Early Bird Contracting for
Residence Halls and Greek Court

Current EIU students had the opportunity to commit to live in the residence halls or Greek Court and be given $100 in Dining Dollars at the beginning of the Fall Semester, 2007 when they signed the Early Bird Contract between November 26th, and December 14, 2007.

The students who participated were asked to sign an Early Bird Contract, sign the terms of participation, fill out a survey and pay the initial housing payment of $250.00 in the Housing & Dining Office located on the ground floor of the MLK Jr. UnionThe initial housing payment was due upon signing the Early Bird Contract. Students were able to pay by credit card by utilizing the Automated Payment System through the Student Accounts office at 581-3715. The deadline for signing the Early Bird Contract and paying the initial housing payment of $250.00 was December 14, 2007.

Current Residence Hall/Greek Court students that do not participate or do not complete the process for the Early Bird Contracting period will be sent a regular University Housing and Dining Services contract/survey in February.

All students will receive their 2008-09 room assignments in March.

Incentives:

• Students signing Early Bird contracts will be given room assignment priority.
• $100 in Dining Dollars will be given to every student who participates in the Early Bird Contracting.
• The Dining Dollars will be added to the students’ Panther Card upon move in for the Fall Semester, 2008
• All students participating will also be entered into a drawing to win:

First Prize - Free room and board for the year.
Second Prize – Free room for the year for one male and one female student. Second Prize Winners will be responsible for the meal portion of the contracts.
Third Prize – Double As A Single Room upgrade for the year for one male and one female student. Third prize winners will be responsible for the cost of their room and board contracts, however, the Double As Single charge will be waived.

Timeline:

• Sign up is from November 26 to December 14, 2007
• Contract Cancellation Deadline December 14, if returning as a student for Fall 2008
• Drawing Date – To Be Announced
• $100 Dining Dollars added to Panther Card upon Fall 2008 move in

Cancellation:
We are asking students to commit early to living in the residence halls and Greek Court. By doing so, many great incentives are available. The only difference in the cancellation terms is that the decision to cancel must be made by December 14, 2007. After December 14, 2007, students will be obligated to their Early Bird Contract for the 2008-09 academic year, addressed in section c below. However, if students will no longer be enrolled, the terms of cancellation are the same as they always have been, see sections a and b below.

a. If the student cancels this contract and withdraws from University Housing and Dining Services and the University on or before June 12, 2008, for the Fall semester or December 12, 2008, for the Spring Semester, the student shall be entitled to a refund of the housing deposit (minus charges for loss or damage) and the initial housing payment.

b. If the student cancels this contract and withdraws from University Housing and Dining Services and the University after June 12, 2008 for the Fall semester or December 12, 2008, for the Spring Semester and has made the initial housing payment, the $25.00 housing deposit plus the initial housing payment of $250.00 shall be forfeited. The $250.00 initial housing payment is not required for students continuing from the fall into the spring semester, however, if the student cancels after December 12, 2007, the $250.00 cancellation charge will be billed to your university account.

c. If the student cancels this Early Bird Contract after December 14, 2007, has made the initial housing payment and is enrolled at the University during the term of this contract, the student shall be required to pay the entire room and board charges for the Fall and Spring Semesters.

Rates/Meal Plan Structure:
The Bond Revenue Committee has not recommended room and board rates for the 2008-09 academic year. The survey will list the current year’s rates with a statement about an anticipated percentage of increase. Room and Board Rates will be verified in writing once the Board of Trustees has given approval (usually by the end of April).