Requests to live in a house, apartment, etc. that is not a parent or guardian’s primary residence would be classified as “Living Off Campus.” Typically, students who live off campus will lease a local apartment with a group of friends. These leases are independent agreements between the students (tenants) and a landlord. The residences have no connection to Wheaton College.

This option is only available to rising juniors and seniors.

Eligibility

To be eligible to live off campus you must apply and meet the following criteria:

  • You must have junior or senior standing in the year intended to live off campus or be over 23 years of age by the beginning of the academic year
  • You must be in good academic standing (not currently on Academic Suspension)
  • You must be in good social standing (having no Student Conduct violations that have resulted in either probation or suspension)

Expectations and Agreement

Living off campus is a privilege and the Dean of Students office can revoke permission at any time. As a student requesting to live off campus, you must know:

  • The Honor Code applies to students residing in property not owned or operated by Wheaton College.
  • You are expected to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal ordinances and laws governing conduct in the surrounding community. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the campus housing waiver and a return to campus. (For example: a response from the Norton Police Department to the house; complaints from neighbors.)
  • You are expected to interact in a positive manner with your neighbors, e.g., help rake an elderly person’s lawn or take out the trash, host a neighbor for lunch or dinner, etc.
  • You must provide current off-campus address and failure to provide the off-campus address or keep it current will constitute grounds for revocation of the housing waiver and result in the student being charged room and board.
  • You must understand and agree to the following acknowledgements below.
Waiver of Campus Housing Requirement:
  • I acknowledge that Wheaton College provides no endorsement of the conditions of property not owned or operated by Wheaton College. Wheaton College does not endorse or recommend any property not owned or operated by Wheaton College.
  • I acknowledge that on-campus housing is available to all full time students and that the choice to live off-campus is made voluntarily. Note: Requests to return to campus after approval to live off campus has been granted are not guaranteed.
  • I acknowledge that a current off-campus address must be provided to Wheaton College. Failure to provide the off-campus address or keep it current will constitute grounds for revocation of the housing waiver and result in the student being charged room and board.
Community Relations:
  • I acknowledge that all expectations set forth by the Honor Code apply to students residing in property not owned or operated by Wheaton College.
  • I agree to abide by all applicable local, state, and federal ordinances and laws governing conduct in the surrounding community. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the campus housing waiver and a return to campus. (For example: a response from the Norton Police Department to the house; complaints from neighbors.)
  • Myself and my housemates are encouraged to interact in a positive manner with your neighbors at least once a semester, e.g., help rake an elderly person’s lawn or take out the trash, host a neighbor for lunch or dinner, etc.
Meal Plan:
  • I acknowledge that participation in the Wheaton College meal plan program when off campus is voluntary.
  • Requests to remain on the meal plan can be made to Terry Driscoll in Business Services at [email protected].

Process

  1. Read and understand the Expectations above
  2. Complete the status change request form on the Housing Portal when it goes live. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  3. You will receive your decision via email. If approval is granted*, you are cleared to sign a lease. You can expect to hear back 7-10 business days after submitting the form.

*Room Selection Eligibility – Once you apply and are approved to live off-campus, you are ineligible to participate in any Room Selection process. You may, at any time, withdraw your request to Live Off-Campus to participate in Room Selection. By doing so you will forfeit your Off-Campus Approval and will be expected to live on campus.

**You will be considered a Residential student until your off-campus address is received and approved through the Registrar. While considered a residential student, your student account will be billed for Room and Board.