WNMU has always considered the residence halls a vital segment of a student’s total educational experience, and emphasis is placed on a student’s personal growth through various activities and programs. It is the policy of WNMU to provide safe, comfortable housing at a reasonable cost for single and married full-time students desiring housing accommodations. Rates for room and board are outlined under “Student Expenses.”
Residence Halls
The Residence Life/Housing Office makes every effort to assist in personalizing the student’s educational experience by developing a living environment conducive to WNMU’s educational mission. Campus residence provides opportunities for social growth and development along with a learning experience that may not be available elsewhere in the academic community.
For Single Students
All students whose permanent homes are outside the tri-county (Grant, Luna, Hidalgo) area and who register for fall semester as full-time students with less than 32 credit hours are required to live in WNMU residence halls for the full academic year.
First-year freshmen students who have a permanent home address in the tri-county (Grant, Luna, Hidalgo) or who are 21 years of age or older are exempt from this requirement.
Anyone residing in WNMU Residence Halls is required to purchase a meal plan unless special permission is granted by the Director of Housing.
Only persons officially registered as full-time students may reside in the WNMU residence halls, unless special permission (due to unusual circumstances) is granted by the Director of Residence Life/Housing.
Services
WNMU will provide the student with space in the residence hall during the term of the contract, except in cases where a temporary assignment may be necessary. Each unit may be furnished with one or two single beds, desk and chair, closet space, and dresser. Local telephone service and basic cable service is provided. Students are issued long distance service through a long distance provider contracted by the university. Cleaning service is provided in the common areas of each hall. Maintenance services for all repairs will be provided.
In addition to the basic services provided by WNMU, several miscellaneous services are afforded the student. Vending machines and coin-operated washing machines are available in the residence halls.
Application
Applications for residence hall housing may be obtained through the Admissions Office or the Residence Life Office. All applications for WNMU housing must be made on official WNMU application forms and returned to the Residence Life Office. Each applicant must obtain admission to WNMU from the Director of Admissions before the housing application is considered complete. Completion of the housing application does not guarantee the applicant residence hall space, but does assure the applicant of a place on the waiting list.
Notification of reserved space will be sent to the applicant by the Residence Life/Housing Office when rooming assignments have been completed. (Requests for single rooms are not guaranteed and are assigned only when space is available.)
Deposits
A $75.00 deposit/application fee must accompany the Residence Hall Housing application, of which $25.00 is a non-refundable application fee and $50.00 is a security deposit. The completed application with accompanying deposit/application fee deposit places the prospective student on the reservation list. The security deposit will reserve accommodations for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year, or the remaining portion thereof, if the entering date occurs after the opening date for the fall semester. The security deposit, less any damages and/or obligations owed to WNMU, will be returned approximately 30 days after the close of the spring semester unless held for the next academic years reservation. If charges are made against the security deposit during the contract period, the student is obligated to bring the balance back up to $50.00 within 30 days after the charges are made. If the balance is not brought back up to the full $50.00 deposit, a 48 hours notice to vacate may be issued. Written notification must be received by the Residence Life/Housing Office by dates mentioned under Security Deposit refunds section in order to receive a refund.
Reservations
Reservations for all WNMU housing should be made as far in advance of the requested occupancy period as possible due to the limited number of spaces available. Assignments are completed by date applications and deposits are received.
Reservations not claimed by the first day of classes will be cancelled and the security deposit forfeited. If previous arrangements for late arrival have been made, reservations will be held until the date specified.
The Housing and Food Service Contract
WNMU operates the residence halls and food service operation on a self-supporting basis. Published rates are therefore subject to change from one academic year to another when necessary to meet operating costs. The duration of the contractual lease agreement is for the FULL ACADEMIC YEAR commencing with the fall semester and ending at the termination of the spring semester of the same academic year. Separate applications must be made, and new contracts signed, for a new academic year and for the summer sessions.
Meal service is required as a part of the housing contract. The student may select from several meal options. Meal Service will begin no later than the first day of scheduled classes and will end on the final day of scheduled examinations of each semester. Meal service will not be provided during the Thanksgiving recess, semester break period, or during the spring break. Dates of meal service are subject to change according to the University calendar.
Payment
The security deposit/application fee must accompany the housing application. The deposit for fall shall be retained and held until the end of the spring semester.
Rental charges are due and payable at the Business Office in conjunction with other charges (i.e., tuition, fees, meal plan, etc.).
Payments may be deferred according to a prearranged schedule through the Business Office.
Room Refunds
Students withdrawing from WNMU after having officially registered in a hall are not entitled to a refund of room rent for the applicable semester. Should withdrawal be due to a legitimate medical emergency or other unusual circumstance, the unused portion of room rent through the end of the applicable semester may be refunded with the approval of the Director of Residence Life/Housing and Vice President for Student Affairs. The student will be charged only for room and board through check out from the hall under the following conditions:
1. graduation at the end of the fall semester;
2. dismissal for failure to meet academic standards;
3. required university academic programs demanding residency outside the Silver City community.
4. Marriage.
Students who are removed from the residence halls for disciplinary reasons are responsible for the financial obligation for the duration of their contractual agreement (one academic year).
Security Deposit Refunds
The $50.00 security deposit is forfeited if notification of cancellation is not received in writing according to the following time frame:
1. August 1, for the fall semester
2. December 1, for the spring semester
3. May 1, for either summer session
All deposits not called for by these dates and reservations not claimed by the first day of classes will be subject to forfeiture. The security deposit will be returned approximately 30 days after the close of the spring semester, less any damages and/or obligations owed to the WNMU Residence Life Office unless deposit is being held for the next academic year’s reservation.
Meal Ticket Refunds
Departing students shall be charged for meals through Saturday of the week in which formal withdrawal occurs. Students departing the last two weeks of the semester will be charged the full semester rate for meals. Students moving out of the residence halls and withdrawing from enrollment will be entitled.to a prorated refund.
Family Student Housing
WNMU maintains apartments for married students and for family groups. Single students are not eligible to occupy family student housing except under special conditions and/or for special sessions. Single students living in family student housing under special conditions and/or for special sessions are only housed on a semester to semester basis. Written permission must be obtained from the Residence Life/Housing Director and approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
To be eligible for family student housing, at least one member of the household must be a full-time student. If married, both student and spouse must occupy the apartment; if a single parent, minor children must occupy the apartment with the parent/student. This requirement must be maintained throughout the entire rental period. Students violating this eligibility requirement are subject to eviction.
All family student housing units are under the direct supervision of the Director of Residence Life/Housing.
Application
Applications for family student housing may be obtained through the Admissions Office or the Residence Life/Housing Office. Applications must be accompanied by a deposit/application fee of $150.00, of which $25.00 is a non-refundable application fee, and $125.00 is a security deposit, a signed contract, a copy of a marriage certificate or, in the case of single parents, a copy of birth certificates for children and documentation confirming full-time custody. Residence Life applications will be processed after official admittance to WNMU.
Security Deposit Refunds
The $125.00 security deposit is forfeited if notification of cancellation is not received in writing according to the following time frame:
1. August 1, for the fall semester
2. December 1, for the spring semester
3. May 1, for either summer session
All deposits not called for by these dates and reservations not claimed by the first day of classes will be subject to forfeiture. The security deposit will be returned approximately 30 days after check out if proper notification was given, less any damages and/or obligations owed to the WNMU Residence Life Office, unless the deposit is being held for the next academic years reservation.
Reservations
Reservations for all WNMU housing should be made as far in advance of the requested occupancy period as possible due to the limited number of spaces available. Assignments are completed as applications and deposits are received.
Reservations not claimed by the first day of classes will be canceled and the security deposit forfeited. If previous arrangements for late arrival have been made, reservations will be held until the date specified.
Resident Responsibility
WNMU shall assume no responsibility for theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property belonging to or in the custody of the student for any cause whatsoever, whether such losses occur in the student’s room, in storage rooms, in public areas, elsewhere in the halls, or in baggage handling related to shipment or storage.
Students are encouraged to carry their own personal property insurance, as neither WNMU nor the State of New Mexico will assume responsibility to acquire or extend family insurance to cover his/her belongings, if such coverage is desired.
WNMU prohibits the keeping of firearms and pets in residence halls and family student housing.
WNMU reserves the right to inspect the rooms in any residence halls or apartment at any time for health and other reasons.