Ohio Dominican Parents
Parents FAQs about ODU
Ohio Dominican offers your student a college experience that is intensely personal; a warm, friendly campus in the heart of a thriving metropolis, small class sizes where professors not only know your son or daughter’s name, but also the unique human being that they are.
In this section, we’ll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the ODU experience regarding academics, finances, student life & housing and student support services.
My student is undecided on a major. What are his or her options?
It is not uncommon for students to be undecided about what major they want to pursue. ODU students have 50 majors from which to choose; many of them have numerous concentrations as well. ODU has many resources available to undecided students to help guide them in their efforts to explore majors and careers. Our Academic Advising Center and the Career Development Center are core to this process.
Who will help my student select their classes?
First time freshmen are advised by the Academic Advising Center staff and select faculty during New Student Orientation in the summer. The Center helps the student choose classes for their first semester on campus. For their second semester, students meet with the Advising Center staff to help determine their class schedule and answer any questions the student may have about the process. The Academic Center helps students get on the right academic track towards fulfilling their graduation and major requirements.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Ohio Dominican University ?
ODU prides itself on our small class sizes and personal attention. The student to faculty ratio is generally 14-1. In some of the widely required classes for freshmen, the class size may be higher. ODU students are taught by professors – not teaching assistants – with full credentials and real-world experience in their field of expertise.
Can students obtain credit by examination?
Yes. Students have the opportunity to earn credit through the Advanced Placement (AP) program in high school. Depending on their performance, students can earn credit hours during high school AP courses.
How long will it take my student to earn their degree?
The answer to this question will vary per student. The majority of ODU students finish in as few as four years of full time enrollment (two semesters per year). Students who opt to study in the “4+1” programs will finish in about five academic years and will earn both a bachelor and master’s degree at the end of that time. Other students will take longer – depending on their major, whether they enroll full time or part time or other circumstances.
Will my student be prepared to enter into the workforce upon graduation?
Students who take the initiative and get involved are best prepared to make the transition as professionals. ODU provides opportunity for students to develop important transferable skills through coursework and co-curricular programs. The Career Development Center provides tools and programs to help students choose, prepare for and pursue suitable professions.
What if my student needs some academic help?
Students who find themselves struggling academically have many avenues from which to find help. The Academic Resource Center is the primary location for students who need a little academic assistance. The ARC offers free workshops and tutoring services in a variety of subjects; from specific academic courses, to time management to graduate placement exams, the ARC is available to help students succeed academically.
What services are available to students with learning and/or physical disabilities?
It is the responsibility of the student to communicate the need for special accommodations or aids to the Coordinator of Disability Services. Ohio Dominican will make reasonable accommodations and adjustments on a case-by-case basis to ensure non-discrimination of learning/physically disabled students. For further details, please see the Student Handbook.
I would like to know how my student is doing academically. Can I get a copy of his/her grades?
According to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), grades are confidential materials. A student’s written permission is required to release grades to parents. This form is available online and must be completed by the student during the first two weeks of the beginning of the semester.
Costs for the current year can be found on the Financial Aid website.
Ohio Dominican University Business Office (Erskine Hall 133, 251-4550) accepts check, cash and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) for payment of tuition and fees. Payment plans are also available through the FACT Program. For more information about eCashier, please visit the eCashier website.
To help off-set the cost of college tuition, we strongly urge you and your student to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The FAFSA is the only application you will need to complete for
all federal, state and institutional aid programs at Ohio Dominican. File the FAFSA as
soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year. Having a copy of
your previous year tax information is helpful in completing the FAFSA. Be sure to list Ohio Dominican University - federal school code 003035.
See the Financial Aid Website for a list of FAQs about financial aid and financing options.
Do all students have to live in the residence halls?
All incoming freshmen are required to live on campus if: he/she is not enrolled full time, not living with an immediate family member (parent, grandparent, sibling, etc) or have not yet completed at least 88 credit hours.
Can students choose their roommate/s?
A student can request his/her roommate. The other person must also list this student as a roommate choice to be a successful roommate match. Both students will need to meet housing deadlines in order to be matched. One student submitting his/her housing materials late may result in the two not being able to be roommates.
When are rooms and roommates assigned?
If all paperwork is submitted and deposits paid by June 1, the housing and roommate assignment will be mailed mid-June by Residence Life. After June 1, assignments will be made on a rolling basis all summer.
Are freshmen permitted to have cars on campus?
Yes, but parking is very limited. All cars parked on the ODU campus are required to purchase a parking permit every academic year (or semester if applicable).
What about meals?
All resident students participate in the University meal plan. This plan – accessible through the ODU Panther ID Card – offers flexibility and convenience without the need to carry cash or credit cards. All meal plans come with “Panther Points” - of which the value = $ - and can be used in any campus dining venue. Commuter and apartment students have the option of purchasing meal plans and Panther Points to use on campus.
What is the ODU policy on alcohol?
As clearly outlined in the Student Handbook, (page 29) students age 21 or older are permitted to consume beer in the residence hall sleeping rooms of fellow 21-year old resident students only. Beer in cans is the only alcoholic beverage permitted. Failure to comply with the policies set forth in the Handbook will result in disciplinary charges.
Who provides support to my student while they are living in the residence halls?
ODU employs a full time professional Residence Life staff as well as Head Residents for each Hall and Resident Assistants for each floor of the halls. These trained students and staff provide leadership and assistants to students adjusting to college life and can help students with personal issues or direct them to the appropriate University personnel for help.
How safe is campus?
Ohio Dominican places a high priority on the safety of its students and staff members. The Safety and Security Department strives to maintain our excellent safety record. Uniformed ODU Security officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When you dial the Security number, (614) 251-4700, you will speak directly to an officer on duty who will respond promptly to calls.
What about the safety of the residence halls?
All residence halls main doors are locked 24 hours a day and are only accessible via a valid ODU ID card. Individual rooms are accessible via key only and all guests must register at the visitor desk in each hall. Each hall has established procedures and guidelines to help ensure the safety of its residents. ODU Safety and Security routinely patrols campus including residence halls and the Residence Life Office and Counseling Services routinely offers special programs on assault, theft, rape and crime prevention. All residence halls are equipped with early-warning smoke and fire detection and fire evacuation drills are conducted periodically.
Is there anything for my student to do on campus?
Our Residence Life and Student Activities offices plan full calendars of events for all students. From early morning prayer services, to late night movie parties in the Underground, there are multiple opportunities for students to get involved. Should a student wish to go off-campus, ODU provides a shuttle bus up to and around Easton Town Center – an area of shopping, restaurants and entertainment only 5 miles from campus.
For further details on Residence Life, please see section on Residence Life in the ODU Student Handbook.
An important issue for parents and family is the support services available to their student. ODU offers a full range of support services; from academic tutoring to personal counseling to internship placement, ODU values not only the student’s experiences in the classroom, but outside the classroom as well.
For a full range of the services available to ODU students, please see the Student Services section of the ODU website. Also review the Student Handbook for the policies and procedures of Ohio Dominican.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Director of the offices listed above or contact the Office of Admission who can direct you to the appropriate department. Thank You!
