Sometimes, there is a way out of a contract.

The cost of living in a residence hall is steep for some students, and the finality of signing a contract may leave some students reeling in regret. But for those who have a legitimate reason, there is always the option to back out.

“Right now, I’m dealing with students who want to get released from their contracts for next fall,” said Melodie Thomas, coordinator of contracts and assignments for Student Housing and Dining Services. “If a student has exceptional cause, I will release them. If not, they can still go to the appeals board.”

Residence hall officials have been given numerous reasons from students desperate to tear up their contracts, and they are sympathetic to many.

“There are certain things that you’re pretty much automatically released for,” said Mike Stang, manager of the residential administration. “If you’re graduating, or you’re transferring to another school and you’re not going to be an NIU student – those things are pretty much automatic.”

In addition to graduating and transferring students, those who are interning or student teaching off campus and those with 30 plus hours who want to move to a Greek house can also be released from their contracts, Stang said.

Other reasons, such as medical or financial, are more closely scrutinized on a case-by-case basis.

“For financial reasons, what students need to be able to document is that they don’t have enough financial aid to meet their needs,” Stang said.

The outcome of the cases that are less cut and dry rests on the circumstances of why the student wants to leave and the ratio of available beds to students who have been placed in temporary housing. The fate of those cases rests in the hands of an appeals board.

“Lets say for instance, someone’s parents are getting divorced, or they’re moving to a new location. Generally, those students are turned down by our office and then go to the appeals board,” Stang said. “If they say ‘no,’ we keep the student in. If they say ‘yes,’ then we make arrangements for them to move out.”

Officials always carefully scrutinize the validity of less urgent circumstances.

“I don’t like my roommate’ is not a reason,” Stang said. “I got an apartment off campus’ is not a reason, or ‘I want to live with my girlfriend or boyfriend’ are all not reasons to be released from one’s contract.”

Addendums received by students state all pertinent dates and fees acquired by students who wish to end their contracts.