Visiting Scholars
There are several instances where academic units need short-term housing for visiting scholars, faculty, researchers, and other professionals working at the university on a short-term basis for academic or research purposes. Due to the inability to coordinate these individual’s schedules with a typical lease start date, many local housing providers cannot accommodate a shorter lease term.
The term “visiting scholar” includes individuals visiting from, and affiliated with, an outside university, institution, or business temporarily in residence at Auburn University. As visiting scholars, these individuals carry out independent research in a university facility, collaborate with university faculty on specific projects, support a unit’s teaching mission, or observe university research, extension/outreach, instruction, or administration.
The specific purpose must be stated in the Visiting Scholar Request form, submitted by the sponsoring academic unit, and approved by the respective college dean and Provost’s Office. Visiting Scholars are not employees or students at Auburn University and are therefore not entitled to employee benefits available to regular faculty, staff, or students. Visiting Scholars must abide by all University policies during their stay.
Eligibility
The Provost’s Office maintains a limited number of off-campus accommodations during the academic year and summer months for academic units to house visiting scholars, with the costs to be provided by the visiting scholar. Short-term housing is restricted to visiting scholars, scientists, professionals, researchers, or faculty on other short-term appointments in support of the university’s mission.
Short-term housing allocation gives the highest priority to teaching faculty and faculty researchers. These apartments are intended to host visiting faculty and professionals only, not visiting students or postdoctoral researchers.
Accommodations
Working with Auburn University Housing (AUH), the Provost’s Office maintains four (4) total apartment suites at 160 N. Ross Apartment Community available to be used as short-term housing accommodations for visiting scholars.
160 Ross rooms are configured as two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites with a full ensuite kitchen and common area. Suites come furnished with a sofa, bar stools, and a washer and dryer in the common area as well as a full-size bed, desk, and chest of drawers in the individual bedrooms. Fully furnished apartments include:
Private bedrooms and bathrooms
Leather-style sectional sofa
Hardwood-style flooring
Fully equipped kitchens with quartz stone countertops and stainless-steel appliances
Private balconies and covered patios
Washer and dryer included
Linens (sheets and towels) for each bedroom/bathroom
All utilities included
Initial consumable items, such as toilet paper and soap, are provided
Use of the accommodations is designed for visits of medium duration. It is expected that visitors will be at Auburn University for a minimum of two (2) weeks, with the maximum duration may not exceed nine (9) months. Housing requests beyond nine months will require additional information from the sponsoring unit.
160 N. Ross provides all maintenance and property management.
The available housing is not available for families or visiting scholars traveling with children (exceptions can be made on an individual basis).
In the event of tenant non-payment or damages to the apartment, the sponsoring academic unit will be responsible for the rental cost and any necessary repairs.
Visitors are not permitted to sub-lease the apartments or allow additional individuals to reside without prior approval.
Guests found in violation of university policies may be removed from the residence per the terms of the temporary housing agreement.
Rates and Reservations
The Provost Office is responsible for managing the requests for temporary housing, and AUH will manage the assignment and key distribution for temporary housing.
Upon approval from the Provost’s Office, the visiting scholar must sign a temporary housing contract with AUH who will coordinate all check-in and check-out dates.
Rates ($45 per night, per bed) are effective August 2024. Rates are subject to change upon approval by AUH.
Visiting scholars are responsible for paying AUH directly and must be submitted by check or money order.
Additional information and Resources
The Provost’s Office assumes no financial responsibility for damages to, or loss of, personal property.
Occupants must submit requests for maintenance to the front desk at 160 Ross. Requests are typically handled with 24 hours.
Occupants must contact the front desk at 160 Ross for assistance with Internet access and cable television service.
Auburn University is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited on university property. Please review Auburn’s Smoke Free Campus Policy.
