Services Building to determine if their assignment has been changed (562-944-0351, extension 5838). If you know you will not be able to claim your Housing Assignment by the Claim Deadline, you must notify the Housing Office in writing or via e-mail before the Room Claim Deadline to have your space saved.
Students with signed Housing Contracts who do not claim their Housing Assignment by the Housing Claim Deadline will forfeit their Housing Deposit and pay one month’s prorated “No Show” housing charge. If you know you will not be coming to or returning to Biola, notify the Housing Office in writing prior to the relevant Housing Claim Deadline date. Do not rely on any office, department or personnel to inform the Housing Office for you.
Residents who do not complete Registration by the final date of Late Registration either semester (see IMPORTANT DATES) will be required to move out of their room/apartment and remove all their belongings from campus within 24 hours of the final date of Late Registration. Such unregistered students may not use "guest nights" to prolong their stay on campus (see VISITORS).
Residents who have prearranged for Interterm housing may return to University housing 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2009 and 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2009. Failure to check in with the Housing Office by the Room Claim Deadline will result in a $100.00 fine.
The check-in/reopening period for Spring semester begins Sunday, January 25, 2009 and ends at 12:00 Noon on the Spring Housing Claim Deadline Day, Monday, January 26, 2009. Failure to check in with the Housing Office by the Room Claim deadline will result in a $100.00 fine.

Room Changes

A limited Room Change will be offered after Registration at the beginning of the Fall semester only for students who wish to move out of or into discounted triple rooms.
Room Change will be approved at the end of the Fall semester prior to Christmas Break. All room changes must be authorized by the relevant Resident Director/Resident Coordinator and by the Housing Manager. Room Change Request Form may be obtained from the Housing Office, Student Services Building.
If you make an unauthorized change, you will be charged a minimum of $100.00 and may be required to return to your original Housing Assignment.

Open House

Purpose

We believe in protecting communities by limiting the number of hours students of the opposite sex can be present on a floor or in an apartment. It is vital that students value, develop, and maintain healthy friendships with the same sex. It is our desire that Biola students learn to practically develop and protect healthy relationships with the opposite sex, pursue sexual purity, and honor Christ and themselves by establishing appropriate boundaries.

Open House Hours

Residence Halls (except for Thompson Hall)
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Wednesday, Friday
2:00 pm – 11:00 pm Saturday, Sunday
Thompson Hall Only
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Monday-Thursday
12:00 pm – 12:00 am Friday, Saturday
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm Sunday
Apartments (Welch, Li, Lido Mirada, Beachcomber, Tradewind, Tropicana)
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm Sunday-Thursday
12:00 pm - 1:00 am Friday, Saturday
Open House will begin no earlier than the first day of classes each semester.
Except for Thompson Hall and the apartments, there will be NO OPEN HOUSE during Interterm, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break and finals week of both semesters.
All residents of the room or apartment who are present at the time of the violation will be held responsible for the violation, regardless of whose guest was involved.
There will be no Open House for either residence halls or apartments during Interterm, holidays, breaks, or when classes are not in session.

Standards of Conduct

Rooms/apartments are off limits to students of the opposite sex except during Open House hours.
All doors will remain WIDE OPEN when visitors are present.
Any behavior that is considered compromising, sexually inappropriate, or causes others in the community to be uncomfortable is prohibited.

Violations

Open House is a privilege. Therefore, any violation of the designated Open House hours or standards will be subject to disciplinary action which could include a fine and/or loss of visitation privileges.
All residents who are present at the time of the violation will be held responsible for the violation, regardless of whose guest was involved.

Visitors

Visitors of the opposite sex are welcome in the respective residence hall lobbies during posted hours. Please note that the Alpha Chi lobby closes daily to male visitors and the Emerson Hall lobby closes daily to female visitors from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Off-campus visitors in the residence halls and apartments must be accompanied by a resident.
Unaccompanied juveniles are not allowed to enter the residence halls or apartments or to use the vending machines.
Be sure to check with your roommate(s) before you invite anyone to stay in your room or apartment.
Overnight guests must be of the same gender as room/apartment occupants and are limited to three (3) total nights in University housing per semester (exceptions to be discussed with the Resident Director/Resident Coordinator) and must have the consent of all roommates. This does not apply to students who have not completed Registration by final date of Late Registration, or who have been required to move out of University housing or to their belongings. Such students are expected to leave all University housing by the deadline given and may not use “guest nights” to prolong their stay in housing.
Guests must register with the Resident Director, Resident Coordinator or a Resident Assistant.
Residents are responsible for the behavior of all their guests.
The University reserves the right to require guests to leave if they are in violation of University rules and regulations or federal, state or local laws, and/or disturb other residents.

Absence from the Residence Halls or Apartments

Given the nature of emergency situations, anyone expecting to be absent from the residence halls or apartments for more than 24 hours is encouraged to notify their roommate, Resident Assistant or Resident Coordinator. They should specify their location, a telephone number where they can be reached in case of an emergency, and when they plan to return.

Illness

If you become ill, you may designate someone to pick up meals for you. The person you designate to
pick up your meals must bring your Biola student I.D. card to the Café Office.
In case of serious illness or injury please notify your Resident Assistant or Resident Director or Resident Coordinator.

Check-Out Procedures

At the end of the Academic year, if you have not contracted for housing during the summer months you must check out of your Housing Assignment on the day and times specified in this section.
You are considered to have checked out of your Housing Assignment when all personal goods and belongings have been removed from the room or apartment and you have completed the checklist below.
If you are granted a cancellation of the Housing Contract, you must properly check out of your Housing Assignment within 24 hours from the time the cancellation is granted.
Meal Plan Contracts must be canceled separately in order to receive a refund. You must cancel Meal Plan Contracts by letter or in person at the Auxiliary Services office, Student Services Building, or by email to carolyn [dot] white [at] biola [dot] edu. Do not rely on any University office, department or personnel to inform the Meal Plan Office for you.
Failure to comply with check-out procedures will continue to bind you to all terms of the Contract and may also result in fines.
A Biola University staff signature on a check-out form does not release the Student from liability for damages or cleaning costs for which the Student is responsible.
Facilities Services and/or Auxiliary Services will perform damage inspections near the end of the Fall semester and after Year-End Closing Day. All damages found at these times which were not recorded in the check-in portion of the Room Condition Form will be billed to the resident(s) of the room, apartment, hall, floor or building.
You may not check out for anyone other than yourself.

Check-Out Checklist - ALL ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETED OR CHECK-OUT IS INCOMPLETE (see Check-Out Fines)

Your room or apartment and its surrounding area must be completely clean.
Furniture, cupboards, medicine cabinets and storage areas must be free of personal items and debris.
Furniture, door jambs and window sills must be dusted.
Walls, ceilings and all other surfaces must be free of posters, Poster Putty, finishing nails, hardwall hangers and stickers.
All personal belongings and trash are to be out of the room or apartment.
The area outside the door must be free from personal articles and trash.
All trash should be deposited in the large bins outside the residence halls or apartments.
Vacuum and/or mop floor surface inside your room or apartment.
Obtain your Room Condition Form from the Housing Office. Inspect the room or apartment. Any damaged or missing furnishings should be noted on the Room Condition sheet.
Residential Facilities will also inspect rooms and apartments near the end of each semester. Any damages found at that time which are not included on the check-in portion of the Room Condition sheet will be billed to your student account.
Turn in your key(s) and Room Condition Form at the Housing Office. If keys are not turned in, the room, apartment and/or mailbox will be rekeyed and the charges billed to your University account.

At the end of the Fall 2008 semester:
- All non-graduating residents must complete check out by 10:00 p.m., Friday, December 19.
- All graduating residents must complete check out by 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20.
- Residents involved in behavior which violates the Student Handbook or Housing Handbook, or which is deemed by the Residence Life staff to be disruptive may be asked to leave immediately.
At the end of the Spring 2009 semester:
- All non-graduating residents not moving to summer housing must complete check out by 6:00 p.m., Saturday, May 23. Exceptions may be granted by the appropriate R.D. or R.C.
- All graduating residents must complete check-out by 6:00 p.m., Sunday , May 24.
- Regardless of the deadlines printed above, residents of the building designated for summer housing may be asked to move earlier to accommodate incoming summer residents.
- Residents involved in behavior which violates the Student Handbook or Housing Handbook, or which is deemed by the Residence Life staff to be disruptive may be asked to leave immediately.
Students moving to 2008 Summer Housing will remain in their Spring rooms/apartments through Saturday night May 24, 2008. Summer Housing check-in will take place at the Summer Housing residence Hall beginning 9:00 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 2008. All year-end check-out procedures from Spring room/apartment assignments and all check-in procedures for Summer Housing must be completed by 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2006.
Students moving to 2008 Summer Housing will remain in their Spring rooms/apartments through Saturday night May 24, 2008. Summer Housing check-in will take place at the Summer Housing residence Hall beginning 9:00 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 2008. All year-end check-out procedures from Spring room/apartment assignments and all check-in procedures for Summer Housing must be completed by 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009.

Check-Out Fines

If you fail either to check out by the specified times or to make alternative arrangements with a Resident Assistant or Resident Director, you will be charged as follows:
If you fail to complete all the check-out procedures described above or fail to complete any procedures stipulated by the Housing Office, you will be charged a minimum of $25.00. Fines may be increased at the discretion of the Housing Office based on the degree of failure to comply with check-out procedures.
If you fail to check out altogether, you will be charged $50.00. Additional costs for rekeying and/or cleaning your room may also be charged to your student account.
If you leave personal furniture (couches, chairs, etc.) anywhere in a residence hall or apartment building you will be charged $100.00 per piece for removal and disposal.

Cancellation of Meal Plans

If you check out prior to the end of the academic year you must cancel your Meal Plan Contract separately in order to receive a refund. You must cancel your Meal Plan Contract in person in the Auxiliary Services Office, Student Services Building, or e-mail Carolyn White (carolyn [dot] white [at] biola [dot] edu). Do not rely on any office, department or personnel to inform Auxiliary Services for you.