Dana College is a residential college. Research has shown that students living on campus are more likely to succeed in college (academically and socially) than those that do not live on campus. The college strongly believes that students living on campus have more opportunities to enhance their learning experience than those who live at home or off-campus. On campus students have better access to computers, library materials, athletic facilities, dining facilities, entertainment, leadership opportunities, and faculty. These resources give students the tools to succeed in college and beyond. Also, students who live in residence halls have consistently been shown to have more peer social interaction and a greater likelihood of involvement in student organizations and activities.

In support of this philosophy, the residence halls at Dana College are specifically designed to serve as living-learning environments, places where opportunities to experience academic, social, spiritual and personal growth are encountered daily. The residence halls are intended to create settings for students to study, socialize, establish friendships, learn about themselves and how to interact with others, develop a sense of community and gain a deeper understanding of how to apply the principles of Christian living on a day-to-day basis.

Campus residence halls are designed to accommodate two students in each room. Each room comes with single beds, chairs, desks, dressers, closets/storage areas, and Internet access capabilities. Each residence hall has its own computer lab, television lounge, recreational area, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Residential Requirement
With the philosophy of residence life in mind, Dana College considers living on campus to be a privilege and expects all students to live on campus during their enrollment. Exemptions are provided through the Student life Office. Specific guidelines for the process for applying for exemptions from on campus housing are available in the Student Life office. Any student desiring to be exempt (i.e. live off campus) from the on campus requirement must be approved before moving off campus. Generally, exemptions are considered for the following:

Students living with parents at their home address provided the home address is not more than 30 miles from Dana College.
Married students
Students living independently and supporting their own children
Students 23 years of age or older
Students who have lived in residence halls for 3 years or more and are of senior credit classification
Special exemption approved by the Dean of Students

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Board Plan Requirement
All students living on campus must participate in a college board plan. The options may vary from year to year, but participation in one of the available plans in required.

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Special Exemptions from Housing and Board Plan Requirements
Individual requests for exemption from the college’s housing policy will generally be limited to students who demonstrate extraordinary personal circumstances that may make it necessary for them to live off-campus. Financial reasons will only be considered when there is a major change in financial status. Exemptions for “financial reasons” are not normally granted if the amount of grant aid provided to the student by Dana College is already close to the average Dana aid being given to all Dana students for that year. Students are advised against filing petitions for a special exemption based on issues such as personal dislikes of residential living, roommate conflicts, desire for greater independence, and sibling/family member living off-campus. Students in poor academic and/or disciplinary status (probation, warning, etc.) will generally not be considered for special housing exemptions.

Individual requests for exemptions from the campus meal plan will generally be limited to situations in which involvement in a regularly scheduled activity related to an academic (e.g. credit based) program requires a regular absence from campus and excessively limits the student’s opportunity to utilize the service for which he/she is paying. The most common examples are student teaching and full-time internships/practicums that take the student off campus during meal times. Requests for exemption from the meal plan based on issues such as off-campus employment, special dietary needs, class conflicts, and dislike of the food/menu are generally not granted. Students are advised against requesting exemption for these reasons.

All exemption requests begin with a written application obtained from, and submitted to, the Student Life office.

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Room and Board Charges
It is the policy of the College to post charges for room and board to all student accounts. Once a student’s record shows that an exemption from the housing requirement has been granted, the charges are removed. Students who elect to live off campus without obtaining an exemption will be expected to pay for room and board charges, regardless of whether or not they occupy a campus residence hall or utilize a board plan.

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Telephone
Each residence hall room has a telephone outlet. Students must provide their own phone. Each room has the capacity to receive calls directly from off campus and place local calls.

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This page was last modified February 14, 2006