Housing FAQs

A limited number of single rooms are often available. Returning upper-class students usually receive these rooms. If a student decides he or she is interested in a single room during the academic year, he or she must fill out a room change request form and indicate a single room preference. These forms can be picked up in the Office of Student Life. Single rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, each residence hall contains a shared community kitchen area. Kitchens include counter space, a range/oven, a sink, and a microwave.

No. All furniture must remain in the student's room.

Yes. All full-time students who do not have senior standing (at least 92 semester credit hours), who are single, under 21 years of age, without dependent children, and not living with a parent or legal guardian who lives within one-hour of OU-Ottawa must live in a campus residence hall and participate in the student meal plan. Living on-campus provides students with an opportunity to make friendships with people from many places. This is an important part of the college experience. Living within the residence halls also allows students the convenience of utilizing the services provided. Students must request and complete an off campus application and the "Parent Verification Form" if commuting from the parents' or legal guardians' home. Transfer students who meet age and/or semester credit hour requirements to live off campus may request an off campus housing application from the Office of Student Life after filling out the standard housing preference form.

New students can get involved in a variety of ways. Resident assistants are a good starting place to getting advice on how to become active. Each RA has good resource information that can help point students in the right direction. There are plenty of opportunities on-campus to get involved.

Assignments are made in the order of the date that we receive the contract and deposit. The earlier a student contracts for housing and pays the $150 deposit, the greater their chances of being assigned to the residence hall of their preference.

Students are encouraged to stop by the Student Housing Office after the first two weeks of classes to request a room change, pending availability.

We assign rooms based upon the preferences indicated on the housing preference form. We make assignments on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Updated housing costs can be found on our Tutions and Fees page and are also included as part of our Cost Estimator.

Health and safety inspections will occur every three to four weeks during the academic year. These inspections are in place to ensure our residents are living in a safe, living and learning community. This also allows us the opportunity to assess any maintenance concerns. 

Dates of inspection will be posted in each of the halls at the beginning of the semester and will also appear on bright signs throughout campus as the inspection dates grow closer. See the inspection sheet in your room/suite for specific requirements to pass health and safety checks. If a student fails health and safety checks, they will be charged $25 minimum fee based on the infractions found.

When/if a student has requested a double room and for some reason has been left without a roommate, s/he will have two options:

1. If eligible for a single room and space permitting, they may choose to live in a single room and pay the single rate.

**Please note, first-year students are NOT eligible for a single room during the fall semester.

2. If they are not eligible for a single room and/or do not want one, they must either move in with another student or find a different student who would be willing to move into the vacant space. Please see the Student Housing Office for assistance with this process.

If a student chooses to not respond to the consolidation process, a roommate will be assigned to them without consultation. The University reserves the right to assign, reassign and adjust the occupancy of any residence hall room or suite. All unoccupied space is reserved for use by the University.

Room changes can be made during room change week (approximately 2 weeks after the 1st day of school) after the halls open. Visit the hall's Resident Director (RD) to find out about the room change process.

No problem! Computer labs are also in the academic buildings open for student use on a daily basis in the Vera Wise Technology Center and in Gangwish Library.

Residents may NOT have:

• halogen lamps
• hotplates
• candles/other incendiary items (including candle warmers/burners)

Students may contact the Office of Student Life if they are unsure if an appliance is allowed.

Other items that are not allowed in the residence halls include:

• painting and/or loft construction
• pornographic posters or images
• alcohol beverage bottles, cans, and containers (either full or empty)
• any posters placed on the inside of doors
• elevating floors
• additional wiring for electrical equipment or lighting effects
• construction and decoration that obstructs a 90-degree swing of the room entrance door
• construction and decoration that obstructs the air circulation of the heating/cooling unit
• furniture obstructing full view of room from entrance door
• furniture from lounges or lobbies; as well as
• foam-backed carpet and rugs, or adhesives on the floor.

Resident assistants are student leaders who are ready, willing and able to be resources to their peers. We select them each spring and they receive training in the fall and throughout the year. Our resident directors (RD) are full-time professional staff members who are readily available to assist students, as well as RAs with a multitude of concerns. Each residence hall has multiple RAs throughout the building and a full-time live-in RD.

Students should bring all of those special things that will make their room feel like home. Personalizing the room is strongly encouraged, and we suggest that students bring their favorite things. Pictures and posters may be hung on the walls using nails, thumbtacks, sticky tack, and tape. Other things students can bring include:

• Bed and Bath
  • Mattress Pad*
  • Pillow(s) and Case(s)*
  • Extra-long Twin Sheets*
  • Comforter*
  • Blanket*
  • Bath Towels*
  • Shower Shows - Brown Hall Only*
  • Shower Caddy - Brown Hall Only*
  • Bed Raisers
  • Throw Rug
  • Floor Lamp & Non-halogen Bulbs
  • Hangers
  • Full-length Mirror
  • Trash Can
  • Microwave - Max 900 Watts
  • Compact Refrigerator - Max 5 Cubic Feet
  • Wall Decor
• Laundry Supplies
  • Laundry Bag / Basket
  • Detergent
  • Dryer Sheets / Drying Rack
  • Iron (auto shut-off)
  • Ironing Board
• Hygiene Supplies
  • Cleaning Supplies*
  • Ear Plugs
  • First Aid Kits
  • Thermometer
• Personal Hygiene Products / Toiletries
  • Prescription Medication(s)*
  • Toothbrush / Toothpaste*
  • Soap / Shampoo*
  • Hair Products / Hair Dyer*
  • Shaving Accessories
  • Makeup / Moisturizer
• Identification / Money
  • ATM Card*
  • Driver's License / Indentification Card*
  • Insurance Card(s)*
  • Credit Card(s)
  • Checkbook
  • Passport / Visa
  • Lock Box
• Electronics
  • Cell Phone and Charger*
  • Alarm Clock
  • Music Speaker
  • Computer / Laptop and Charger
  • Gaming System
  • Power Strip with Surge Protector
  • Printer, Ink Cartridges and Paper
  • TV
  • HDMI Cable
• School Supplies
  • Backpack
  • Pens / Pencils
  • Spiral Notebook
  • Calculator
  • Scissors / Stapler
  • Tape / Post-it Notes
• Miscellaneous
  • 3M Command Adhesive Products
  • Calendar
  • Flashlight
  • Plastic Dishware / Silverware
  • Can Opener
  • Water Filter Pitcher
  • Umbrella / Rain Gear
  • Sports Equipment
  • Fan (large and/or clip)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Clorox Wipes

Students need to bring sheets, pillows, pillowcases, and blankets to accommodate an extra long twin mattress. Regular twin sheets will work, but they will be snug.
 

RESIDENCE HALL LINEN PROGRAM

You may find it helpful to check out our partner, Our Campus Market (OCM), website. You can purchase bedding, as well as additional blankets, pillows, mattress pad, egg crate pad, towels, hampers and more. The best part—everything will be shipped directly to campus.

When you arrive on campus, your package will be waiting in your room. That’s one less thing to worry about packing—and it gives you the chance to coordinate (perfectly) with your roommate(s), if you choose to.

They offer a wide variety of options, so be sure to go online and check it out at www.ocm.com/linens.

Laundry facilities are available in each of the residence halls. Martin Hall has one laundry facility, which is located on the lower level of the building. In Bennett and Brown Halls, laundry facilities are located on each floor. Gillette House has a shared laundry facility that is available within the house.

University and Blue Mountain Apartments have laundry facilities within each unit.

It costs $1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry and funds can be added to your Braves Card to eliminate the need to get quarters. Students must bring their own HE laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets.