Below is a roundup of the various policies pertaining to student living at Alvernia University. If you have a question about something that isn't listed here, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@alvernia.edu.
Petition to Commute and Housing Release Request Updates for 2025-26
- Four-Year Residency Requirement
- Beginning with students entering in 2024-25 academic year there is a four-year residency requirement at Alvernia University.
- We are delighted to welcome you to our vibrant academic community and are pleased to offer you housing in our on-campus residence for the upcoming academic years. Please carefully review the terms and conditions outlined in the housing contract.
- Alvernia University (“the University”) recognizes the critical role that a supportive living environment plays in the overall success and well-being of its students. In an effort to enhance the academic and personal growth of our students, the University adheres to a four-year housing agreement for eligible students. University-owned residence hall housing is guaranteed to first-year students who participate in established housing processes, assuring that deadlines are met. University-owned residence halls for all remaining eligible students are based on the availability of spaces.
- Returning students may seek an exemption from the four-year housing requirement by submitting the Petition to Commute Form in the ARC Portal to the Office of Residence Life. The form should include a detailed explanation of the reason for the request and any supporting documentation.
- Incoming first-year students should indicate their request to commute via their incoming application to Alvernia.
Petition to Commute for Incoming New and Transfer Students
Incoming new students will submit their request to commute through their New Student Checklist found in their application portal. Incoming new students who meet the following criteria may be exempt from the housing requirements:
- Housing Requirement Exemptions
- Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus (Required Information: Must provide documentation and parent/guardian address)
- Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus (Required Information: Must provide documentation and off-campus address)
- Responsible for dependent child
- Age 23 or older
- Married
- Completed 90 or more academic credits
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet
- Petition to Commute for Returning Students
- Returning students should submit their petition to commute for the upcoming academic year via the ARC Portal Petition to Commute Form.
- A petition does not guarantee approval to live off campus. Students must meet the requirements to receive approval.
- All returning students requesting an exemption from the residential requirement must complete this petition and provide the required documentation and will subsequently be notified of the University’s decision.
- Petitions to Commute must be submitted via this ARC Portal by April 4.
- Petitions to commute for returning students are considered for the following reasons:
- Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus: Choosing this option will likely have Financial Aid Consequences. Please consult with SFS (SFS@alvernia.edu) before choosing this option. (Required Information: Must provide documentation and parent/guardian address)
- Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus: Choosing this option will likely have Financial Aid Consequences. Please consult with SFS (SFS@alvernia.edu) before choosing this option. (Required Information: Must provide documentation and off-campus address)
Responsible for dependent child: (Required Information: Must provide documentation) - Age 23 or older (this will be verified)
- Married (Required Information: Must provide documentation)
- Completed 90 or more academic credits
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet: (Required Information: Student must provide approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be granted the Petition to Commute. Contact that office at Accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit this release request.)
- Change in financial status since the signing of the housing contract: (If you choose this option, you will need to provide documentation regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on-campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please provide a detailed explanation of your request for our office to review and decide on your request. Students should submit their documentation ASAP.)
- Will no longer be enrolled as a full-time student. (Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Will become an AU Online student (Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Graduating (will need to indicate intended graduation date. Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Participation in an Alvernia University academic experience (study abroad, field placement, etc.)
If you believe you have a reason other than what is listed here, please provide documentation and an explanation.
Requests to be Released from Housing Contract (For Students Living on Campus with a signed housing contract)
By creating a housing application in ARC, you have signed and agreed to live on campus with housing and meal charges for the entire academic year. If your circumstances have changed and you meet the requirements, please complete the Housing Release Request Form in your ARC account. Once there, in the left column navigate to Forms, and Housing Release Request. Students approved to be released from their housing contract during the fall or spring semester will not receive a prorated portion of their housing charges, but may receive a prorated portion of their remaining meal plan.
- Valid Reasons to be Released from a Housing Contract
Releases are only approved for these reasons:- University-approved OT/PT/Nursing internship further than 20 miles from campus.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Will no longer be enrolled as a full-time student.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Will become an AU Online student.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet.
- Required Information: Student must upload approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be released. Contact accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit release request.
- Required Information: Student must upload approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be released. Contact accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit release request.
- University-approved student teaching experience further than 20 miles from campus.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- University-approved study abroad or off-campus academic program.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Change in marital status.
- Birth/acquirement of a dependent.
- Age 23 or older.
- Change in financial status since signing the housing contract. Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus.
- Required Information: Must upload documentation and parent/guardian address.
- If you choose this option, you will need to upload documentation for Student Financial Services to review regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please upload a detailed explanation of your request for SFS review and decide on your request.
- Change in financial status since signing of the housing contract. Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus.
- Required Information: Must upload documentation and parent/guardian address.
- If you choose this option, you will need to upload documentation for Student Financial Services to review regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please upload a detailed explanation of your request for SFS review and decide on your request.
- Other Reasons not listed above. Please upload detailed documentation/explanation to support your request.
- University-approved OT/PT/Nursing internship further than 20 miles from campus.
- How to Complete the Request
If you believe you are eligible to be released from your housing contract based on the information above, you may proceed to complete the request:- Log into the ARC system. Once there, in the left column navigate to Forms, and Housing Release Request.
- Complete the Housing Release Request Form prompts and choose your reason.
- Choose Today as your date to be release.
- Complete all prompts and click Submit.
- If you chose “Change in financial status since signing of housing contract” as your reason for release you must submit the appropriate documentation to SFS as described above and in the Release Request Form as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing.
- The ORL will receive your request and distribute it to the appropriate offices for approval. We are committed to providing you with a decision or an update within five business days of your request.
Room Change Policy
Although we try to accommodate student housing preferences, occasionally our residents will find themselves unhappy with their room assignment. While our goal in the Office of Residence Life is to provide our residents with developmental opportunities in all capacities, we understand that sometimes a room change is warranted.
Temporary Housing Policy
The goal of this Alvernia University Temporary Housing Policy is to assist our students in removing themselves from a situation that is not safe. This policy establishes guidelines and a support framework to provide emergency and temporary housing for students experiencing housing insecurity. The goal is to ensure that affected students have immediate access to safe shelter and supportive services to mitigate the impact of housing instability on their academic success and well-being.
This policy establishes guidelines and a support framework to provide emergency and temporary housing for students experiencing housing insecurity. The goal is to ensure that affected students have immediate access to safe shelter and supportive services to mitigate the impact of housing instability on their academic success and well-being.
- Eligibility
This policy applies to all currently enrolled students who face housing insecurity due to unforeseen circumstances, such as eviction, natural disasters, family conflict, or financial hardship. Support will be provided on a short-term basis, with an emphasis on connecting students to long-term solutions.
Students who experience emergency housing conditions, including homelessness, unstable living arrangements, or safety concerns, may be eligible for temporary housing.
Extenuating circumstances that may make a student eligible are as follows:
- The student’s off-campus housing has become uninhabitable due to damage or destruction.
- The student’s off-campus housing environment has become unsafe or unstable due to conflict or strained relationships with a partner, roommates, or family members, putting their well-being at risk.
- Students have lost access to their off-campus housing and are experiencing housing insecurity.
- The student has experienced a significant injury or medical emergency, creating a need for them to reside on campus to better access necessary resources and care.
- The student has lost access to reliable transportation, making it impossible for them to continue commuting to campus.
- Any other housing related hardships or unforeseen circumstances.
- Process
To determine if a student is eligible for temporary housing, they will be required to meet with the Alvernia University Director of Social Services.
The Director of Social Services will use a Checkpoint-Based Support Framework, which consists of a phased approach that will be implemented at key checkpoints over a four-week cycle:
Checkpoint 1: Immediate Response
- Student(s) in crisis can contact or be referred to the Director of Social Services.
- Temporary housing will be arranged within 24 hours in on-campus residence halls.
- Basic needs such as food, toiletries, and bedding will be provided upon arrival.
- Intake/assessment form – use for data collection.
Week 1
- Plan in place – wrap-around services offered (Penn Medicine – Alvernia Medical and Counseling Center, case management, crisis support, family engagement).
- The Director of Social Services will assist in monitoring/assisting with task completion (applying to apartments/jobs, budgeting, connecting to natural supports, meeting with Student Financial Services, referring to Penn Medicine – Alvernia Medical and Counseling Center, housing assistance, on-campus supports and off, etc.).
- The Director of Social Services will create a maximum 4-week plan, scheduling of meetings for check points.
- There will be no charge for week 1, and students will be provided with a 5-meal plan and access to Holleran Hall Community Kitchen.
Checkpoint 2: Needs Assessment
Within 48 hours of placement, the Director of Social Services will conduct an intake assessment to understand the student’s situation and develop a personalized action plan.- Referrals to counseling, financial aid, and other campus or community resources will be provided.
Checkpoint 3: Stabilization Plan
A stabilization plan will be created in collaboration with the student, outlining steps to secure long-term housing. Financial assistance, such as emergency grants or loans, may be offered if available.Weeks 2-3
- Active meetings with Director of Social Services for status update of plan. Is the student actively working on goals?
- If yes, then discuss the extended time frame for successful goal completion with the team.
- If not, then begin referring to shelters, drop-in centers, and emergency housing and calling for availability to plan with discharge date and warm off-hand to shelter/program or prep for going back to the previous living situation, prepare for leaving temporary housing.
Checkpoint 4: Transition Support
Week 4
4 weeks maximum – this should not be used more than once due to chronic homelessness being a concern – but be mindful of it not being utilized as a hotel as it pertains to the same student. If the student is choosing not to take a loan, resistant to going to shelters, they cannot stay in temporary housing if they are not actively working on the established goals.
Transition planning will begin within 14 days, focusing on moving the student to stable housing.
Follow-up services will be provided for up to 7 days after exiting temporary housing to ensure sustained stability.
- Placement, Pricing and Expectations
Placement
The student will be placed in one of our vacancies on campus, which will likely be a shared space depending on availability at the time. We will do our best to meet documented and medically necessary accommodations with what spaces are available.
Pricing
Week 1 – No cost for housing and free from Aramark Allocation (Commuter 5-block plan)
Weeks 2-4 – Prorated housing cost ($160/week) and flat fee for opt-in Meal Plan (Commuter 5-block plan)
Expectations
Students in temporary housing:
- Sign a short-term Housing contract before moving into the assigned space.
- Pay all damages assessed to the space that occurred during their stay.
- Return all key(s). Lost keys will result in a lost key fee of $250.
- Are not permitted to host overnight guests.
- Adhere to all university policies that apply to the residence space they occupy including, but not limited to, alcohol and drugs, pets, and weapons. College regulations and policies are published in the Student Handbook.
- Students in temporary housing are now allowed any overnight guests within their residence hall space.
Alvernia University reserves the right to discontinue temporary housing arrangements if the Office of Residence Life determines the student is violating policies for on-campus housing.
Meal Plan Policy (Updated March 2025)
All resident students are required to participate in the University’s food service program. All first-year residents must participate in the full 19-meal plan or the 14-meal plan during their first year. The student is allowed to change their meal plan beginning on the first day of classes of each semester and ending by the last day of the drop/add period. Commuter students and staff may purchase a commuter meal plan or pay cash. Read the meal plan policy.
