Living & Dining

Do I have to live on campus?

All full-time, traditional first-year students, sophomores and juniors are required to live on campus unless married, 22 years of age or commuting from their parents’ home within a 30-mile radius of campus. More than 85 percent of first-year students live on campus.

Students may request housing using the apply to commute, or apply to live off-campus using Address Information and Housing Request Form online. This form is required of all students and is available at www.otterbein.edu/Address.

What does my housing agreement mean?

Your housing agreement is your commitment to live in and pay for campus housing for the academic year. Housing and meal plan agreements are legally binding documents signed for the full academic year (fall and spring semester). Students are expected to abide by the agreement and remain in housing for both semesters after signing the agreement. Students who are unsure if they wish to live in campus housing should make their decision before signing an agreement.

If you would like to live on campus, download the Room & Board Agreement (PDF) and return a completed copy via email to reslife@otterbein.edu or in person to the Office of Residence Life. You can also mail your completed agreement document to:

Student Affairs Office
Otterbein University
1 S. Grove St.
Westerville, OH 43081

What am I going to eat?

Otterbein’s dining service prepares locally sourced, made-from-scratch food for fresh and flavorful meals. Otterbein gives you healthy options at every meal. Many are low in fat, carbohydrates and sodium. Vegetarian entrées and sides are available at each meal. Gluten-free options are also available. Visit our Dining Services page at Otterbeindining.catertrax.com for more information.

What if I have special dietary needs?

Because most of our food is made from scratch, Otterbein can accommodate most special dietary needs with advance notice. Just contact the Dining Services Director at 614-823-1855 for more information.

What are my meal plan options?

Otterbein offers four meal plans:

• 210 meals and $150 Cardinal Dollars* (approximately 14 meals per week)
• 150 meals and $225 Cardinal Dollars* (approximately 10 meals per week)
• 120 meals and $260 Cardinal Dollars* (approximately 8 meals per week)
• Cardinal Plan** (approximately 19 meals per week, no Cardinal Dollars)

The three meal plans with meals and Cardinal Dollars provide the most flexibility. They allow students to eat their meals in the Cardinal’s Nest (dining hall), the OtterDen or The Point Café. Cardinal Dollars are used like cash in any of the four dining locations on campus (Cardinal’s Nest, OtterDen, OtterBean and The Point Café). Students can always check the balances of their meals and dollars or when making a purchase. Students who run out of meals or dollars during the semester can purchase additional dollars (Munch Money) as described below.

For students who want to maximize the number of meals they are offered, the Cardinal Plan provides students with the ability to eat a meal during every dining period when dining service is open. While the Cardinal Plan does not provide flexibility, it provides lots of meals! Students who will regularly eat three meals a day are encouraged to consider this option. The plan allows students to eat meals in the Cardinal’s Nest when open or use meals for meal exchanges in the OtterDen or Point Café. Students with the Cardinal Plan will not have any Cardinal Dollars on their plan, but can purchase Munch Money as described below for some flexibility.

*Number of meals and Cardinal Dollars are per fall/spring
**Number of meals per week, during fall and spring semester

Munch Money: You can add additional Munch Money to your Cardinal Card to be used in any Otterbein dining facility. Contact the Business Office at 614-823-1151 for more information.