Housing

Student Residential Policy

Oral Roberts University is a residential campus. All undergraduate students who are younger than 23 years of age, by August 1, are required to live on campus unless they qualify for commuter status.

Any student whose status changes from on-campus residency to off-campus residency must file a petition in the Office of Student Development and provide a change of address prior to moving. Any student leaving school or withdrawing must officially withdraw in the Office of Student Development prior to exiting the residence halls.

A commuter student is defined as follows:

• One who is living with his or her parents who reside in Tulsa or surrounding locales (within a 50-mile radius). Freshman students are required to live on campus.
• One who is married
• A single parent with custodial responsibilities
• A graduate student
• A part-time student enrolled in 11.5 or fewer hours

A commuter student is defined as follows:

A student under 23 years of age, who lives in Tulsa or surrounding locales, would qualify for an exception to the residential policy if he or she lives with his or her parents in the Tulsa area (within a 50-mile radius). For this exception to be granted, parents must guarantee that students are living with them in their residence full time. Parents may not establish a second residence (such as an apartment) and consider it an extension of their home. Such a situation will be interpreted by the University as a dual residence, which is not in keeping with the spirit of the policy. A student who petitions to live in Tulsa or surrounding locales with a parent who has recently relocated to Tulsa will be required to verify the residency of the parent. Parents and students seeking an exception to the residential policy may schedule a meeting with the Dean of Student Development or Associate Dean of Student Development and complete the Petition for Exception to Residential Housing Policy. At any point throughout the semester, students found to be in violation of the residential policy will be required to move into campus housing immediately, for which the full semester’s cost of both room and board charges will be assessed, or they must drop classes to obtain part-time enrollment without refund.

Student Development must be notified of a student’s change of address within two weeks of moving. A part-time student may petition to live in the residence halls. Part-time students with 11.5 or fewer hours may live off campus; however, they are required to file a petition in the Student Development office. A part-time student under the age of 23 who is living off campus by approved petition will be required to return to residential housing immediately if his or her status changes to full-time. Consideration will not be given to any student obligating himself or herself contractually to a lease. Undergraduate students who are full-time employees of the University are not required to reside on campus. Termination of employment voids any exception to the Residential Policy. A married student will not be required to live on campus; however, students may be required to verify their status. The University does not provide housing for married students. Students residing off campus without an approved petition are in violation of the Residential Policy and subject to disciplinary action—including suspension or de-enrollment—and may jeopardize good standing with ORU.

Students maintaining dual residency are in violation of the Residential Policy and are subject to disciplinary action. Dual residency is defined as signing out of the Residence Hall three or more nights a week to a residence other than a parent’s.

Balconies — Students are not permitted to be on residence hall balconies at any time. This includes exterior fire escape stairways, except in the event of an emergency. Balconies and stairways are to be kept clean at all times. Personal items and trash are not to be placed in these areas. Use of such areas for unauthorized purposes may result in disciplinary action.

Co-ed Residence Hall Visitation Policy

The safety and security of students is one of the University’s highest priorities. The Student Life Department periodically allows open residence halls to support community life and positive student interaction. The University entrusts each resident to exercise this privilege with respect and maturity. A schedule will be posted at the beginning of each semester in the residence halls. Co-ed visitation privileges are for specific and limited hours; they do not apply during opening week of the semesters, during final exam weeks, and holiday periods.

An RA will be on duty in the residence hall on the first floor as well as periodically conducting walk throughs, during all co-ed visitations. This privilege may be suspended on nights of University events. Notice of cancellation of co-ed visitation will be communicated in advance in the residence halls.

Co-Ed Visitation Regulations:

1. Co-ed visitation is permitted only during designated days and times determined by the University. Any host that has visitor(s), of the opposite sex, in the residence hall floors or rooms during non-designated days and times will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
2. A guest must be a minimum of 18 years of age unless he/she is a current full-time student at Oral Roberts University.
3. Guests enter the residence halls through the main lobby only.
4. Guests must leave their ORU student ID with the front desk personnel of the residence hall. Non-students must leave a driver’s license. Guest’s names are recorded on a visitation guest list. Hosts are required to sign-in and present their ORU student ID before the guests may visit.
5. Guests must be met at the front desk in the lobby area and be escorted through the halls by the resident they are visiting. Guests must be accompanied by their host at all times.
6. Guests must conduct themselves according to the rules and policies of the University and of the residence hall.
7. Rooms must be well lit, and hosts are required to keep their door open while guests are visiting.
8. Guests, of opposite gender, may not use the bathrooms on the floors in the residence halls.
9. For rooms that have individual bathrooms, residents may not shower while a guest of the opposite sex is in his/her room.
10. At the conclusion of the visit, guests are to be escorted by their host back to the lobby of the residence hall lobby to reclaim their ID and to sign-out.
11. A roommate’s privacy, plans, needs for rest and quiet must be considered anytime a resident makes plans to bring a guest to his/her room.

Freshman Curfew Policy

Curfew hour for all freshmen students is 1:00 a.m. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are not subject to a specific curfew time.

All students are required to attend a community meeting each Monday at 10:00 p.m. Students are required to comply with the sign out procedure if planning to stay off campus. If a student comes in after curfew, he or she must fill out a late-minute slip, which will be given to the Residence Hall Director. Excessive late minutes may result in the student being subject to curfew restrictions or further disciplinary action.

All curfews are enforced by the Residence Hall Director and the Dean of Student Development or Associate Dean of Student Development. Visitors are required to leave the residence hall ten minutes before curfew. It is the student’s responsibility to see that guests leave promptly.

Curfew Modifications — Modifications are made to the curfew in the following situations:

• Campus/Probation — This disciplinary action consists of staying in one’s room in the residencehall for an assigned period of time in the evening. Other conditions may apply.
• Exceptions to Curfew — Those students needing exceptions to curfew because of jobs should refer to the section on passes (page 32).
• Holidays, Fall Break, Spring Break — Sign-in curfew.
• Special Curfew — Special curfew is granted, as announced, for special occasions. If a student plans to attend a University-approved function such as opera, concert, ball game, lecture or play rehearsal, arrangements must be made with the Residence Hall Director in advance for a curfew extension.

Housing Application

All residential students must complete an online housing application. Students are advised to read all sections of the housing application carefully as agreement to the Terms and Conditions is binding. Students under the age of 18 are required to file a Limited Power of Attorney, which entitles Oral Roberts University to act as attorney in fact for the parent or legal guardian, and in its sole discretion to act in the best interest of the student. This authority automatically expires on the 18th birthday of the student.

Room Selection Procedures

NEW STUDENTS

• A $250 enrollment fee is required of all new prospective students to secure their place at ORU, which includes the creation of their class schedule and a room assignment. Request to refund this enrollment fee must be made to the Office of Admissions in writing no later than November 1, for Spring entry, and May 1, for Fall entry.

• Upon acceptance to ORU, students will be able to access the online Housing application by logging into their Vision account>click Registration Quick Links>click Select Housing and under the header New Students click on the housing application. 
• Students will be allowed to search and browse potential roommates on the room selection site. Students can request and accept roommates and send messages to potential roommates. ROOMMATES MUST ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER BEFORE THEY ARE CONFIRMED AS ROOMMATES.
• Additionally, potential roommates will need to communicate which room he or she has selected so the other can select the remaining space. Simply accepting one another as roommates does not automatically tie a student into the room selected by the other person.
• Students will select a room and a meal plan on the site and cannot complete the process until both steps have been completed and confirmed.
• Once a student has selected a room and agreed to the Terms and Conditions, that student is responsible for room and board charges from the date semester charges begin until written cancellation notice is completed in Housing and check-out is complete.
• Students may cancel their housing application online until they agree to the Terms and Conditions.
• Once they have agreed to Terms and Conditions, their room and meal plan selections will be considered confirmed and reserved. Students will not be allowed to select another room through the online process and will have to wait until the open room change period one week after classes begin in the fall semester.
• Following the last day of registration, any space reserved but not occupied by a student will be canceled unless an exception has been granted for late arrival.
• Students who check into their room and fail to officially check out before vacating the residence halls will continue to accrue their room and board charges.

RETURNING STUDENTS

• A room selection schedule will be provided for all current students prior to spring break.
• Students will select their rooms and meal plans online according to the location they would like to live. Students wishing to retain their current rooms will be given priority followed by students who do not have the option of retaining their current room, students wishing to move rooms within the same residence hall and then the students wishing to move to a different residence hall.
• Students will be allowed to search and browse potential roommates on the room selection site. Students can request and accept roommates and send messages to potential roommates. ROOMMATES MUST ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER BEFORE THEY ARE CONFIRMED AS ROOMMATES. Additionally, potential roommates will need to communicate which room he or she has selected so the other can select the remaining space. Simply accepting one another as roommates does not automatically tie a student into the room selected by the other person.
• Individual occupants of double rooms will be required to consolidate in accordance with room assignments.

Housing Terms & Conditions

The purpose of the terms and conditions given below is to provide for basic operations of the University Housing facilities and to give all residents a mutual understanding of operating policies. Oral Roberts University has the authority to interpret, revise, extend or grant exceptions to these terms and conditions on the basis of need and merit of individual cases. Any request for exceptions and any extension must be made in writing. All room assignments are made without regard to race, creed or national origin.

The term of occupancy is from August 12, 2023 until May 5, 2024 (“Term”) with the exception of the Christmas break, December 9, 2023 through January 7, 2024; halls will re-open for students at 8:00 am on Monday, January 8, 2024.  Only Students approved and paying additional fees to live in the Residential Property for Christmas break (limited availability) are allowed to remain in the Residential Property during the break period. 

Miscellaneous Housing Policies

Each student is responsible for the policies and regulations in both the catalog and the student handbook.

Abandoned Property Policy

Personal property left on or around the campus in a room by a student departing from ORU permanently or for the summer and/or the next following semester shall be given written notice that such property will be stored for thirty days and if not picked up by him or her authorized representative within such time, will be deemed abandoned and disposed of in a manner deemed reasonable by ORU. Found property left on and around campus will be stored for thirty days and if not claimed will be deemed abandoned and disposed of in a manner deemed reasonable by ORU.

Community Meeting

A weekly informational community meeting is conducted on each floor every Monday night at 10:00 p.m. Attendance is required for all students living in residence halls.

Elevators

Elevators are provided in each high-rise residence hall. An eight-person weight limit is posted in each elevator. Occasionally, an elevator will malfunction, causing it to stop between floors. Students experiencing this should not attempt to leave the elevator. Instead, they should ring the emergency call bell and wait for assistance and instructions. 

Intentional tampering with elevators is forbidden. Violators are subject to disciplinary action and immediate suspension.

Students who live on the second and third floors of residence halls are encouraged to use the stairs.

Flammable Materials

For the safety of all residents, the use of flammable materials in the residence halls is strictly prohibited. This includes decorating materials used in lobbies, hallways or individual residence hall rooms. Students are not permitted to have live Christmas trees, have halogen lamps or burn incense or candles in the residence halls. Possession of an open flame device will result in disciplinary action and confiscation of the illegal item. Use of an open flame device will result in disciplinary action.

1. Decorations can be hung within a room as long as they are not hung from the ceiling, in or around the light fixture, or blocking the HVAC units/vents
2. Decorations on doors need to be at least 2 inches from the edge of the door and may not wrap from front to back or vice versa
3. Lights — Students may hang lights in their room as long as they are LED lights (other types of lights are not allowed for safety reaons). Lights may not be hung from the ceiling or in/around light fixtures. Lights cannot be linked more than three strands end to end.
4. Decorations may not be hung using pins, tacks, nails, or tape. Only approved materials (Sticky Tak and 3M Command Adhesive products) may be used to hang decorations.

Furnishings and Equipment

ORU prohibits students from constructing homemade structures or modifying current structures for placement in residential halls. The use of furniture other than that provided by ORU is not permitted. Furnishings may not be moved from one room to another without administrative approval. Beds are not to be taken apart. The stacking of beds, other than bunk beds provided by the University, is not permissible. Doors are not to be removed from cabinets. Ceiling areas may not be used for storage. Decorations in the hallway considered to be a fire hazard are not permissible. The use of Air Fryers, Crock-Pots, Foreman grills, personal microwaves or electrical appliances— other than air popcorn poppers and hot pots—is not permitted. Personal refrigerators or coolers are not permitted. An energy efficient MicroFridge® comes installed as a standard feature of each residence hall room. The following items are not to be used by students for decorating rooms in any way: paint, contact paper, tape of any kind, wall paper, additional paneling or halogen lamps

Guests

Guest Sign-In: All guests in residence halls must sign in and out at the main desk of each hall every time they come in or leave. No guests are permitted in the residence halls past curfew at 1:00 a.m. During the in-session school year, children under the age of 12 may not go to a student’s room; they must remain in the lobby, attended by an adult. During move-in and move-out times at the beginning and end of the school year, children under age 12 (when supervised by an adult) may go to a student’s room. Solicitors and salesmen are not permitted in any campus building.

Overnight-Guest Policy: Overnight guests are not permitted on campus unless invited by the University. The University could have a program that allows prospective students to visit the school. Questions concerning these programs should be directed to the Undergraduate Admissions office. On occassion the Undergraduate Admissions office also sponsors events so that prospective students can visit the campus. These authorized guests stay in the residence halls with ORU students.

All overnight guests in the residence halls must be approved in advance by Student Development and properly registered with the Dean of Student Development, in the Concierge Office and DPSS.

Inventory Checklist and Check-out

The Resident Advisor of each floor and wing is responsible for completing an inventory check-in/check-out form before the resident moves in. Inventory will indicate the condition of the facilities and University furniture/equipment therein. Any damage not indicated on this form will be charged to room occupants at the time of room change or move out. A charge is assessed for checking out late or improperly. It is the responsibility of the resident to be informed of and adhere to proper check-out procedures.

Keys

Residential students are issued a room key for the room they are assigned. Keys will only be issued to the assigned residents of a given room and will not be issued to parents, friends, etc. Any student having an unauthorized University key is subject to disciplinary action. Lost keys should be reported immediately to the Housing office. Lost keys will result in a lock change and a charge of $75 being assessed to the student’s University account. Rooms are to be kept locked at all times. The University is not responsible for items damaged, borrowed or stolen. Room keys should be returned to the Concierge office when changing to another room or leaving University housing. Failure to return keys will result in a lock charge at the student’s expense.

Kitchens

Kitchens are provided in most residence halls for the preparation of snacks. No baking is allowed after curfew. Residents using the kitchen facilities must leave the area and all appliances clean after use. Food left in refrigerators must be labeled and dated.

Lobbies

Residential students should be properly attired before entering the lobbies, vending, change machine or study areas. All residence halls are card access only, 24/7.

Men Working in Residence Halls

Workmen may come into the residence halls to fill vending machines or make repairs Monday through Friday during regular office hours or in the evening or weekends for emergencies. Women should be properly attired before permitting workmen to enter. Women are not to be in hallways unless completely clothed or robed.

MicroFridge®

Each residence hall room is equipped with one combination microwave and refrigerator unit to be shared among roommates. Units should be kept clean at all times. Both routine and periodic inspections of the units will take place. Improper care of the unit will result in fines.

Overnight Sign-Out Procedure

All students (male or female) who plan on taking a trip or spending a night off campus must officially sign out through the official University Residential Sign-out form.

• Students may sign out by completing the Residential sign-out form located on the ORU app under the Student Development tile. Emergency sign-outs will be handled on an individual basis via the Residence Hall Director on duty.
• Students are eligible to sign out for no more than three nights a week. Signing out for an extended period of time requires approval from the Residence Hall Director during specified office hours. Dual residency is not permitted.
• Students are expected to sign out properly and truthfully; falsifying a sign-out can result in disciplinary action.
• Parents of dependent students will be called for approval of sign-outs to hotels or a residence belonging to someone of the opposite gender.

Passes

From time to time, Freshman students may require a special pass to allow them exception to curfew policies. These passes are available through the Residence Hall Director or Dean of Student Development or Associate Dean of Student Development and will extend curfew by one hour.

Temporary Work Passes are given for a one-time job and may be obtained from the Residence Hall Director during posted office hours, the Dean of Student Development's or Associate Dean of Student Development’s office between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Permanent Work Passes are issued to a student working a set schedule. The schedule of employment must be verified by the employer in writing (on company letterhead). Passes are obtained from the Residence Hall Director during posted office hours or from the Dean of Student Development's or Associate Dean of Student Development’s office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Quiet Hours

Reasonable quiet is to be observed in the residence halls 24 hours a day. Specific quiet hours are also set for each residence hall. A study environment is to be maintained on the wing. Students who violate quiet hours will be disciplined accordingly.

Room Inspection and Housekeeping

Residents take personal responsibility for room tidiness and cooperate in keeping common areas clean. The residence hall staffs reserve the right to inspect rooms. Students are expected to make their beds, leave their rooms in good order and turn out lights each morning. Rooms are inspected biweekly, and spot checks may be made at any time. No unauthorized pets are permitted. Student must have an approved Emotional Support Animal (ESA). All approvals for an on campus ESA must be approved by the Student Support Services Director.  Nothing is to be stored in the space above the drop ceiling. Cooking is not allowed in residence hall rooms. At the end of the school year, rooms will be inspected thoroughly. Residents will be charged accordingly for any damage to items not considered to be “normal wear and tear.”

Room Possessions

All room possessions are subject to administrative staff approval. Examples of inappropriate items include alcohol/drug paraphernalia or lewd posters and pictures. When possible, any inspection of a student’s room will be done in the student’s presence.

Sprinkler System Policy

Fire suppression systems have been installed in all residence halls. There are sprinkler heads throughout the building, in student rooms, closets, corridors and public areas. This system will greatly enhance residents' safety.

The success of this system in protecting students depends partly on the students' commitment to respect the system and the safety rules of the residence halls. Each sprinkler head has a glass tube, which can be broken by a blow or intense heat. To protect the heads from such damage, each one is covered by a metal cage. The following guidelines will help to keep the sprinkler heads and other parts of the system intact:

• Do not remove or tamper with the cage protecting a sprinkler head or any part of the system.
• Do not hang anything from a sprinkler head or the cage around it or from any other part of the fire suppression equipment, including the pipes.
• Keep a clearance of 18” around the sprinkler head, including in closets.
• Keep sources of heat away from the sprinkler heads.
• Avoid hitting the sprinkler heads when moving items into, out of or around a room.
• Do not engage in sports or horseplay that could result in anything striking a sprinkler head anywhere in the residence hall.
• Report immediately any damaged or missing sprinkler heads to Department of Public Safety & Security at 918.495.7750.

Any student involved in vandalism — including intentional activation — of any fire and life safety equipment will be referred to the Office of Student Development for violation of the written safety policy found in the Student Handbook and may be subject to legal proceedings as well. Consequences to students found responsible for such vandalism will be serious: they will be assessed financial restitution to the University and other students and may be suspended from the University. What you should know:

• Only sprinkler heads directly activated by heat, fire or damage will dispense water. That is, the activation of one head near a fire will not cause other heads to dispense water unless they are also in the area of a fire.
• When a sprinkler head is activated, large amounts of water will pour out. The water cannot be stopped until the system is shut off (after DPSS determines that it is safe to do so).
• The amount of water dispensed by an activated sprinkler head is significant. Flooding will extend to nearby rooms on the same floor, as well as to rooms on lower levels.

We strongly recommend that you insure your personal property for the time you are living in the residence halls. Your parents’ or guardians’ homeowner’s insurance policy may or may not already provide such coverage. If not, you may arrange to add a provision or consider a renter’s insurance policy.

Residence Hall Wings and Wing Names

All residence hall wings and wing names are subject to administrative approval. Wing names are not to be used until proper administrative approval has been granted.

Summer Housing

During summer months the University reserves the right to close off sections of residence halls and require students to change rooms in order to accommodate scheduled maintenance. Those individuals residing in University housing during the summer are subject to all University policies, procedures, rules and regulations. This includes dress code, Honor Code, curfew and sign-out.

Students under age 23 who are enrolled in summer school classes must reside in the residence halls unless they are able to live at home with their parents. No meal plan is offered during summer, and private rooms are limited.

Summer residents are required to move to their assigned rooms for fall during the week prior to the arrival of new students on campus, unless otherwise designated by the Concierge office.

Trash

Trash chutes may be used between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. when they are unlocked. Large boxes (including pizza boxes) or bulky items are not to be discarded in trash chutes; these are to be taken to basement areas. Items are not to be stacked outside the trash chutes, in common areas or outside the room in the hallways. This is a violation of city fire codes and University policy.