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Off Campus Petition Process

Residential Requirement

The University is a residential campus, and all students are required to live on-campus for the duration of their undergraduate experience. The University remains committed to the residential experience and, therefore, requires most undergraduate students to live on campus. It is for these reasons, the only petitions reviewed for off-campus status are those that have met one of the exemptions below. 

Residential Requirement Exemption Criteria

  • the student consistently resides with a parent/ legal guardian within 30 miles of campus at all times; 
  • the student, per the University Registrar, is attending part-time (not applicable for May Term);
  • the student is younger than 16 or 23 years of age and older by Fall move in day; 
  • the student is legally married, in a registered domestic partnership, or has a dependent

Off-Campus Petition Process

A student who would like to live off-campus at any point during the following academic year must submit an Off Campus Petition Form.

The Off Campus Committee reviews all petitions and meets four times a year, generally on the second Friday of the month. Completed petitions should be received no later than the first Friday of the month. Petitions will not be considered at any other time.

In other words, to live off campus during the fall semester, spring semester, May Term, returning from abroad or returning from a Leave of Absence, a student must submit their petition by the first Friday of the published months.

If a student fails to submit a petition by the deadline or their petition is denied, the student will be financially responsible for future room and board fees, whether or not they choose to live on-campus and/or use the meal plan. 

Under no circumstance should a student commit, in any way, to live off-campus without an approved exemption to the University’s residential requirement. Students will not be exempt should they choose to sign a lease despite the absence of prior approval. 

Falisification of information or documentation will result in a referral to the Office of Community Standards.

Petition Review Months

  • March (All Students)
  • June (Incoming Students Only)
  • July (Incoming Students Only)
  • December (Incoming Students Only)

Members of the Off Campus Committe Include:

  • Admissions Office
  • Budget Office
  • Student Financial Services
  • Residence Life and Housing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If I meet an exemption criteria, do I received automatic off campus status?

No. A student who would like to live off-campus at any point during the following academic year must submit an Off Campus Petition Form for the Off Campus Committee to review. 

What documentation should I provide?

For a student petitioning for consistently resides with a parent/ legal guardian within 30 miles of campus at all times:

  • Utility bill with parent / legal guardian's name on it.
  • Legal guardianship paperwork

For a student petitioning for attending part-time (not applicable for May Term):

  • No documentation needed, Registrar's Office will provide information.

For a student petitioning for younger than 16, or 23 years of age or older by Fall move in day:

  • No documentation needed, Registrar's Office will provide information.

For student petitioning for legally married, in a registered domestic partnership, or has a dependent:

  • Copy of marriage certificate.
  • Copy of registered domestic partnership.
  • Copy of dependant birth certificate.

Do I need to submit an off campus petition every year?

When you receive off campus approval from the Off Campus Committee, you will continue to be exempt from the residential living requirement for the duration of your undergraduate program, provided you remain in good standing with the University and you continue to meet the exemption criteria you petitioned for.

Should your approval circumstances change, you must communicate that information in advance for additional consideration of your off-campus approval status.

If I have off campus approval, can I live on campus? What is the process?

Yes you can! Send an email to Residnece Life and Housing (rlh@redlands.edu) with your interest to live on campus.

If I have off campus approval, am I required to have a meal plan?

Yes. All students are required to have a meal plan and can make changes to their plan through the first Friday of classes each semester. To review meal plan options and eligiblity please review Harvest Table's website here.

Is there an appeal process?

No. Decisions made by the Off Campus Commitee are final. Should a student receive a denial on their off campus petition and want their off campus petition to be considered they can apply for the next off campus review round.

I am an incoming student, where is the off campus petition located?

The off campus petition can be found on your Housing Intention Form.