Once you have been accepted to the University, you will receive a Contract for University Housing through the mail in your admission packet.  If you do not receive this contract, please contact the Office of Residence Life by phone at (573) 651-2274 or by e-mail at residencelife@semo.edu.

• Are living with lineal relatives (parent, grandparent) or legal guardian and commuting from their residence within a reasonable distance (50 miles) of Cape Girardeau.
• Are 21 years of age by the beginning of the semester for which they are enrolled.
• Are a military veteran.
• Have completed at least 57 credit hours, which are accepted by the University towards earning a degree from Southeast.  
• Are married and/or have dependent children in residence.
• Have lived in University housing at Southeast for two years (four semesters, not including summers).

Download a pdf copy of the Student Residency Release Application

The deposit submitted with the Contract for University Housing will be applied toward the contract cancellation fee. If not attending the University, this contract cannot be cancelled prior to official withdrawal at the cancellation of classes. A Contract for University Housing cancelled for approved reasons will result in a refund according to the following schedule:

Request Postmarked Amount of Deposit or Received By: Returned to Student Account:

• Thru May 1st Deposit - $25 cancellation fee = $125 refund
• May 2nd - June 15th Deposit - $50 cancellation fee = $100 refund
• June 16th – August 1st Deposit - $100 cancellation fee = $50 refund
• After August 1st Forfeit deposit

On or after opening day, all new, reentering, and transfer students are subject to cancellation fees as noted for returning students.

Contract Cancellations for Returning Students:

The Contract for University Housing is a legally binding agreement for the full term of the agreement. Contracts are officially accepted and binding 72 hours after receipt by the Office of Residence Life. Any request to cancel this contract must be made in writing and meet the requirements established by the University. Cancellations are not automatic and all requests are subject to review and approval by the University. The Office of Residence Life will state all cancellation decisions in writing.

• Students must contact the Office of Residence Life before moving out of the residence halls to request cancellation of the contract. A Petition to Terminate Contract form must be completed by the student and submitted with all documentation required to verify the stated reason for the request. The request is not considered approved until processed through the Office of Residence Life and a written decision is provided.
• Cancellations will be approved based upon published reasons such as when there is a: (1) change in status with the University (i.e., graduation, transfer, withdrawal, suspension) or (2) change in marital or dependent status (i.e., marriage, dependent children).
• Students approved for a contract cancellation will incur financial obligations as outlined by the Petition to Terminate Contract form.
• Students not required submitting a deposit will be held responsible for the same financial obligations as outlined on the Petition to Terminate Contract form.
• The contract will remain in force and the student will continue to be financially obligated for all room and board fees until the date the University agrees, in writing, to cancel the contract and the student officially checks out of housing. If the student chooses to leave the University, this contract cannot be cancelled prior to your official withdrawal which is the cancellation of classes.

Download a pdf copy of the Petition to Terminate Contract form.

Medical Housing Accommodation Request
In order to consider a request for housing assignments or cancellation requests involving a medical issue the student and health care provider must complete the Disability Accommodation Request (pdf download). Incomplete information or requests that are not related to a disability as outlined in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 cannot be honored. Please submit the form to the Office for Residence Life, One University Plaza MS 0055, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Students asking for an accommodation in Southeast Missouri State University residence halls are required to follow the this procedure to determine whether accommodations are medically necessary for a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

To determine your eligibility under the ADA and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, your attending physician or other health care provider must complete the enclosed forms and submit them to the Office or Residence Life for review. You are also asked to sign and submit the enclosed release so that your physician/health care provider can communicate directly with the Office or Residence Life about the health condition for which you are seeking accommodation. Please complete this information as soon as possible. Delays in providing this information will delay any considerations concerning your request for a different housing assignment.

Please note that a decision must be made concerning the medical necessity of your disability request before any changes to your housing assignment can be made. If a determination is made that your disability qualifies for reasonable accommodation in the residence halls, a change in your housing assignment will be made. The Office of Residence Life will contact you as soon as your new room and roommate are assigned. If it is determined that you are not eligible for different accommodations, because you do not meet the disability requirements under the law, your current residence hall assignment will remain active and the Office of Residence Life will contact you concerning your request.