- Second floor, Hundley Hall
- 434.544.8320
- residencelife@lynchburg.edu
- https://lynchburg.edu/student-life/housing-and-residence-life/
The Office of Residential Experience is a component of the Community Development portfolio within University Experience and Student Success. The office is responsible for all aspects of on-campus living for undergraduate students. The primary mission of the office is to develop a safe and secure residential community that fosters learning and growth.
The Residential Experience student staff consists of more than 30 undergraduate students who serve as community assistants (CAs) living in the residential facilities. These students provide peer counseling, maintain community standards, facilitate restorative practices within the community, and plan activities in support of a residential curriculum. Throughout the year, the Residential Experience staff sponsors a variety of programs on crucial topics, including but not limited to alcohol and other drugs, health issues, study skills, involvement, and social and cultural activities. Residential Experience staff members also hold periodic mandatory meetings for their residents. Attendance at these floor and/or building meetings is required of residents. Unexcused absences may result in fines and/or disciplinary action.
Questions about roommates, room changes, policies, organizations and activities, counseling, academic services, or other aspects of campus life for undergraduate students may be directed to any residential staff member or to the Office of Residential Experience.
On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing is available to single, full-time undergraduate students between the ages of 17 and 23. Requests for exception to this policy are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Office of Residential Experience.
The University of Lynchburg does not provide married or family housing.
Residential Requirements
The University of Lynchburg values on-campus living that exposes undergraduate students to a variety of meaningful out-of-class learning opportunities. Accordingly, on-campus living is required of undergraduate students, and off-campus living is a privilege earned through progression toward degree completion.
Violations of on-campus or off-campus residential requirements may result in revocation of eligibility to reside off campus and other disciplinary actions..
On-Campus Residential Requirements
Full-time undergraduate students are required to live in University of Lynchburg housing, other than: a) students living at home with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) at their permanent address and commuting to campus on a daily basis; b) students living with their own children and/or partner by marriage; and c) students age 23 and older. Undergraduate campus housing is not available for students younger than 17 years of age or older than 23 years of age.
Undergraduate students who have completed 85 or more credit hours (either at the University of Lynchburg or at another accredited institution) prior to the fall semester are eligible to live off campus during the next academic year, as are undergraduates continuing as second-degree students and non-degree-seeking graduate students continuing their studies immediately after baccalaureate degree completion. See “Off Campus Residential Requirements” for additional information regarding off-campus application.
Off-Campus Residential Requirements
Application to Reside Off Campus
Prior to making housing commitments off campus, students enrolling in undergraduate courses who wish to reside off campus must apply for and receive authorization to do so from the Office of Residential Experience. Students should not sign a lease or make other arrangements for any off-campus housing prior to receiving authorization to reside off campus from the Office of Residential Experience. Entering into a lease, rental or purchasing agreement, or other housing commitment prior to receiving approval to reside off campus is not justification for an exception to the Off-Campus Residential Requirements policy.
To receive and maintain off-campus residential approval, a student must first complete the Application to Reside Off Campus, which can be accessed through the student’s online housing portal. If approved, a student is then expected to provide the Office of Residential Experience and the Registrar’s Office with an accurate local address.
Students signing a Residential Living Agreement are entering into an academic year contract and are ineligible to move off campus during the academic year in which the contract applies. If a student chooses to move off campus after securing an on-campus location, the student will be assessed a $250 termination fee.
A student admitted for full-time enrollment cannot acquire off-campus authorization by dropping to part-time status (below 12 credit hours per semester).
After a student’s application to reside off campus has been approved, off-campus arrangements must be made directly between the student and the landlord. Although the University advises that careful attention be given to safety and health factors in choosing off-campus housing, it assumes no liability related to these factors.
Conduct at Off-Campus Residence
Students who live off campus are expected to act and maintain off-campus residences in ways that positively influence fellow students, the University, and the greater Lynchburg community. Courteous relationships with neighbors, based on respect, good communication, sensitivity to needs of varying lifestyles, and behaviors that do not infringe on others’ rights, are expected.
While encouraging students who reside off campus to exercise responsible self-regulation, the University retains the authority to adjudicate incidents that occur off campus and incidents in violation of the Honor and Student Conduct Codes. Off-campus living is a privilege that may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the University.
The University of Lynchburg’s Honor and Student Conduct Codes apply to students’ behavior on campus, within the city of Lynchburg, in the surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell, and anywhere when participating in a University program/event or acting in the capacity of a University of Lynchburg student. Students who live off campus are responsible for knowing all applicable University requirements and Lynchburg city ordinances and practices. Violation of University or community requirements may result in revocation of the privilege to live off campus or to live at certain locations, and may also result in University disciplinary action.
Community resources available to neighbors and students include:
- Lynchburg Police Department (434.847.1602, nonemergency)
- Community Development Inspections (434.455.3900)
- Health Department (434.477.5900)
- Regional office of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (434.582.5136)
- University’s Community Expectations and Restorative Practices (434.544.8822)
Residential Experience Inclusion Statement – Gender Inclusive Housing
Residential Experience (HRL) at the University of Lynchburg recognizes, welcomes, and affirms students of all gender identities, not limited to or by the traditional understanding of gender as only male or female.
As a way to provide students with a welcoming living environment and residential experience and to fulfill our vision as a department, HRL allows transgender, genderqueer, gender-nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming students to select housing environments based on their identity.
Gender-inclusive housing is available to both new, incoming residents, and returning residents. This type of housing option may be especially important/beneficial for:
- Students in the process of exploring their gender identity
- Students who do not wish to identify themselves by gender
- LGBTQIA+ identified students
- Students who feel more comfortable with a roommate/suitemate/apartmentmate/housemate of a specific gender self-identity
- Students who would prefer to live with or in a community of mixed gender and gender identity
Housing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students seeking housing accommodations for medical, physical, mental health, or cognitive disabilities should contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources at CADR@lynchburg.edu. Reasonable documentation completed by a licensed professional is required. For more information, see the webpage titled “Housing Accommodations'' on the University of Lynchburg’s website (lynchburg.edu). Individuals seeking housing accommodations should complete the request process as soon as practicably possible before receiving a housing assignment. A priority period, prior to the start of the standard housing sign-up process, is provided for students seeking housing accommodations.
Special Note: The University of Lynchburg reserves the right to change policies, procedures, resources, calendar dates, fees, and any statements in The Hornet at any time. If the University of Lynchburg amends the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and Regulations during the period when this edition of The Hornet is effective, the amendment will be announced on the student handbook webpage, lynchburg.edu/hornet. The amendment will become effective 15 days after such announcement, unless the University deems that circumstances warrant immediate implementation, such as a change in law impacting University policy, a medical or public health issue, or other urgent situation.
