June 4, 2024
Oakland University (OU) and Oakland Community College (OCC) are collaborating on a pilot program that will allow OCC students to enjoy the benefits of living on the OU campus this fall while still taking classes at the nearby community college.
“Oakland University has one of the safest campuses in the country, so if we have the space available, I think this is a great opportunity for collaboration,” said Robert King, senior director of housing at Oakland University. “And if we’re able to do this effectively, maybe there’s a way to figure out some other things we can do together to maximize the experience of our students in this area.”
OCC students who wish to participate in the program will be able to submit a form of interest online and will be placed based on the availability of housing on the OU campus.
“On the interest form they would note what they’re looking for, and we would provide information about the rates and different options that are available,” he said. “For example, right now we have a double rate and a single rate, and based on what they select as their preference, that’s what we would try to match them with in the fall.”
King said that OCC students who live on OU’s campus will also have access to all of the “OU Housing” extracurricular programming and opportunities to seek additional experiences offered through the university. He said he hopes this will provide an opportunity for the students to experience what life is like at OU.
“I think the exposure this program offers gives us the best chance of giving a student a pretty clear perception of some of the out-of-the-classroom experiences they can have on campus,” he said. “And if these students come to OU and they find that this space provides what they need in terms of housing then it may translate into additional students choosing to come to OU and live with us, or become part of the greater university community.”
OCC officials say they’re excited to partner with OU on this new initiative.
“The opportunity for our students to live on campus at Oakland University is another example of the great partnerships we have between OCC and OU that benefits our students,” said Dr. Kimberly Hurns, OCC’s Vice Chancellor for Student Services. “Oakland University’s proximity to our Auburn Hills campus will especially appeal to a number of our students who are looking for housing options close to where they go to class and attend OCC activities.”
For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/housing.