Nov 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Residence Life



WNMU has always considered the residence halls a vital segment of a student’s total educational experience, and emphasis is placed on a student’s personal growth through various activities and programs. It is the policy of WNMU to provide safe, comfortable housing at a reasonable cost for single full-time students desiring housing accommodations. Rates for room and board are outlined under “Student Expenses” in the Financial Information section of this catalog.

All students that fall under the residency requirement and outside of the exemption guidelines will automatically receive a “Residency Housing Charge”. This charge will be at the rate of Mustang Village A-B $2,995. If a student feels this charge does not apply to their status, the student must submit an electronic housing cancellation/ exemption form. If approved the charge will be taken off of their student account, if not, it will remain.

Residence Halls and Apartments

The Office of Housing and Residence Life makes every effort to assist in personalizing the student’s educational experience by developing a living environment conducive to WNMU’s educational mission. Campus residence provides opportunities for social growth and development along with a learning experience that may not be available elsewhere in the academic community.

Reservations

Reservations for all WNMU housing should be made as far in advance of the requested occupancy period as possible due to the limited number of spaces available. Assignments are completed by date applications are received. Reservations not claimed by the first day of classes will be cancelled. If previous arrangements for late arrival have been made, reservations will be held until the date specified.

Single Student Housing

All students whose permanent homes are outside the four county (Catron, Grant, Luna, Hidalgo) area and who register for fall semester as full-time students, (face to face students) with less than 60 credit hours are required to live in WNMU residence halls for the full academic year. Only the Director of Housing and Residence Life may waive this requirement. Any request for a waiver must be presented to the Director of Housing and Residence Life in writing prior to registering for first semester classes.

Students who have a permanent home address in the four-county (Catron, Grant, Luna, Hidalgo) area, if residing at their permanent address; who are 21 years of age or Older, or student has a dependant are exempt from this requirement.

Anyone residing in WNMU Residence Halls is required to purchase a meal plan unless special permission is granted by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

A person enrolled for at least one credit hour may reside in the WNMU residence halls, unless special permission (due to unusual circumstances) is granted by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Application

Applications for residence hall housing may found on from the WNMU Housing Web site. Each applicant must obtain admission to WNMU through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Completion of the housing application does not guarantee the applicant residence hall space, but does assure the applicant of a place on the waiting list.

Notification of reserved space will be sent to the applicant by the Office of Housing and Residence Life when room assignments have been completed. Requests for single rooms are not guaranteed and are assigned only when space is available.

Basic Services

WNMU will provide the student with space in the residence hall during the term of the contract, except in cases where a temporary assignment may be necessary. Each unit may be furnished with one or two single beds, desk and chair, closet space, and dresser. Muir Heights apartment complex for single students, age 21 and higher, provides a fully furnished apartment. Alcohol is permissible for this area only.

Local telephone, basic cable, and internet services are provided. Cleaning service is provided in the common areas of each hall. Maintenance services for all repairs will be provided.

In addition to the basic services provided by WNMU, several miscellaneous services are afforded the student. Vending machines and coin-operated laundry facilities are available in the residence halls.

Application Fee

A $75.00 non-refundable application fee must accompany the Residence Hall Housing application. The completed application with accompanying application fee places the prospective student on the reservation list. The application fee will reserve accommodations for the fall and spring semesters of each academic year, or the remaining portion thereof, if the entering date occurs after the opening date for the fall semester. An Application Fee will be assessed each academic year.

Housing and Food Service Contracts

WNMU operates the residence halls and food service operation on a self-supporting basis. Published rates are therefore subject to change from one academic year to another when necessary to meet operating costs. The duration of the contractual lease agreement is for the full academic year commencing with the fall semester and ending at the termination of the spring semester. Separate applications must be made, and new contracts signed, for a new academic year and for the summer sessions.

Meal service is required as a part of the housing contract. The student may select from three options within the meal plan offered for their resident area. Meal Service will begin no later than the first day of scheduled classes and will end on the final day of scheduled examinations of each semester.

Meal service will not be provided during the Thanksgiving recess, semester break period, during the spring break, or Easter break. Dates of meal service are subject to change according to the University calendar.

Payment

The application fee must accompany the housing application. Rental charges are due and payable at the Business Office in conjunction with other charges (i.e., tuition, fees, meal plan, etc.).

Payments may be deferred according to a prearranged schedule through the Business Office.

Refunds

Room Refunds

Students withdrawing from WNMU after having officially registered in a hall are not entitled to a refund of room rent for the applicable semester. Should withdrawal be due to a legitimate medical emergency or other unusual circumstance, the unused portion of room rent through the end of the applicable semester may be refunded with the approval of the Director of Housing and Residence Life. The student will be charged only for room and board through check out from the hall under the following conditions:

  1. Graduation at the end of the fall semester;
  2. Dismissal for failure to meet academic standards;
  3. Required university academic programs demanding residency outside the Silver City community;
  4. Marriage (original marriage license must be presented);

Students who are removed from the residence halls for disciplinary reasons are responsible for the financial obligation for the duration of their contractual agreement (one academic year).

Meal Ticket Refunds

Departing students will be charged the full semester rate for meals. Students moving out of the residence halls and withdrawing from enrollment will not be entitled to a prorated refund.

Resident Responsibility

WNMU SHALL ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEFT, DESTRUCTION, OR LOSS OF MONEY, VALUABLES, OR OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO OR IN THE CUSTODY OF THE STUDENT FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER SUCH LOSSES OCCUR IN THE STUDENT’S ROOM, IN STORAGE ROOMS, IN PUBLIC AREAS, ELSEWHERE IN THE HALLS, OR IN BAGGAGE HANDLING RELATED TO SHIPMENT OR STORAGE.

Students are encouraged to carry their own personal property insurance, as neither WNMU nor the State of New Mexico will assume responsibility to acquire or extend family insurance to cover his/her belongings, if such coverage is desired.

WNMU prohibits the keeping of firearms and pets in residence halls. WNMU reserves the right to inspect the rooms in any residence halls or apartment at any time without prior notice for health and other reasons.