Policies and Procedures
The Rockefeller University is a dynamic and growing science institute. In order to further its scientific goals, the University makes apartments available to students, faculty and postdocs. The Housing Office works in collaboration with the Senior Administration and the Deans Office to ensure that University housing resources meet demand. Interim measures have been and continue to be adopted to address expanding demand for faculty and postdoc housing.
The following policies and procedures are effective September 1, 2002 and will remain in effect only until any changes in the Universitys needs and resources bring about the need for revisions. This overview of many key policies and procedures is not comprehensive and should not replace direct exchanges with the Housing Office.
New Arrivals to Rockefeller Housing
1. New affiliates are not permitted to enter Rockefeller housing more than 2 weeks before their employment start date.
2. Any applicant that has been confirmed for arrival but does not move into the assigned unit at the designated time will be responsible for the rent for the period of time apartment is unoccupied. Upon confirming that an affiliate has not arrived, the Housing Office may re-assign the initial unit and the affiliate must reapply with a new date.
3. Effective January 1, 2001, new arrivals may turn down (1) offer. An offer is defined as notification regarding an available unit appropriate in size for the applicants household. The next offer for permanent housing must be accepted or applicant must reapply after one year with a new application date.
4. New arrivals in furnished shares or guest accommodations must find private accommodations within 30 days after their second refusal.
5. A resident who is assigned to share a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment and who resides there alone because the University has not assigned at least one other individual to the share must pay a rate equivalent to a 1 bedroom rate until another individual is assigned.
6. Every applicant has (24) hours to accept or decline an offer.
7. Once an offer has been accepted tenant must be prepared upon arrival to pay one months rent and a security deposit (equal to one months rent). Separate checks or money orders are needed for each.
8. Once an awaiting tenant has refused two offers, they must reapply in a year (i.e. go to the end of the waitlist).
9. Any requirements (i.e: cost, size) must be placed on the application or stated before assignment.
10. A preference for a specific location will NOT be considered as a requirement. That is, a preference for a particular location can only be offered by the Housing Office when possible.
Transfers
11. Residents must live in Rockefeller housing for at least two years before submitting an application for a transfer.
12. All tenants applying for an apartment transfer must be in good standing with regard to rental payments.
13. No internal transfers will take place May through November due to the high volume of new arrivals during this period. Thereafter, transfers will be offered only as available (e.g. not all at once in December).
14. If a resident is offered and has declined (2) apartments for transfer, the application will be terminated and a new application may be submitted one year after the final refusal.
15. You must be a non-resident of Rockefeller University housing for one year to be considered a new applicant.
Co-Tenancies
16. Residents who hold a housing eligible university position and currently live with another affiliate who is the lease holder must submit an application as a transfer following the transfer procedures outlined above-- to move to a different size unit or to their own unit.
17. A co-resident in an apartment must be acknowledged on the lease for at least one year to assume the lease individually.
Note to incoming residents:
There is a tendency for many members of the Rockefeller University community to seek to advise newcomers regarding the best way to obtain the ideal apartment or dormitory assignment. Reliance on advice from friends or colleagues is high-risk because the resources available at the time of their own arrival as well as the policies and procedures relevant to assignment differ from one season to the next. If your application precedes your arrival by a period of time, it is your responsibility to verify whether the policies have changed in response to the current housing resources and demand. The University Housing Office should be your only source for information regarding available apartments and procedures that apply to your assignment or selection during the season of your arrival. Postdocs should maintain exclusive contact with Sharisse Brown, ext. 7970 with any questions.