New Student FAQs

Housing

Storage

Miscellaneous

What types of rooms are frequently provided?
Singles are high in demand but relatively short in supply. Doubles are undivided rooms shared by two students. Divided Doubles have a dividing wall separating inner and outer sleeping quarters. An internal room door allows access to both sides. A small number of triples exist on campus. Quads are a suite arrangement with two open doubles joined by a central living room; most of the quads are available in the larger residence halls such as East, Langston and South halls. Our pages on traditional housing and program housing may also be of interest.
What if I require special housing or dining accommodations?
You will need to complete the Accommodation packet available from the Disability Office Website. Accommodation Request Information
What furnishings are provided?
Double rooms have 2 beds, 2 desks, 2 desk chairs, 1 lounge chair, 2 chests of drawers, closets, 2 bookcases, overhead light, active phone jack, and window coverings. Room phones are available on request. Some of the furnishings are built-in and some are moveable. Students rooms are half (1/2) carpeted and half (1/2) have tile floor covering.
How big is my double?
An average double room is approximately 220 square feet. Some rooms are larger, others are smaller. Some rooms are square, others are unique in shape.
What size is my bed?
Most beds are bunkable or loftable single beds. It's up to you and your roommate whether to bunk the beds or keep them separated. The mattress is 36"x80". Please note that traditional twin fitted sheets are too short. You will need twin/long sheets.
What kind of bedding should I bring?
You are responsible for providing your own linen-mattress pad, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases and towels. Bring warm blankets. In the winter, between midnight-6:00 a.m. building temperatures are kept at approximately 62 degrees. Electric blankets are not allowed because of the danger of fire. Bedspreads are not provided.
What color are the walls, blinds and carpet?
Blinds, carpets and walls are coordinated for each room. There are a variety of color themes ranging from off-white to beige to light blue, etc. We do not maintain a listing of the colors of each room, and we do not have enough staff to locate that information if all new students were to call and ask, so come see a "surprise" hue.
If I come to visit Oberlin this summer, can I see my room?
Probably not. Most of the residence halls are in use during the summer by groups who rent the facilities for a variety of conferences, sport camps, theater workshops, etc. The Admissions Office conducts several campus tours every day. You will be shown a typical double room on this tour, but access to all buildings is not possible.
What should I bring?
Basic items you should bring (or buy in Oberlin) are:
  • Alarm clock
  • Pillow
  • Bedding and linen
  • Study lamp
  • Mattress pad
  • Light bulbs
  • Clothing
  • Flashlight
  • Nonflammable wastebasket
  • Toiletry articles
  • Hairdryer
  • Fan
  • Irons with auto shut-off
  • Key Chain
  • Paper, Pens, Envelopes, Notebooks

See also

What kind of clothes will I need?
Bring a basic wardrobe that will last awhile. Generally, casual and sport clothing is the rule. The style of clothing is up to you, but you will need both lightweight and warm clothing for Ohio's changing weather. Bathrobes come in handy for the stroll from your room to the shower. Swimsuits, jogging shoes, or other sports clothes that you use should be included.
Where can I wash clothes?
Each residence hall has coin & card (South Hall & Burtom Hall) operated washers and dryers. Irons and ironing boards are provided in the laundry rooms.
Can I cook in my room?
Sorry, but no. Most cooking appliances are fire hazards; the electrical wiring to student rooms is not sufficient for heat generating appliances and are therefore not permitted in your room. Kitchenettes are available in the halls for preparing snacks.
Who cleans the room?
You and your roommate! Vacuums and brooms are available for your use in the halls. The custodians clean the public areas and bathrooms, except in co-ops where you and other residents clean the public areas and bathrooms.
May I decorate my room?
Yes! The personalization of your room is encouraged as long as you do not create health or fire hazards or damage the room. You will be informed after you arrive about what are acceptable decorations.
What kinds of appliances can I have in my room?
Stereos, television, radio, computers, audio equipment, and clocks are permitted. Refrigerators are permitted (one per room) as long as its capacity does not exceed five cubic feet. Space is limited so please check with your roommate about who is bringing what. Headphones for stereos are encouraged.
View a full list of permitted items
Is there a television?
All residence halls have a television set in a lounge area with cable. Most have DVD players for common use. It is also possible for students to contract individually with the local cable company for services.
Can I bring my computer?
Yes, each room is equipped with network ports for each person in the room. We encourage you to use a surge protector. All residence hall rooms are networked, and all public areas have wireless. Additionally, the Center for Information Technology maintains several computing labs in a number of buildings on campus. For more information on network connections, see the Oberlin Resnet web page. You might also be interested in the wireless network coverage map.
How about thefts and security?
Thefts do sometimes occur. The majority of thefts are a result of carelessness, such as students not locking their rooms or leaving personal belongings unattended. Outside doors to residence halls are locked 24 hours/day. You will be issued an ID card which allows entry to the residence halls. For your protection you should keep the door to your room locked. The Campus Security Office is open 24 hours a day, and a phone call will bring you help, should you need it.
Is there a place for me to store my belongings?
Yes, when you finish unpacking there is some storage available for large suitcases and trunks. Up to 5 items may be stored over the summer. Bicycles may be stored in the basements of some of the halls. Some items however are not permissible, please see our storage policies page for an accurate list. There is no access to storage during the summer or vacation periods.
How Storage Works
Oberlin College provides storage for students who need it. Typically, students use storage for items they don't want to take home with them (between semesters), or don't want to keep with them (during semesters). Storage is available for students at the beginning and end of every semester. Storage is usually located wherever the student will be living in the future.
Where do I get my mail?
In the Mail Room in Wilder Hall (Student Union Building). Each student is assigned a mailbox for the receipt of both on-campus and U.S. mail. All students receive their mail in a mailbox at the Oberlin College Mail Room.
On or before July 1, new students will be assigned an Oberlin Campus Mail Room (OCMR) box number. Once the mailboxes have been assigned, the box numbers will be available in PRESTO. To find your mailbox number, click on, Personal Information, View, Addresses, and then Phones. When you arrive on campus in August, you will be given the combination to unlock your mailbox. The address format for mailing items to your mailbox is:
Your Name
OCMR (your number)
135 W. Lorain St.
Oberlin, OH 44074-1081
Shipments of students' belongings will be accepted in the mail room after
Shipments of students' belongings will be accepted in the mail room after 8/20/2009.
Where do I go when I arrive on campus?
New and transfer students check-in in their assigned Residence Hall.
Where can I get the phone number of my roommate?
In order to ensure privacy, our policy is not to give out home numbers. We obviously need that information in case of emergencies, but if your roommate has an unlisted number we respect that.
Is this everything I need to know?
No. But that is a start. If you have other questions pertaining to housing and dining, please feel free to contact the Office of Residential Education and Dining Services, Stevenson-Griswold, Oberlin College, Oberlin OH 44074. Phone (440) 775-8472, fax (440) 775-8149 or e-mail us at resed@oberlin.edu.