Welcome to the Housing & Residence Life website! On behalf of our staff, I would also like to let you know how pleased we are that you have chosen to be a part of the campus residential community or that in some cases, you are exploring us as an option. This is particularly an exciting time in your life and in the life of Housing & Residence Life. ODU is engaged in transforming its undergraduate experience through an ambitious program of constructing additional student housing facilities and reconnecting living and learning to enhance the quality of campus life. In the past five years, university-owned housing has nearly doubled its capacity as we make the transition to a residential campus. We are developing in our programs and services including developing opportunities in partnership with students to engage with peers, faculty, and staff, and welcome and need your feedback. We are making every effort to enhance communications - including through Facebook and Twitter!

Through the residence hall or apartment living experience, you will have several opportunities to develop a mutual understanding and appreciation for different values, cultures, and life experiences. Not only will you discover ways to live and learn alongside other students from a diversity of backgrounds , you will have the opportunity to develop additional skills that will serve you well in a world that is more interconnected and global in its perspective.

We are in the process of developing Community Councils in each hall and a Residence Hall Association (RHA) that will serve as a student governance body for resident students. Resident students and those active in their Community Council and the RHA will have the opportunity to provide key policy advice, provide some programming, and serve on department-wide committees and task forces. These will range from involvement in search processes as we hire staff, participating in the design of Room Selection (both for new and returning students), assisting with the continued development of our First Year Experience program, serving on Area Safety Committees, and helping to bring faculty and staff into the halls through our new Faculty Connections Program. These opportunities are just a few as we expect many ideas, programs, and activities to come from you.

Remember to take care of yourself, stay focused on your academic endeavors, find meaningful ways to enrich your experience beyond the classroom, and have fun. Take the time to listen, reflect, and make thoughtful choices. Your decisions, experiences, and relationships here will form the basis for your life far beyond the University. It is truly a place where life-long friendships are made!

Please take full advantage of the many staff members throughout the residence halls and apartment communities who are here to assist you. Every member of the Housing & Residence Life team is ready and willing to be of assistance and remains committed to your success - both intellectually and interpersonally. Please consider this an open invitation to seek us out with questions, concerns, suggestions, and even positive feedback! We will respond to your inquiries to e-mail, phone calls, and in-person. We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with you to ensure that your ODU residential experience is truly world class.

Best wishes for a very good year!

Carole Henry
Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life