TERMS & CONDITIONS: 2025 SPRING SEMESTER AND 2025-2026 BHSU ACADEMIC YEAR AGREEMENT FOR ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS 

2.        Live-On Requirement: The South Dakota Board of Regents Policy requires unmarried students to live on campus during their first two years of school. Specifically, the policy reads as follows: “During the first two years when they were or would have graduated from high school, all unmarried students who enroll in courses delivered on the main campus for six (6) credit hours or more are required to enter into a housing agreement with the institution unless special permission to room elsewhere is received. Permission ordinarily shall be granted to students with dependent children or to students who reside† full time during the academic year with parents or legal guardians (also, BHSU ordinarily grants permission to students with documented health problems/disabilities or those with documented financial hardships)”. BHSU permits a maximum 35-mile commuting distance (measured in driving distance). Appeals for all exemption statuses will be reviewed annually. During the fall term, appeals for all exemption statuses will be accepted from new students only. Emergency medical and financial appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for the entirety of the academic and non-academic year. † Residency verification must be provided in writing by the parent(s) or legal guardian to the BHSU Residence Life office. For more information on the Housing Appeal process and specific dates, please visit www.bhsu.edu/housingappeals.

3.        Meal Plan Requirement/Dining Service: Residence hall students must minimally carry the “Yellow Jacket” meal plan. Apartment students must minimally carry the “Suite Deal” meal plan. Dining services are not provided during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring Break periods. The last meal served is lunch on the last official day of final examinations. Dining Services agreements are not transferable. Disciplinary action may be taken and charges levied against individuals allowing other persons to use one or any of their meal counts/benefits. Meal plan changes may be made through the end of the first week of each semester, at which time, choice of meal plan is final. Students must have their Buzz card in their possession to use a meal from their meal plan or to use their food dollars; no other form of identification is accepted. BHSU Dining Services

4.        Agreement Terms & Authority: Agreeing students and parents/legal guardians are reminded that signing this document establishes an agreement relationship with Black Hills State University. It is considered binding once the university has received and approved your agreement. From the beginning date of the agreement period, the Agreement for Room Accommodations binds the resident student for the full academic year, excluding summer sessions. If the agreement is entered into at the start of the fall semester, the agreement will be binding until the final day of the Spring Semester. If the University revises the academic year dates, those revised dates will apply and will not alter the financial obligation under this agreement. Students are obligated to know and follow the policies and procedures described in the BHSU Student Handbook and the BHSU Student Code of Conduct and Residential Standards of Living, as they are integral parts of the agreement between the student and the university. https://www.bhsu.edu/Student-Life/Student-Handbook

5.        Room Deposit: To obtain on-campus residence, each student must submit $100 to the Department of Residence Life. This money is considered a security deposit and is fully refundable based on the condition of the room and furnishings upon vacating the Residence Halls. If the terms and conditions of the Housing Agreement are broken, deposit monies are forfeited.

6.        Room Deposit Refund Policy

a.        For Those Who Never Attended BHSU, or Who Never Checked-In to On-Campus Housing, or BHSU Students Who Submitted a Contract and Need to Cancel Room Agreement/Assignment… Security monies are refundable if notice of agreement cancellation is submitted to the Department of Residence Life no later than July 1 for agreements beginning Fall Semester and December 1 for agreements beginning Spring Semester. Submission of agreement cancellation can be done over the phone, via e-mail, or by mail. Security monies shall be forfeited by any student who does not adhere to the aforementioned dates.

b.        For BHSU Students Leaving before Completion of Agreement Term and Live-On Residency Requirement... Students who have graduated, have left to student teach, have married, or have completed their pre-professional programs are eligible for a deposit refund. Such students must notify the Residence Life Office in writing and request that their deposit be refunded. Students leaving the residence facilities for any other reason during the contract term or live-on residency requirement are NOT eligible for a deposit refund. Failure to fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement, return keys, or pay University fines will cause partial or full forfeiture of the deposit. 

c.        For BHSU Students Leaving after Completion of Agreement... Students who have fulfilled their live-on residence requirement and have not secured an on-campus residence for the upcoming Fall semester, will automatically receive a refund of their security monies. Such students do not need to request this refund. Failure to fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement, return keys, or pay University fines will cause partial or full forfeiture of the deposit. 

7.        Assignment Policy: Residents are assigned to rooms/suites/apartments/halls according to their priority date, preferences noted on their housing agreement, and space availability. New students are assigned rooms/suites/halls after current students have had the opportunity to renew their housing options.

a.        The official date the university receives this agreement and deposit becomes your priority date. 

b.        All assignments are based upon your priority date. 

c.        Deposit money must be sent in U.S. dollars and drawn from U.S. banks. 

d.       Agreement should be submitted immediately. Your preferences are considered and made only as space is available. 

e.        When requesting a roommate/suitemate, follow these guidelines: 

                                       i.      Your roommate/suitemate request must request you in writing; 

                                     ii.      Your agreement, deposit, and your requested roommate’s/suitemate’s agreement and deposit should be submitted to Residence Life as close to the same date as possible; 

                                    iii.      The latest “priority date” of agreements between parings requests is the date used for the joint assignment. 

                                    iv.      Unless otherwise noted, roommate/suitemate preference takes priority over hall or room preferences; 

                                      v.      If students list different roommate/suitemate preferences, the order of choices begins with the first interest of the latest “priority date” agreement.  

8.        Temporary Assignments: The University may place residents in temporary housing assignments. As permanent accommodations become available, temporarily assigned residents are required to move to permanent accommodations only as offered by the University.  

9.        Tobacco Use is not permitted in any residence hall room, campus suite, or public areas in University-owned housing.  

10.     Check-in and Check-out: Residents are considered checked-in when they obtain the room/suite key. When moving into the assigned room/suite, the resident shall complete, sign and turn in a Residence Life Room/Suite Inventory Form. When vacating the assigned room/suite, the resident must check-out with the Hall Director or their designee. The Residence Life Room/Suite Inventory Form and an inspection by an appointed Residence Life staff serves as the basis for check-out charges, if assessed. Each resident agrees to follow the proper check-out procedures when vacating the premises or relocating within the system. This includes, but is not limited to, removing personally owned furniture and equipment, removing all waste and debris, and leaving the room/suite in the same condition as when accepted, reasonable wear and tear accepted. The resident is responsible for cleaning. Maintenance or repair required to return premises to the same condition as when accepted is accomplished by University-appointed personnel and is billed accordingly.

11.     Late Check-in: Assigned bed space is held until 8:00 a.m. of the first day (of university-scheduled classes) of each semester/session. If the resident fails to check in at the assigned residence building, they may be assigned to an alternate bed space or dropped from housing until their University withdrawal or non-registered status is confirmed.  

12.     Room/Suite Changes: A resident may change rooms/suites only with a written authorization from her/his Hall Director. Unauthorized room/suite changes or failure to move out of a room/suite when required may result in additional charges and disciplinary actions as determined by the University. BHSU Residence Life employs a two (2) week “move hold” at the beginning of each semester. During this time there are no room changes unless approved by the Complex Director or Assistant Director of Residence Life.

13.     Resident Responsibilities: The resident agrees to observe all rules and regulations of BHSU plus local laws and State of South Dakota laws which are incorporated by reference into this document. The resident agrees to honor all terms and conditions stated in this agreement, the 2025-2026 Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct and Residential Standards of Living. https://www.bhsu.edu/Student-Life/Student-Handbook

14.     Immunizations and the Meningitis Vaccine: Measles, mumps, and rubella are contagious diseases, with measles being extremely contagious. High saturation living, such as a university residence hall, increases the potential of measles becoming an epidemic. South Dakota law requires all college or university students to present to the Student Health Center a certificate of immunization from a licensed physician showing two immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella or a record of an immune antibody titer against measles or an approved exemption. Individuals who, for medical or religious reasons, are unable to be immunized as required may file an exemption. In the event of an outbreak, students with exemptions can expect to be quarantined off campus at their own expense--no refund for room & board. The University is not responsible for any liability the student may suffer because of noncompliance. The University concurs with the American College Health Association’s recommendation that all college students should receive the meningococcal vaccine. Meningitis immunization is not required but is strongly recommended.  

15.     Rates: Room rates for 2025-2026 are determined in April of 2025. As of October 2024, the 2025-2026 rates are not yet available. It is anticipated that rates may increase by 3-5 percent over the 2024-2025 rates. The 2024-2025 Residence Hall Rates were as follows:

16.     Double-as-Single Room: Contingent upon availability, residents may request to live in a double-occupancy room/suite as a single-occupied room/suite. Also, the University reserves the right to assign students to single-occupied rooms/suites for unique necessary reasons. Rates for a Double-as-Single room/suite are computed from the date that the person occupied the room/suite as a single, except where no roommates are available elsewhere in the housing system.

17.     Consolidating Vacancies: The University reserves the right to change room/suite or hall assignments, to assign roommates/suitemates, and to consolidate vacancies by requiring a resident to move from a single-occupied double-occupancy room/suite to a double-occupied double-occupancy room/suite. Residents who find themselves without a roommate/suitemate have three choices:

a.        Elect to agree for the same accommodations for the remainder of that semester and pay the “Double-as-Single” room/suite rate;

b.        Consolidate with another resident of their own choosing or

c.        c. Consolidate with a roommate or suitemate chosen by the Residence Life staff. At the university's discretion, residents living alone may be charged the “Double-as-Single” room rate.  

18.     Vacating the Residence Halls/Suites: Residential students must vacate the premises within 24 hours of their last final exam (fall and spring semester) or upon discontinuance as a student, whichever occurs earlier. To establish continuance, fall residential students returning for the spring semester as residential students must be registered for at least six (6) spring semester credit hours before noon of the last day of final exams.

19.     Residence Hall Closures: The BHSU Residence Halls close for Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Students residing in Bordeaux Hall, Heidepriem Hall, Humbert Hall, and Thomas Hall must vacate their assigned space during these break periods. Students wishing to reside in their assigned space during this time must pay a nightly fee associated with their stay. Please contact the BHSU Residence Life Office to set up these accommodations.

Students in the Yellow Jacket Apartments and Wenona Cook Hall will retain access to and may occupy their assigned spaces during break times

20.     Food Preparation in Residence Hall Rooms: For health and safety reasons, residents may not cook in their rooms with appliances that possess an open heating element (such as hotplates, toasters, and toaster ovens). Additionally, electric grills are not allowed. Electric coffee pots, corn poppers and microwave ovens are allowed (for heating of simple convenience foods) but must be Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) approved and a maximum of 1000 watts. The University reserves the right to remove cooking appliances. Residents may furnish their own room refrigerator provided it is limited to 4.4 cubic feet in size (kitchens are provided & cooking is allowed in the Campus Suites).

21.     Pets in the Residence Halls: No pets (animals or reptiles) are allowed in the halls, except fish. Aquariums must not exceed 10 gallons. BHSU Residence Life will make accommodations per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Service and Assistance Animals. Residents must have Service Animals pre-registered and Assistance Animals approved before bringing them to campus.  Please contact the Office of Disability Services and inform BHSU Residence Life of the pending request.  Follow the link below for contact information and animal policy.  Students must comply with all regulations/requirements set forth by the BHSU Office of Disability Services BEFORE they are allowed to bring a Service or Assistance animal into any BHSU-owned residence halls. https://www.bhsu.edu/Student-Life/Student-Services/Disability-Services/

22.     Disciplinary Action: Disciplinary action may be taken against University students and other individuals on University property for violation of state and local laws, University rules and regulations and policies. This may include, but is not limited to, such action as monetary compensation, rescinding privilege to use all or part of Residence Life or other University services, or any sanctions necessary to maintain order and protect the rights of students, faculty, and staff. A resident is immediately suspended from occupancy if the University determines continued occupancy poses substantial risk or harm to the safety of the resident or others, or unduly interrupts legitimate operational process of the University. In the event a student is removed from the residence halls as a disciplinary action, the security money is forfeited.

23.     No-Nonsense Stance Against the use Illegal of Drugs: The illegal use/manufacture/sale of drugs or being party thereto is unacceptable. This includes the abuse of prescription drugs. Disciplinary action is taken against any student involved in such drug use. Illegal possession, consumption, provision, or sale of narcotics or drugs, or possession of paraphernalia, will result in disciplinary action and referral to law enforcement officials. It is a violation of University policy to knowingly be in the presence of others who possess illegal drugs or paraphernalia, or to be in the presence of a person using illegal drugs.

24.     Liability: Black Hills State University, its officers, employees and agents, and the Department of Residence Life are not liable for any property of the resident that may be lost, stolen or damaged in any way, anywhere on the premises of the University. The resident agrees to save, hold harmless, and indemnify the University and its officers, employees and agents from any claims or damages substantiated by the resident or other parties as the result of the acts or omissions of the resident relating to any changes or modifications made by resident to the room or furnishings, including but not limited to, the construction of the beds, bookshelves, partitions or other structures. The resident is financially responsible to the University in the event a 3rd party, who is injured by the resident’s acts or omissions, claims the University is liable for damages. The Department of Residence Life strongly encourages students to either (1) make arrangements with their parent’s or guardian’s homeowner’s insurance company to insure coverage for personal belongings, or (2) purchase separate personal property insurance or renter’s insurance.

25.     Property Insurance Information: Occasionally, incidents such as flood, fire, theft, and other events may cause damage to residents’ personal property stored in campus residence hall rooms and/or the campus suites/apartments. BHSU does not carry insurance on residents’ belongings and can only pay for damages as permitted by State law. Therefore, the Department of Residence Life strongly encourages students to either (1) make arrangements with their parent’s or guardian’s homeowner’s insurance company to insure coverage for personal belongings or (2) purchase separate personal property insurance or renters insurance. In some instances, a parent’s or guardian’s homeowner’s insurance will cover damage to the personal property of a dependent child in a state owned facility (such as residence hall or university-owned apartment), but this is not a universal truth. Consult with your parents or guardians and their insurance agent to decide whether or not personal belongings on campus are already covered and if there might be any limitations to the coverage. If not covered or cannot be added, consider purchasing separate personal property insurance or renters insurance.

26.     BHSU Residence Life: A web page to help you become better acquainted with the residence halls, staff, our operating philosophy and the rules and regulations that govern all residential students, please visit our webpage. You will find information designed to help your transition successfully to on-campus living. www.bhsu.edu/residencelife. 

27.     BHSU Internet Service: Network and Computing Services provides Internet connections for the residential students. To connect, users must meet minimum system requirements. Requirements are enforced that check for anti-virus, patches and other security related updates. No additional fees are required. https://www.bhsu.edu/IITS/Services/student-recommended-computer-specs  

28.     Personal Property Disposal: The University has the right to immediately dispose of any personal property left on the premises after the end of the agreement term or other termination of this agreement. 

29.     Agreement Assignments and Authority: A resident may not sub-agree any part of the premises or allow any unauthorized party to occupy the premises. If the resident is under age 18, the parents/legal guardian shall become a party to this agreement and shall sign as evidence of accepting agreement responsibilities.