Issue/Question
Need to appeal for an exemption from the 2-year live-on requirement.
Environment
BHSU Website
Cause
You would like to appeal the 2-year live-on requirement, and you would like to know what your options are.
You have questions about the appeals process.
Resolution
BHSU Housing Appeal Policy and Process
Residence Life at BHSU is committed to the education and development of student potential - academically, personally, and socially. The residential experiences gained during the first two years spent living on campus at BHSU are instrumental to this education and development. As you make decisions about your living arrangements for the upcoming year, Residence Life often receives questions about the possibility of living off-campus. While we encourage you to participate in and experience our vibrant campus community and the convenience of being near all campus resources, we acknowledge that individual circumstances differ.
BHSU Residence Life empowers students by offering the opportunity to appeal the South Dakota Board of Regents 2-year live-on requirement. If you are a current student, you may also wish to review the Terms and Conditions of your BHSU Housing Agreement.
If you are considering an appeal, it is advisable to complete a housing agreement and application. Planning and securing a room now ensures that you have an on-campus assignment even if your appeal is approved, making the transition to off-campus living smoother and less stressful.
Please read and review the information below carefully:
- Appeals for new students can be submitted at any time before their first semester begins.
- Appeals for current, returning students for the Spring 2026 term have closed.
- Appeals for current, returning students for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 terms OPEN on April 1, 2026, and will CLOSE on May 8, 2026
All Housing Appeals must be submitted digitally, which can be done HERE.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for a decision. All decisions are delivered via email to your student (@yellowjackets.bhsu.edu) account.
Please review the following information and decide which exemption best fits your situation. Requirements for each category are included.
| Married Exemption |
Students must submit a copy of their marriage license or certificate. |
| Legal Dependent Exemption |
For students who have a legal dependent (e.g., a child), not classified as a legal dependent. Students must submit a copy of their dependent’s birth certificate. |
|
Commuter Exemption
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For students who reside with a parent or legal guardian within 35 driving miles of the Spearfish BHSU campus (Residence Life utilizes Google Maps to measure driving miles). Please complete and submit the supplemental commuter verification form when you submit a commuter appeal.
Living with an extended family member (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles) does not qualify a student for a commuter exemption, unless they are the student's legal guardian.
Examples of communities within the 35-driving mile radius include Lead, Deadwood, Belle Fourche, Whitewood, Beulah, St. Onge, Sundance (WY), Sturgis, Tilford, etc.
o Examples of communities outside the 35-driving mile radius include Newell, Piedmont, Summerset, Black Hawk, Rapid City, Gillette (WY), Hueltte (WY), New Castle (WY), etc.
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| Financial Hardship Exemption |
For students who face financial hardship by living on campus. The student must have submitted and updated the FAFSA form. Information from your FASFA submission and any supplemental documentation is used to determine financial hardship. The committee will not consider an appeal under financial hardship without a completed FASFA.
Reasons like “it is cheaper to live off campus” or “I will save money living off campus” are generally insufficient to show financial hardship. Financial hardship appeals using this logic are not sent to the committee for consideration.
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| Physical or Mental Health Exemption |
For students who need to submit a medical exemption (mental or physical) or an accommodation request are usually looking to:
- Live off-campus
- Be placed in single occupancy on-campus housing
- Have an approved assistance animal in on-campus housing
- Placement in a specific location
BHSU Disability Services processes these appeals and requires a verification form completed by your doctor and any supplemental information you have supplied to make a decision.
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| Military Veteran or Active Duty Military Exemption |
For students who are veterans or current active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces including the National Guard or Reserve components who have completed at least one year of consecutive active federal or state military service beyond initial entry basic and job trainings (e.g., Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, Recruit Training and Infantry Marine course/Combat Training, Recruit Training and ‘A’ School, or Basic Military Training and Technical Training) as defined by the individual’s branch of service.
Acceptable documentation includes a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, official active-duty orders, or a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) confirming qualifying service.
|
| Approved University Program |
For students participating in approved off-campus internships, clinical rotations, student teaching, or cooperative education programs that require them to live outside the radius. |
General Appeals Information
- Appeals Committees consist of 3-5 individuals from various campus areas (Student Life, Academic Affairs, Athletics, etc.). They review each appeal individually and submit a decision. Once a majority decision is reached, a decision letter is mailed to you.
- All appeals are examined, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
- All decision letters will be delivered digitally to your student email address (your @yellowjackets.bhsu.edu account).
- Allow up to 2-4 weeks for a decision letter.
- If you are unhappy with the decision, you may appeal again under a different exemption.
- You can submit two separate appeals.
Some tips to aid you in the appeals process:
- Be honest on your appeal form.
- Be specific with your information. Information should directly apply to your exemption category.
- Example: You’re appealing for physical/mental health; please supply reasoning and information about your physical/mental health. Including information about distance from home or finances muddies the water and can delay the decision.
- Supply all necessary or requested paperwork/information. Your appeal is not sent to the committee until it is complete.
- If the committee asks for more information, do not be offended. They are just trying to ensure they look at the entire picture.
- Follow the process. Asking for a meeting to explain your appeal or to ask how likely it is to be approved before submitting it will not make the process go any smoother or faster.
- Tell us your “story.” Give the committee as much or as little information as you see fit.
- Keep an eye on your student email. Any communication from Residence Life will be through this email.
- Be mindful of the open and close dates.
If you have any questions about the process, please ask them or connect with your Complex Director, Assistant Complex Director, or RA. We’re all here to answer your questions. Or you can reach out to the BHSU Residence Life at BHSUResidenceLife@bhsu.edu or call our office at 605-642-6464