General Information

Check in and Arrival Information:

Students should check in at the service center for your residence hall or cooperative house between 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM. At the service center, you'll receive your room key, proximity access card (if you do not have a new OSU student ID card), a Room Condition Report, and a mailbox combination. You'll also be asked to complete a Room and Dining Contract and emergency contact card if you did not submit this over the summer. When you arrive at your room, please verify the condition listed on the Room Condition Report, and report any discrepancies to your service center.

Students arriving after 7 p.m. must check in with the Resident Assistant on duty in their assigned building. The RA on duty can be reached by calling the posted cell phone number.

Pick up Room Keys, Room Cards, Emergency Cards, Mail boxes:

At the service center, you'll receive your room key, outside door key, a "Room Inventory Card", and emergency card. When you complete the room card and emergency card you will return to the service center and receive your laundry card and mailbox combination. Until you turn in those two items you will not be given a laundry card or mailbox combination.

Where do I get a cart to move my stuff to my room?

Carrying carts are available in the main lobbies of each hall. They may be checked out there from your hall's resident assistants.

How do I know my mailing address?

Check with your service center for your mailing address if you live on the East or West Side Campus since it is different than your room number. If you live on the South Side of campus your mailing address corresponds to the room number in your assigned hall. (Example: 201 Bloss Hall.)

Where do I get loft kits?

For Buxton, Hawley, Weatherford, Halsell, McNary and West, loft and bunking kits are available in the halls on a limited basis; you may ask your Resident Assistant where they can be picked up. If you are living in Finley, Bloss, Poling, Sackett, Callahan and Wilson you may bring your own loft kit. The University does not have loft kits available for sale; you are responsible for building or buying your own from a lumber company.

Phone Setup:

Each room comes with one phone line with free local calling. You can set up voice mail or bring your own answering machine. Long distance service can be purchased through OSU Telecommunications 541.737.4357.

ID Cards and Meal Plans:

If you did not get your student ID card during the START program you will go to the ID center located in the basement of Kerr Administration. You need your ID card to eat at the dining centers. Your meal plan is already on your ID card, no set up in necessary once you have your ID card. If you wish to change your meal plan please visit your service center to fill out a meal plan change form.

Computer Network Connections (ResNet):

To set up internet in your room, plug your Ethernet cable into the orange or green jack in your room. Open a web browser and follow the registration instructions. Rooms have enough jacks for each roommate so everyone can be online at the same time. Ethernet cables and adapters can be purchased at the OSU Bookstore. For more help contact ResNet.

Room and Board Payment Information:

Room and board charges are billed to your student account at the beginning of each term. These charges will appear on a statement, which includes all tuition, housing, and other miscellaneous university charges and payments.

Parking on campus:

A car is not a necessity, but many students have cars at OSU. Most locations are within walking distance from campus. To travel to locations further from campus, the Corvallis transit system allows students with a valid OSU ID card to ride the bus for free. It is important to note that OSU Parking Services sells more parking permits than they have spots available.

Changing rooms:

Room changes will be available after the first two weeks of school. If you are living in a residence hall, you will need to contact your Resident Director to make a room change. If you are living in a cooperative house, you will need to talk with your Cooperative Director. You can also stop by or call a Service Center to find out more information about switching rooms.

Roommate conflicts:

Many first year college students have never had a roommate before. A good roommate match is a two way street. As long as you and you roommate communicate well and discuss issues ahead of time, such as schedules, cleanliness of the room, and visitors, you will find that having a roommate is not a bad thing (in fact, it can even be a great thing). However, if you discover that you and your roommate can't resolve your conflicts, find a staff member in your Residence Hall or Cooperative House. These trained individuals are available to assist in solving conflicts.

Breaking the housing contract:

If you leave housing any time after the start of the term, you will be charged $6.00 per day for the amount of time left on your contract, which ends on the last day of spring term. The charge equates to at least $1368.00 for the entire contract period. These charges will be assessed only if you continue to take classes at OSU. If you withdraw from OSU, transfer to another institution, graduate or go on a university approved student exchange or internship you are exempt from the cancellation fee.