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The University of Tennessee

University Housing

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Current Residents – Assignments and Contracts

The Housing/Food Services Agreement that you signed is a legal and binding contract between you and the University of Tennessee and is required of all on-campus residents. Unless otherwise stated on the agreement, all contracts are for the FULL ACADEMIC YEAR. The Housing and Food Services Terms and Conditions outlines the specifics to which you have agreed.

Cancellation of the Contract

The contract is for the full academic year, fall through spring. Conditions for cancellation of the contract appear in the Terms and Conditions. The Housing/Food Service Agreement may only be cancelled for the following reasons:

  • you are not registered for classes;
  • you are required to live elsewhere because of a co-op or student teaching assignment;
  • you are married during the period of the contract;
  • you graduate before the period of the contract is over.

To seek a release for one of these five reasons, fill out the Agreement Release Request form available at your main desk. The hall director or designated staff member will verify your situation with the appropriate office and approve or deny the request.


Housing Deposit

The $100 housing deposit that you paid when you returned your housing contract serves as a combination reservation/damage/room clearance deposit. Initially, the deposit reserves the room until the date the housing agreement becomes effective. It also acts as a deposit to cover any intentional or careless damage which may occur during the period of occupancy. In case the damage exceeds the deposit, you will be billed for the additional amount. If you reapply to live in residence halls for the following year, the deposit is not applied to any damages; instead you will be billed separately.

Cancelling your contract is considered as a failure to fulfill the terms and conditions of the housing and food services agreement. This, therefore, results in a forfeiture of the $100 deposit except in three situations:

  1. you are academically dismissed by the University;
  2. you are required to live elsewhere to complete a student teaching or co-op assignment; or
  3. you are denied admission to the University.

Refund Schedule

Refunds for cancelled contracts are based on the University’s prorated scale. The date you checkout of the hall determines the amount of your refund.

  1. From the day the halls open through the day prior to the first day of classes, 100 percent.
  2. From the first day of classes through the first seven calendar days of the term, 90 percent.
  3. Between 8-14 calendar days, 80 percent.
  4. Between 15-21 calendar days, 60 percent.
  5. Between 22-28 calendar days, 40 percent.
  6. 29 or more calendar days, no refund.

Room and Hall Changes

If, after you arrive on-campus and check into your assigned room, you want to move to another room or hall, you must get approval from the hall director. Room and hall change forms are available at the main desk of your hall.

Generally, approval is granted when one of the following reasons is confirmed by the staff:

  • you are moving to another visitation option;
  • you are swapping places with another resident and the swap is not designed to avoid any personal conflicts between yourself and your roommate;

You should not expect approval for requests that are based on:

  • considerations of race, color, national origin, religious preference or other areas which violate federal laws;
  • conflicts related to an individual’s personal habits or life-style preference which, in the appropriate staff member’s judgement, are resolvable.

The Department of University Housing staff is committed to helping all roommates involved in a conflict explore different means of solving any conflicts either as a source of suggestions or through direct mediation. Occasionally it may be necessary to resolve a conflict through a room or hall change, although this method of resolution is used as a last resort.


Super Singles

You may request to occupy a double room as a single once you have checked into your assigned space. This type of assignment is offered on a space available basis only. The cost for a double as a single is approximately 50 percent more than the regular double room rate. Rates are available at the main desk of your hall. Requests should be made at the hall main desk and you will be notified when it is approved. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to current residents of a hall.

Mid-Year Assignments

During the year, it may become necessary to assign new residents or to move current residents to different spaces. If you have not purchased your room as a double as a single, but have occupied it alone for an extended period of time, it may be tempting to take over the entire room. Keep in mind that a roommate can be assigned to your space at any time during the semester.