Living Off Campus & Senior Release

Because Union College is a residential campus, students are required and expected to live in College housing for the entirety of their undergraduate experience.

Each year, the College permits a small number of eligible rising seniors to be released from their Housing Contract to secure Private Off-Campus housing (housing not owned by/affiliated with the College) for the upcoming year. Unless a student receives a written "release" from the College, they are not authorized to secure private housing or a lease for an off-campus residence in place of their College Housing Contract. Signing a lease without permission will not release applicants from Union College’s residency requirement or any on-campus financial obligations due to the College.

For planning purposes, expect the 2026 senior off-campus release process to approve 20-40 students for off-campus living. Additional releases may or may not happen after the initial process.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the release process, students must be currently enrolled and:

• Have had a 2.5 cumulative GPA as of the beginning of the Winter term in their junior year.
• Be a member of the current junior class (as determined by the Registrar's Office) as of the beginning of the winter term.
• Be in good standing with the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Any student who has been suspended or has been placed on any level of probational status is not eligible. Students are required to remain in good standing or could have their approval revoked.
• Not have another required housing assignment for the next (senior) academic year (ex: fraternity or sorority chapter house). Students who have not completed the minimum 3-term requirement inside their fraternity/sorority house will not be eligible for release.

**Members of the junior class who are on leave of absence during the winter term will not be eligible to participate in the process unless approval to return has been granted.

Personal Pre-Release Checklist

Prior to submitting an application for release students should:

1. Confirm that they have the right number of credit hours (27 hours needed by fall term of senior year)
2. Contact Financial Aid to see if living off-campus would have any impact on their package. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at (518) 388-6123 to make an appointment with a counselor.
3. Review the housing registration timeline, and submit the housing registration by the required deadline.

Lottery Application Process

Students who would like the opportunity to pursue Private Off-Campus housing must be eligible to be considered for a release. Eligible students will be randomized (akin to the housing lottery) and we will offer releases until the approved number is reached. The number of releases we can extend is based on projected enrollment. Based on the amount of interest received, not all interested and eligible students will be released in a given year. Students who are not selected for release or decline their offered release will be able to participate in other subsequent college housing application and lottery processes.

• Submit the Housing Registration for the 2025-2025 academic year and indicate in the registration process that you would like to participate in Senior Off-Campus Release.
• The Office of Residential Education & Housing will use a randomizer to student release priority order
• All students approved to live off-campus will be notified and will complete the Senior Off-Campus Release Confirmation Form. Failure to complete the confirmation sheet will result in a forfeiture of a spot off campus.

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT SIGN A LEASE (OR CONTRACT), ENTER INTO A VERBAL CONTRACT, OR MAKE A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO A RENTAL UNIT UNLESS OFFICIALLY RELEASED BY THE OFFICE OF RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION & HOUSING THROUGH THIS PROCESS. Students who secure private leases outside of this process will not be excused from their College housing obligation. They will remain responsible for the full cost of their housing contract with the College for the academic year. The Office of Residential Education & Housing does not sanction or inspect off campus property and does not mediate landlord/tenant issues. Students living off campus are responsible for managing all landlord/tenant issues independently of the College.

The College defines a commuter students as an individual who lives within 30 miles of campus and travels daily/regularly from their permanent home to/from campus. "Permanent home" is defined as the domicile where one or both of the student's parent/guardians live. A family-owned apartment or house that is not the parent/guardian's primary residence does not qualify as the permanent home.

Individuals with non-traditional circumstances (married, caring for a dependent child, non-traditional age, etc.) may use the exemption request process to request permission to live off-campus.

Initiating the Request

To initiate a new request for exemption to live off-campus, please email us at housing@union.edu. From there, the application will be added to your Housing Portal for completion. Students are required to upload supporting documents of their intended housing location (parent/guardian's permanent address) or special situation information as outlined on the form. Upon final verification, your commuter status will be confirmed in writing by the Office of Residential Education & Housing. If verification is not obtained, you will expected to participate in the housing lottery or secure housing through another established process.

Applications are for an academic year. Students will be asked to reapply each year.

Students who fail to obtain Senior Off-Campus Release will not be eligible to apply for exemption based on special circumstances. Off Campus status is not granted through the Office of Accommodative Services as a reasonable accommodation.