The Office of Residence Life anticipates a decrease in the number of approved requests for students to live off campus for the 2025–26 academic year. The change is part of the College’s calculations of retention rates, as well as plans to renovate older dormitories and move students to the Woodland Street dormitory, which is expected to hold occupants next fall.
According to Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services Mark Zeno, the change in the number of students allowed to live on campus comes from the estimated College enrollment. He estimates that the number of students permitted to live off campus will be around 125, which is lower than the 178 students who lived off-campus last semester and the 150 approved housing exemptions for this current semester. Zeno added that the enrollment is calculated in March and could deviate from the estimate he can currently give.
Zeno told the Review in an email that the College allows students to live off campus due to the number of students being higher than the number of available beds — which he expected would change.
“With [the] Woodland [street building] opening, we anticipate that need to diminish,” he wrote.
Zeno also explained that availability for off-campus housing will also be impacted by the fact that a select few Village Housing Units will be going offline next year following concerns over lead paint, which could lead to more off-campus housing requests being approved.
These plans may also change depending on the availability of other dorm buildings, as some may be taken offline for renovations as part of the College’s Housing Master Plan.
Zeno also made clear that off-campus housing will still be available for students who are non-traditional, part-time, commuters, or married.
Several students expressed their appreciation for off-campus housing to the Review. College fourth-year Umreen Werner-Ahmed wrote that the option was more affordable and gave her a full kitchen, which she could use to cook with housemates. She also said she appreciated her porch and the large living space her house affords.
College fourth-year Ellie Sabel agreed with these sentiments.
“I think it’s super important!” she wrote to the Review. “It allows me to feel like I have an actual home to go to, rather than just a place to sleep. It’s definitely enhanced my experience at Oberlin!”
The application for the off-campus housing lottery was sent out Feb. 4 and closes Feb. 21.
