Return From Leave

Welcome back to Oberlin College! This page has all the information you need to complete your Return From Leave housing and dining application.

I. Applying For Winter Term/Spring Semester Housing and Dining (Deadline December 1)

  • The on-line housing system will be available beginning 9 a.m. on the first business day of November and ending at midnight December 1. The best browsers to use for the on-line Housing and Dining Application system are Internet Explorer 5 or higher, Netscape 4.7 or higher, Safari, (though not supported officially by the software company) or Mozilla.
  • To log in to the Housing and Dining web-based software your username and password are the same as your OCMail username and password. Once you have logged on, complete all portions of the application (items with red stars are required). If something is not clear please use the help function by hovering over the underlined items. Make sure that you click the submit button at the end of the application to send your information to the Office Residential Education and Dining Services.
  • If you're unable to access the website, please contact ResEd at (440)-775-8472 to provide your information over the phone.
  • You may choose to edit any of your preferences on the Housing and Dining Application until midnight December 1.
  • If you wish to apply to a Co-op, room and board or board only, you must contact OSCA directly at OSCA@oberlin.edu.
  • The Return From Leave Housing and Dining Application website will close at midnight on December 1. Please contact the RE&DS Office for assistance in submitting a late application.
  • Note: Priority in housing will not be given to any application for Winter Term residency if received after the deadline.

II. Off-Campus Requests (Deadline December 1)

  • At mid-year only students who requested and received a Release to Off-Campus status for the the fall semester are eligible for off-campus status for the spring semester.
  • If you now qualify for an off-campus exemption you may request it at this time and by the December 1 deadline.
  • Note: Even if you received permission to live off campus this Fall semester, you must still reapply.
  • Off campus housing status does not carry with it off board status. All students are expected to take meals on campus.

III. Requests For Accommodations (Deadline December 1)

  • The Office of Residential Education and Dining Services understands that some students may have medical conditions that require special housing and/or dining accommodations.
  • The Office of Residential Education and Dining Services successfully meets the accommodation needs of most students and only in rare instances must allow students needing accommodations to live off-campus or not participate in a meal plan.
  • If you have a condition that requires an accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Services to learn how to formally apply for an accommodation.
  • All appropriate documentations are due to the Office of Disability Services by December 1.

IV. Requests For Exemptions (Deadline December 1)

  • Off-campus and /or Off-board is offered to students in the following categories:
    • Married students who submit a copy of their Marriage License and same sex domestic partners who submit an Affidavit Concerning Relationship or all other related and appropriate documentations.
    • Students who live with their parents and commute from their parent's home within a 50 mile radius.
    • Students who are 23 years of age or older by January 2 for housing. For dining students must be 23 years of age or older by the first Monday after Fall Break for the exemption in the fall semester or the first Monday after Spring Break for spring semester dining.
    • Students who are enrolled for five credit hours or less.
    • Students who have underage dependent children living with them.
  • The request can be made on the Housing and Dining Exemptions Request page. Documentation must be received by December 1 where required. Review the required documentation.
  • Please note: If you qualify for an off-campus housing or dining exemption and subsequently ask for on-campus housing or dining, you forfeit the off-campus status option for the entire semester or the remaining portion thereof.
  • Student should not sign a lease or pay a deposit without written notification of release from the Residential Education office. Any student who is enrolled in the college but leaves college housing or dining without a release, continues to be liable for charges for the full semester.

V. Applying to a Program or Special Interest Housing (Deadline December 1)

  • If you are interested in living in a program or special interest housing, including substance free and the quiet floor please complete the appropriate Theme House or Program House application by the December 1 Deadline.
  • After filling out all the required information, please forward the application email confirmation that you receive to phapps@oberlin.edu.