Release Requests are ways for the House to vote to release a member from specific obligations, as outlined in the Escher House Constitution, Section 2.7.2. A Member will be automatically released in circumstances listed in section 2.7.1 of the Escher House Constitution. Since it can be confusing to understand how all these pieces interact with one another, there are examples provided below of how to navigate several different types of scenarios. I suggest looking at those after skimming the rest of this page, and if there is still confusion, reaching out to escher.president@icc.coop or escher.vprelations@icc.coop to get further clarification.
===Release Request Process===
# The Member requests a release by communication (usually e-mail) to emailing the [[Officers#President|House President]].# The Member appears before the [[Judiciary Committee]], where the JC votes to recommend or not recommend the release.
# The Release Request is added to the next [[House Meetings|House Meeting]] agenda, including:
## The Member's statement on why they want a release.
## The time period of the release.
## The JCTreasurer's decision on whether or not the release is recommended.Financial Impact Evaluation (if applicable)## The vote tally of the JCWork Manager's decision.Labor Impact Evaluation (if applicable)# The Release Request is voted on at via a Google form ballot following the House Meeting, with the vote being the final decision. Note: If you will be out of the house for 14 or more consecutive meal-providing days, you qualify for an automatic [[Release Requests#Food Release|Food Release]]. Please see below for more info.
===Release Types=======Work Release====A Work Release releases a Member from their [[House Chores|work]] obligations for a set period of time, as defined in the Constitution. Releases can be requested for any reason, but are generally used in the following cases:* A Member will be out of town for 14 or more consecutive meal-providing days.
* A Member has a long-term illness.
* A Member will be undergoing medical treatment.
* Ability Concerns. Note: all ability-related accommodations / requests *MUST* be communicated with the ICC General Manager.
Members receiving ===[[Food Release]]===A Food Release releases a Member from their obligation to pay food-related House Charges for the release period. As noted above, if you will be out of the house for 14 or more consecutive days, you qualify for an automatic [[Release Requests#Food Release|Food Release]]. ''To receive it, you must notify the [[Treasurer]] via email with your dates of travel beforehand.'' All monetary releases on the house-level are given in half-month increments. Anyone can request a Food Release, but they are generally utilized in the following cases:* A Member will be out of town for 14 or more consecutive meal-providing days. * A Member has a dietary restriction [[Food Release|that cannot be accommodated by House Meals]].After a Member receives a food release, they may not use any GUFF food in the basement kitchens. Note: A food release is <u>not</u> the same as a house charges release. House charges include food and other expenses. ===House Charges Release===House charges include amenities like paper products, soap, water, AND food, but are still separate from ICC Charges, which include mortgages, maintenance, administration, etc. A House Charges Release releases a Member from their obligation to pay House Charges in half-month increments that align with their period of absence. After a Member is released from House Charges, they are expected to vacate their room by the start of the release period. Note: <b> A House Charges Release does ''not'' release a Member from ICC Charges </b>, and releases from ICC Charges can only be granted through the ICC [https://icc.coop/housing/icc-contract-release-information/ Contract Release Process] or one of the [https://icc.coop/my-membership/icc-finances/financial-aid-info/ scholarship options]. ===Release Request Examples===For the sake of easier math in these examples, House Charges will be set at $300 (with Food making up 2/3 of this, so $200) and ICC Charges will be set at $700. Keep in mind that your ICC Charges will vary depending on room type, and that both of these numbers are rounded from charges in the year 2023. Look for the example in which the bolded portion sounds similar to your situation so you do not have to read all of the scenarios (since many have repeated information). 1. '''You are planning to move out 5 weeks early.''' Let's say you need to move out the last week of March through the end of a contract period ending at the end of April (5 weeks). In this situation, you should immediately submit the [https://icc.coop/housing/icc-contract-release-information ICC's Contract Release Form] and send a statement to the [[President]] for a House Charges AND Work Release Request. If the ICC releases you from your contract, which usually only happens with documentation of extreme circumstances, you will be released from all obligations of your contract. Since you're moving out 5 weeks early, that means you would get out of the last $1250 of your charges. Notice this is both House and ICC Charges, prorated to match 5 weeks. If it is past the beginning of March, you likely will have paid your March charges already. In that case, you will receive a $250 credit on RentManager. The same goes if you need retroactive reimbursement. For example, if your contract release isn't approved by the ICC until late April, you will receive the $1250 you already paid in charges as a credit on your RentManager.The reason you should also submit for a House Charges and Work Release is ''not'' because you need one in addition to the ICC's Contract Release, but because it will financially help you out if you do not get a full contract release. Remember, if you get a Contract Release, which are very rare, you are released from all obligations of your contract, to include all charges and labor. If you aren't granted one, by submitting a House Charges and Work Release a you have a strong chance at reducing your charges and being absent relieved from your house chores. To get approved, you must submit these requests to be items on the next House Meeting's agenda by emailing escher.president@icc.coop with a statement that includes all relevant details. Make sure to CC the [[Treasurer]] so that you receive an automatic Food Release (more on the monetary details of this below). If you can, you should attend the two meeting forums that your requests will be heard on so you can make your case and answer questions your fellow members have for you. Once the ballot results come back, if your request is approved, you will be free from chore obligations starting the last week of March and your charges will be $300 less in April. This is because all monetary releases on the house-level are given in half-month increments rounded down. *The automatic food release also follows this principle, meaning if you House Charges release was not approved, your charges will be $200 less in April. In your situation, your release requests (on the house-level) are generally highly likely to be approved.- "What if I am requesting a release in the summer? I will be gone for plenty more than 14 meal-providing days, but they won't exactly be consecutive since there are no meals on the weekends." I'm not going to lie, I took a shortcut here in stipulating it be '14 or more consecutive meal-providing days will also receive '. The intended meaning is that is you are gone for a block of time which ''includes'' 14 or more days that are meal-providing, you qualify for an automatic food release.- "Okay, what if I am instead looking to get an automatic food release for a Food Release two week vacation over the summer? Is that not possible because I would be gone for 10 instead of 14+ meal-providing days? And if it is possible, I assume I get a half-month release?" Woah, now you're asking some great questions that I do not currently have the same time periodanswer to! I pass the buck on this to our wonderful [[Treasurer]] whom I know will update this with the answer when he has it (love you Jon).
====Food 2. '''You are going on vacation for 3 weeks.''' Though you'd prefer not to do chores, it is unlikely that a Work Release====A Food Release releases a Member from their obligation will be approved for this reason (and it is uncooperative to pay foodask for one in your case since it really short-related House Charges for staffs the release periodhouse). As specified First, worry about finding shift swaps or otherwise getting your hours done in advance. [[#Work Release|Remember, if you do not do this, you WILL be fined for missing your labor]]! Next, since you will not be using most house resources this time, release requests due you would prefer not to a period pay for food & amenities. Many of absence from our amenities are included in food charges, and those that are not are necessary to keep the house (> running. In other words, an automatic Food Release is more appropriate here than a House Charges release.To receive an automatic Food Release, all you must do is send an email to the [[Treasurer]] ''in advance'' to let them know you will be gone for at least 14 or more consecutive meal-providing days) . This step will automatically include guarantee you a food release $100 refund for Food charges. This is because all monetary releases are given in half-month increments rounded down. If you have questions about which month you will be credited (maybe your vacation is split over two months), or how much you'll be credited, consult the same period of time[[Treasurer]]. Anyone can In your situation, if you do opt to submit a House Charges release request , it is generally less likely to be approved than in a Food Releasemove-out scenario (like the one above). However, if it is approved, but they you will be expected to vacate your room (to include removing all your things) so that another resident can move-in if the ICC decides to contract out that room for the time you are generally given gone. This is another reason that many do not ask for a House Charges release in the following casesevent of a vacation.- "What if my vacation is over Winter break? Do I get an automatic food release?" No:* A Member Recall that automatic food releases are only given for those that will be out of town gone for at least 14 or more consecutive meal-providing days.* A Member has a dietary restriction that cannot be accommodated by House Mealsare not provided over any UMich-observed holidays.
If 3. '''You are struggling financially and could use a discount on charges.''' In this scenario, you should first submit for an [https://icc.coop/my-membership/icc-finances/financial-aid-info/ ICC scholarship, or opt into a payment plan]. In the event you cannot secure an ICC scholarship, requesting a Food Release for a certain amount of time could be your best option. This is not how releases have historically been used since it would result in other members picking up your bill, but it is not unconstitutional to ask for one for this (or any other) reason. However, if you go this route, be sure to write a thorough statement, plan to attend the meeting, and ''have a strong back-up plan''. - "What about a Member requests House Charges Release? Could I request that on top of a food Food Release?" No. House Charges Releases require vacating your room (to include removing all your belongings) for the duration of their release due to dietary restrictions, it so they are not a viable option for offsetting charges. However, you could achieve the same effect as a House Charges Release by simply requesting a longer Food Release. E.g. Requesting a Food Release for a month and a half ($300) instead of a House Charges Release for one month ($300). The only difference is recommended how you would be credited: that you would have $200 less on one month's rent and $100 less on the next in the case of the Member communicate 6-week Food Release. If I've not explained this well-enough, or if you need other guidance on this with Chef Lynn prior particular issue, reach out to the release request process[[Treasurer]].
After 4. '''You have a Member receives food allergy or are on a food releasediet where you can't eat most of the dinners.''' In this scenario, you should first reach out to the [[Kitchen Manager]] who can likely work to accommodate your needs. If they may not use any guff cannot, or you have some other reason you'd like to stop eating the kitchen's food at , you should email the [[President]] your statement to be included on the next HouseMeeting's agenda. If your request is approved, you will be pay $800 instead of $1000 every month (since Food Charges are $200). If you can, you should attend those two meeting forums so you can make your case and answer questions your fellow members may have for you. Once the ballot results come back, if your request is approved, there is nothing more you must do. If you have questions about which month you will begin to be credited, email escher.treasurer@icc.coop.- "Can I still eat the other GUFF food, or abandoned save meals?" No. Once you have received a food release, you must abstain from all food from both basement kitchens.
====House Charges Release====A House Charges Release releases a Member from their obligation If you do not see your situation fitting any of these examples, please reach out to pay any House Charges for the release periodescher.president@icc. This is generally requested if the Member will be leaving the Housecoop or escher. After a Member gets released from House Charges, they are expected to vacate their room by the start of the release periodvprelations@icc. <b> A House Charges Release does ''not'' release a Member from ICC Charges </b>, and ICC Charge Releases must go through the ICC Processcoop so we can give you more specific guidance.