Freshman Residency Policy Suspension for Spring 2021 Semester

East Carolina University continues to make plans for the Spring 2021 semester and the campus and residence halls are expected to be open and fully operational with a reduced occupancy. We are anticipating the residence halls will be limited to single room options. Therefore, ECU will be temporarily suspending the Freshman/First Year Residency Requirement for many students for the spring 2021 semester.

The temporary suspension of the residency requirement does not apply to the students granted approval to remain in Campus Living housing for the remainder of the fall 2020 semester. The contracts for these students remain active through the conclusion of the contract in May 2021.

For students that moved out of the residence halls and into other off campus housing prior to Sept. 1, 2020, these students will be able to waive out of the residency requirement for the spring 2021 semester. The waiver process guarantees that housing and dining charges will be removed from the student’s account for the spring semester.

Students who have moved home with their families and are interested in returning to campus in January are not required to file this form.

Any freshman/first year student wanting to waive out of residence hall housing for the spring 2021 semester MUST complete the waiver process by clicking the link below.

Spring 2021 Semester – Residency Requirement Waiver

The temporary suspension of the residency requirement is for the 2020-21 academic year only!

Visit the Return of Pirate Nation website for more information as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Freshman/First-Year Residency.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When does the exemption from Residency Requirement apply?

This temporary suspension of this policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic is for Spring Semester 2021.

Will there be a Freshman/First Year Student Residency Requirement be in place for Fall 2021?

Yes.

I lived in an ECU residence hall and was approved to stay for the remainder of the fall semester. Can I waive out of my contract for the spring semester?

No. Students approved to remain on campus for the fall semester have confirmed that they wish to continue their housing contract through the end of the contract in May 2021.

I moved out of my residence hall and into off campus housing in the Greenville/Pitt County area before September 1, 2020 and received a prorated refund for my housing and dining contract. Can I waive out of the residency requirement for the Spring 2021 semester?

Yes – complete the Spring 2021 Semester Residency Requirement Waiver Form.

I moved out of my residence hall before Sept. 1, 2020 and received a prorated refund for my housing and dining contract. Can I move back into the residence hall for the Spring 2021 semester?

Yes. It is possible to return to campus housing for either Block B for the Fall or to begin the Spring Semester. All students this fall, will be assigned to a single room and live on College Hill. Spring housing availability information and application instructions will be emailed to all residence hall students in late October.

How long has ECU had a Freshman/First Year Student Residency Requirement?

Since Fall 2012. Here is a link to the ECU Campus Living Residence Halls Required Residency.

If I lived in the residence hall and moved off-campus before Sept. 1, 2020 and received a housing/dining refund, can I still purchase a meal plan?

Yes – contact ECU Dining Services at dining@ecu.edu or visit the website.

When will additional information about the spring housing situation be announced?

It is expected to be in late-October.