Early Release from Room and Board Agreements

Students who live on campus in university designated residential facilities are required to sign the Room & Board Agreement. When a student chooses to live on campus, the student is agreeing to the terms of the Room & Board Agreement (housing agreement), including committing to a full academic year housing assignment (Fall and Spring semesters) – or just Spring semester, for students who begin their housing assignment during the Spring semester.

UNH Housing & Residential Life have listed pre-approved reasons for an early release from the Room & Board Agreement and a student’s housing assignment. These include:

  • Graduation
  • Study abroad
  • Internship outside of a commutable distance
  • University withdrawal/leave of absence.

Once one of these reasons is confirmed, a student will be released from the Room & Board Agreement without penalty.

Generally, students who do not demonstrate one of the above pre-approved reasons for early release may not be released early from the agreement. However, a qualified student with a disability may request an early release as part of the interactive accommodations process. SAS will assist in understanding the need, the barriers faced, and determining reasonable accommodations.

Key Things to Know

  • Students requesting an early release from their Room & Board Agreement for a medical, disability, or mental health related reason must engage with SAS in the accommodations process. This includes registering with SAS, submitting documentation, and meeting with SAS.
  • An early release from the Room & Board Agreement is not granted for personal preferences. Personal preferences would not rise to the level of an accommodation as accommodations are granted based on documented disability related needs.
  • An approved accommodation for early release from the Room & Board Agreement is a one-time approval and will include the specific semester(s) that a student is released from the agreement.
  • As with accommodations more generally, an early release from the Room & Board Agreement cannot be granted retroactively. Even if approved, refunds cannot be granted for time elapsed.
  • Early release from the Room & Board Agreement is generally not approved for:
    • Access to and need for an emotional support animal (ESA) – UNH provides an accommodation for housing for students with approved emotional support animals. Students must complete the accommodation process and be approved by SAS for an ESA prior to the animal living on campus.
    • Desire for specific room/space or location – As part of the accommodation process, SAS will work closely with students to determine if a request for a specific room space/type or location is approved. While approved accommodations for a specific room/space or location cannot be guaranteed (based on occupancy levels), UNH Housing will prioritize  students with accommodations as spaces meeting the approved accommodation become available.
    • Dietary needs – In general, specific dietary needs are not a reason to approve an early release from the Room & Board Agreement. UNH Dining and SAS work closely together on a process to review meal plan modifications. In some cases, an assignment to a space with a semi-private kitchen or proximity to a grocery store is enough. Custom meal ordering from Dining may also be available as an approved accommodation in specific instances based on student need. Students with specific dietary needs are encouraged to contact SAS with any questions or concerns.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities. 
  • Providing documentation that details the specific need as to why the student cannot complete the terms of their signed Room & Board Agreement.
  • Requesting the accommodation in a timely manner. Even if approved, refunds cannot be granted for time elapsed.
  • As needed, exploring alternative accommodations with SAS and UNH Housing & Residential Life.

Early Release from Room & Board Agreement Process

  1. Student engages in the interactive accommodations process with SAS – As with all accommodation requests, SAS will review documentation and meet with the student. During this process, SAS will confirm any previous work with UNH Housing & Residential Life, discuss any previous accommodations, discuss student concerns, and review any documentation. Please note, if there is not a documented need for accommodations or if there are reasonable accommodations that can be provided, SAS will not consult with UNH Housing & Residential Life (see next step).
  2. SAS consults with UNH Housing & Residential Life – To help determine what may be reasonable, SAS will discuss the request with UNH Housing & Residential Life staff.
  3. SAS reviews the request – After consulting with Housing & Residential Life, SAS reviews the request to determine if an exemption is reasonable. This decision will include:
    1. Approval status
    2. Reasons for the approval or denial
    3. If denied, reasonable alternatives
  4. SAS shares the decision with the student – SAS will share the decision along with any additional information with the student.
    1. If not approved, the student discusses additional accommodation options with SAS and Housing & Residential Life. Students may provide additional information to SAS at any time.
    2. If approved, student works directly with Housing & Residential Life to proceed with an early release from the Room & Board Agreement.