What is OCH?

During Orientation Week, the Off Campus Dons (OCD) service is called Off-Campus Housing (OCH). OCH is a group of upper-year volunteers dedicated to helping students who are living off-campus adjust to university life. If you don’t live in residence, it can sometimes be tough to meet friends and become acquainted with the UW community. OCH is here to help you by placing you under the guidance of an off campus don, who you can go to for advice, information or just to chat. Our dons are an integral part of our Orientation Week and also plan fun events throughout the school year.

Why attend OCH’s Orientation Week?

This year OCH has many exciting events planned for you during our Orientation Week. You could find yourself cooking up a storm during our Iron Chef competition, chilling at our campfire, and duct taping your don to a wall. During the week, you will get a chance to meet the other students that are living off campus, as well as get a chance to meet your don and find out about the great services that will be available to you during your time at UW.

What about after Orientation Week?

Our Off-Campus Dons are already in the process of planning tons of thrilling events for you that you are invited to participate in following Orientation. During the year we will be holding events such as bowling, movie nights, laser quest and themed parties. These events are a great way to get reacquainted with friends from Orientation Week as well as meet new ones.

So you're living off campus, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take advantage of all the amazing opportunities UW has to offer its students. Stay connected to campus through the Off Campus Dons!

Off Campus Dons (OCD) is a service run by the Federation of Students (FEDS). We are a group of volunteers dedicated to helping first-year students - who live off campus - make the transition from high school to university life. We serve as a friendly, approachable resource for guidance and support for these students.

Students register with us on the first day of Orientation Week, when we are referred to as Off Campus Housing. Then each of them is paired up with an upper-year student, their Don, whom they can approach for advice, information, or just to chat. Throughout the year, Dons contact students by e-mail to inform them about resources, events, and opportunities around campus.

If you would like to become more involved with OCD, you may be interested in applying to be an Orientation Leader, a Director for Orientation Week, an Off Campus Don, an OCD Executive, or a Federation Orientation Committee (FOC) member. These positions provide amazing networking opportunities as well as allow individuals to gain valuable experiences, develop their skills, and contribute to the UW student community.