Clark University upholds a residency requirement of four semesters for all students. The residency requirement means that students must live in on-campus housing for their first four semesters at Clark. The only exception is for students participating in a study abroad program, students who live within the Worcester city limits, or students who submit an appeal for medical reasons which are approved in conjunction with our Student Accessibility Services office and only if no accommodation can be made. Students wishing to appeal these requirements must submit a Housing Appeal Petition to Residential Life & Housing to be reviewed by the Housing Appeals Committee. To begin a petition, please email reslife@clarku.edu and a member of our office will reach out with more information.
Petition information
All petitions from current/returning students will be reviewed by the Housing Appeals Committee and decided on a case by case basis. The committee meets once a month to review appeals, and a decision will be communicated to you via email. For incoming students looking to appeal the residency requirement, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for information about submitting an appeal.
All petitions must be accompanied by a summary of the reasons for needing or requesting the appeal. This should be typed and submitted with the Housing Appeal Form.
Documentation supporting an appeal petition must also be submitted with the Housing Appeal Form. Examples of supporting documentation include but are not limited to:
- All petitions from current/returning students will be reviewed by the Housing Appeals Committee and decided on a case by case basis. The committee meets once a month to review appeals, and a decision will be communicated to you via email. For incoming students looking to appeal the residency requirement, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for information about submitting an appeal.
- All petitions must be accompanied by a summary of the reasons for needing or requesting the appeal. This should be typed and submitted with the Housing Appeal Form.
- Documentation supporting an appeal petition must also be submitted with the Housing Appeal Form. Examples of supporting documentation include but are not limited to:
Examples of Supporting Documents
- A letter from a parent/guardian showing proof of address and stating that the student will be commuting from their permanent residence within Worcester city limits.
- A letter from a physician explaining a student’s inability to live on campus. Documentation should be provided to Student Accessibility Services, not Residential Life & Housing.
- Letter must be typed on the provider’s official letterhead, dated, and signed.
- Documentation must clearly state the diagnosed disability, the functional limitations resulting from the disability, how those limitations impact academic performance and/or the residential experience, and any recommended accommodations.
- Recommendations should clearly demonstrate the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodations or services requested.
- Documentation must clearly state the diagnosed disability, the functional limitations resulting from the disability, how those limitations impact academic performance and/or the residential experience, and any recommended accommodations.
- Documentation supporting a financial hardship, significant change in financial circumstances, or other financial need that impacts a student’s ability to fulfill their housing commitment. Examples may include recent changes in employment, income, family circumstances, unexpected expenses, or documentation outlining the student’s current financial obligations.
- Documentation showing previous on-campus housing at another institution
*Please note that there is a $1500 contract cancellation fee for appeals granted after a contract has been signed. See the housing contract for details.
