Experiential Living Opportunities
Experiential Living Opportunities are unique residential environments that foster growth and development through targeted programmatic and staff supported efforts.
These living opportunities are centered around a common set of values or ideals and are provided to those interested in connecting with other students with similar interests or backgrounds. Some of these living opportunities require a contractual agreement aimed at upholding community standards and peer accountability, and/or have expectations about participation.
If you are interested in proposing a Experiential Living Opportunities for 2024-25 submit a proposal.
Eligibility
Returning students need to update their Person Information by March 1 at 8 a.m. If you update your ELO preferences for Women's Leadership, Gender Inclusive and/or Substance Free between March 1 and March 11, email housing@ohio.edu to be manually added to these room selection processes. If you are a part of other groups like Honors, 1804 Scholars and LINKS your participation in the program will be communicated to Housing by your program coordinator.
Incoming first year students need to update their Personal Information by May 6 at 8 a.m. If you update your ELO preferences for Women's Leadership, Gender Inclusive, New Adventures and/or Substance Free between May 6 and May 15, email housing@ohio.edu to be manually added to these room selection processes. If you are a part of other groups like Honors, 1804 Scholars, Fine Arts and LINKS your participation in the program will be communicated to Housing by your program coordinator.
1804 Scholars : Gender Inclusive Housing : LGBT : Substance Free : Women's Leadership
LINKS : Honors Halls : New Adventures : Residential Learning Communities
1804 Scholars
The 1804 Scholars is a residential program that requires all first-year students to reside in Boyd Hall. Second years have the option of returning to Boyd Hall but are not required. Located on West Green, Boyd Hall is named for Ohio University’s first female graduate, Margaret Boyd (class of 1873), and features the brand new West Nest engagement area and dining at The District on West Green. The bike path, athletic facilities, and Baker Center are within easy walking distance of Boyd Hall. This community will help you share experiences, build community, and make lifelong friendships as you launch your academic career as an 1804 Scholar.
Location: Boyd Hall (West Green)
Student Population: First Year/Second Year
Gender Inclusive Housing
Gender Inclusive Housing options focus on providing rooms across campus where students can live in the same room with any student - regardless of sex, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation.
Gender inclusive rooms can be found in various halls across campus and the rooms are strategically intermixed alongside male and female rooms. Typically gender inclusive rooms are in close proximity to our single user bathrooms which are individual standalone bathrooms and do not have a specific gender designation. Gender Inclusive rooms outside of the LGBTQ Experiential Living Opportunity in Hoover House do not have any additional GIH/LGBTQ programming focus to their living experience.
To have the opportunity to match with different gender roommates and to view available Gender Inclusive Housing spaces during room selection you will need to update your "Personal Information" tab on your Housing Self-Service.
Gender Inclusive Housing Frequently Asked Questions
Location: Across Campus
Student Population: First Year/Second Year
LGBTQ
The LGBTQ Experiential Living Opportunity is a place where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally, Queer (et. al) identifying students can feel safe and supported in their living environment without the consideration of their gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. This community will give students the ability to have a space where they are free to be themselves while supporting and getting support from their peers.
The Resident Advisor for this experience will work closely with the Resident Director of the building and the Director of the LGBTQ Center to create a living experience that is safe, comfortable, and engaging. Collectively, programming efforts will focus on the interests of the residents, LGBTQ issues, and community engagement. A mod-style living experience will encourage a close and open community and all spaces on the LGBTQ floor are gender inclusive.
LGBTQ Experiential Living Opportunity Application
Gender Inclusive Housing Frequently Asked Questions
Location: Hoover House (South Green)
Student Population: First Year/Second Year
Substance Free
The Substance Free Living Opportunity is a residential environment for students who have made a conscious lifestyle choice for substance free living. All residents of substance free housing commit to keep their living environment free of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products.
To be able to view available spaces in this hall for room selection, update your "Personal Information" tab on your Housing Self-Service prior to selection.
Substance Free Community Contract [PDF]
Location: Bush Hall (East Green)
Student Population: First Year/Second Year
Women's Leadership
The Women's Leadership Living Opportunity is home to domestic and international female students. Residents of Voigt strive to build a strong, inclusive community where women can grow and develop together into strong female leaders. Voigt is an energetic and creative community for women who want to create lasting friendships and positive experiences. Residents of the female only housing community agree to specific rules regarding male visitors. Male guests are allowed to visit Voigt Hall but are prohibited from staying overnight in the hall.
To be able to view available spaces in this hall for room selection, update your "Personal Information" tab on your Housing Self-Service prior to selection.
Location: Voigt Hall (East Green)
Student Population: First Year/Second Year
LINKS
The LINKS living opportunity is designed for first and second year multicultural students who are part of the LINKS program. A partnership with the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, this living opportunity focuses on promoting opportunities for first year students of color to develop connections with other students in the LINKS program while building skills in well-being, engagement, and leadership, to support the transition to Ohio University. The program will provide individualized peer mentoring and advising with Multicultural Center staff, along with specialized sessions to inform and prepare students for leadership, scholarship, and professional development opportunities on Ohio University’s Athens campus and beyond.
To express interest in the LINKS ELO follow these steps:
- Visit the LINKS webpage for more information about the program
- Select the Sign Up For LINKS button and complete the associated survey
- Utilize MyOHIORoomie to find a potential roommate by list LINKS in your profile and selecting the question that says you are interested in the LINKS program
- You will need to apply for this program by May 6 at 11:59 p.m. to be eligible
Location: Gamertsfelder Hall (East Green)
Student Population: First/Second Year LINKS Students
Honors Hall
Challenge your mind, build your network, and continue the conversation outside the classroom.
Located on East Green, Gamertsfelder Hall houses a number of students from the Honor's Tutorial College (HTC) and other university scholarship programs (see list below). The hall features multiple study and community spaces for students to read, meet with a project group, or just relax. The hall hosts visiting scholars who are encouraged to interact with students both informally and through planned engagements. Gamertsfelder Hall is located near Jefferson Marketplace, Earl's Coop, the College of Education, and College of Fine Arts complex. It is within easy walking distance to uptown Athens and the College Green. To learn more about this community, visit the Honor's Tutorial College residence halls page.
Location: Gamertsfelder Hall (East Green)
Student Population: First and Second Year
New Adventures
New Adventures is Ohio University's Outdoor Orientation Program. The off-campus experience will take place prior to the start of your first year at OHIO. Student trip leaders will help you learn how to participate in one of three weeklong expeditions into the back country. Students of New Adventures will be able to select into the same building as other New Adventures participants to allow for continued community even after you have returned from the trip!
The New Adventures registration deadline is TBD. Learn more and apply
Location: Sargent Hall (West Green)
Student Population: First Year
Residential Learning Communities
Residential Learning Communities (RLC) are formal course groupings for students that offer a residential component to merge academic exploration with on-campus living. The academic components of RLC are coordinated through University College’s Learning Community Programs, which also offers a large number of non-residential learning communities. Housing and Residence Life works in collaboration with University College to enhance the academic component of RLC with the opportunity for community growth and development within our residence halls.
Fine Arts: Lincoln Hall
The Fine Arts RLC offers unique academic and creative opportunities for students from a variety of Fine Arts interests; including dance, music, theater, and art. Within the RLC, there are multiple “Experience the Arts” academic options, providing linked courses for students with the benefit of rehearsal and studio space within their living space. Lincoln Hall houses a dance and an art studio space, a music and computer lounge, and flexible multipurpose spaces. Lincoln Hall is located across the street from Putnam, Glidden, and Seigfred Halls, which house the schools representing the College of Fine Arts. Visit the Fine Arts Learning Community page for information about faculty and staff serving the RLC, academic offerings, and to see pictures of participants and program facilities.
Army ROTC: Convocation Center
Students participating in the Army ROTC RLC will live in Convocation Center on West Green. The Army ROTC learning community supports academic exploration and community engagement for Army ROTC students. This learning community group is by invitation only from the groups' commanders.
Transfer Student Community: Adams & Bromley Halls
Students participating in the Transfer Student Community will live in Adams Hall on South Green or Bromley Hall on West Green. The Transfer Student Community supports community engagement for students who are transferring or relocating to OHIO for the upcoming fall semester. This community will connect students to campus, to the Athens community, and to others within the residential environment. For more Transfer Student Community information and to apply, visit the First Year and Student Transitions webpage.
Transfer students can also visit or transfer page for more options and details regarding housing.