Academic Year Housing

Housing Applications Open March 1 (Academic Year 2025-2026)

The Housing contract is for both fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters (10 months). Students are committing to living in housing for the full academic year (August - May).

Current residents must apply for housing on an annual basis.

The Residence Hall and Park West affiliated apartments are at double occupancy, meaning two students to a bedroom, with four students sharing the apartment/suite. Students will have a direct roommate and two suitemates in the second bedroom.

We understand that you may have many questions about housing and how to prepare for your arrival. Please use the following tabs to learn more about our policies and protocols, Move In, and what you can expect. More information will be sent to students over the coming months as their space in housing is confirmed.

Important Housing Information

Move-in Information

Move In

Students with confirmed housing will receive an email to sign up for a move in appointment. Students will be expected to arrive during their move in appointment. Below are the Move In days:

New Resident Move In: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Continuing Resident Move In: Friday, August 22, 2025

Please be sure to plan flights and arrival times accordingly. Early or late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Packing Lists

To learn more about what is included in each housing option and what you should bring, please view our packing lists:

Housing Orientation (Attendance Required)

Housing orientation will take place on the days listed below. This is a required meeting for all residential students, as we will introduce the staff, review policies, and provide important details about living with us.

New Resident Housing Orientation: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 (evening, time TBD)
Continuing Resident Housing Orientation: Friday, August 22, 2025 (evening, time TBD)

Additional details will be sent to students with a confirmed place in housing.

Protocols and Policies

COVID-19 Protocols

We will be providing students with an orientation to explain all requirements, expectations, and safety protocols. Otis College follows the guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

Vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended. Otis College continues to stress the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines and will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the school year.
COVID-19 Testing. Any students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested through the Student Health and Wellness Center for free.

Policies

Students should view The Student Handbook and Hallway Handbook for a full list of policies students are expected to follow while living in housing. COVID-19 policies are subject to change based on guidelines from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Other Requirements

Renters Insurance

Park West residents are required to purchase renters insurance and will have to show proof of renters insurance prior to move in. Residence Hall residents are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance. Residence Life and Housing recommends GradGuard Renters Insurance.

Move In Fee

For Park West Students Only. Students living at Park West are required to pay a $350 move in fee. We do require having this payment on file prior to a student moving.

Navigating L.A.

Local Hotels

Hotel June | 8639 Lincoln Blvd, LA 90045

Hotel June is walking distance from campus, making it the nearest hotel. Use the code OTIS for an Otis College discount.

Shopping

Grocery Stores

Ralph's | 8701 Lincoln Blvd - across the street from campus
Bristol Farms | 8448 Lincoln Blvd - a quick walk from campus
Trader Joe's | 8645 S Sepulveda Blvd - a 5 minute drive from campus
Costco | 13463 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 - a 15 minute drive from campus

Home Supplies

Target | 8900 S Sepulveda Blvd - a 5 minute drive from campus
Kohl's | 8739 S Sepulveda Blvd - a 5 minute drive from campus
IKEA | 20700 S Avalon Blvd Carson, CA 90746 - a 20 minute drive from campus
The Container Store | 710 S Sepulveda Blvd El Segundo, CA 90245 - a 15 minute drive from campus

Art and Design Supplies

Graphaids | on campus
Blick's Art Supply Store | 2602 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 - a 20 minute drive from campus
Michael's | 3340 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90303 - a 15 minute drive from campus
Home Depot | 12975 W Jefferson Blvd - a 6 minute drive from campus

Exploring Los Angeles

Learn about the museums, cultural events, and other aspects of LA here.

What to Expect

Residential Engagement

Students are assigned Resident Assistants (RAs) in each housing location. The RAs serve as a resource for students as they transition to their new home and navigate Otis College. In addition, the RAs foster and develop community among residential students through dialogue, engagement, and programming! Some programs that have been coordinated in the past include:

Game/Movie Nights
Bob Ross Painting Sessions
Disco Night
Caricature Drawing
Adventure Time Roundtable Readings

These programs are ways to connect with other residential students. We encourage students to attend these events to connect with others and to build new friendships. If students are excited about a potential program idea, we encourage them to reach out to their RA to discuss planning! Follow our Instagram @otis.housing to keep connected with updates and programming.

Culture of Inclusion

Residence Life and Housing strives to create an inclusive living environment that honors the intersections of all identities. The professional staff and RAs are trained on various topics of Community Engagement and Belonging to be prepared to support our students. Additionally, our staff engages in conversations on Otis’ Belonging Statement to promote a more affirming campus that welcomes and celebrates every Otis student.

Campus Involvement

Clubs and Organizations

Another way for students to be involved on campus is to join a campus club/organization. These clubs and organizations are student-led and create fun programs and activities for students. Learn more about the different opportunities to join here.

Campus Activities Board (CAB)

CAB is composed of student leaders that work to enhance and unify the Otis college community by coordinating, overseeing, and executing all student led campus activities. All members of CAB provide leadership and support to fellow CAB members and student led campus activities. These programs and activities are open to all students and is an additional way for students to connect with other Otis peers. Learn more about CAB here. Stay connected with CAB on Instagram @Otiscab.

Safety and Security

Campus Safety is present on campus 24/7. Students can contact the office at 310.665.6965. While we are in a safe neighborhood within Los Angeles, we still recommend the following to keep our community safe:

Sign up for Live Safe. Live Safe is an app that allows students to share information with Campus Safety, provides notifications of emergency situations, and allows for SafeWalk (someone can view your walk to another location).
Always close and lock your door when leaving your apartment/suite.
Do not let any unrecognized individuals into the building. If a person lives there, they should be able to access it.
Use the buddy system when exploring Los Angeles beyond the campus.

Residence Life FAQs

Will I be able to select my roommates?

Students still have the ability to select their own roommates. In the application, there is a place for students to list the last name and Otis College email of their requests. The request must be mutual in order for us to place students together.

Can I live with three residents per suite, instead of four?

Currently our spaces are all set up to house four residents. Students have the ability to only select one or two students that they are interested in living with. We will use the other roommate preferences to fill the open spaces.

When will I know if my space is confirmed for the Academic Year?

Residence Life and Housing will start confirming housing spaces in the middle of May. Here is a list of other important dates:

March 1 - The application opens March 1 and additional details on the process can be found here.

March 10 - Continuing students will receive housing priority as long as their housing application fee is paid by March 10.

May 1 - New students will receive housing priority as long as their housing application fee is paid by May 1.

June 15 (Continuing Students) and July 1 (New Students) - If a confirmed students does not meet the housing payment deadlines you will forfeit your housing confirmation and be placed on a waitlist until you are in good financial standing:

Early August - Students will receive their housing assignment and roommate information in early August.

What should I do if I have a friend/roommate with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)?

The first thing to do is to recommend that person to reach out to the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) for evaluation of their symptoms at 310-846-5738. The second thing is to care for your own health while being supportive. This is not the time to discriminate against and/or isolate those who may be sick (and who may be anxious about it).