Welcome to First-Year Living at ODU!
Starting out as a first-year student is a big step, but have no fear! Housing & Residence Life is fully prepared to help make your transition as smooth as possible. As a first-year student living on campus, we are pleased to offer you a variety of living options. Below you will find links to our first-year residence halls so you can begin to make your choices of where you would like to start your college career!
At ODU, we define a first-year student as a student who has just finished high school and will be entering their first year of college. We realize that our first-year students will need a little extra attention to ensure a smooth transition to college life, so all incoming first-year students are assigned to live in one of the five residence halls listed below.
As a first-year student living on campus, you will be provided numerous opportunities to become fully immersed in college life! Each residence hall has a staff of Resident Assistants (RAs) living among the students who facilitate community builders and educational programs to ensure your success. Each residence hall also has a community council that facilitates social activities and additional community builders, ensuring that you are among friends and family!
Each of our five residential options for first-year students offers a variety of living arrangements to meet the needs of our diverse student population. Students live in single-sex room/suites on coed floors. Take some time to become familiar with the different amenities each residential complex has to offer and make a choice as to which one better meets your needs!
Gresham Complex
Gresham Hall is located on the East side of campus and is one of two similarly designed residential halls. Gresham houses 448 students and has a convenience store on the first floor. The Gresham Complex is also home to three Living-Learning Communities (the Engineering Community, the Health Professions Community, and the WiMSE - Women in Math Science and Engineering - Community). To further support these Living-Learning Communities, residents in the Gresham Complex have access to a Community Learning Center, located in Gresham Main, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure students have access to all of the best to ensure their academic success!
Rogers Complex
Rogers is the other 448-student residence hall located across the street from Gresham. This hall also houses the East side dining facility located on the first floor.
Scotland House
The Scotland House is very similar to the Virginia House and houses freshman on a first-come, first served basis. As a companion to our other Quad residence halls, Scotland House offers double rooms with a shared bath.
Virginia House
The Virginia House is one of our Quad Buildings located near both the Ireland House and the Scotland House on the west side of campus. The Virginia House is a blend of freshman and upperclassmen honors students. The spaces for freshmen are assigned on a first-to-apply, first to-be-assigned basis. The Virginia House is reserved for only Honors Students, creating a mixed-class Honor Living Community. To further support the Honors Community, residents in the Virginia House have access to a Community Learning Center, located in the first floor community room, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure students have access to all of the best to ensure their academic success!
Whitehurst Hall
Whitehurst Hall is a popular location due to its wonderful view of the Elizabeth River. It houses 616 students over 6 floors and also has its own dining and laundry facilities as well as a convenience store.
