Residential Education & Housing Services

Discover student life and housing at Occidental! Our 120-acre campus in Los Angeles is the perfect place to explore and thrive.

Residential Education & Housing Services (REHS) at Occidental College is the team that helps you transition smoothly to living on campus and settling into life in Los Angeles. Whether you’re moving into your first-year hall or navigating the Occidental housing selection process, our staff and student Resident Advisors are here to support you through roommate experiences, room draw, and housing questions.

From your first Occidental College residence hall to options like summer housing, REHS works to make your residential experience feel like home while connecting you to a vibrant campus community. We can also provide information about Occidental housing costs and help you explore the living option that’s right for you.

Occidental Housing Options

an Occidental student carries his duffel bag into the Braun Residence Hall

On-campus housing

Explore new interests and live among like-minded peers through on-campus student housing. Occidental offers a variety of options, from first-year residence halls to upper-division halls for returning students. Upper-division halls provide more independent living experiences for juniors and seniors while remaining connected to the campus community.

Explore our 17 residence halls >

Image for All About Room Draw

How to apply for housing

Each spring, students apply for on-campus housing for the following academic year. Housing is assigned through the Room Draw process, where students select their space based on a lottery system and can rank their preferred residence halls or room types. This system helps match students with their top choices whenever possible, while ensuring a fair selection process for everyone.

Continuing student housing instructions >

New student housing instructions >

✅ Residency Requirement

Occidental requires all students to live on campus for the first three years in order to create strong community and a sense of belonging. The College sees residential life as an extension of the classroom, where you build friendships, encounter new perspectives, and engage in a close-knit community. The requirement also keeps you connected to faculty, staff, and support resources. As a senior, you may live off campus (or you need to apply for housing if you’d like to remain on campus).

Occidental College student Trisha Bhima headshot

“Oxy’s campus is always vibrant, from cultural events on the Quad to late-night study sessions with friends. There’s something for everyone, and those moments have been where my best friendships and memories were made.”

Trisha Bhima ’28
Majors: economics, computer science

More to Explore

First-year experience >

The first-year experience is designed to help you feel at home from day one, featuring residence halls, intentional programming and outreach, and events that build community.
What to bring >

Know exactly what to bring with our helpful packing list. From essentials to items that make your space feel like home, this guide makes move-in day go smoothly.
Off-campus housing >

Seniors have the option to live off campus, giving you the chance to experience the many exciting aspects of LA more fully while staying connected to campus life.

A Supportive Campus Community

Occidental students are known for their welcoming spirit and sense of community. Resident Advisors in each hall are available to offer guidance, resources, and support. Whether you’re adjusting to college life or exploring new opportunities, you’ll always find a network of friends and mentors ready to help you thrive.

Become an RA     Life as a Tiger

Resources for Residents

Students walk into Braun Hall
Housing policies >
Oxy students at Homecoming
ASOC student resources >
Oswald with two Campus Safety officers
Campus safety >

Living on Campus: FAQs

Occidental College offers a variety of on-campus housing options including first-year residence halls and upper-division halls for returning students. Each option provides opportunities to connect with peers, enjoy campus amenities, and make the most of the Oxy community.

Students apply for on-campus housing each spring, and assignments are made through Occidental’s Room Draw process. This lottery-based system allows students to rank their preferred residence halls and room types, ensuring a fair process while helping match students with their top housing choices.

Occidental College provides a helpful packing list for all students living on campus, covering essentials such as bedding, toiletries, and storage solutions, along with suggested items to make your dorm feel like home. This guide helps make move-in day smooth and stress-free.

Yes. Occidental College offers a limited number of single rooms in certain residence halls for students who prefer to live alone. Because demand for single rooms is high, they are assigned through the Room Draw process each spring, with priority often given to upper-division students or those with approved housing accommodations through Disability Services. Students interested in a single should indicate this preference on their housing application and be prepared to list alternative room types in case singles are unavailable.

Yes. Occidental College has a residential campus, and students are generally required to live on campus for their first three years. Living in Oxy’s on-campus housing fosters a strong sense of community, provides easy access to academic and campus resources, and supports student success. Seniors may choose to live off campus with approval, and some exceptions are made for students who meet specific eligibility requirements outlined by the Residential Education & Housing Services office.

Contact Residential Education & Housing Services
Berkus Hall

Office hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: (323) 259-2531
resed@oxy.edu

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