The two residence halls in question at SOU, Shasta and McLoughlin, are owned by a third party, Collegiate Housing Foundation. The university had told students interested in getting out of their leases for spring term (since SOU is doing remote-only instruction) that they would need until the end of spring break to negotiate with the owners on behalf of students.

In fact, students received word from the university about what an exit might spell for them a few days earlier than expected.

As with students in university-owned residence halls, students must petition to leave Shasta or McLoughlin through University Housing, an update from SOU President Linda Schott said March 31.

“(The petition) will be reviewed, approved and a credit (refund) will be applied to the student’s account. The student will receive a refund equal to any excess amount paid,” the message said.

Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis, the university said. The deadline for students to apply to break their lease in Shasta or McLoughlin halls is April 20. If they miss that, the university will consider the lease to be binding throughout spring term.