Where Can Cameron University Students Reside?

Cameron University offers on-campus housing for students, with a range of residence halls and apartments available. The university encourages students to live on campus, citing research that suggests on-campus residents have higher grade point averages, greater social development, and higher persistence rates. To support this, the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life aims to provide an engaging and inclusive community that fosters academic excellence and personal responsibility. However, some students may prefer to live off-campus and commute to the university. While there is limited information about the off-campus housing options for Cameron University students, the university does provide financial aid estimates that include indirect expenses for off-campus housing, suggesting that it is an option for students who wish to live independently.

Cameron University's on-campus housing and residence life

Cameron University offers a vibrant and engaging on-campus housing and residence life experience for its students. The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life is dedicated to empowering residents to become responsible citizens, life-long learners, and leaders. The office strives to create an inclusive, safe, and student-centred community that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.

Benefits of Living on Campus

Research has shown that students who live on campus at Cameron University tend to have higher grade point averages, higher persistence rates, and exhibit greater gains in intellectual and social development. On-campus living provides a convenient and supportive environment, making it easier for residents to succeed in their academic and personal endeavours.

Residence Options

Cameron University offers two main residence options: Cameron Village and Shepler. Each residence area has its own unique features and amenities.

Cameron Village

• Move-in: New residents typically move into Cameron Village on the designated move-in day, which is Friday, August 16th, from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Check-in: The check-in location for Cameron Village is the McMahon Learning Center Great Room.
• Parking: Residents of Cameron Village must park in the gated lot to the east of the Village, off of SW 27th Street.
• Mail: Each resident is assigned a mailbox in the McMahon Center of Cameron Village.
• Laundry: Laundry facilities are located on the second and third floors of each building in Cameron Village.
• Meals: Cameron Village residents are provided with mailboxes in the McMahon Center and are required to have a meal plan. They can choose from the 15, 10, 8, or 5 Flex Plan options.
• Appliances: Residents of Cameron Village are not permitted to bring their own mini-fridges or microwaves as these are already provided in each apartment.

Shepler

• Move-in: The move-in day for returning residents is Saturday, August 17th, from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Check-in: The check-in location for Shepler is the Shepler Center, located between North and South Shepler.
• Parking: Shepler residents can park in the lot south of South Shepler and the lot west of the towers, both located off of Dr. Elsie Hamm Dr.
• Mail: North and South Shepler residents are assigned mailboxes in the Shepler Center.
• Laundry: Shepler residents have access to a laundry facility on the first floor of South Shepler.
• Meals: Shepler residents are required to have a meal plan and can choose from the 15, 10, or 8 Flex Plan options. Meal swipes can be used in the Shepler Cafeteria.
• Appliances: Residents of North and South Shepler are permitted to bring a microwave and a mini-fridge. If there is a roommate, only one microwave and mini-fridge are allowed in the room.

Additional Information

• High-speed internet is available across the campus, including in the residence halls.
• Pets are not permitted on campus, except for non-predatory fish in a 10-gallon tank. Support animals may be approved by the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.
• The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life is located in the McMahon Center, Office 111, and can be reached at (580) 581-2392 during business hours.

The benefits of living on campus

Living on campus offers a range of advantages to students, from enhanced academic performance to a greater sense of community. Here are some of the key benefits that students at Cameron University can enjoy by living on campus:

Enhanced Academic Performance

Research has shown that students who live on campus tend to achieve better academic outcomes. This may be due to their proximity to academic resources such as libraries, academic buildings, and tutoring services. On-campus living facilitates collaboration with fellow students and makes it easier to participate in group projects and study sessions. Additionally, on-campus residents are more likely to engage in academic events and activities, further contributing to their academic success.

Convenient Access to Campus Amenities

Living on campus provides easy access to a variety of campus amenities and resources. Students can quickly reach the library, fitness centre, dining halls, academic buildings, and recreational areas without the hassle of commuting or finding parking. This convenience saves time and money and enables students to fully utilise the facilities and services offered by the university.

Improved Safety and Security

Universities typically prioritise the safety and security of their students, and living on campus means being closer to security personnel. Most universities have 24/7 security teams that patrol the campus to ensure the well-being of students. Additionally, controlled access to dormitories through ID cards or key fobs provides an extra layer of security.

Building a Sense of Community

On-campus living fosters a strong sense of community and belonging among students. Living in close proximity and sharing similar experiences create opportunities for lasting friendships and support networks. This sense of community can be beneficial in navigating the challenges of college life, such as homesickness, stress, or loneliness. It also encourages participation in extracurricular activities, clubs, and events, further enhancing the college experience.

Potential for Better Grades and Timely Graduation

According to research, living on campus can positively impact a student's grades. A study from Penn State University found that students in on-campus housing had higher GPAs than those living off-campus. Additionally, on-campus students are less likely to earn a GPA below 1.0 and are more likely to graduate on time.

Off-campus housing costs

Cameron University does not specify the costs of off-campus housing. However, the university does provide students with estimates of the costs of attending the university as a graduate, non-resident, off-campus student. These estimates include direct and indirect expenses. Direct expenses are billed by Cameron to the student's account, and students can find their actual charges for each semester in Aggie Access. Indirect expenses are included to allow students to use available financial aid to cover costs outside of what Cameron is able to provide.

The housing estimates are based on the average off-campus housing options. Food estimates, on the other hand, are based on the cost of three meals per day for seven days a week. Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment may be purchased through the Cameron Bookstore and charged to the student's account during the first few weeks of each semester. Federal student loan fees are included in the budget for all students. However, only students who accept federal student loans will incur these fees, and they are taken from the loan amount before disbursement.

Meal plans for on-campus students

Cameron University offers meal plans to meet the dining needs of campus residents in the Shepler Towers and Cameron Village, as well as commuters and faculty/staff. All residents are currently required to have a meal plan to live on campus.

Meal Plan Options

There are four meal plan options for residents of the Shepler Towers:

• Meal Plan A (15 Meal Plan): 15 meals per week + $300 in flex cash for the semester
• Meal Plan B (10 Meal Plan): 10 meals per week + $325 in flex cash for the semester
• Meal Plan C (8 Meal Plan): 8 meals per week + $400 in flex cash for the semester
• Meal Plan D (5 Meal Plan): 5 meals per week + $550 in flex cash for the semester. This plan is only available to Cameron Village residents.

Each meal plan consists of a certain amount of meal swipes per week and a certain amount of flex cash per semester. Meal swipes can be used in the Shepler Cafeteria and reset each week, without rolling over to the next. Flex cash can be used as "cash" to pay for meals in the Shepler Cafeteria or on a variety of items in the McMahon Centennial Complex.

For short weeks (Fall Break, Thanksgiving break, etc.), the number of meals on your plan will be prorated to the number of days that week. However, meals are not served during Thanksgiving and Spring Break. All unused flex cash during a fall semester will roll over to the spring semester as long as the student has a meal plan, but any unused flex cash at the end of a spring semester will be lost.

Meal Plan Changes and Other Information

Meal plans can only be changed during the first two weeks of the semester and must be paid in full by the deadline for all Housing and Meal charges each semester. Students with an unpaid meal plan balance may have their meal plans suspended until full payment is received.

The cafeteria is open to all students, regardless of whether they have purchased a meal plan, and offers an "All You Care to Eat" basis of dining. To enter, students must have their Shepler ID Card or pay door prices. The cafeteria also provides some "to-go" meal options for students with class or work conflicts, although there may be limits on these options. Food cannot be taken from the cafeteria, except for ice cream cones.

Cameron University's administrative offices

Cameron University has several administrative offices that cater to different aspects of student life and support services. Here is a detailed overview of some of these offices:

Office of Student Housing and Residence Life:

The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life is dedicated to empowering students living on campus by fostering an engaging, student-centred community. Their mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, and academically supportive environment to promote student success. Research has shown that students who live on campus tend to have higher grade point averages, exhibit greater social and intellectual development, and are more involved in extracurricular activities. The office offers resources and support to help residents succeed academically and personally. The office is located in the McMahon Center, Office 111, and can be reached at (580) 581-2392 during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Office of Academic Affairs:

The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for all academic units and academic support services at Cameron University. Dr. Marge Kingsley serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and is the chief academic officer for the university. The office is located in Room 250 of the Administration Building at 2800 West Gore Boulevard, Lawton, Oklahoma. The phone number for the Office of Academic Affairs is (580) 581-2250.

Business and Finance Office:

The Business and Finance Office handles financial matters and is located in the Administration Building, Room 250, at the same address as the Office of Academic Affairs.

Office of Public Affairs:

The Office of Public Affairs serves as a point of contact for media and external relations, providing information and updates about the university. They can be reached via email at publicaffairs@cameron.edu and are available during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information Technology Services:

Information Technology Services (ITS) supports the technological needs of the university community. They provide high-speed internet access, wireless networks, and assistance with technical issues. The ITS team can be reached at support@cameron.edu for any technology-related inquiries or assistance.

These administrative offices work together to ensure that Cameron University students have the necessary support and resources to succeed academically and personally during their time at the university.

Frequently asked questions