Residential Requirement

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IMPORTANT NEWS: Spelman Implements
Sophomore Residency Requirement:

Dear Spelman Parent,

For several years now, full-time, first-year students have been required to live on campus. As we have informed each entering class since the decision was made in 2006, beginning this fall, all traditional aged full-time, second-year students will also be required to live on campus. During the past few weeks, several students and parents have raised questions about the new residential requirement for full-time, first-year and sophomore students. I am writing to provide information about the policy and to answer some frequently-asked questions.

Why Have We Introduced This Requirement?

As a residential learning community, Spelman is committed to fostering the intellectual, ethical, professional and leadership development of our students and to supporting students as they create community and maintain balance in their lives. We believe that learning does not begin and end in the classroom, but is a continuous process that extends into other areas of college life. Studies show that living on campus greatly contributes to college students' success.

In previous years, Spelman has not had the capacity to house the majority of its students. Because we realized that a residential experience was important, we built a new residence hall so that we could accommodate first-year students and sophomores on campus. We believe that, ideally, a student would live on campus all four years, yet we realize that as students get closer to graduation, they may want to begin the transition to off-campus living. Thus, we believe that the residential experience is especially important for our younger students. We are pleased that our increased housing capacity will provide opportunities for more of our students to reap the full benefits from the Spelman experience. We appreciate the positive feedback we have received from so many parents who understand the importance of this policy.

Understanding that there are compelling individual circumstances that would warrant living off campus, students will be provided an opportunity to request an exemption to the sophomore residency requirement. The Dean of Students, Dr. Vera Rorie, will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. All requests for exemptions must be submitted to Dean Rorie with appropriate documentation.

Generally, requests to be released from housing and its associated financial obligations will be denied unless there is good cause. Thus, all full-time first-year and second-year students should plan to live on campus. A student may not simply be relieved of her financial obligations because she decides it would be preferable to live off campus.

We strongly encourage all students to participate in the housing selection process so that they can have a choice in their room assignment. Among the living options for sophomores will be the new residence hall. Failure to secure on-campus housing will result in the student incurring on-campus housing charges. Students who fail to complete the housing selection process and who are denied permission to live off campus will be assigned a room at the discretion of the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Students will be notified by the Dean of Students by April 21, 2008 if their request for appeal has been granted. If the request for exemption is denied, the student will be required to secure housing and/or participate in the housing selection process as well as pay all applicable housing fees for the upcoming year.

For questions, please contact Ms. Brenda Rogers, Director of Housing and Residence Life at (404) 270-5353 or brogers2@spelman.edu, or Dr. Vera Rorie, Dean of Students at (404) 270-5132 or vrorie@spelman.edu. You may also contact me via the information below.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sherry L. Turner
Vice President for Student Affairs
Spelman College
350 Spelman Lane SW
Box 1577
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
(404) 270-5131 (Direct)
(404) 270-5137 (Fax)