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Housing and Residence Life
Living Learning Center 215
111 South Green Drive
Athens, OH 45701
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740.593.4089
Housing and Residence Life

Master-Leased Apartment FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Students should review the Frequently Asked Questions section below for more details about these expanded housing options. If you have additional questions or concerns, text or call us at 740.593.4090 or email housing@ohio.edu. 

 

Why is Ohio University offering this opportunity?

The current first year student interest in Ohio University was exceptionally high for the upcoming academic year. Based on current projections, we are expanding our inventory to provide options for all students to have access to an on-campus residential experience. This expansion is particularly important as the University completes necessary renovations and upgrades to other residential housing facilities.  

Why did Ohio University expand to River Gate and River Park specifically?

These facilities are directly adjacent to Pickering Hall on OHIO’s South Green and close to Ohio University’s on-campus dining venues and other University resources and amenities.  

Will students living in River Gate and River Park have the same experience as those students living in university-owned facilities?

Housing and Residence Life staff will live on site to support students, provide them with resources, and build community through intentional programming efforts. University policies in the Housing and Residence Life Handbook will apply to students living in the University-sponsored housing at River Gate and River Park . 

Do I need to have a meal plan if I choose to live in River Gate or River Park?

Yes, students who reside in River Gate and River Park through Ohio University will be required to carry an associated residential meal plan. 

Will the University provided apartments at River Gate and River Park be furnished?

At River Park, each living room has a couch, a coffee table, an end table, a TV stand, and a lamp. Each bedroom has one twin bed, one nightstand, one chest of drawers, one lamp, one desk, and one desk chair. Each kitchen has a stove, oven, and full fridge, but utensils and cookware are not provided. 

At River Gate, each living room has a couch, a chair or love seat, a coffee table, an end table, and an entertainment stand. Each bedroom has a full XL bed, one nightstand, two stack-able dressers, a walk-in closet, one desk, and one desk chair. Each kitchen has a stove, oven, and full fridge, dishwasher, microwave, bar stools, table and chairs, washer and dryer in every unit, utensils and cookware are not provided. 

What is the housing rate for an assignment in River Gate or River Park?

Students who choose to reside in River Gate or River Park will be charged the super single or super double rate based on their OHIO Guarantee cohort and apartment occupancy per bedroom. Students residing in apartments who do not share a bedroom will be charged the super single rate. Students residing in apartments with two residents per bedroom will be charged the super double rate. This charge includes all utilities and internet service. Charges will be assessed directly to the student’s account.   

When can I move into my River Gate or River Park apartment? Will it be different than typical move in?

River Gate and River Park Move-In will take place August 22-23 at the time published in the Arrival Guide. Students who wish to arrive during early arrival day (August 16) must complete an Early Arrival Request Application via their Housing Self-Service page. Students will follow the residence hall semester opening and closing dates provided by the University on the 2025-26 Academic Calendar. 

Students will have the opportunity to complete an early arrival move-in application and winter break housing application as needed, and additional housing charges will be assessed accordingly. 

Can I take a tour of the River Gate and River Park spaces?

Yes. River Park staff will be more than happy to schedule a tour. The River Park office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The River Park office can set up tours during those times.  If you’d like to set up a tour, contact them directly at 740.593.7783. River Park also offers a virtual tour experience. 

Additionally, students will be able to take a tour of apartments at River Park during OHIO’s Open House on Sunday, March 2 from 5-7 p.m. 

Do I need to pay for utilities at River Gate or River Park, or are they included in the housing charges?

The following utilities are covered at no additional charge: internet, gas, water/sewer, and electricity. Students residing in River Gate and River Park are responsible for contracting independently for cable TV services if desired. 

 

Are residents of River Gate and River Park able to have pets?

Students are not permitted to have pets in the contracted units. If a student is found to have a pet, they will be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, and a $500 unregistered pet fee will be assessed to their student account in alignment with River Gate and River Park's lease addenda. 

Do I need to get approval for an assistance animal if I am residing at River Park or River Gate?

You will need to be approved for an assistance animal as an accommodation through the Office of Accessibility Services. Ohio University will notify River Gate or River Park of any residents approved to have an assistance animal. Students approved will have a roommate acknowledgement agreement, updated immunization, flea/tick treatments, and proof of insurance on file with Accessibility Services. A pet deposit will not be required for students who are approved for an assistance animal; however, you may be charged for any damages incurred as a result of the approved assistance animal.   

If I am a resident of River Gate or River Park, what do I do about parking?

River Park: Students may choose to purchase a parking permit and must contract directly with the River Park leasing office to purchase their permit at the cost of $300/lease period. With this surface lot permit, students can park in any open spot around River Park. Students will be responsible for any costs associated with parking permits. Parking permits can be purchased using money order or cashier’s check. 

River Gate: Students may choose to purchase a parking permit and must contract directly with the River Gate leasing office to purchase their permit at the cost of $400/lease period Students will be responsible for any costs associated with parking permits. Parking permits can be purchased using money order or cashier’s check. 

Is there laundry at River Gate and River Park?

River Park: Laundry machines are available on multiple floors of each building at River Park. River Park utilizes laundry cards, and students are responsible for any amount needed for the machines. Students may also email housing@ohio.edu with a request for access to the Dougan Laundry Center. 

River Gate: Washer and Dryer included in every unit. 

Where do River Gate and River Park residents pick up mail and packages?

At River Gate and River Park, each apartment shares a mailbox. Each apartment will be issued one key to share between all residents of the unit. Any packages that are too large for the mailbox will be placed in a larger parcel box and a key placed in the apartment’s mailbox. If any packages are too large for the large parcel box, they will be held at the River Park office for pickup. 

Additionally, packages may be delivered directly to a student’s apartment door, but that request must be clearly indicated in the delivery instructions when placing an online order. 

  • At River Park, mail pick up is located beside Building #35. 

  • At River Gate, mail pick up is located on the main floor around the corner from the main entrance. 

I live at River Gate or River Park - what is my address?

The format for all addresses are as follows:  

Street Address, Apartment Number, Athens, OH 45701 

  • River Park Building 34: 34 N McKinley Ave 

  • River Park Building 35: 35 N McKinley Ave 

  • River Park Building 36: 36 N McKinley Ave 

  • River Park Building 37: 1 Community Dr 

  • River Park Building 38: 38 N McKinley Ave 

  • River Gate: 10 Rufus St 

Can I stay in my apartment over winter break?

Ohio University apartment residents who wish to stay in their apartments over the winter break closure must submit a Winter Break Housing Application. The Winter Break Housing Application will open on October 1 and is required to reside on campus during the winter break closure.  

The deadline to apply for winter break housing is November 1.  

To complete the application, students can visit their Housing Self-Service page, click on the ‘Contracts & Applications’ tab, and select Winter Break Housing Application. The cost for winter break housing is $30/night, $125/week or $400/month and will be charged directly to the student's account. 

Can I stay in my apartment over summer?

Apartments master leased through Ohio University are not available during the summer. Students currently residing in these spaces who need summer housing will be required to transition to the summer school residence hall on Saturday, May 3. 

Ohio University apartment residents who require housing beyond the spring semester closure must submit a Summer Housing Contract. The Summer Housing Contract will open on February 1. To complete the application, students can visit their Housing Self-Service page, click on the ‘Contracts & Applications’ tab, and select Summer Housing Contract.