RETURN HOUSING GUIDE
Welcome to Housing & Residential Life
We are thrilled to warmly welcome you back to your on-campus home! At ODU Housing & Residence Life, our mission is to create an exceptional living and learning environment that is inclusive, safe, and conducive to academic excellence. We are dedicated to supporting your personal development and ensuring your success as a student.
As you continue to settle into the Monarch life, we encourage you to embrace the opportunity to build lasting memories. If you have not already, connect with your friends, actively participate in your Residence Hall programming, and continue to seek assistance or resources from your Resident Assistant (RA). Our Residence Hall communities offer numerous avenues for campus involvement and valuable resources for your academic journey.
To ensure you have all the information you need as you prepare for your arrival, we invite you to explore our guide and visit our website at odu.edu/housing. If you have any questions or need any more help, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 757-683-4283, email at housing@odu.edu, or in person at our office at 1208 Virginia House.
We eagerly anticipate your return this fall and wish you the best in your Monarch journey at ODU. Your success is our utmost priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way!
Go Monarchs!
Richard Clark Executive Director for Housing & Residential Life
WELCOME!
Welcome to the 2025-2026 Return Housing Guide! We are excited that you are interested in returning to ODU Housing & Residence Life for the upcoming academic year. We recognize the importance of choosing to live on campus and appreciate having you as part of our community. Please take a minute to read through the information in this guide to assist you in the application process.
Process and Timeline
Apartment Living Guide
Powhatan Apartments
University Village Apartments
Residential Living Guide
Dominion House
Virginia House
Ireland House
Owens House
France House
Upperclass Housing Locations
Upperclass Living-Learning and Theme Communities Frequently Asked Questions
APARTMENT LIVING
Living in an on-campus apartment is an excellent way to gain the experience of living independently while also having access to all the resources provided by Housing & Residence Life.
The University Village is our largest on-campus community, boasting upperclass students and limited spaces for Graduate Students. Powhatan Apartments is our next largest apartment community for upperclass students as well as limited spaces for Graduate Students. Whether you’re looking for a single or double bedroom within an apartment, Housing & Residence Life offers a wide variety of living options to suit your interests.
There are many common aspects you will find across our on-campus apartment communities. All apartments come with fully furnished living rooms and bedrooms, wireless internet access, privacy blinds and community laundry rooms. Additionally, our apartment communities are open during break periods (Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks). Students may also purchase parking passes to park near their respective communities.
There are unique elements that distinguish our apartment communities from one another. Powhatan Apartments are open during the academic year, with 9-month contracts running from late August to early May. The University Village has an 11+ month contract, running from late August to late July. Students are not required to take summer classes in order to reside in their apartment.
Another way our apartment communities differ is by meal plan. The University Village does not require a meal plan, but students living there are still encouraged to choose one. Powhatan Apartments residents are required to have a minimum meal plan; however, students are permitted to select plans with more meals if they choose.
Depending on the style of living space you are interested in, our apartments offer a variety of options. Powhatan Apartments have two shared bedrooms in each apartment with twin extra long beds and limited number of single bedrooms with full size beds. The University Village has single one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom apartments, with each boasting full size beds.
Each community is located in a different part of campus. Powhatan Apartments is on the western side of campus, near Whitehurst Beach, sand volleyball courts, and the Elizabeth River. The University Village is located along the bustling commerce of Monarch Way, with easy access to restaurants and the Chartway Arena.
POWHATAN APARTMENTS
Virtual Tour:
Each apartment houses two or four residents and is designed with a living and dining area, full kitchen, one full and one half bathroom. All apartments are fully furnished with twin XL beds, desks, chests of drawers, a dining table with chairs, a couch, chairs, coffee and end tables, trash cans, and overhead lighting. Powhatan Apartments offer a central front desk, multipurpose community room that has a full kitchen and study lounge, two laundry rooms, vending machines, and covered bike areas.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population
Sophomore
Junior Senior
The Summit Graduate
Unit Style
4-person apartments
2-person apartments
Notes
Occupancy Style
Double bedrooms
Single bedrooms
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Full size (54” x 75”) for single rooms
Bath
1 1/2 bathrooms per unit
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•In-unit living areas
•On-site laundry
•Open during breaks
•Meal plan required
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE
Virtual Tour:
The University Village is an apartment community located on Monarch Way. It offers laundry rooms on the first floor of every building, vending machines, bike racks, and grill areas in the center of every parking lot. All bedrooms are private with locking doors, and residents can also enjoy private or group study areas. All apartments are fully furnished with single full-sized beds, desks, chests of drawers, a dining table with chairs, a couch, accent chair, coffee table, trash cans, full-size refrigerator, stove, and microwave.
Contract Duration
11+ months
Student Population Sophomore
Junior
Senior Gender Inclusive Housing
Graduate
Occupancy Style
Single bedrooms
Notes
Unit Style
4-person apartments
2-person apartments
1-person apartment
Bed Style
Full size (54” x 75”)
Bath
4-person/2 bathrooms
2-person/2 bathrooms
1-person/1 bathroom
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•Full in-unit kitchens
•On-site laundry
•Open during breaks
•Meal plan optional
RESIDENTIAL LIVING
Living in a Residential Hall at Old Dominion University allows students to continue developing connections they started during their first year. Housing & Residence Life manages different residence halls available for upperclass students: Dominion House, Ireland House, Virginia House, and Owens House.
Ireland House, Virginia House, France House and Owens House are mixed classification Runte Quad buildings where both upperclass and new freshmen are housed. Dominion House is predominantly an upperclass residential building.
All of our upperclass Residential Halls are classified as suite-style, offering either single or double bedrooms within a suite. Each suite will have a furnished common room as well as two to three bathrooms,
depending on the layout. Wireless internet access, and privacy blinds are available in all suites. Residence halls also provide laundry and vending facilities. All of the upperclass buildings have a minimum meal plan requirement.
There are a few unique elements that set our residence halls apart from one another. Dominion House has a P.O.D. market location on the first floor, with an entrance facing the Student Recreation Center. Ireland House, the first building constructed in the Runte Quad, is home to the Service-Learning Living-Learning Community (LLCs) and Spectrum LLC.
Virginia House is home to the Perry Honors College Living-Learning Community (LLC). Owens House, our newest addition to Housing & Residence Life, is our seventh and largest residence on “The Quad.” Owens House is home to several First-Year Living-Learning Communities, full-size classrooms and houses an Innovation Lab on the first floor.
DOMINION HOUSE
Each Dominion House suite contains a common living room, and two to three bathrooms per suite. Most students living in a suite reside in a single bedroom as there are a limited amount of double rooms. The majority of the suites accommodate four residents but there are a handful of three- and five person suites as well. The building provides residents with laundry/vending facilities, quiet study lounges, and social lounges.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Gender Inclusive Housing
Occupancy Style
Single bedroom
Double bedrooms
Notes
Unit Style
5-person units
4-person units
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Bath
2 - 3 bathrooms per unit
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•In-unit living areas
•On-site laundry
•Meal plan required
VIRGINIA HOUSE
Virginia House is where students in the Honors College community reside. Located near the Webb University Center, Student Recreation Center, and Broderick Dining Commons, each Virginia House suite contains a common living room and one or two bathrooms per suite. Suite styles contain either four single bedrooms, two double bedrooms, or two triple bedrooms. To further support the Living-Learning Communities, residents in Virginia House have access to a Community Learning Center (CLC), located on the first floor, which is fully equipped with computers and presentation equipment.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population Freshman
Sophomore Junior Senior Honors College LLC
Occupancy Style
Single bedroom
Double bedrooms
Unit Style
4-person units
2-person units
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Bath
1 - 2 bathrooms per unit
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•On-site laundry
•Meal plan required
Notes
IRELAND HOUSE
Ireland House suites contain a common living room, one bathroom for every two students, with a predominance of single rooms. Each suite contains either four single bedrooms or two double bedrooms and each floor has a laundry room, study lounge, a TV lounge and kitchen. There are also vending machines located on the second and third floors.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Service-Learning LLC
Spectrum LLC
Occupancy Style
Single bedroom
Double bedrooms
Unit Style
5-person units
4-person units
3-person units
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Bath
1 - 2 bathrooms per unit
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•In-unit living areas
•On-site laundry
•Meal plan required
Notes
OWENS HOUSE
Owens House, located on 49th street near Powhatan Avenue, is the newest residence hall in the Runte Quad neighborhood. It is ODU’s second largest residential facility intentionally designed to foster partnerships between residential living and academic success. Owens House features classrooms, project rooms, and study spaces that support academic initiatives and student engagement in course-specific studies. Students living in Owens House will be encouraged to engage, study, create, and grow into citizens that will benefit the fabric of the Monarch community.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population
Freshman
Sophomore
First-Year LLCs/TCs
Occupancy Style
Single bedroom
Double bedrooms
Unit Style
2-person units
1-person units
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•On-site laundry
•Meal plan required
Notes
FRANCE HOUSE
France House is conveniently located in the Runte Quad just a few steps from multiple dining options and the Student Recreation Center. France House offers double style rooms with one bathroom per unit. This residential hall is just a few steps from multiple dining options and is home to the Wellness Living-Learning Community. Some of France House features includes, double rooms, community spaces for hanging out with friends, and private study spaces to host a study sessions.
Contract Duration
9 months
Student Population
Wellness LLC
Cohort
Occupancy Style
Double bedrooms
Unit Style
2-person units
Bed Style
Extra long twin (36” x 80”)
Bath
1 bathroom per unit
Amenities
•All utilities included
•Wireless internet access
•Community desk
•Air conditioning
•Community lounges
•Study rooms
•On-site laundry
•Meal plan required
Notes
Upperclassman
Housing Locations
Foreman Field
S.B. Ballard Stadium
Library
UPPERCLASS LIVING-LEARNING / THEME COMMUNITIES
Housing & Residence Life along with our academic and campus partners strive to provide a learner-centered environment conducive to academic excellence, personal success and growth of students through an intentional Living-Learning Community program. Living-Learning Communities provide students the opportunity to live and engage with university faculty and staff, as well as other students who have similar academic, professional, and/or co-curricular interests.
For detailed information, please scan the QR code.
LIVING-LEARNING/THEME COMMUNITIES
FOUNDATION HOUSE
The Virginia Business & Professional Women’s Foundation House (VBPWF) is a unique, cooperative living option for nine academically talented female Virginia residents.
HONORS COLLEGE
Students in the Honors College who wish to develop leadership, social and cultural skills are immersed in a living-learning environment that complements a rigorous and mind-stimulating academic curriculum.
SPECTRUM
This community is ideal for students wanting to embrace diversity in a safe and affirming environment that joins LGBTQ+ students and straight allies to freely explore issues of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and the intersection of those, while advocating for awareness and social justice.
SUMMIT
The SUMMIT is composed of a group of tight-knit STEM students striving to build character and community and pursue excellence.
SERVICE-LEARNING
The goal of service-learning is to educate, engage, and equip our campus community with skills and experiences that connect a rigorous academic curriculum with meaningful and tangible public work to strengthen our students and communities for a sustainable future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When can I begin the Return Housing application process?
Students who currently live on campus and plan to live on campus (including apartments) for the upcoming academic year can begin the application process at noon on February 12.
How do I complete the Return Housing process?
Visit www.odu.edu/housing and click on the ODU Housing Portal button located in the right column. Our customized ODU Housing Portal is your one-stop to guide you through the process. There, you will communicate your residence hall preference, room, connect with roommates, search for prospective roommates and select a meal plan.
What is the cost to complete the Return Housing process?
A $250 application fee must be paid in order to complete the application process.
What is the deadline for completing my Return Housing application? You must complete your application by February 28, in order to participate in the room selection process later in the semester.
What residential communities are available to returning students?
Returning students are eligible to sign up for the following upperclass buildings: 11+ Month Contract — University Village Apartments
9-Month Contract — Powhatan Apartments, Dominion House, Owens House, France House, Ireland House, and Virginia House (Honors College).
How will I know when my application is complete?
Once you complete the Housing Application, you will receive a notification to your ODU email confirming your completed application, along with additional information regarding the specific assignments processes. Within the Housing Portal, you can review the “Application Status” page for additional details regarding general assignments processes as well as room reservation and roommate information, if you have obtained an assignment.
What happens after I submit my application?
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information regarding the upcoming assignments processes. Those who are eligible to participate in a self-selection process (Same-Room Sign-Up, Cohort Fall 2024 Freshmen Selection and open selection) will receive additional information. We encourage all residents to continually check your ODU email.
What if I miss my Room Reservation Time Slot?
Students who are eligible for Same-Room Sign-Up, Cohort Fall 2024 Freshman Selection and open selection, do not participate in this process or miss their time slot reservation, will be assigned a space based on availability during the Auto-Allocation/ Waitlisted Assignment Process.
What is Auto-Allocation and how did I get on this list?
Auto-Allocation is the list of students who are still in need of a housing assignment after the Return Housing process ended. A student can land on the Auto-Allocation list in a few different ways:
•Did not complete their application by February 28.
•An upperclassmen who did not participate in Same-Room Sign-Up.
•A first year student who did not choose an upperclassmen room during their assigned time slot.
Students on the Auto-Allocation list receive assignments based on a few different factors.
In order, they are:
• Fall 2024 Freshmen.
• Students who applied by February 28, but did not participate in Same Room Sign Up (University Village, Powhatan Apartments, Dominion House). Students in this category may be waitlisted depending on the demand for housing.
• Returning Applications received on or after March 26. Students in this category will be automatically waitlisted.
What if I need to cancel my reservation?
You may cancel your reservation through the ODU Housing Portal. You will need to select the application you are canceling and select the “Cancel On-Campus Housing” link at the top of the page. In order to receive a $200 partial application fee refund, you must cancel prior to the cancellation deadline, May 15. After this date, the housing application fee is non-refundable, regardless of when the application was submitted.
How will I receive information from Housing & Residence Life?
Housing & Residence Life sends all correspondence to your ODU student email account. It is your responsibility to check your ODU email account for any information regarding the application process and other information pertaining to Housing & Residence Life.
Need additional assistance?
Please contact Housing & Residence Life at 757-683-4283 or email us at housing@odu.edu.
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HRL Cribs Winner 2024 - Natalie Bundy & Caroline Walker
