Two Year Residency Requirement 

The Board of Regents at Southeast Missouri State University requires that all full-time students (enrolled in at least 12 credit hours) live on campus for two academic years (four semesters, excluding summers) with some possible exemptions listed below. On-campus housing provided by the Office of Residence Life is an essential part of the educational experience at Southeast. Students are strongly encouraged to contact Residence Life prior to signing any off-campus lease to determine their eligibility to live off campus. 

Exemptions 

To request an exemption to the residency requirements, complete the Student Residency Release Application. Email your completed release to Residence Life at residencelife@semo.edu. 

The Office of Residence Life does not use verbal notification for any residency release decision. You will receive written notification via your Southeast email of the decision regarding your release request.  

Possible Exemptions 

• Student will be 21 years of age or older before the first day of fall classes 
• Married and/or the primary caregiver for dependent children (documentation required) 
• Commuting from your parent/legal guardian's permanent home and primary residence within 50 driving miles of Academic Hall (documentation may be required)
• Have completed 57 credit hours towards a degree with at least 42 hours earned after high school graduation 
• Transfer student having been enrolled as a full-time student (excluding summers) at another institution for at least two years (four semesters), following high school graduation. Transcripts may be required. 
• Have lived on campus for 4 semesters (excluding summers) 
• Attending classes exclusively at a Southeast Regional Campus or taking classes exclusively online. 
• Veteran of military service: military veteran having served one year of active-duty military service, post Initial Entry Training (IET), DD214 (long) required. 

Second-Year Academic Achievement Exemption 

• Student has completed 30 Southeast credit hours during the first year of living on campus, achieving a 3.25 GPA in those classes, and be in good judicial standing. 
• Transfer, advanced placement, dual enrollment, etc. hours do not count towards the second-year academic achievement exemption. 
• Only Southeast credit hours taken while living on campus will be applied for this exemption. 

Medical Exemptions 

Please note that Residence Life is able to accommodate many students on campus with a variety of medical needs. A request for exemption is not guaranteed if Residence Life can accommodate your situation on campus. 

Applicants requesting an exemption on this basis must provide information from the attending physician stating the specific verifiable condition for which it is medically necessary for the student to be released and why. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary documentation and evidence to support an accommodation request. 

Allergies or Asthma 

Many students come to campus with allergies, asthma, or some other type of chronic health problem and other students develop allergies after they arrive. In cases of allergies and asthma, the university may be able to offer an accommodation that can help. If an accommodation is needed, please contact the Office of Residence Life. 

Food Restriction

Many students come to campus with dining/food restrictions based on allergies, dietary, and religion which affect their dining needs. In cases of food restrictions, the university offers access to an on-campus Nutrition Specialist. If an accommodation is still needed after speaking with the Nutrician Specialist, please contact the Office of Residence Life.

If you require special accommodations, please fill out the Special Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.

Any student providing false, inaccurate, or misleading information as a basis in an accommodation request or a residency release form will be held accountable through all appropriate Residence Life, Student Conduct, civil, and criminal systems.