In order to begin the application and room reservation process, you must be admitted and confirm your enrollment to Old Dominion University. Once admitted, you need to activate your MIDAS ID online. Follow the new user instructions to setup your account. You will have access to the ODU Housing Portal within an hour of activation.
The ODU Housing Portal is a system that allows you to submit an electronic application and reserve a room. The ODU Housing Portal allows you the convenience of selecting your own building, room, and roommate(s) based on availability.
All students, current and prospective (must have confirmed to attend ODU), may enter the ODU Housing Portal.
Visit the ODU Housing Portal.
A couple of things could be happening that are preventing your access.
- Have you confirmed your admission to the University? If not, you need to do that through Undergraduate Admissions before you will have access to the application. After confirming your admission, it may have up to 48 hours to gain access to the ODU Housing Portal.
- Have you activated your MIDAS username and password? If not, visit www.midas.sanmingzhi.net to start that process.
If none of the above answer your issue, please email our office for assistance.
The ODU Housing Portal has a step-by-step application process. In order to successfully complete the application and room selection process, students are encouraged to read and follow directions on each screen in the portal. If you have questions navigating through the portal, please contact Housing & Residence Life at (757) 683-4283.
The ODU Housing Portal for prospective students, who have confirmed admission, generally opens in January. Therefore, all new, incoming students can enter the ODU Housing Portal to complete the first half of the application process. If a Room Reservation Timeslot has not been set, the system will stop you until a Room Reservation Timeslot has been generated for you.
A $250 application fee must be paid in order to complete your electronic application in the ODU Housing Portal. Please keep in mind, priority of room selection is based on the date of the application completion; therefore, you should submit as soon as possible.
Waivers are available for $200 of the application fee. The waiver form is available in the Housing Portal and you must provide proof of financial necessity (Pell eligible, etc.).
A Room Reservation Timeslot is the time and date you will be given to participate in selecting a room on-campus. Room Reservation Timeslots will be generated based on the number of applicants who have applied at the time of generation. You will be notified of your timeslot by email.
If you miss your Room Reservation Timeslot, you may still have an opportunity to sign up for a space, based on availability. If your sign up period has expired, you can still enter the system until the last timeslot ends.
No. Students do not need to fill their room/suite in order to reserve a space. Students can participate in the assignments process as an individual.
If you would like to change the preferences on your application please log back into your application and make any updates. Incoming, new ODU Students can make edits and updates through June 1; after which time preferences are finalized.
Different buildings are allocated to different populations; students can only preference buildings based on their population (i.e. first-year vs. returning student).
Housing assignments are facilitated on a first-come, first-served basis. Even though some students will apply early, many other students with similar preferences may have already applied. So remember, it's not just a question of applying early, but also how many other students have the same preferences as you.
Remember that your housing application was for a space on campus, not a particular assignment. While we work to accommodate preferences, we cannot make those guarantees. Cancellations received by May 15 are eligible for a partial credit of $200 of the application fee (if applicable).
After the initial cancellation deadlines students are only able to be released from the Housing and Dining Agreement under certain conditions; please refer to our Cancellation section of the website for further information and guidance.
You may cancel your reservation through the ODU Housing Portal. You will need to select the application you are canceling and the last page of the application is an electronic cancellation form. In order to have your deposit refunded you must cancel before the priority cancellation deadline, May 15. Please refer to our Cancellation section of the website for further information and guidance.
Old Dominion University does not have an on-campus residency requirement, so no students are required to live on campus.
Students who apply after May 15 will be assigned throughout the summer via the auto allocation process based on availability.
There might be instances where vaccinated students and non-vaccinated students are roommates. ODU affords housing to vaccinated students and students that are not vaccinated because they have qualified for the medical and/or religious exemption.
CDC approved safety measures are still being taken as all unvaccinated individuals are subject to weekly COVID-19 testing. If an unvaccinated student tests positive with COVID-19 or has a close contact exposure, they will be temporarily removed from their housing assignment and reside in quarantine/isolation.
Masks are not required in the students' residential room, however they are encouraged. Masks are required in community common areas and other campus buildings.
Housing & Residence Life sends all correspondence to your ODU email account. It is your responsibility to check your ODU email account periodically for any information regarding the application process or other Housing & Residence Life information.