Residential Life and Housing Policy

Walla Walla University is a residential campus committed to providing an environment where students live and dine together to encourage community and foster a positive outcome associated with student learning. 

Expectations for Students Living Off Campus 

• Students must abide by Walla Walla University’s expectations as stated in the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct and take responsibility when hosting student guests so they will likewise be in accordance with expectations. 
• False or misleading information shall be grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. 
• Students are obligated to report changes in housing or off-campus eligibility to housing@smcun.com. 
• Students may not live with a romantic partner unless married as defined by Walla Walla University’s Sexual Identity Statement and Sexual Standards Policy contained within the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct. 
• Students may not sleep in vehicles on university properties for the purpose of habituating, occupying, or making other temporary or full-time living arrangements. 
• If at any time the university receives information that expectations for living off campus are not met, a student may be required to move into the residence halls.

Residence Hall Waiver

Residence Hall Waiver Application 2024-2025 (includes summer 2025)

Subject to verification and authorization by Residential Life and Housing, students may apply to live off campus when one of the off-campus living criteria is met. 

1. Living with a parent, grandparent (parent of parent), uncle or aunt (sibling of parent), or at least 19 years old and with sibling who is at least 22 years old in non-university-owned housing. The waiver application must be notarized.
2. At least 19 years old and living with a sibling who at least 22 years old in university-owned Village Housing. 
3. Living with a full-time Walla Walla University faculty or staff member. 
4. Married and/or have children. 
5. Returned WWU student missionary (15 faux credits allotted per quarter served). 
6. Within 4 credits or 35 days in age of meeting eligibility to live off campus by the first day of the quarter. 

Clean Quarter Requirement 

Continuing/returning Walla Walla University students must have maintained a clean quarter through their most recent quarter prior to moving off campus. A student who does not have a clean quarter incurred one or more of the following:  

• Drug and alcohol policy violation. 
• Residence Hall Contract for violating curfew/no contact. 
• Worship program noncompliance. 
• Residence hall probation. 
• Any conduct requiring a Behavioral Contract. 

Important Residence Hall Waiver Information 

• All submitted documentation is subject to verification. Additional information may be required by Residential Life & Housing. 
• Once the application is reviewed, an email will be sent via WWU email. Students are strongly advised not to make a commitment for alternate housing before receiving full approval for a residence hall waiver. Walla Walla University will not be held financially liable for costs associated with starting or breaking a housing contract.
• Supplemental documentation should be submitted with the application. Applications that are incomplete will be rejected. 
• A housing waiver application and documentation need to be submitted annually until eligibility for off-campus housing has been obtained. 
• Any notary expense is the responsibility of the student. 

Host Expectations 

• The host must live on a daily basis in the same household with the student at the address provided.  
• The student may not live in a separate apartment or basement apartment with a separate entrance. 
• Rent charges, household rules, or other expectations are arranged individually between the host and the student. 
• Any false or misleading information will jeopardize the student’s status at Walla Walla University. 
• The host must notify Walla Walla University Village Housing if any of the following occurs during the time specified on the application: 
  • The student or the host ceases to live in the home on a daily basis. 
  • The host becomes aware of concerns that impact the holistic welfare of the student. 
  • The host becomes aware that the student’s conduct is not in harmony with Walla Walla University’s expectations. 

Housing Exemption Requests 

Housing Exemption Request 

Students may request a housing exemption for an extreme personal or financial hardship, or for a medical-, psychological-, or disability-related condition.  

Housing Exemption Request Deadlines 

Housing exemption requests must be submitted by the deadline listed unless there is a sudden or extreme change in circumstance.  

Fall: June 15
Winter: October 15
Spring: January 15
Summer: April 15

Important Housing Exemption Information 

• All submitted documentation is subject to verification. Additional information may be required. 
• Housing exemption requests and documentation need to be submitted annually until eligibility for off-campus housing has been obtained. 
• It is strongly advised not to make a commitment for alternate housing before receiving full approval for a housing exemption. Walla Walla University will not be held financially liable for costs associated with starting or breaking a housing contract.
• An exemption request must be submitted by the student. 
• Any supporting documentation must be submitted with the request.
• An exemption request does not take the place of a Village Housing application. If the student is requesting an exemption and also wishes to live in Village Housing, the student must also submit a Village Housing application during the open application period to be placed on the waitlist. 
• Students who receive approval for extreme financial hardship who also seek to live in university-owned Village Housing will be limited to living in Birch apartments with a roommate or University Studios. Extreme financial hardship applicants must submit a Village Housing application during the open application period and if approved, will be placed on the waitlist below other applicants who already meet eligibility to live off campus by age or credits.
• Exemption requests are reviewed by the Housing Committee and are coordinated with other departments as necessary. Decisions will be communicated to students through WWU email, following the submission deadline. 
• Appeals may be sent to housing@smcun.com within three business days (or 10 days for medical-, psychological-, or disability-related requests) of the decision and must include additional information that was not included with the original exemption request. The email must clearly state what information is new. Appeals will be reviewed by the Special Housing Requests Committee. The decision of the Special Housing Requests Committee is final. There is no further appeal to move decisions beyond this level. 

Common Situations and Reasons an Exemption Request is Denied 

• Not enough documentation or information provided for review. 
• Unhappiness with residence hall life: This may be an adjustment period and there may be some remedies. 
• When reasonable accommodation can be provided within the residence hall for medical-, psychological-, or disability-related conditions. 
• When it is determined the information received is not sufficient to qualify for an extreme financial hardship. Being able to live less expensively off campus does not necessarily qualify a student for an exemption. 

Financial Clearance Housing Form 

Students who have applied for a waiver or exemption may still need to complete a short housing form and provide a brief description regarding their living arrangement during the financial clearance process. This is reviewed by the housing department and cross-referenced with any forms or documentation received within 1 business day of submission. The housing form is not the venue for requesting a residence hall waiver or exemption.