TOWSON, Md. — For months, students and their parents have called on Towson University and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) to revise their billing policies for on-campus housing.
Those living in university-owned housing have seen refunds, but not in the case of students residing on-campus in properties owned by MEDCO.
On Tuesday, the University announced that an agreement had finally been reached for the de-densification of the residences at Millennium Hall, Paca House, and Tubman House.
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Part of the agreement reduces capacity to individual bedrooms, which will allow bathrooms to be shared by no more than two people.
Towson University's portion of the agreement, which is primarily funded through deferred expenses and other non-cash payments — will split the anticipated operating deficit of $2.3 million in support of students and families.
Students requesting to have their housing arrangements canceled for the fall semester are also addressed in the agreement.
All students impacted by the agreement will be contacted on a case-by-case basis, according to the university.
On Tuesday afternoon, Towson University released additional details to WMAR-2 News Mallory Sofastaii on MEDCO's cancellation policies.
A spokesman said Towson University has requested that MEDCO release without penalty those students who have requested to cancel their licenses.
MEDCO has agreed to release licenses for the following groups of students:
- Paca and Tubman residents who have not moved in and have not paid and requested cancellations will be released from fall and spring licenses
- Millennium Hall students who have not moved in and requested cancellations will be released from their fall license and those who have not moved in and requested cancellations will be released from their spring licenses if they are able to secure replacements.
Additionally:
- Millennium students who did not move in but paid part of their full license for the fall term will receive a credit toward spring housing at MEDCO projects
- If Millennium students who made their fall term payment but did not move in for fall term and do not want to move in for the spring term, MEDCO will apply payments received to future license obligations at its projects but will not refund the fall term payment
- In the event there is insufficient space at Millennium Hall to accommodate students who whom this agreement applies, MEDCO will attempt to find alternate housing options off campus
- After all students with licenses for fall and spring term are accommodated, the MEDCO projects will be opened to other eligible TU students seeking housing
