You are here

 

Residence Life and Housing looks forward to welcoming your student into housing!

banner

Otis College parents, guardians, and family members are a vital part of a student’s successful transition into and through the college experience. While this is an exciting time for students, we know that it may be challenging for parents and families. Residence Life and Housing has a holistic approach that cares for the mental and physical well being of your student, inside and outside of the classroom. We have gathered information to help you understand different policies and procedures, important dates, and other resources to assist you with this transition.

 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law that protects a student’s right to privacy, which includes housing records. Learn more about the College’s FERPA policy here. In accordance with FERPA guidelines, Residence Life and Housing staff will not share any resident information with anyone outside of the college’s system. Housing administrators are authorized to contact confidential contacts and emergency contacts. While these may be the same person, we do require the person to be listed for both. Please read the following information for more details: 

  • Confidential Contact: On the Housing Application, residents list a friend, relative, or parent as their confidential contact. If you are listed as the Confidential Contact, you will be notified within 24 hours if a resident is determined to be missing by Otis College or a local law enforcement agency. 

  • Emergency Contact:  On the Housing Application, residents list a friend, relative, or parent as their emergency contact. Emergency contact information is used for situations deemed as emergencies, such as: medical emergencies, physical injury, and if the reported missing person is less than 18 years old and not legally emancipated.

 

Spring 2023

May 10 | Housing Move Out 

May 14 | Commencement 

May 15 | Housing Move Out for Seniors

Fall 2023

View list of important dates 

March 1 | Housing Applications Open

March 20 | Continuing Student Housing Priority

May 1 | New Student Housing Priority (must pay application fee by May 1, must complete application by May 4)

August 21 & 22 | New Student Move In Days

August 24 & 25 | Continuing Student Move In Days

Link to Academic Calendars

 

We understand that you may have questions around some specific aspects of housing. Please learn more through the menu items below. 

Specific Housing Details
  • Mailing Information

    As a parent, you may need to mail packages or letters to your student. In order to effectively deliver mail and packages read the important information below. Prior to move-in, mail and packages will not be accepted due to limited capacity and locker storage policies. If you plan to purchase items prior to move-in we suggest buying and shipping to a store nearby (Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.). 

    Residence Hall

    The mailboxes and package locker are located on the ground floor of Ahmanson. Each resident is assigned their own mailbox. Please contact your student to learn their assigned SMC numbers.

    Address:

    9030 Loyola Blvd
    SMC ###
    Los Angeles, CA 90045

    Park West

    The locker storage system is located near the Leasing Office and residents must register by submitting an Occupancy Form. Each apartment shares one assigned mailbox that is located by the nearest elevator on the Upper Parking Garage (UG) level. There are five specific addresses for Park West. We encrouage you to talk with your student to learn their address and apartment number. 

    Amazon Locker - Mercer (located on campus)

    All residents can utilize the Amazon lockers to pick up purchases ordered online. The lockers are located to the left of the Residence Hall closest to the wood shop, and are accessible 24/7. When placing your order look up the Amazon locker named Mercer. 

  • Packing Lists

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

  • Renter's Insurance

    Students are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance. We recommend anywhere between $20,000 and $25,000. Start by checking with your parents’ homeowners insurance, as most companies extend coverage to students while they are away at college. Another option is checking with an insurance carrier of your choice, some companies that have worked with us in the past include:

Safety and Security

Your student's safety is very important to us! Our Resident Assistants and live in professional staff maintain an active presence in both locations. In addition, 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. 

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!

Culture of Inclusion

The Residence Life & Housing department 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 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to be prepared to support our students. Additionally, our staff engages in conversations on Otis’ DEI Statement and 10 points to promote a more equitable campus that welcomes and celebrates every Otis student. To read more about Oti’s DEI Statement and 10 points, click here. 

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. Students can also check out Otis Owl Events to see the upcoming events and programs taking place around campus. 

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. 

Although the roommate matching process helps students find a compatible roommate, there is never a guarantee to find the perfect roommate. Even the best roommates may experience conflict because people from different backgrounds, identities, and values are sharing space. In addition to differences, college age students are still developing and learning how to communicate through conflict. Housing's goal is to help students grow their conflict management skills that will benefit them the rest of their life.

As parents, you can assist Housing by encouraging your student to address the issues themselves. Housing has processes in place to help empower students to resolve their own conflict with support and guidance from the Housing staff. Housing asks you to please refrain from contacting our staff without your student’s knowledge. Instead, please use the resources below to guide your student through conflict resolution.