Students with concerns regarding the Campus Housing Agreement and/or any charges or fees placed on their accounts by the Housing and Dining Department may appeal to the Residential Colleges Management Advisory Committee (RCMAC). Charges may be of a routine nature or incurred as a result of documented damages. Students with disability related appeals may be required to present documentation to Disability Resource Center before the appeal can be processed.
Appeals are heard using the following process:
Step 1: Submission of Appeal Form
Students or organizations wishing to appeal should first complete the online appeal form to provide the RCMAC with information on their appeal. Students should provide a clear and concise explanation to aid the RCMAC in understanding their concerns and reaching a fair and informed decision. The explanation does not need to be lengthy, but should adequately describe the reason for the appeal; they should be specific and reference a specific work order if applicable.
Step 2: Scheduling a RCMAC Meeting
Within seven business days of submitting an appeal form, the student and/or organization will be contacted by a representative of Housing and Dining to schedule a meeting with the RCMAC if appropriate. The RCMAC meets periodically on a schedule determined each semester; meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month and the third Wednesday of every month.
The student will be scheduled for the next available meeting. The RCMAC will attempt to accommodate students with scheduling conflicts, but due to the size of the committee, it is difficult to find alternate times when all members and the student appealing is available; students should therefore make a reasonable effort to make themselves available during one of the RCMAC’s regularly scheduled meetings.
Step 3: RCMAC Meeting
Students should arrive at the scheduled time for their meeting with the RCMAC but should be prepared to wait for a while, as each student’s appeal is confidential and considered individually. Meetings with the RCMAC to discuss appeals are intended to be conversational meetings to better inform the committee about the relevant facts and the student’s reasons for appealing; they are not adversarial proceedings.
Step 4: Decision
Students will be notified of the RCMAC’s decision in writing within seven business days of their meeting with the RCMAC. The decision notification will contain instructions for obtaining any accommodations, where appropriate. If an appeal is denied, the student may request to meet with Housing and Dining to further discuss the matter. In some circumstances, further appeal options may be available; however, most issues can be resolved through an informal discussion with Housing and Dining.
FAQs
Does the time it takes for the RCMAC to hear my appeal put me at a disadvantage?
RCMAC’s decision to grant an appeal is retroactive to the date the student files the appeal, not the date the appeal is granted.
What if my appeal is related to a disability?
Students with disability-related appeals may be required to present documentation to Disability Support Services before their appeals can be processed.
What should I expect at the RCMAC meeting?
The committee serves as an impartial body which listens to appeals and meetings are confidential, casual and informal. The RCMAC always seeks to reach a fair and informed decision. Members are not looking to challenge you or to find excuses to deny your appeal; their goal is to understand your situation and make the best decision for you and the Rice community. You do not need to dress up or prepare a formal presentation; all that is expected is that you are ready to explain your appeal and discuss it in a conversational setting.
What can I appeal to RCMAC?
Any charges or fees placed on your accounts by the Housing and Dining Department may be appealed to the RCMAC. Any other types of charges cannot be appealed to RCMAC.
Who is on RCMAC?
RCMAC is a committee consisting of Rice University professors, administrative staff, and student body representatives. The committee includes members from around the university to better understand the concerns of students appealing to the committee.