FAQs about ResLife
Welcome to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
University living can come with a lot of questions, but don't worry, we have you covered. (Updated for the 2025-26 academic year.)
A. Registering for Housing
- » What you need to know about Housing RegistrationVisit the Registration tab.
- A1. How do I begin the process to live in the resident halls? To learn more about housing registration, visit the Registration tab. Registration opens Feb. 1 for the upcoming academic year. Also, look for Spring-only and Summer-only registration dates.
- A2. What is a Living Learning Program? How can I be part of one?Visit the LLP webpages for more information about the program and how to apply.
- A3. What is the Freshman Residency Requirement and can I be exempted?Most incoming freshmen must live in university housing. Learn more about the Freshman Residency Requirement and the Request for Housing Exemption.
- A4. How do I get housing accommodation for a medical need?Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). SAS will let Housing and Residential Life know what is needed for you. We will take care of the placement.
- A5. How much does housing registration cost?For registration fees and more, visit Financial Responsibility.
- A6. The housing registration process asks us to rank our housing styles and room types. What does that mean?
- Housing styles refer to halls that are traditional, suites, deluxe suites or apartments.
- Room type codes refer to the type of floor plan. For example, the code 2B/1B means two bedrooms and one bathroom. You can find the codes for each floor plan in the Hall Finder.
- A7. I'm currently living in Greek Life but want to move back to the residence halls. What do I need to know?Greek Life is considered living in university housing. Visit Fraternity/Sorority Housing Registration for how to move between Greek LIfe and OSU Housing.
B. Hall Options/Hall Finder
- » Learn about the residence halls and neighborhoods
- The Hall Options tab provides information about housing styles and service areas.
- The Hall Finder provides a sorting function to narrow your search of the right halls or neighborhood for you.
- B1. What is Hall Finder and how do I use it?Hall Finder allows you to explore the halls and see room rates, floor plans, amenities, dimensions and photos. You can use the sorter to narrow your search and find which hall is right for you.
- B2. How far is my hall from classroom buildings and dining halls?Each hall on Hall Finder includes this information.
- B3. What are the styles of housing?There are four housing styles on OSU campus: traditional, suites, deluxe suites and apartments. Visit Hall Finder to see which style is right for you.
- B4. What are the rates for university housing? Rates for each hall are included on their Hall Finder page. There is a sort option that allows you to only see halls in your price range.To see all of the rates listed together, visit the current rates page.
- B5. Is there a floor plan for my room?
- B6. What size is my bed?Hall Finder provides dimensions and sizing for university-provided furniture. In general bed sizes are as follows:
- Traditional halls come with XL twin.
- Private rooms in suites, deluxe suites and apartments have full-sized beds.
- B7. How do I know which gender is on each floor?Except for University Commons North (women only), the residence halls are open to men and women, with the individual unit by same-gender. The traditional halls are divided by gender by floors and wings. The suites, deluxe suites, and apartments are open to everyone but same-gender by unit door.
- B8. Which is the newest dorm?There are numerous styles of resident halls, and we likely have a living space that can meet your needs. Our commitment to our students is to provide a safe space where they can learn and thrive. We have a hall finder that provides you with construction dates for each building, but our newest halls are the Commons.
C. Your Bursar Account
- » Financial Responsibility and YouLearn more about fees, charges and more at Financial Responsibility.
- C1. Where do I find the room rates?The OSU Board of Regents sets and approves Housing Rates . Rates are posted under the Registration tab and in the Hall Finder for each residence hall.
- C3. Does Housing and Residential Life offer a payment plan option?You must contact the Office of the Bursar and ask about the Payment Plan Option.
- C4. Where can I see all of the housing fees and charges?Learn more about fees, charges and more at Financial Responsibility.
- C5. How do I dispute or contest a charge I disagree with? Visit How to Dispute Housing Charges (form) and submit the form.
- C6. Are there scholarship for students living in university housing?ResLife offers 14 awards, valued at more than $68,000, as part of the Leader-Scholar Scholarship Program.
- Available for students who live in Housing and Residential Life. Student staff members are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
D. Animals on Campus
- » Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Pets. Visit the Service Dogs, ESAs and Pet webpage for how to bring an animail to hall or neighborhood.
- D1. How do I get approved for an emotional support animal (ESA)? The registration process begins with the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS), which collaborate with individuals, faculty, and staff to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to all OSU programs and activities. To learn more about the approval process, visit Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, Pets.
- D2. How do I get approval for a service animal? Students with service animals are not required to register their animals with the Office of Student Accessibility Services. However, you will need to email documentation to reslife@okstate.edu.
- D3. Can I have a dog or cat in my room? The Prosser Neighborhood is a pet-friendly location. To have a dog or cate, follow the approval process detailed in the document. To learn more about the approval process, visit Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, Pets.
- D4. Are reptiles allowed in the halls?Residential Life allows fish, small crustaceans, mollusks, water turtles, and small amphibians, all living underwater and in aquariums no larger than 10 gallons per Residential Life unit. To learn more about the approval process, visit Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, Pets.
- D5. What happens if I have an unauthorized animal on campus? You will incur a charge, you must remove the animal. To learn more, visit Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, Pets.
E. Before your Move-In
- » What to do before you move in
- E1. Do all of the residential halls have elevators?Check hall details at Hall Finder.
- E2. Is there a floor plan where I can find where my room is located in the residence hall?When you arrive on campus you will be provided with a map of your hall.
- E3. Can I tell what floor I am on based on my room number (for example 0367)?Most rooms have a four-digit code. Room 0325 is on the third floor, while 1017 is on the tenth floor.
- E4. Is there any way we can get more detailed measurements? (The dimensions of desks, dressers, etc.)Because there is so many different types of furniture in the halls, we can't provide more information.
- E5. Is there a service where I can purchase things and have them delivered to my room?You can begin at OSU's page on dormify.com. They have bedding, gift and care packages and more.
- E6. Can I bring my personal furniture for my room?Learn more what you can and can't do at Personalizing My Space.
- E7. Can I remove university furniture already in the space? No. University-owned furniture is designated for use in the space to which it is assigned. Learn more at Personalizing My Space.
- E8. Is there any services to help us install a bed or a bookshelf?We are not able to offer installation assistance.
- E9. What appliances can I use in my room? Visit the Policies page for Approved and Prohibited Personal Items.
- E10. How do I rent a mini-fridge or microwave? Visit the online service, University and Student Services, (USS) during the summer before move-in. Select Oklahoma State University and rent your mini-fridge and/or microwave.
- E11. Can I borrow dishes and utensils from my hall's dining service? It's best you to bring your own dishes and utensils. Visit Common Areas to learn more about kitchens. Also, only Bennett Hall has dining services within the building. North Dining and Central Market Place are popular dining locations.
- E12. What is a community bathroom?A community bathroom is a shared restroom facility where multiple residents from the same floor or building have access to the sinks, toilets and showers. These bathrooms are divided into private stalls for toilets and showers, offering some personal space while still being a shared area.
- E13. Who is responsible for cleaning and stocking community bathrooms?Community bathrooms are cleaned and restocked with paper products and hand soap. Residents in suites and apartments are responsible for their own bathroom supplies and cleaning. Visit Common Areas to learn more.
- E14. How much space is standard under the beds?Bed frames allow anywhere from 10 to 15 inches of under-bed space. Bed frames vary by room. Many students use bed risers to increase the storage space under the bed.
- E15. Can we use bed risers to elevate the beds?Yes, you may use bed risers—as long as they are no taller than seven inches.
- E16. Can I get my bed lofted?No. Homemade or prefabricated lofts are prohibited. We recommend using bed risers.
- E17. Are shower curtains and rods provided for rooms with private bathrooms?A shower curtain rod is included in each bathroom. However, you will need to provide the shower curtain.
- E18. Can I install window curtains in my room? If you want to install curtains, use a tension rod only.
- E19. Can I use nails or tacks to hang things?Visit Personalizing Your Room and Hall for what you can or can't do.
- E20. How much does it cost to use the laundry facilities?Common area laundries are free of charge. Learn more about Laundry Best Practices.
F. Move-In
- » Move-In Overview
- F1. What if my assigned move-in time doesn't work for me?Email reslife@okstate.edu. We will work together to find a time for you.
- F2. What if I need more time than my move-in appointment time to move into my room?Once you are checked in and have your keys, you can take as much time as you need to get settled.
- F3. Do I need my OSU ID before I move into my room?Yes. You should have received your OSU Identification (ID) card during New Student Orientation, if not, go to ID Services Office (421 Classroom Building) and get one. ResLife needs your OSU ID card for check in and to issue your room and mail keys. If your residence hall has swipe access, your OSU ID card serve as your building swipe key.
- F4. What if I didn't get the room I wanted?ResLife offers a Change My Room Request after the semester starts. Room changes are based on room availability. Change fees apply.
- F5. What do I need to bring with me on campus?Packing can be overwhelming. Here’s a link to the Plan Your Move with a list of what to bring, what to leave and what you’ll find in your room.
- F6. Are moving carts/trolleys/dollies available to help me move my belongings into my room?You may borrow a moving cart from the resident hall’s front desk. Due to the limited number moving equipment, we encourage you to bring your own cart, two-wheeler, dolly, etc., on move-in day.
- F7. Will there be people to help me move my belongings into my room?We do our best to have volunteers available on move-in day, but assistance is limited.
- F8. How busy/congested is move-in day? Is it hard to move my belongings into my room?ResLife schedules multiple move-in days with staggered move-in time slots throughout the day. This helps ease congestion and shortens the elevator lines.
- F9. What if I show up before my check-in time slot?Learn more about Improper Early Check-In
- F10. What is the check-in process?Learn more about Check-In Process.
- F11. Is there a limit on how many cars I can bring to campus?During move-in, cars don't need parking passes and you may have more than one car on campus. Follow loading and parking instructions. Learn more about loading zones.
- F12. Where do I get my room keys if I am rushing?Your move-in time has been assigned with the understanding that you are participating in recruitment. You will get your key when you check in to your residence hall.
- F13. Do you have any advice for Move-in Day?Review our Pro Tips for Move In for helpful information for both parents/guardians and students. If you are new to Oklahoma, the weather is sunny, hot and humid in August. Dress comfortably and stay hydrated.
G. Getting Settled
- » Everything you need to know about living in university housingVisit Services & Policies
- G1. Can you explain what Roompact is?Roompact.com is a tool where staff and residents can communicate..
- G2. What if I don't get along with my roommate?Residents are encouraged to develop roommate agreements. Your resident assistant (RA) will meet with you to set up a time to complete your agreement. If there is a problem, Your RA will assist in a mediation process. If that fails, we offer the ability for a resident to move.
- G3. Who do I contact if my roommate backs out?Contact Housing and Residential Life 405-744-5592 or reslife@okstate.edu, and we can help you find a new roommate.
- G4. The housing portal isn't showing the other two people in my room. How do I find out who they are?Contact the housing office at 405-744-5592 or reslife@okstate.edu to find roommate information.
- G5. How do I request to change rooms? Request to Change Rooms opens at the beginning of September. We conduct transfers every two weeks until a month before the end of the semester.
- G6. Do I have to go home during breaks and holidays? You are welcome to stay in your space during all semester breaks and holidays.
- G7. How do I know which desk services my hall?
Learn more about Desk Services, including Desk Hours and Locations.
- G8. What is the charge if I lose my keys? If you lose your room/mail keys, you will be charged the replacement of lock and keys.
- G9. I locked myself out of my room. What do I do? Learn more at Locked-Out Policy.
- G10. Are the rooms re-keyed between residents?Only if the keys were lost.
- G11. What is my mailing address?
- G12. How do I send/receive my mail and packages? All mail goes through University Mailing Services. They deliver to the front desk that correlates with your building. You will get an email when you have a package waiting.
- G13. How do I get help if my WiFi/internet isn’t working? Customer service is available at any time by phone, email, or web chat. Visit the ResLife Wi-Fi/Internet webpage to get started.
- G14. Who do I call if something in my room is broken or not working properly? Call 405-744-8510. HRL Facilities and Maintenance will help you.
- G15. Who are the RAs, HDs and ACs?
- Resident Assistants (RAs) live in your halls and can help you with any issues you might have. Stop by their rooms to ask for advice or just to talk. Their rooms are labeled. You can also contact the RA on-call.
- Hall Directors (HDs). Hall directors (HDs) are graduate students who assist the RAs.
- Area Coordinators (ACs) are full-time professional staff that supervise hall staff and support the operations of our communities.
- G16. Are there student jobs?
H. Move-Out
- » Move-Out ProcessVisit Undergraduate Move-Out
- H1. How do I check out of my room?
- Submit the Lease Break Form on Roompact.
- Contact Dining Services to cancel your meal plan.
- Visit Move-Out Overview for undergraduates
- H2. When will I stop being charged for my room? After you have 1) Met with your community mentor for your scheduled room checkout, 2) Returned room key(s) and mail key, and 3) Signed appropriate paperwork.
- H3. Can I send my room key back by mail if I have already moved off campus?No, we are not able to accept keys by mail. You must return your key to the appropriate Desk Service or to Village A if your desk is not open.
- H4. When do I have to pay for repairs to my space when I move out?You are only charged if the repair is determined to be vandalism or neglect. Your bursar account will be charged when you move out.
- H5. Who gets charged if I live in an apartment with roommates?If living with roommates and damages occur in the common living area, then the charges are split between residents.
- H6. How much will I be charged for damages?The costs vary on the type and size of the repair. Learn more about fees and charges.
- H7. How do I dispute or contest a housing charge on my bursar that I disagree with? Visit Dispute Housing Charges (form) and submit the form.