Does Ohio Wesleyan's Housing Policy Benefit Students?

Do you believe that the Ohio Wesleyan off-campus housing fees and restrictions are fair? Many speculate whether Ohio Wesleyan has it right for who is allowed to live off campus. 

At Ohio Wesleyan, students need certain requirements to be approved to live off-campus. The requirements are:

• You are 23 years of age or older during the academic year

• You are a fifth-year senior.

• You are legally married. 

• You are the parent of dependent children. 

• You are a transfer student who earned two or more years of credit as a full-time student at an accredited college or university.

• You are enrolled as a part-time student.  

  
  

Now if a student were to deny these requirements and live off campus, they still would be charged for housing and a meal plan.  

“We get a couple of students every year that try to live off campus but will still be charged,” said Brian Emerick, director of Residential Life at OWU. “There is lots of research that backs the requirements given and similar colleges to OWU follow a similar path.”

Emerick is not wrong with this statement, research has shown that a four-year on-campus living requirement can contribute to a more engaged and supported college experience. Also, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, universities with this type of policy typically have higher graduation rates, with a 14.7 percent increase from different housing policies. 

Ohio Wesleyan relies heavily on housing and meal plans for revenue. Vice President of Finance, Administration and Treasurer Steve Lippiello said that Ohio Wesleyan makes roughly around 20 percent from housing and meal plans for Ohio Wesleyan’s revenue streams with tuition and donations making up most of the other school revenue. 

Ohio Wesleyan students had different opinions about the housing policy.

“I feel that I don’t have enough independence living on campus here,” said Gavin Stutz, an OWU senior.  “Hopefully I will be ready for the real world when I graduate.” 

Another Junior, Tripp Peirce states that “it’s interesting that a university can dictate where you live and for how much.” 

Part of the Ohio Wesleyan mission statement is that the university is “designed for the benefit of our citizens in general.” Do you believe the housing policy benefits OWU students?