Ohio University

If you are required to live on campus, you must complete a housing and dining services contract and submit a $200 housing deposit. The most important aspect to remember is that the contract is binding for the entire academic year in which it is submitted. Be sure to read and familiarize yourself with the contract terms, dates, and deadlines.

Request for a transfer housing contract refund must be made in writing to the Residential Housing Office and received or postmarked by June 1.

All undergraduate students with fewer than two academic years (six quarters, full-time enrollment) in the residence halls must reside in University-owned housing and participate in the associated mandatory meal plan.  Students enrolled for summer school are bound by the same guidelines.

In some cases, students may be exempt from completing the residential requirement.  Students wishing to be exempted from University housing and/or meal plan must submit a Housing Exemption/Termination Request Form for review and approval.
 

• Residential Housing Requirement
• Contract Terms and Conditions

One of the factors in determining housing assignments is the date that you complete your online contract and submit the $200 deposit. As part of the online contract submission process, you will have the opportunity to pay your deposit electronically, which is the quickest, most efficient method and ensures that the contract submission process is finalized. If you choose to mail the deposit, note that your final contract date will be reflected as the date that payment is received and processed on your student account. Processing of the housing deposit is not in real time. Allow 48-72 hours for finalization of the contract.

Note: Contract submission date is just one of many factors in the housing assignment process. Housing preferences cannot be guaranteed.

The Ohio University campus is divided into areas known as greens.  In past years, students and parents new to Ohio University have placed a great deal of emphasis on green and/or room style selection, especially after a campus visit.  Keep in mind that almost all University facilities can be reached within a 10- to 15- minute walk.  Each residential green has at least one dining hall, a market, laundry facilities, and study areas. Additionally, most room styles and living environments are available on every green.

• Residence Hall Options and Rates

Air conditioning – Although the Athens climate is generally quite mild during the academic year, some students, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, prefer air conditioning. Ohio University prohibits the installation of personal air conditioners and refrigeration units. If you have a medical condition that requires air conditioning, select a room designated with air conditioning during the room selection process. Only documented requests will be considered after the selection process ends. Air conditioners cannot be installed in non-air-conditioned rooms.

Class Rank – Some halls are designated for first-year students only, some are mixed for first-year and upperclass students, and others are limited to upperclass students. Some halls may be set aside for graduate students and others who are over 21 years old.

Quiet Study – The “Quiet Study” designation in some residence halls means that music or other noise should not be audible outside of the rooms. All other halls have quiet-hour policies with varying times from Sunday through Thursday, and a 24-hour quiet policy is in effect across campus during final exams.

Single-Gender Halls – Residential Housing offers one hall that is designated for female students only; which is Voigt Hall on East Green. There are no male single-gender halls.

Smoking – All Ohio University buildings are “smoke-free.” However, we ask that students list whether or not they smoke to aid in the roommate assignment process.

Special Needs – Ohio University assures equitable access to education for persons with disabilities. Each green has rooms that are designed to accommodate students with disabilities. Students who require special accommodations will need to contact Residential Housing and the Office of Disability Services. Medical documentation must be received for full consideration for available ADA spaces on campus. Requests will be reviewed prior to assignment and accommodations are determined on an individual basis. For additional information about campus disability services, visit the Office of Disability Services website or call 740.593.2620.

Substance-free – Students who have made a conscious lifestyle choice to substance-free living can select to live where all residents agree to keep their space free of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products—this policy also applies to guests.

• Residence Hall and Green Profiles
  
• Residence Hall Configuration Summary

 Ohio University offers distinctive housing options for eligible students participating in certain scholars and honors programs and scholarships.

• Learn more about honors and scholars housing options
  

The Department of Residential Housing has more than 300 staff members committed to making your living environment a community focused on learning, development, and acceptance. Below you will find descriptions of our in-hall staff and how they relate to you.

• Resident Assistant (RA):  Resident Assistants are students who have completed a training course designed to prepare them for working with students in the residence halls. They live on and manage a floor section and are the residence life staff members that a student will interact with most during the academic year. The RA is a great source of information and should be the first individual that is contacted when a student has a question or concern.
  
• Administrative Resident Assistant (ARA): An Administrative Resident Assistant, like an RA, is a student who resides in and manages a floor section; however, this staff member has the added responsibility of helping the Residential Coordinator or Resident Director coordinate and manage administrative functions in the building in which he or she lives, typically handling room changes and keys.
  
• Senior Resident Assistant (SRA):  The Senior Resident Assistant, like an RA, is a student who resides in and manages a floor section. However, the SRA has the added responsibility of assisting the Hall’s Residential Coordinator or Resident Director in advising the hall council and coordinating hall programming efforts. In many complexes the SRA also handles ARA responsibilities.
  
• Residential Coordinator (RC): The Residential Coordinator is the full-time on-site professional responsible for a hall or complex. His or her primary duty is to supervise the in-hall staff. Another important element of the RC's job is to work with all residents to establish a positive living environment and a sense of community. An RC acts in an advisory capacity on personal and academic issues and helps to interpret and uphold university policies.
  
• Resident Director (RD): A Resident Director has the same responsibilities as the Residential Coordinator (although for a smaller area) and is a full-time graduate student.
  
  
• Student Housing Handbook (pdf)
  

 

Students whose contracts are received and processed prior to June 1 will receive their residential housing assignment and roommate information via e-mail by mid-summer. Contracts received and processed after June 1 will be assigned on a rolling basis.

Note: Contract submission date is just one of many factors in the housing assignment process. Housing preferences cannot be guaranteed, regardless of submission date. 

We provide this information so you may make contact with your roommate(s) before you move in. Most roommates want to introduce themselves as well as clarify things such as who will bring various necessities because space is limited.

Ohio University offers wonderful opportunities to experience a diverse, global perspective while on the Athens campus. Students are expected to honor and respect differences in culture, lifestyle, and religion.

In one respect, at least, Ohio University is like most other colleges; parking is practically a competitive sport both on campus and in town. Because parking is so limited, first-year undergraduate students are not permitted to register a motor vehicle on campus. But don’t panic—the entire campus and uptown Athens are within easy walking or bicycling distance, and the Athens Community Transit bus service covers more distant areas.

If you are a new student to the Athens campus but meet the 30 credit hour requirement, you are eligible to purchase a pass for either garage or outside lot parking. You can lease private parking in town if you absolutely must bring a car.
 

• Parking Services, Private Parking Lots, Garage/Lot Locations, Guest Parking, and Vehicle Registration

Bobcat Cash is money put on a student account (a prepaid debit card) that can be used at the dining halls, university markets, vending, laundry centers, and various on-campus food-service and retail operations. Simply add money to this account and then use the Ohio University-issued ID card to access this service.  A minimum deposit of $50 is needed to activate a Bobcat Cash account.  Additional deposits can be added as needed throughout the academic year. Bobcat Cash cannot be used off-campus, does not allow for cash withdrawals, and cannot be used to purchase textbooks.

Bobcat Cash account balances will automatically carry over to each new semester and/or academic year, provided the cardholder remains a registered student of Ohio University. The maximum amount available per day is $100 or the entire balance, whichever is less. There is no limit on the frequency of transactions.
 

• Bobcat Cash
  

Students can move into their residence hall starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 22 and resuming at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24. All first-year students should be moved in by 4 p.m., Saturday, August 24 so they can participate in Welcome Week and orientation events.

Because of the number of people moving in at the beginning of each semester and limited parking availability, we ask that you park in front of a hall only to unload your belongings (no more than 30 minutes). During fall semester, move-in helpers will be here a limited number of hours to help those who may need some extra assistance due to a disability. If you have a disability and would like to request move-in assistance, call the Residential Housing office at 740.593.4090 to let us know the date and time of your planned arrival.

• Moving In and Out

Ohio University is excited to offer a special housing option for incoming international undergraduate students. Newly arriving international students will be assigned to Hoover House. Hoover House provides a comfortable, welcoming environment that allows easy access to main campus. Students may not have an American roommate upon arrival but can choose to change rooms as they become comfortable with campus and meet new friends.

• Residential Housing for International Students