Student Life and Living

Off Campus Living & Commuter Resources

www.uakron.edu/offcampus
330-972-5869
uazipassist@uakron.edu

Our office is located within ZipAssist, on the first floor of Simmons Hall, in room 120A. Students may stop in for resources and assistance related to commuting, budgeting, and advice for renting. Join us for FREE programs throughout the semester to meet other commuter students and stay connected to the UA community! 

WHO we work with: Students - transitioning from on-campus living to off-campus and commuters; permanent residents; local area landlords; on-campus departments; and parents of off-campus students.

WHY: Our purpose is to help you succeed both on and off campus. We are a resource that fosters student engagement and creates an environment on campus to enable student growth. 

WHAT we do: Assist you with finding off-campus housing; help commuting students when on campus; partner with local businesses to promote the Akron community; and inform students of their rights and responsibilities as a commuter.

Student Recreation and Wellness Services

www.uakron.edu/rec
Phone: 330-972-2348
Fax: 330-972-6715

With Student Recreation and Wellness Services, there is so much to explore! Their mission is to serve and engage all students to learn, develop and succeed through innovative recreation and wellness opportunities that encourage healthy and balanced lifestyles. The department includes the following program areas:

  1. Aquatics
  2. Club Sports
  3. Fitness & Wellness
  4. Informal (Drop-In) Recreation
  5. Intramural Sports
  6. Outdoor Adventure

SRWS are comprised of the following facilities:

  • Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SWRC): Amenities include a leisure pool with a current river and vortex, spa, jogging track, cardio and strength equipment, three multi-function gyms, group exercise studios, rock climbing wall and adventure equipment rental.
  • Ocasek Natatorium (ONAT): Amenities include an Olympic-size swimming pool, racquetball courts and wallyball courts.
  • Central Hower South Gym: This gym provides opportunities for Intramural Sports, and Club Sports practice and competition.

Residence Life and Housing

http://www.uakron.edu/reslife
330-972-7800
reslife@uakron.edu

The Department of Residence Life and Housing is administratively responsible for managing the University's student housing program. The University provides reasonably priced, clean, convenient and secure residence hall facilities. In addition, the residence hall program is committed to providing a meaningful living/learning environment which directly supports the education, social and personal development of each student. The Department of Residence Life and Housing supervises and manages nine (9) on-campus residence hall facilities accommodating approximately 2,400 students. Students are encouraged to apply for residence hall accommodations as soon as possible.

Freshman Residential Policy Requirement

The University of Akron is committed to providing a learning environment supportive of its academic mission and complementary to its academic programs. The University acknowledges that national studies find that first-year freshman uniquely benefit from a residence hall experience. Social integration and access to faculty, staff and institutional resources are enhanced through an on-campus residential experience. The University considered and accepted findings that living on-campus positively influences academic persistence and success, including degree completion. For all these reasons, all first-year freshman students at The University of Akron are required to reside in University residence halls for the duration of their freshman academic year at the University as long as space is available. Upon admission to the University, all first-year freshman students will be required to make application for residence in University housing and will be assigned and assessed appropriate room and board fees, so long as space is available and/or unless the student is subject to one of the exemptions below.

Exemptions to the Freshman Residential Policy include:

  • Permanent home residence with parents or legal guardians who reside in: Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit or Wayne counties
  • Registered for fewer than 6 credit hours
  • 21+ years of age
  • Military experience 1+ years (proof of service required)
  • Married (proof of marriage required)
  • Student is parent with custodial care responsibilities (proof of custody care required)
  • Permanent home residence of parents or legal guardians who reside outside Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, or Wayne countries AND such residence is 25 miles or fewer from main campus (proof of residence is required).
  • Other extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to special dietary needs or conditions, cultural or religious needs or accommodations, undue hardship, or an other circumstance(s) in support of an exemption which, if not granted, would undermine or contravene the purpose of the Freshman Residential Requirement Policy

Students seeking exemption from the Freshman Residential Policy should log into MyAkron and click on the Manage Housing portal. Here students will find a link to fill out the appropriate online form.

The Department of Student Life/The Jean Hower Taber Student Union

https://www.uakron.edu/studentlife/
https://www.uakron.edu/studentunion/
330-972-7866

Within the Jean Hower Taber Student Union, there are many offices and services to enhance your collegiate experience. The staff is committed to building community through collaborative learning experiences that provide our students the opportunity to engage, serve and lead. The department includes the following:

  1. Student Organization Resource Center (SOuRCe),
  2. serveAkron,
  3. Fraternity and Sorority Life,
  4. Zips Programming Network,
  5. Campus Programs,
  6. Event Planning Services,
  7. Student Employment.

The Jean Hower Taber Student Union is comprised of the following facilities:

Amenities include: PNC Bank; Campus Bookstore; 7 retail food operations (Auntie Anne's, Chic-Fil-A, Freshens, Panda Express, Qdoba, Starbucks, & The Union Market); DocuZip (shipping and printing services); The Roo Lounge (game room); and ample study space, lounges, meeting rooms, The Grand Ballroom and Gardner Theatre. Other offices located in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union include: Dean of Students Office, Career Services and Student Employment, ESports, and Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Graduate Student Government (GSG), and Black Excellence Commission (BEC) office suites.