How is Covid-19 impacting the live-on requirement?

  • Oregon State University - Cascades believes that the first-year live-on requirement is essential to supporting students’ transition to the university and success in their academic progress. We recognize concerns have been expressed about college students living in residential communities due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19. In accordance with guidance from health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Oregon Health Authority, county health departments and other health agencies, significant planning has gone in to designing public health strategies to strive to prevent the potential spread of the virus throughout the university and within OSU residence halls.

    Students who have a personal COVID-19 medical concern may request an exemption. These students should begin by working with the Disability Access Services Office (DAS) to identify what reasonable accommodations are needed. Once DAS makes a determination that an accommodation to be exempted from the first-year residence requirement is appropriate, the student would submit an exemption request noting their approved accommodation and the exemption will be approved.

How does OSU-Cascades define a first year student?
  • An individual enrolled in, or seeking to enroll in, classes at OSU-Cascades for the first time within one calendar year of their high school graduation.
What is considered “on-campus?”
  • All Oregon State University-Cascades owned and operated residences. 
How do I request an exemption? 
How do I receive notification regarding the status of my exemption request? 
  • All communication regarding the status of an exemption request will be sent to the student’s ONID email address and through the myHousing portal.  Please ensure that you have set up your ONID email address before filing for an exemption and remember to check your email throughout the process. 
I have been a part of a program attending community college courses while in high school, am I still required to live on campus?
  • Yes, even if you have been attending community college courses while in high school, if it is less than one year since you graduated from high school you are required to live on campus.
I graduated from high school over a year ago, am I still required to live on campus?
  • No. If you graduated from high school more than one calendar year before the term you are starting classes, you are not required to live on campus and do not need to claim an exemption. All new OSU-Cascades students are still encouraged to live on campus.
I’m a new freshman attending summer session at OSU-Cascades after graduating high school – am I required to live-on?
  • In this case, the student is not required to live on campus during the summer session, but is required to live on campus that year beginning in the fall for three terms.
        If I am granted an exemption but my off-campus living situation changes during my first year, is my exemption rescinded?
        • Yes. All students who are obligated to this policy must abide by the terms of their exemption, request a new exemption if their circumstances change, or move on campus to be in compliance with this policy.
        What happens if I don't abide by the live-on policy?
        • Students who are bound to this policy and found not to be in compliance will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for resolution.  If the student is found to be responsible for violating this policy, the student may be subject to sanctions through the student conduct process.
        Who do I contact if I have more questions regarding the First-Year Experience Live-on Requirement?
        • Residential Education and Housing can assist you in answering questions on how the live-on requirement may apply to your student status, as well as provide additional information on the housing and dining options we offer. 
        • If you have any questions regarding the status of your exemption request, please contact FYE Exemption Committee by email at fye.exemptions@osucascades.edu. If you have any questions regarding the live-on policy, please contact Residential Education and Housing at 541-322-3177. 
        If I sign my housing contract and request an exemption that is granted, is the housing contract automatically cancelled or do I have to do something?
        • If a student is granted an exemption prior to the start of the academic year, their contract will be automatically cancelled. 
        • If a student would like to live on campus, they will need to contact Housing at housing@osucascades.edu to reactive their application.
        • If a student is granted an exemption during the year, they must speak to Housing regarding the process to officially cancel and check out of their room.
        If I cancel my contract and move off campus, will I be charged a cancellation fee?
        • First year students are required to live on-campus as part of OSU’s First-Year Experience program; therefore, you will not be allowed to cancel your contract and move off campus. If a student decides to move off campus without an approved exemption by OSU-Cascades from the live-on requirement, they will be responsible for the appropriate cancellation fees per the housing contract as well as potential conduct action with the University for violating a University policy.
        If I am no longer going to be attending OSU-Cascades but have applied for housing, how do I cancel?
        Will my financial circumstances be considered as criteria for exemption from the requirement to live on campus?
        • Students’ financial circumstances will not be considered as a basis for exemption. At this time, there are multiple housing and dining options available for students to request that can best meet their financial circumstances. Living on campus in a student’s first year at OSU-Cascades will provide the greatest opportunity to succeed in their academic pursuits.
        I am living at home while attending OSU-Cascades for my first year. How can I confirm that my address is within the 45 mile radius of campus? Is there an exception for the 2023-2024 fall term? 
        • The zip codes that fall within the 45 mile radius of campus include:
          • 97701 - Bend
          • 97702 - Bend
          • 97703 - Bend
          • 97707 - Sunriver
          • 97730 - Camp Sherman
          • 97734 - Culver
          • 97739 - La Pine
          • 97753 - Powell Butte
          • 97756 - Redmond
          • 97759 - Sisters
          • 97760 - Terrebonne
        What documentation do I need to provide to support my request to live at home or with relatives?
        • If you plan to live at the origin address on record with OSU-Cascades with immediate family, you need only request an exemption.
        • If you plan to live at another address with immediate family, you will need to provide documentation.  This must include:
          • The name of the family member you are going to live with.
          • Their relationship to you.
          • Proof of address in the form of a copy of the mortgage or lease agreement with the family member's name. (Example: I am going to be living with my sister Susie Smart at 650 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702. Attached is the lease agreement confirming my sister’s residence).
          • Please note that if more than your family member is listed on the mortgage or lease agreements, you will need to provide an explanation of who they are and how they are related to you.
        What documentation do I need to submit as proof of marriage? 
        • You will need a marriage certificate or a certified copy of a marriage certificate.  Or, if you are on an F-1 visa or a J-1 visa, you may submit a copy of your visa paperwork listing your spouse. 
         What documentation do I need to submit regarding my children?
        • You will need a birth certificate or a certified copy of a birth certificate proving your relationship to your child.  Or, if you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you may submit a copy of your visa paperwork listing your children as your dependents.
        Who is considered a domestic partner?
        •  You can read about Oregon State University's domestic partnership policy here.
        Will I need to provide a translation in English if my documents are in a language other than English?
        •  Yes, we will need to have a translation if the documents you provide to us are not in English.
        What if I request an exemption based on disability?
        • Refer back to the housing application for information regarding Disability Access Services (DAS) or visit the Residential Education and Housing website.  Students will need to set up an appointment with DAS to discuss the disability they are filing the exemption for and work with DAS to determine what needs they have.
        • Students who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 per guidance from the CDC also may request an exemption. These students should begin by working with the Disability Access Services Office (DAS) to identify what reasonable accommodations are needed. Once DAS makes a determination that an accommodation to be exempted from the first-year residence requirement is appropriate, the student would submit an exemption request noting their approved accommodation and the exemption will be approved.
        How does the exemption committee review religious exemption requests?
        • OSU-Cascades supports the diversity of our student population in the residence hall. This includes students with specific religious beliefs and practices. The fact that a student holds a particular or strong religious belief or prefers to live with like-minded individuals will not automatically exempt the student from the freshman residency requirement. OSU-Cascades is able to accommodate religious practices and beliefs in a variety of ways including worship space; washing stations; and students’ ability to use residence hall meeting rooms for worship sharing, Bible study and other religious support groups. Dietary needs can usually be met through our dining plan options. Students may choose to form study groups, support groups, dining “buddy” table groups based on religious affiliations. If a student identifies a practice required by their religion and the Exemption Review Committee determines that OSU-Cascades cannot accommodate that practice, an exemption may be granted.
        What if I have a reason not identified already?
        • The reasons listed in the policy are the only ones that will qualify a student for an exemption.  Please note that the following will not be granted:
          • Student is bound to a lease for an apartment or house off campus.
          • Student expresses a desire to live with (or avoid living with) certain types of people.
          • Student did not know that there was a live-on requirement policy. 
          • Student expresses a desire to save money by living off campus or does not have enough money/financial aid.
          • Student expresses a desire for more privacy, space, or choice than is perceived to exist by living on campus.