Faculty Handbook

Housing problems

Housing officers and host families will expect MSU program leaders and personnel to share the responsibility for informing students of host housing rules and regulations, encouraging students to abide by the local regulations, and mediating any conflicts that arise. 

If a student is dissatisfied with the housing, attempt to correct the situation.  Reassignment of housing, if necessary, can be provided only once during the program.  No housing refunds will be provided for additional moves.  Additionally, students are not permitted to change housing without notifying you or the Resident Director.  Because of the potential impact on relationships and future agreements, students are not allowed to move to another homestay, even if it is permissible by the new homestay family.  Students are informed (in the Study Abroad Student Handbook) that since housing payments are commonly done on a monthly basis, any moves made in the middle of the month will result in a forfeit of that month's rent.

In the event of a severe infraction of housing regulations, MSU personnel, in consultation with the MSU Office of Study Abroad and local University faculty members or staff, will determine whether or not the student should be expelled from the facility and/or face other consequences. 

If it is agreed that the behavior does not constitute immediate dismissal, but instead constitutes a warning, you should notify the student in writing that a repeated offense or other infraction of the housing rules and regulations as established by the local facilities will result in expulsion from housing and dismissal from the study abroad program. 

If an agreement is made to dismiss a student from housing but permit participation in the program, the student will be responsible for locating and paying for the alternative housing.  If alternative housing cannot be found, the student must return home and forfeit academic credit and any financial refund.