[RO] Temporary Sojourn

[Alison Bazeley]

Hi Donnie,

Temporary sojourn comes down to a few things:

  *   Did the person establish their domicile prior to the absence?
  *   Did they maintain their domicile/domiciliary ties while they are absent?
  *   Can they show that the absence is temporary with intent to return?  (Factors we look at include fixed term contracts, limited term/temporary visas, storing personal goods in the state, maintaining a residence in the state [not required – see storage of goods here], etc.)

Absences up to a year are easier to call a temporary sojourn.  Beyond that, it is more of a judgment call.  The longer someone is gone, the harder it is for them to show that the absence is temporary.

Our office is having to make more difficult decisions on these in recent terms.  When the parent of a dependent student had a Washington domicile but has worked abroad for 5, 7, 10, or more years, and keeps renewing their contracts abroad, we have determined that they have not maintained Washington as their domicile.  On the other hand, students who do a two year fellowship outside of the state prior to attending graduate or professional school potentially do keep their domicile if they maintain their legal ties, etc.

It’s trickier if the absence is during the year they are establishing their domicile and that is going to come down to the circumstances.  A person who comes to Washington, establishes legal ties, but then leaves for the remainder of the year will not meet the physical presence in the state requirement for domicile.  On the other hand, a student who does a 3 month study abroad program (discouraged during the residency year!) or a parent who leaves for weeks or months to care for an ailing parent could still demonstrate that they have maintained their domicile while they were absent if they do not take steps to establish a domicile elsewhere.  (Note: Students who leave the state for their sojourn for the entire summer, when school is not in session, risk triggering the presumption that they are in Washington for an educational purpose.)

From the WSAC website: “Domicile” is a legal term used to describe a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home. A person can only have one legal domicile in the U.S. at a time. To establish a domicile in Washington, a person must prove physical presence in the state plus intent to permanently remain in the state.”

Hope this helps!


ALISON BAZELEY
Counseling Services Coordinator, Residence Classification & ELPR Office
Office of the University Registrar
Please visit our website for more information on submission procedures and office hours.
Residency: http://registrar.washington.edu/students/residency/
ELP: https://registrar.washington.edu/students/elpr/ or http://www.washington.edu/assessment/testing-center/tests/aep/

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From: RO <ro-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Bunt, Donnie via RO
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 5:00 PM
To: ro at lists.ctc.edu
Subject: [RO] Temporary Sojourn

Good afternoon all!

I have an interesting question regarding one of our incoming students. I wanted to see if this would count as temporary sojourn?

The information shared below is what I’ve received and wanted more information if this qualifies as Temp sojourn or where in the WAC/RCW I can look at for clarification.

Student currently live abroad in S Korea for teaching work. Their permanent residence is in Vancouver WA for more than the last 10 years.

Thank you all for your time,

Sokridanny “Donnie” Bunt
Major Declaration|Residency
EWU Records & Registration
201 Sutton Hall ▪ Cheney, WA 99004
[p] 509.359.2321
[f] 509.359.6153
Email: sbunt at ewu.edu<mailto:sbunt at ewu.edu>
Direct: 509.359.6587

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This email and any files transmitted may contain confidential information as protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this electronic communication in error, please notify me by telephone or return email and delete this message from your system completely.

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