Room and Board

The minimum charges in the University residence halls for 2007-2008 total $7,310. This figure includes a standard room ($4,000) and the minimum meal plan ($3,310). For residency in a single room, the single occupancy room charge is $4,370.

These charges are divided in half and billed in equal amounts per semester.

Residents of fraternity houses pay a room fee of $4,000 and a fraternity board fee of $4,230.

All students who live in the residence halls and small living units (including Austin Manor) at OWU must participate in the University meal plan. Rare exceptions will only be considered for those students with medical conditions or membership in religious organizations with strict dietary guidelines that cannot be accommodated by the University's food service vendor. In such instances a waiver from the meal plan may be sought. In the event of a medical exemption, appropriate documentation must be submitted by the student's doctor and approval must come from a team of three people: the Director of Student Health Services, the Director of Residential Life, and the Food Service Director. In an instance of religious exemption, appropriate documentation must be submitted by the student's religious authority and approval must come from a team of three people: the University Chaplain, the Director of Residential Life, and the Food Service Director. The process for seeking an exemption from the University meal plan, under one of these two exceptions, begins with a meeting with the Director of Residential Life. There are no other exemptions from meal plans available.

The University meal plan provides maximum flexibility to accommodate different students' eating habits. The dollar amount chosen covers fixed costs, then creates a balance on the student's meal card (Purchasing Power). Dining hall personnel use computer terminals to deduct the cost of each meal purchased from the student's meal card. Families may select one of three options for Board purposes: Plan A (Knight) for hearty eaters ($4,460); Plan B (Bishop), which covers the average student ($4,030); Plan C (Squire) the minimum ($3,310).

Our Housing Office will provide all new students with a form for meal plan selection over the summer. Unused balances carry over from Fall to Spring, but are forfeited at the end of Spring Semester and do not carry to the following year. Students who complete Fall Semester but do not return for Spring Semester forfeit all remaining points and are not eligible for a refund of any unused balances. The University allows students on one of the three Board plans (Knight, Bishop or Squire) to transfer points to students who are also on one of these plans. Transfer of points to students who are not on a Board plan (which includes students eating at a fraternity) is prohibited. Students may purchase additional food points at any time.

Cable Television Service

Students may sign up for Cable Television services through the University. Cable services are billed monthly to the student's campus address. Unpaid bills result in deactivation of the service, with a $10 reconnection fee for reactivation.

OWU Card

The OWU Card is the student’s ID card which includes a debit card program. A deposit to the account must be made before the student may use the funds. Any deposit made is not available for cash withdrawal, but is returned when a student leaves the University, using the guidelines in the following paragraph. The OWU Card is used in a manner similar to any other debit card. The student's purchases are limited by the amount of funds in the account.

The parent or the student, may deposit funds for the OWU Card through the mail, at the Cashier's Office, or online. Deposits may be made via check, money order or cash through the Cashier’s window, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Deposits via major credit card or debit cards (excluding any VISA branded card) may be made online at www.owu.edu. Follow the “OWU Online Payments” link. All deposits will be available the next business day. There are no cash withdrawals permitted from the account and the funds cannot be transferred or used to pay other student accounts, such as tuition, or cable TV.

Credits at the end of the year will automatically carry over to the next year. Remaining balances for graduating seniors and non-returning students will first be applied to the student’s accounts (tuition and cable TV), if applicable and any remaining balance will be refunded via check in June.

A deposit of $500 is recommended, to cover textbook and miscellaneous needs for one semester; however, any amount may be deposited onto the OWU Card. Account balance inquiries or other questions about the OWU card can be directed to the OWU Card Office at (740) 368-3451, during normal business hours.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Graduation will not be permitted nor will transcripts or diplomas be issued for any student who has not fully met all obligations to the University. These obligations include, but are not limited to, financial obligations (among them payments on student loans) and, in the case of graduation, fulfillment of all degree requirements.