Living On Campus: Oakland University's Student Life

Oakland University is a public research university in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has a large student body, with an enrollment of over 15,000 students as of Fall 2024. The university provides housing options for its students, with a mix of residence halls and student apartments available on campus. So, how many students choose to live on campus, and what are the housing options like at Oakland University?

Oakland University's on-campus housing

Oakland University in Michigan offers a variety of housing options for its students, with a total of 14% of the student population living in on-campus housing. The university has six co-ed residence halls, two student apartment complexes, and four Greek cottages.

Residence Halls

The residence halls at Oakland University include Hillcrest Hall, Oak View Hall, Hamlin Hall, Van Wagoner Hall, and Vandenberg Hall. These halls offer traditional dormitory-style living for students, with single and double occupancy rooms available. The residence halls are typically assigned to first-year and sophomore students, providing a sense of community and support during their initial years at the university.

Student Apartments

Oakland University also provides apartment-style living options for its students. The George T. Matthews student apartments consist of eight buildings, while the Ann V. Nicholson student apartments feature six major Tudor-style buildings. These apartments offer more independence and privacy for upper-year students, with fully furnished units and amenities such as laundry facilities and common areas.

Greek Housing

For students involved in the Greek community, there are four Greek cottages on campus. Fraternities and sororities at Oakland University have their own housing, providing a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood and a space for social events and chapter meetings. The Cottage District, as it is known, consists of historic homes that were originally built for workers employed at the Meadow Brook Estate.

On-Campus Housing Benefits

Living on campus at Oakland University offers several advantages. First, it provides easy access to classes, libraries, and other academic resources, fostering a convenient and engaging learning environment. Second, on-campus residents can take advantage of the dining facilities, recreational centres, and athletic facilities that are available to students. Moreover, living in on-campus housing allows students to build strong connections with their peers and fully immerse themselves in the university community.

Off-Campus Housing

While a significant portion of Oakland University students chooses to live on campus, it is worth noting that 84% of the student population resides off campus. The university provides resources and support for students seeking off-campus accommodations, including assistance with finding suitable housing options and guidance on tenant rights and responsibilities.

The off-campus student population

Oakland University is a large university with a total enrollment of 15,768 students as of Fall 2024, including 12,587 undergraduates and 3,181 graduates. The university's site spans 1,443 acres and includes the Main Campus, Meadow Brook Estate, and two nationally ranked golf courses.

While the university offers on-campus housing, the majority of Oakland University students choose to live off-campus. In fact, 84% of students at Oakland University live off-campus, while only 17% live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing. This may be due in part to the fact that Oakland University is a commuter school, with many students travelling to campus from surrounding areas.

In addition to its academic offerings, Oakland University has a vibrant campus life, with over 200 registered student organizations, including cultural, religious, and Greek groups. The university also has a variety of recreational facilities, such as trails and biking paths, golf courses, and intramural sports teams. The Oakland Center, the university's student union, houses a food court, a bookstore, a cafe, and a gaming center, providing a space for students to socialise and relax.

Overall, the off-campus student population at Oakland University is an integral part of the university community, contributing to the diverse and dynamic nature of the institution. With a range of resources and support systems in place, these students are able to pursue their academic and personal goals, while also engaging with the larger university community.

The university's athletic association

Oakland University is home to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, the athletic teams that represent the university in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university sponsors 18 NCAA Division I men's and women's varsity sports programs, with 16 teams across eight men's and ten women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.

The Golden Grizzlies have a rich history in intercollegiate athletics, with early success in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s as the "Pioneers" in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). During this period, OU established itself as a powerhouse in multiple sports, particularly swimming, and went on to win numerous National Championships. As the university transitioned to NCAA Division I status in the 1998-99 season, its sports teams adopted the new moniker, the "Golden Grizzlies".

Today, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies field teams in a variety of sports, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, men's and women's track, and women's volleyball. The university's athletic facilities include a state-of-the-art recreation centre and an athletic dome.

The Golden Grizzlies have continued their athletic success in recent years, winning 10 NCAA national championships and finishing as runners-up 16 times. OU's baseball and men's basketball teams have both made notable appearances in NCAA tournaments, with the men's basketball team qualifying for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament in 2005 and 2010. The university's athletic achievements extend beyond the NCAA, with the men's club ice hockey team claiming the American Collegiate Hockey Association's Division 2 national championship title in 2004 and 2006, and the Division 1 title in 2007.

Oakland University's athletic association is committed to fostering both academic excellence and a competitive intercollegiate athletics programme, recognising the importance of both aspects in the holistic development of its students.

The gender distribution of students

Oakland University in Michigan has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,719 as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 42.7% male students and 57.3% female students. This amounts to 5,391 male students and 7,328 female students. In terms of housing, 17% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, and 84% live off-campus.

The university's total enrollment for Fall 2022 was 16,108 students, with 12,587 undergraduates and 3,181 graduates. The undergraduate population includes 10,244 students, according to another source. Oakland University is the sixth-largest of Michigan's four-year universities.

The university's Fall 2024 enrollment numbers show a slight decline in returning students, with a 1.9% decrease in undergraduate retention. However, the university also reported a third consecutive year of new undergraduate enrollment growth, with a total of 15,768 students, including 12,587 undergraduates, 2,680 graduate students, and 501 medical students.

The student body's racial diversity

Oakland University is a diverse and inclusive community that cultivates the full potential of its students. The student body reflects this racial diversity, with a significant number of students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

In Fall 2024, the student population at Oakland University was 15,768, including 12,587 undergraduate and 3,181 graduate students. Of this total student population, 9.5% identified as Black or African American, 5.1% as Hispanic or Latino, 0.2% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 4.6% as international students, and 4.4% as multiracial. This diversity is further enhanced by the presence of international students, who make up 4.6% of the student body.

Oakland University's commitment to diversity is evident in its Fall 2023 enrollment, which welcomed the most diverse class of first-year students in its history. This incoming class had more than 26% identifying as underrepresented minorities, a significant increase from the previous year. The total enrollment for Fall 2023 was 15,992, which included a larger number of first-year students, transfer students, graduate students, first-generation students, Honors College students, and international students.

The university's efforts to foster an inclusive environment are also demonstrated through initiatives like the DREAM Initiative, a program designed to support first-generation students, primarily from Detroit, in closing the graduation gap. Additionally, Oakland University hosts events such as the 'Campus Week of Dialogue on Racism,' which encourage open discussions on race relations and promote a close-knit community that values diversity and cultural exchange.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, Oakland University ensures personalized instruction and a supportive environment for its diverse student body. The university empowers its nearly 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students by providing experiential education, flexible class schedules, state-of-the-art facilities, and a wide range of extracurricular activities that enhance their academic and personal growth.

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