Student Handbook:
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are frequently asked of the Student Development
Office (SDO). If your questions are still not answered after reading this,
please contact the SDO at 417.626.1234 ext. 2013 or
SDO@OCC.edu.
Q. When can I move in?
A. In the fall, the residence halls open for
new students at 9:00 AM on the Thursday before classes begin and for
returning students at 9:00 AM on the Saturday before classes begin.
In the spring, the residence halls open for new students at 1:00 PM on the
Friday before classes begin and for returning students at 2:00 PM on the Sunday
before classes begin.
Q. Can I select my own residence hall and
roommate?
A. The
SDO reserves the right to make final decisions of room, hall, and roommate
assignment. Room reservations will not be honored for late arrivals
after the first week of classes unless special arrangements have been made.
Room changes may be made through the Residence Directors during the first two
weeks of classes. Following that time, a $50.00 fee, payable in advance in
cash, is imposed for any room change.
Q. Can I request a single room?
A. All
first semester freshmen are assigned a roommate. Single rooms may be
requested by juniors and seniors for an additional fee and are subject to
availability. If during the semester you desire authorization to move out of
your residence hall, inform your Residence Director and request the proper form
from the SDO.
Q. Who is in charge of each dorm?
A. Each
residence hall has an adult, live-in Residence Director (RD) that supervises
the residents and activities. The RDs are assisted by Residence
Assistants (RAs), students who are present for counseling, leading, and
serving. The RDs and the RAs help to create a family environment.
Q. Who is required to live on campus?
A. A
student enrolled in eight (8) or more credit hours of classes is required to
live in a residence hall. Exceptions to this policy are usually granted
in the following instances:
1. When a student is twenty-three (23) years of age or older;
2. When a student will be living with his/her immediate family;
3. When a student has already lived in a residence hall 7 semesters;
4. When a student has completed 90 credit hours (senior status).
Housing exceptions will not be granted to students on academic or disciplinary
probation. Housing exceptions will not be granted for financial reasons.
A student enrolled in seven (7) credit hours or less must live off campus
unless s/he is enrolled in the OCC/MSSU co-op program. Otherwise, in order to
live in the residence halls, special approval from the SDO is required.
Q. What
about automobiles?
A. All
vehicles must be registered and must have parking permits. Failure to
have a permit on your vehicle will result in a $25 fine. The second offense
will be impoundment. Parking permits are free and available at the Student
Development Office.
Q. May I bring my bicycle?
A. Bicycles
may be used on roadways only. Bicycle racks are provided at various
locations on campus for your use. Guidelines for storage of bikes at specific
residence halls will be provided.
Q. Can I have a refrigerator in my room?
A. You
may have one small refrigerator per room in the residence halls. These
refrigerators must not exceed the following specifications: Capacity: 2.5 cubic
feet; Electric: 1.1 amp, 120 volt; a three pronged plug must be used;
no extension cords or plug adapters may be used. All upkeep and maintenance of
these refrigerators is the responsibility of the student.
Q. Can I bring an air conditioner?
A. Air
conditioner window units are already available in every room as well as air
conditioned lobbies in every residence hall.
Q. Is telephone service available?
A. Basic
telephone service, including long distance, is provided at a very nominal fee.
This service also includes voice mail. Students are responsible for providing
and maintaining their own telephones. Each room is equipped with one phone
jack, but each student will have his/her own extension number and voice mail.
Cordless phones may not be used because of interference in a crowded
environment.
Q. Is
Internet service available?
A. Internet
service is provided only through OCC. The school has negotiated an
exclusive Internet service package that is both inexpensive and filtered. Each
room provides an Ethernet jack for each student to connect to the student
network.
Q. Is
there anything that I should not bring?
A.
• Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol
The purchase, possession, or use of alcohol, street drugs and tobacco is
prohibited
on and off campus.
• Pets
No pets of any kind are permitted in the residence halls. This includes
aquarium animals.
• Halogen Lamps
Halogen lamps with more than 300 watts are prohibited in the dorms because of
their high heat.
• Firearms/Weapons
Due to legal and safety concerns, firearms, martial arts equipment, paintball
guns and hunting equipment of any kind is not permitted on campus. Pocket
knives with blades longer than four (4) inches are not permitted.
Q. I've heard you have a nightly curfew. Is
this true?
A. Yes,
curfew during the week is 11:00 PM and on weekends it is 1:00 AM. The
only exceptions made are to those with work passes.