Living on Campus

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Mission
   1. The mission of the Department of Residential Living is to provide a safe living environment, resourceful staff, and learning experiences for the members of the residential community in pursuit of their educational goals. Concerned with all aspects of campus living, the department achieves its mission by providing an opportunity for group living, academic achievement, and social maturation in a democratic and diverse community.

      While living in an environment that promotes safety, students also benefit from the opportunity to learn about other cultures and lifestyles, form lifelong friendships, and make lasting memories. The concepts of self-respect and respect for others, tolerance of and celebration of diversity, ethical behavior and personal growth are fostered via staff intervention, community-based educational and social programs, and the expectation that hall residents hold one another accountable. The convenience of living on campus provides students easy access to numerous campus resources, including faculty and academic advisors, the library, computer labs, dining halls and other campus eateries, recreational facilities, and student organizations.

2. Goals
   1. The on campus living experience creates opportunities for students to be close to campus, develop life-long friendships, and live in a community environment that supports social, academic, and development skills. The goal for the Department of Residential Living is to offer residential facilities, programs, and services that enhance student learning and support student success across each of our 11 residence halls and communities.
3. Contact Information

Residential Living
Residencelife@piedmont.edu
706-778-8500 x1357
Student Commons 241

Requirements for campus housing

Residential housing is available on the Demorest Campus only. Exceptions to the residency requirement are:

• • Married students,
  • Students with dependents,
  • Students declared financially independent by the Financial Aid Office,
  • Part-Time students, or students who receive special permission from the Dean of Students or Director of Residential Living.

The on campus living experience is designed to enhance residential students' academic and social lives. The staff, services, and facilities are designed to meet residents’ needs with a balance of structure and flexibility. All students must meet the following requirements for campus housing.

1. All students seeking to live in university owned housing are required to be enrolled full-time at Piedmont University. Full-Time is defined as; Undergraduate students maintaining a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate students maintaining a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.We house undergraduate and graduate students in 11 residence halls with traditional and apartment-style accommodations. 
   1. Village Housing Only - Students who qualify to live at The Village must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 45 completed credit hours (as of January 2024). Both requirements must be met.
2. All students seeking to live in university owned housing are required to complete a housing application, as well as read and agree to all terms within the Residential Living Housing Contract. All housing contracts are binding for the students’ period of residency at Piedmont University. This period of residency is for one academic year, with the exceptions of Winter Break and December Graduates.
3. All residential students, or students seeking to live in university owned housing are required to pay an annual Housing Deposit. This deposit is non-refundable.
4. Students with past-due account balances may not be able to attend class or live in residence halls. Any resident student who has not settled their account by their move-in time will be charged a $250 move-in penalty.
5. The University reserves all rights in regard to the housing assignment of students and the termination of occupancy. Those rights include the authority to terminate the Housing Agreement of any student who violates the Residential Life policies specified herein or in the Student Handbook. Students whose housing is terminated by the University will not receive a Housing refund, unless stated by Administration of the University.
6. Proof of health insurance is required for all residential students. Students can contact The SHIP Coordinator, Stephanie Hudgens at shudgens@piedmont.edu for more information on plan coverages available for those that do not currently have insurance.
7. All intercollegiate athletes are required to live on campus
8. Students must be 17 years of age by Welcome Week, Move-In day. Additionally, any student under the age of 18 require parental / legal guardian consent to reside on campus. These requests must be submitted to the Director of Residential Living for approval and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a Housing Committee. Students who are under the age of 17 or are over the age of 24 must request permission in writing to reside on campus. A formal request must be sent to the Director of Residential Living for review by committee.
   
   
9. All undergraduate students enrolled on the Demorest Campus must reside on campus with the following exceptions: 
   • Students living at the primary residence of their parents or legal guardians in Habersham, Banks, Hall, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Jackson, Lumpkin, and Franklin or White counties
   • Married, divorced, or widowed students or students with dependents
   • Students who are 21 years of age on the first day of registration for the fall term, with the exception of athletes 
10. All students who live in university owned housing are required to purchase a meal plan. Unlimited Meal Plan is required for all first-year students and students under 25 credit hours.
    1. Unlimited Meal Plan with $150 Declining Balance/semester*
       
       
       1. 250 Block meals with $100 Declining Balance/semester
          
          
       2. 170 Block meals with $235 Declining Balance/semester
       3. 7 meals per week with $300 Declining Balance/semester**
    2. **7 meals per week plan is only available to residents at the Student Village or residential students who are enrolled in clinicals or student teaching
    3. Declining Balance is available for use throughout the semester and can be spent at the Market, located in the Commons. A Declining Balance dollar is equivalent to one US dollar and can be reloaded.

Certain Piedmont University scholarships require students to live on campus, and a change in residential status may result in a loss of scholarship. Changes in campus living assignments must be approved by the Director of Residential Living. Students residing in a residence hall may not move off campus during the regular academic year except when there is a change in marital status. The University is unable to provide housing for married students or families.