Male student walking under an iron arch that says Baker University

Residence Life – Baldwin City

Residency Requirements & Meal Plan Exemptions

Headshot

Samantha Cheek

Executive Assistant

Student Affairs

Long Student Center 202

All full-time Baker University students on the Baldwin City campus are required to live in university-sponsored housing, as stated under Residence Life in the Student Handbook:

. . . the university is committed to providing student housing for each student and to establishing a residential environment where information and guidance is combined with opportunities to learn through engagement with other residents, Student Affairs staff, and faculty. All full-time students (12 or more hours per semester) are required to live in university-sponsored housing unless they qualify for an exemption.

Living on campus provides important opportunities to students, such as closer interaction with classmates and added security. Nationally, students living on campus have higher grade point averages, are more active in campus organizations, and are more satisfied with the overall college experience.

Female student walking outside of Collins library

Exemptions to the Residency Requirement

Students who meet certain criteria may request to be considered for an exemption to the residency requirement. It is important to note that requests should be based on a need to live off campus, rather than a preference to live off campus. The request to live off-campus must be based on one of the reasons outlined below.

The university and Office of Student Affairs take seriously our responsibility to ensure safe housing for our students. Before students return to campus, we will provide education about effective procedures for keeping themselves and living spaces clean. Signage will be added to all rooms indicating cleaning schedules and “how tos.” Enforced room checks will ensure cleanliness in living spaces is being maintained. In addition, custodial staff has increased the frequency they clean public areas. Safety and cleanliness are the responsibility of every member of the Baker community and begin with each individual.

If a student has an underlying medical condition that may be impacted or complicated by the COVID-19 virus and there is a medical concern for group living, he or she should apply under the medical exemption reasons. As with all medical exemptions, these will be reviewed by our ADA office using current health and safety thresholds and guidelines.

When requesting an exemption, it is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation sufficient to justify the exemption. Exemption requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Requesting an exemption does not guarantee off-campus permission; therefore, students should not enter into a lease or other housing agreement until they receive an emailed response confirming the granted exemption. The university exemption process for approval of off-campus housing does not remove membership housing requirements in place by Greek chapters. Students requesting a university exemption need to review their Greek chapter residency requirements for members before proceeding.

Deadlines

If you feel that you have a compelling reason to live off campus, you must submit the residency requirement exemption (RRE) form by the following deadlines. Students requesting a financial exemption may receive notification after these dates.

Continuing & Returning Students

  • For the spring 2025 semester only:
    • Early review deadline: December 6, 2024
    • Final deadline: January 24, 2025
  • For the 2024-25 academic year:
    • Early review deadline: April 5, 2024
    • Final deadline: July 26, 2024

New Students

If you will be a new student, the Office of Admissions must have your enrollment deposit before you can apply for a residency requirement exception. Contact your admissions counselor if you need to know how to pay your enrollment deposit.

  • For the spring 2025 semester only:
    • Early review deadline: December 6, 2024
    • Final deadline: January 24, 2025
  • For the 2024-25 academic year:
    • Early review deadline: April 5, 2024
    • Final deadline: July 26, 2024

Submit Exemption Request

Exemption Considerations

The following are reasons a student might be allowed to live off-campus. The required documentation that must be submitted before approval can be granted is also listed.

I have a documented medical disability that requires off-campus accommodations.

I have a significant financial need.

I am living with my parent or legal guardian.

I am a fifth-year student.

I am married (or will be before the end of the semester for which the exemption is requested).

I am age 23 or older (or will be before the end of the semester for which the exemption is requested).

I am a transfer student with an associate degree or at least 60 completed credit hours.

I am participating in an allied health internship.

I am student teaching.

I am a veteran of the United States armed forces.

Meal Plan Accommodations & Exemptions

All full-time Baker University students on the Baldwin City campus who live in university housing (apartments exempt) are required to take a meal plan of 12 or more meals. Because of the limitations of the university’s facilities, students who require a specific arrangement that cannot be accommodated by Baker University, may be exempted or provided an accommodation from the meal plan requirement. An approved meal plan accommodation or exemption shall last for an academic year; the student must rerequest the meal plan accommodation or exemption each academic year with current documentation. A meal plan accommodation or exemption will not be granted solely on the basis of the student’s status as a vegetarian or vegan, or that food service does not meet a student’s personal food preferences. Students are encouraged to recognize the variety of food choices available to meet and advocate for their personal nutritional needs.

Meal Plan Exemption Considerations

The following are reasons a student might be allowed to receive an accommodation or exemption to the meal plan. The required documentation that must be submitted before approval can be granted is also listed.

Applications for meal plan exemptions will not be taken or processed after the Friday following the first day of classes for the spring or fall semester.

I have significant financial need.

I have a reason not listed.