Damage Billing

A damage bill is a charge that is applied to your student account after moving out of your space on campus, if damage to the room is found once the space has been assessed by Residential Programs staff members. Damage charges can be applied to your student account at any time if a Residential Programs staff member determines that you damaged your space.

• Damage vs. Wear & Tear

  Wear and tear is the normal process by which an item loses its original condition over time. This is outside of the control of an individual student and an expected part of the use of a space. Damage on the other hand is caused by the misuse or neglect of the space by a student. An example for comparison would be a dresser drawer sticking in the track due to normal use and age (wear and tear), versus the front of a dresser drawer being detached because someone pulled hard on the handle causing it to become detached (damage). 

• Why we do damage billing?
  We assess damage charges because future students who will be moving into your space deserve to live in a clean and safe environment. If you leave your space in worse condition than when you moved in, it costs money to restore it to its original condition.  
• Some costs

  Costs for damage billing are determined by the Director of Residential Operations and Residential Financial Services. Prices are determined using a few factors including costs of labor and materials. Examples of general costs for damage billing are:

  • Bed Frame Replacement- $320
  • Wall repairs (i.e. removing nails and plastering walls)- $125
  • Excessive Cleaning(per room)- $125
• How are damage bills are determined?
  Damage bills are determined by Residential Programs professional staff members. This means that your Resident Assistant CANNOT determine if something is a damage bill or not. Your space is assessed after you move out by a professional staff member who checks records that you signed when you moved in detailing the condition of your space prior to your move in. If when you leave your space there are new damages that were not originally cited before you moved in, you are responsible for the damage and will be billed to restore the space to an acceptable condition.
• What about damages in shared areas?
  In the event that two or more persons occupy the same apartment/room/suite and it cannot be ascertained which student is responsible for the damage, the charge will be assessed against residents equally. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the facilities and furnishings of the University in good condition for use by future students.
• Timeline for Charges on bills
  Charges on your student account are applied within 30 days after you vacate your space.
• Appeal Process
  If you are charged for a damage bill there is an appeals process that you can choose to participate in. The details of this process will be emailed to you when you are informed that you have been assessed a charge for damages.
• Examples of common damages
  • Excessive mess
  • Wall Damage
  • Broken Furniture
  • Stained Carpet