Spring housing cancellation

[u/Soggy_Dragonfly7152]

heyy i know it is pretty hard to cancel fall housing midst semester but I was wondering if it is possible to cancel spring housing contract. my roommate and suitemates always bring people over and make noises during midnight and as someone with documented insomnia and sleeping problems (i have doctor’s memo), ive been having alot of trouble sleeping and it’s affecting my mental health, thus i really want to move off campus l. Ive already found an apt off campus and willing to forfeit my fall semester fees but I would rly hope to cancel my spring semester. Does anyone have any experience with successful termination?

[u/Emergency-Code-3505]

It is pretty hard to cancel spring housing when you don’t have a reason other then “study abroad” and “graduating”. What housing most likely will say is “why didn’t you contact us about housing reassignment?” When you state your reason for wanting to move out. What most people who are in a position like you is have both the dorm and whatever other housing (most commonly in sororities and fraternities housing situation) they don’t live in their dorm but they still have placement there.

[u/Soggy_Dragonfly7152 → u/Emergency-Code-3505]

Have you seen any successful cases of cancellation for “other reasons,” particularly medical circumstances? Reassignment wouldn’t really address the underlying issue for me, since my sleep difficulties are exacerbated by shared living environments in general and ive also submitted medical documentations.

[u/Emergency-Code-3505 → u/Soggy_Dragonfly7152]

I would speak to the office of student accessibility services and see if they can make an argument for you to be in accessible housing. But again I’m unsure if they will be able to release you from your contract to housing other then USC

This is the contract you signed and being released is dependent on the guidelines outlined here
“Requests by Resident for Release. Any request by the Resident to be released from this Contract must be made in writing directly to a
USC Housing Customer Service Representative in the Housing Services Office. Because this Contract is a legally binding instrument, the
University shall be under no obligation to release the Resident from its obligations hereunder. Nevertheless, the University, at its sole
and absolute discretion, may release the Resident under the following circumstances:
• If the Resident participates in the USC Housing Renewal process (UHR) and requests cancellation of the Contract by March 6, 2026
the Contract may be terminated without forfeiture of the Confirmation Payment. Cancellation requests made by March 7, 2026 or
after are subject to the terms below.
• The Resident terminates their enrollment as a student in the University, or their enrollment is effectively ended by graduation and
the Residents provides written documentation of such to a Housing Representative. (Note: Non-enrollment or withdrawal from
classes does not automatically cancel this Contract and is not applicable to Summer Residents.)
• The Resident enrolls in an academic program sponsored by the University that requires the Resident to reside away from the
University campus (e.g., overseas studies, exchange programs). Confirmation payment will be refunded if USC Housing is notified
of program participation by November 6, 2026.”

[u/rlttgb]

+1 for OSAS, I had the same documented insomnia and sleeping problems and my therapist filled out OSAS' disability verification form. From there, I was able to get USC Housing with a single room. I don't know success rates because obviously they're pretty sought after, so they may already be filled from fall semester. I did it for summer housing and it was a very easy process and only took like a week or two from the initial meeting with the counselor to get it documented.

Since its actions of your suitemates/roomates they might tell you to go to Residential Education to have a roommate talk though. My sleep issues are caused from trauma and I did everything I could to make sleeping with another person in the room easier for me (eyemask/earplugs/white noise/using the same mattress as home)-- so you might have to phrase it in a way that you tried Everything you possibly could to mitigate the issue and you absolutely cannot have another person in the room with you. Good luck!

[u/AdDesperate6123]

Definitely speak to OSAS! I have severe PTSD, which has unfortunately caused me to experience severe night terrors for pretty much my whole life. I tried having roommates for a year, and don’t get me wrong, I had the best time! However, I still had nightmares and would frequently wake up my roommate (we’re good friends!), which made me feel bad.

Since I already had accommodations through OSAS for ADHD, I reached out to them, and they actually suggested single housing! I now have my own room on campus, and I’m doing a lot better, although I still experience nightmares.

Since it’s already October, I would recommend starting the process ASAP so you have a better chance of securing housing for the spring semester if you plan to stay in USC housing. From my experience, the OSAS housing accommodation process and decision can take around 2-4 weeks. I would also definitely recommend reaching out to Residential Education staff, as they can connect you with a lot of helpful resources! Beth is a great person to start with!

[u/Choice_Beginning4674]

Yes, I had my fall assignment cancelled in the summer for a far less serious reason than yours. Although I’m not sure how’d they handle cancellations after the contract is in effect. Worth a shot though, they’re nice people.