Caring and Personal Atmosphere
Ohio University combines all the advantages of a major university with the appeal of a caring and personal atmosphere. If there ever was a college town, Athens is it. The university's intellectual and cultural environment blends well with Athens' lively small-town atmosphere to create a setting where students enjoy a quality of life that is difficult to match.
Residential Campus
Ohio University is a residential campus, meaning that almost all students live on or near campus. All first- and second-year students live in one of the university's 41 residence halls. Ninety percent of all students living in the residence halls stay on campus over the weekend. With classes, friends, and academic resources all within walking distance, Ohio University is sure to become your home away from home.
Residence Halls
The residence hall is not just a place to sleep at night. It is a great place to make friends, find study partners, and become part of a close living-learning community. Residential facilities are divided into freshman and upperclass halls. Some halls are all male or all female, while others are coed. Students have the opportunity, upon completing a housing contract, to indicate their preference of room size and location. A variety of living environments are available to choose from, including academic emphasis and substance-free halls. You can even arrange to room with a friend.
Resident Assistants
Resident assistants (RAs) staff each residential hall. RAs oversee floor sections of about 25 students and exist as an important resource to residents. The residence life staff is committed to students' academic and social success.
Dining Halls
Students may access any of the five dining halls on campus with a valid student I.D. card. Students may choose one of the following five meal plans to meet their needs: Super 20, Super 14, 20, 14, and 10. Dining Halls offer a variety of food options including salad, wok, waffle, pasta, and potato bars. Three main courses, of which one is vegetarian, a fast-food line, and desserts are available at each meal. Two grab n' go's, three convenience stores, Corner Cafe at Baker Center, the Oasis, Sunset Strips, Smartmouth Pizza, and Snack Attack provide quick, easy access for meals, snacks, and late night meals. Students with special diet needs may contact our Assistant Director for Menu Planning. We can accomodate almost all requests.
Housing Contracts
After you've been admitted to Ohio University, you will receive your housing information beginning in February. Make sure to note the return deadline on your contract! Your housing contract not only reserves your space in a residence hall, it also reserves your place in our freshman class. A deposit will be required with the return of your housing contract.
If you are a transfer student, you will receive housing information after you have been admitted to the university. Students with less than 90 quarter hours are required to live on campus.
Bobcat Cash
Bobcat Cash is a prepaid debit card-money you have put on account-that you can use in a variety of locations around campus, such as dining halls, snack bars, convenience stores, vending machines, and laundry centers. You can increase your card's balance throughout the quarter, and any unused balance carries over to the next quarter.
Vehicles
Because parking is limited in and around Athens, freshmen are not permitted to register vehicles with the university. However, the compactness of our campus dictates no more than a 10-minute walk to any class or the uptown business area. Parking Services maintains a list of private vendors who rent parking spaces near the university campus for a fee.
Campus Safety
The Department of Campus Safety consists of the Ohio University Police Department and the campus escort service. Campus escorts provide safe, cost-free transportation around campus to all students. This service is especially useful to students who would like a ride home from an evening class or a late night visit with a friend. Annual Security Compliance documents can be obtained by mail from the OU Police Department or online at the website below.
As an additional safety precaution, call boxes with emergency buttons are strategically positioned around campus. Ohio University wants you to feel safe in your community, so it is continuously improving and developing new methods to deal with safety on campus.
Uptown
On any given day or night, you can walk to Court Street, the main thoroughfare through Athens, and find crowds of students at all the local hot spots. Whether it's a game of cards at Perks Coffeehouse, a bite to eat at the Court Street Diner, or a night of jazz at Casa Cantina, there is always something to do uptown. Unique shops and restaurants, numerous cultural activities, and a centrally located movie theater all within walking distance make uptown the perfect place to unwind after a hard week of classes.
