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Celebrating Northern

HOUSING

Love where you live! Comfort and choice are hallmarks of residential life at ONU.

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Home to fun times

Live on campus, and you’ll make friends and memories that last a lifetime.

Student sits in a hammock outside of Founders Hall
new students moved to the campus of Ohio Northern University to begin the academic year
Founders Mud Volleyball
Office of Residence Life hosted flag football on the Tundra for Spirit Week
Students pass out candy to kids in Affinity West during Trick-or-Treat night
Cooking in Affinity Village
Student uses a laundry room in Stadium View apartments
Camels on the tundra

A dynamic residential campus

ONU requires you to live on campus for three years. New students are assigned housing by the Office of Residence Life and live in either Founders, Park, Maglott, or Stambaugh halls. Returning students choose their housing online during spring semester prior to the upcoming year. You can request a roommate when you complete the online housing forms.

Founders Hall video

Get Connected: First-Year

Make friends and explore everything campus has to offer while living in first-year housing that rocks.
Check out where you could be living

Steps for First-Year Housing

To make sure that your housing is ready when you arrive on campus in the fall, follow these steps:

  • 1. Register for housing today by logging in to Self-Service Banner using your ONU username and password. Your "My Housing" account is your portal to your room assignment, roommate information and meal plan.

    2. Start your housing registration by agreeing to the housing agreement and filling out your emergency contact information in the My Housing portal in Banner.

    3. When completing a housing application, we encourage you to apply according to our posted deadlines to ensure your housing request is processed and room assignment is ready for your arrival. All housing applications are completed through the My Housing portal in Banner and are processed within two business days of receipt. Business hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and exclude weekends, holidays and University closings.

    4. Follow and complete all steps to our housing application process.

     

    If you are eligible to reside off campus and are requesting to commute/live off campus, do not fill out the housing agreement, as it is a binding agreement. Instead, complete our Off-Campus Housing Request Form in Self-Service Banner, which is reviewed within two business days. It is important to note that if you do not meet the eligibility requirements for commuting/living off campus, your request will be declined.

Learn more from a student's point of view

No one knows more about ONU's housing options than the students who live in them. Join Rilyn Castle as she tours housing options for years one, two and three as well as upperclassmen apartment living. Click on the caption to view the videos.

Upperclassman apartment living includes a living room, a full kitchen and your own bedroom and bathroom. WATCH THE TOUR

Apartment living

Meet your tour guide, Rilyn Castle, third year pharmacy student and Bear Ambassador.

Rilyn Castle Pharmacy student and Bear Ambassador

Founder's Hall is a first-year housing option in the heart of campus. WATCH THE TOUR

Founder's Hall Tour

Lima Complex is an upper-class student housing option that has rooms with a shared common space and individual bedrooms and bathrooms. WATCH THE TOUR

sophomore housing

The Lima Complex lounge space includes a television, pool tables, study tables and a fireplace. WATCH THE TOUR

Lima Lounge Tour
Students walking across campus during the fall.
housing lima hall

Find Your Stride: Years 2 and 3

Housing options expand in years two and three, and campus truly feels like a home away from home. You have the option to live in Lima or Affinity Village.
Tour Lima Hall
housing affinity village

Embrace Choice: Year 2-3

Enjoy a comfortable open suite-style living floor plan with classmates who share your interests.
Tour Affinity Village
Stadium View West Apartments

Live in the Moment: Year 3 and beyond

Make the most of your time living on campus. Someday you’ll look back fondly at the crazy adventures and close connections.

Love where you live!

Learn even more about housing options available to you as an ONU student.

  • Housing Options

    Eligibility

    Floors

    Gender

    Room Type

    First-year students

     

     

     

     

    FOUNDERS

    First-year students

    3

    Coed

    Double occupancy rooms with some pod rooms available

    PARK

    First-year students

    3

    Coed

    Double

    MAGLOTT

    First-year students

    3

    Coed

    Double

     

     

     

     

     

    Upper-class students

     

     

     

     

    LIMA

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Suite

    ROBERTS

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Suite

    AFFINITY EAST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Double

    BROOKHART

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Suite

    AFFINITY WEST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Double

    LAKEVIEW

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    POLAR PLACE

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    UNIVERSITY TERRACE

    Upper-class students

    2

    Coed

    Apartment

    NORTHERN COMMONS

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    KLONDIKE'S DEN

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    STADIUMVIEW EAST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Two- and four-bedroom apartments

    STADIUMVIEW WEST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Two- and four-bedroom apartments

    AFFINITY EAST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Double

    BROOKHART

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Suite

    AFFINITY WEST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Double

    LAKEVIEW

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    UNIVERSITY TERRACE

    Upper-class students

    2

    Coed

    Apartment

    NORTHERN COMMONS

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    KLONDIKE'S DEN

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    STADIUMVIEW EAST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Two- and four-bedroom apartments

    STADIUMVIEW WEST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Two- and four-bedroom apartments

    AFFINITY EAST

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Double

     

     

     

     

     

    Law Students

     

     

     

     

    POLAR PLACE

    Upper-class students

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

    COURTYARD

    Law students only

    3

    Coed

    Apartment

Move in to Founders

Housing Amenities

Want to learn about what comes standard within each Affinity and Founders Complex living space? Watch these two videos to find out.
  • Watch - Affinity Complex Amenity Video
  • Watch - Founders Complex Amenity Video

HELPFUL TIPS

    • Dynamic living-learning environments
    • Variety of on-campus housing options (residence halls, apartments, affinity housing, and fraternity and sorority housing)
    • Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant housing
    • Networked computer outlets in each room
    • Three to five electrical outlets
    • Wall-to-wall carpeting
    • Extra-long twin beds (loft-able units provided in some housing)
    • Desk, desk chair, shelving, towel rack, mirror and closet in all rooms
    • Overhead lighting
    • Wi-Fi access 
    • Apartments include kitchens with a refrigerator, stove and oven, microwave, dishwasher, and a counter with stools or a small table with two chairs. (Some include garbage disposals.)
    • Apartments include living room with a couch, chair and two end tables.
    • Suites include a common area/living room, furnished bedrooms and one bathroom per suite.

     

    COMMON AREAS OF BUILDINGS INCLUDE:

    • Kitchenettes
    • High-efficiency laundry machine (no charge for use)
    • Study lounges
    • Televisions with cable
    • Microwaves
    • Refrigerators
    • Common restrooms equipped with individual showers in some residence halls
    • Front desks (Recreation and athletic equipment, ironing boards and vacuums may be checked out.)
    • Some residential areas include workout room(s)

     

    OTHER NOTES:

    • You are permitted to bring a refrigerator that does not exceed 4.5 cubic feet.
    • All students may have a car on campus. There is a charge for parking passes. You may obtain one from the Office of Public Safety, located in the Business Services Building.
    • All federal and local laws apply. It is recommended that students read the Student Handbook.
    • Most built-in closets are 36 inches wide, 21 inches deep and 7 feet tall.
    • Dressers have three drawers and are 28 inches long, 19 1/2 inches wide and 25 inches in height.
    • Bed frames are 86 inches in length and 39 inches wide.
    • Mattresses are twin extra-long and are 35 inches wide and 78 inches in length.
    • Built-in desks are 47 1/2 inches in length, 23 1/2 inches in width and 30 1/4 inches in height.
  • STUDENT REQUEST FOR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

    In accordance with the University Housing Policy (as stated in the Student Handbook, pages 19) at least one of the following criteria must be met in order for a review of student eligibility to move out of the residence halls for the next academic year. This review for off-campus housing takes place during the academic year prior to the requested year off, as all housing agreements are for a full academic year. You will be notified by your ONU email regarding your status. You can view your status by going to Self-Service Banner.

    All approvals are granted on an annual basis.  Students must resubmit off-campus housing applications each year while attending ONU as full-time students as well as submit their current off-campus address.

    Any student who applies to live off-campus, and believes they meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements, should not secure on-campus housing during the spring housing lottery, as they will be responsible for the housing agreement for the full academic year:

    • Three years (six semesters) in the residence halls or apartments
    • 23 years of age
    • The student will be commuting daily from the permanent home address of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within a 30-mile driving distance of ONU; 525 S Main St, Ada, Ohio 45810. Please note that the Office of Residence Life considers the permanent home address of the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to be the address of record on file with federal, state, and local tax agencies and where a minimum of one of the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) resides. This is the information that is on file through our Financial Aid and Admissions offices. (Please note that the purchase of a home and/or rental property and/or use of rental property within 30 driving miles does not constitute permanent residence and will be considered in violation of our residential policy.  This does not prohibit commuting from a bona fide purchase or rental by a parent or guardian if that parent or guardian intends to live in the said home or rental property and is their permanent address as listed in all ONU records, most especially Ellucian Banner Resource Planning System.)
    • Proof of an undergraduate degree
    • Proof of having served in the armed forces and qualified for veterans' benefits
    • Proof of marriage and proof that the student resides with a spouse within a 30-mile driving distance of ONU

    If you do not qualify for any of the above criteria, you are not eligible to live off-campus.

    Please use your ONU username and password to log in to Self-Service Banner (Self-Service Banner>Student>MyHousing>Housing On and Off-Campus Applications) to complete and submit the Off-Campus Housing Application. If you have any questions, please email reslife@onu.edu. All Off-Campus Housing Applications are due by Feb. 26th. Forms turned in after Feb. 26 will incur a $50 late fine charged to your student account. 


    ALL APPROVED STUDENTS NEED TO COMPLETE

    In addition to completing the Off-Campus Housing Application, all students leaving ONU housing to live off-campus must complete the online version of the Good Neighbor Meeting. The Good Neighbor Meetings are a collaborative effort by the village of Ada and ONU and include presentations by the chief of the Ada Police and the Ada mayor as well as presentations from Financial Aid, Student Conduct, and Residence Life. The Good Neighbor Meetings will be held virtually in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.   

    You can find the link to the Good Neighbor Meeting in your approval email for off-campus housing. You will be able to complete the online version of the Good Neighbor Meeting independently. It is required to complete this by March 31.


    ALL COMMUTING STUDENTS NEED TO COMPLETE

    Students that are commuting from the permanent residence of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within a 30-mile driving distance of ONU must have their parent/legal guardian complete our Parent/Legal Guardian Permanent Residence Verification Form (Attached at the bottom of the page). This form must be signed and notarized by a Registered Notary in the State of Ohio, and the original must be delivered (email not accepted) to our central office in McIntosh Center for full review/consideration.  Falsification of this form will result in subsequent housing charges being assessed as well as being considered a violation of the student code of conduct.  Violations of the student code of conduct will be adjudicated through our Office of Student Conduct.

    Please mail the original notarized document or deliver to:

    Ohio Northern University
    Office of Residence Life
    525 South Main Street
    Ada, OH 45810


    NEW COMMUTING STUDENTS

    All incoming freshmen and new transfer students who wish to commute must turn in a form by June 28. All forms received after this deadline will incur a $50 late-processing fee and could result in the student not being approved for off-campus commuting. Visit Self-Service Banner to complete the Off-Campus Housing Form. Self-Service Banner>Student>MyHousing>Housing On and Off-Campus Applications

    You will be notified by your ONU email regarding your status. You can view your status by going to Self-Service Banner.

    All approvals are granted on an annual basis.  Students must resubmit off-campus housing applications each year while attending ONU as full-time students as well as submit their current off-campus address.

  • All incoming freshmen and new transfer students who wish to commute must turn in a form by June 28. All forms received after this deadline will incur a $50 late-processing fee and could result in the student not being approved for off-campus commuting. Visit Self-Service Banner to complete the Off-Campus Housing Form.

     

    You will be notified by email regarding your status. You can view your status by going to Self-Service Banner.

     

  • If you will be taking classes or working on campus over the summer, we provide summer living accommodations at Polar Place.
     

    SUMMER HOUSING REGISTRATION (NO SUMMER MEAL PLANS)

    • To be placed into on-campus housing, you must complete the online housing application and emergency contact information.

    • Please use this tutorial to learn how to access your MyHousing website and complete your on-campus housing application.

    • The “my housing” portal can be accessed by logging in to Self-Service Banner and going to the MyHousing tab. You will need your ONU username and password. Once you have logged in, please select the housing application Summer Session Housing.

    • You must submit your on-campus housing application prior to your arrival.

    • You must have your ONU ID to check in to your on-campus housing.

    • It is not required that you live on campus for summer sessions.

     

    SUMMER SESSION 1 SCHEDULE:

    • SS1 Classes: May 23-June 24
    • SS1 Check-In: May 19, 20 and May 23
    • SS1 Checkout: June 24 or before

    SUMMER SESSION 2 SCHEDULE:

    • SS2 Classes: June 27 - July 29
    • SS2 Check-In: June 24 and June 27
    • SS2 Checkout: July 29 or before

    Apartment Cost for Summer Session(s):

    • The cost for SS1 or SS2 is $500

    • Total for SS1 and SS2 is $1000

     

    The use of tobacco products is prohibited in all University facilities, including residential housing and all vehicles regardless of location. The use of tobacco products is prohibited outdoors on all University property, including parking lots. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, contracted employees, volunteers and visitors.

  • Residence Hall Rooms:

    • A fish or plant
    • Approved poster tape to hang decorations. You are not permitted to use screws, nails or other hardware to attach items to walls.
    • Bed linens for a twin extra-long 39"-by-80" mattress
    • Laundry supplies, detergent for high-efficiency washers, laundry basket, dryer sheets, etc.
    • Microwave
    • Mini-refrigerator
    • Personal items and school supplies
    • Photos of friends and family
    • Seasonal clothing (You can switch out the rest when you go home over break.)
    • Shower caddy
    • Shower sandals
    • Toiletries
    • Television
    • Trash can
    • Cleaning supplies
    • If you are in a pod room or Affinity, you will need toilet paper and bathroom cleaning supplies

     

    Apartments:

    • Cooking utensils
    • Shower curtain (Stadiumview Apartments have glass doors)
    • Bathroom supplies (toiletries, toilet paper, towels, etc.)
    • Vacuum
    • Floor lamp(s) (not halogen)
    • Cleaning supplies for kitchen and bathroom
    • Candles
    • Dartboard
    • Electric blankets
    • Extension cords (Only bring UL-approved surge-protected cords.)
    • Firearms
    • Fireworks
    • Flags
    • Halogen lamps
    • Knives
    • Lofts (Most beds are loftable. If your bed needs a kit to loft, you can ask your Residence Life staff for a kit when you check in.)
    • Non-approved poster tape (Please do not use duct tape to hang posters.)
    • Non-approved roommates (This includes pets other than fish and people other than your ONU roommate.)
    • Non-prescription drugs
    • Toasters

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Student rides bike across campus.

Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life

We would love to meet you and show you around! Your health, safety and future are in good hands at Northern. We offer a host of services to keep you informed and meet your needs while you are on campus.
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How the Office of ResLife is giving back

  • DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY (HARDIN COUNTY CHAPTER)

    Started in 1996 by country artist Dolly Parton, this foundation fosters child literacy throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The program partners with local community organizations to deliver an age-appropriate new book to children each month through the mail from birth until age 5, at no cost to their families. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library became so popular that in the year 2000 she announced that she would make the program available for replication to any community that was willing to partner with her to support it locally. Since the initial program launch in the United States, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has gone from just a few dozen books to more than 60 million books mailed to children in the United States, in Canada and across the proverbial pond in the United Kingdom! Currently, more than 1,600 local communities provide the Imagination Library to more than 750,000 children each and every month. Already, statistics and independent reports have shown that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library drastically improves early childhood literacy for children enrolled in the program. Further studies have shown improved scores during early literacy testing.

    How does the Office of Residence Life help with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? 
    A community must make the program accessible to all preschool children in their area. The community pays for the books and mailing, promotes the program, registers the children, and enters the information into the database. Through a partnership with Ada Rotary and United Way of Hardin County, Residence Life raises money to aid with these overhead costs so area children can enjoy the benefits of the Imagination Library. Money is raised through each all-hall campus program, Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn sales (Klondike Krunch, Polar Popcorn and Klondike's Polar Krunch Punch created by Justin F. Courtney, director of Residence Life) and student room lock-outs.

transfer students campus

Residence Life

McIntosh Center
525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810

419-772-2430
reslife@onu.edu
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