Campus Life: What Parents Should Know
The University of Toledo is a home away from home for your student. We strive to make sure our students are provided with everything they need and desire - directly on campus. Since we’re located in the city of Toledo, UT offers many benefits to students like public transportation, internship opportunities, and access to malls, museums, sports venues and more! The following links provide useful information for you and your student about life at the University and in the city of Toledo.
Life at The University of Toledo
Life in the City of Toledo
On-Campus Housing
The University of Toledo has twelve residence halls, including a brand new facility opened for fall semester, 2005. Residence Halls are living-learning communities in which the staff will encourage your student to socialize, become involved and help them achieve academic success. Each hall offers network connections, cable hookups, laundry facilities and friendly staff to provide your student with the conveniences of home. Some even provide students access to a fully equipped kitchen! For more information about the residence halls visit UT’s Residence Life Web site.
Are freshman required to live on campus?
All full-time freshman students who are not living with parents or relatives are required to live on UT’s campus. Living in a residence hall provides a great opportunity for your student to adjust to college life. They will meet new people that may become life-long friends, learn how to live on their own while still having a resident adviser nearby for support, and be within walking distance to their classes and plenty of dining services! Also, research indicates that students who live on campus during their initial years are more likely to graduate.
If you have any questions or concerns about the University’s housing policy, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 419.530.2941 or 800.5TOLEDO.
What if my student is living at home with me?
One exception to the mandatory on-campus housing requirement is if a student wishes to commute from home. If your student is commuting, they are still able to purchase a Commuter Student Meal Plan for use while they are on campus. This comes in very handy for breaks in-between classes, when there is not enough time to run home and grab a bite to eat! Visit the Commuter and Off-Campus Services Web site for more information.
What if my student wants to live off campus with a sibling/cousin already going to UT?
UT’s housing policy states, “all full-time freshman students who are not living with parents or relatives are required to live in University residence halls and participate in the food program. Once residence hall space is fully committed, this requirement is waived.” Therefore, it would be acceptable for a student to live with a sibling or cousin attending UT. However, keep in mind that living on campus allows your student to make connections with other students, get involved with campus activities and connect with the University. It may even increase their chances of graduating!
How safe are the residence halls?
The University of Toledo takes every precaution, within reason, to ensure that the residence halls are safe, yet comfortable. All halls have staffed information desks as well as student security workers who patrol residence hall floors between midnight and 7 a.m. The exterior doors to every hall are locked at 8:00 p.m. and students use their Rocket Card (student ID) to unlock the doors at night. Only students who reside in that specific residence hall will be able to gain access. Also, after 8:00 p.m. all guests are required to sign in and leave their ID with security personnel while they are visiting the residence hall.
The University of Toledo also has its own police department that provides 24-hour patrol of all University residence halls, academic buildings, on-campus Greek housing, grounds and parking lots by foot, mountain bike and vehicle patrol. Students may also call UT’s Night Watch/Escort Service at 419.530.4292 and request an escort to or from their vehicle, between buildings on campus, or to apartment complexes immediately adjacent to campus.
What should my student pack?
Packing the right items is essential for any trip, as well as the trip to college. It’s important to know what to take with you and what to leave at home when living on campus. Here’s a list of necessities that you don’t want your student to leave home without:
- An alarm clock – since you won’t be there to shake them out of bed
- A baseball hat – so they can hide that awful bed head
- A shower caddy and cheap pair of sandals for the shower
- Towels and other bathroom necessities
- A durable umbrella – yes, it does rain
- Bedding – sheets, comforter, pillows, and a mattress pad – but we can’t guarantee that they’ll make their bed
- Cleaning Supplies – even if they don’t clean at home
- Lots of storage boxes
- Personal care items they can’t live without
- Seasonal Clothing – no need to pack sweaters in August
- Extra socks and underwear – since you won’t be there to do their laundry
- A comfortable pair of walking shoes
- Desk supplies – paper, stapler, tape, scissors, etc.
- Clothes Hamper – the dirty clothes have to go somewhere other than the floor
- First Aid Kit – just in case, definitely include band-aids
- When bringing larger appliances like a microwave, TV, or refrigerator, have your student talk to their future roommate. No one needs two PlayStations!
For a list of items that are not permitted in the UT residence halls visit the Office of Residence Life’s F.A.Q page.
How’s the food at UT? (meal plans)
Whether your student is a health nut or addicted to junk food, their food cravings will be satisfied by UT’s dining services. Starbucks, Subway, KFC, and Magic Wok are only a few examples of some of the fast-food chains located directly on campus, not to mention the all-you-can-eat cafeterias! With so many options, your student will never be able to complain that there’s nothing to eat.
Is money management not your child’s strong suit? Don’t worry! With UT’s meal plans, you can be assured that there will always be money for food. Freshman residents can choose from two continuous dining meal plans to fit their specific needs. Also, no cash is involved. Students merely use their Rocket ID card to pay for meals at any of the University’s dining venues. The following links provide more information about UT’s Meal Plans and Dining Services.
Off-Campus Housing
The University of Toledo stays in-touch with our local community. The Office of Commuter and Off-Campus Services always keeps an up-to-date list of available housing options in the area for students. They will help your upperclassman student find an apartment, house or duplex to rent within their “college-student budget” as well as provide tips for renting, roommate connections, and information on local events.
Remember!! All full-time freshman and sophomore students who are not living with parents or relatives are required to live on UT’s campus. If you have any questions or concerns about the University’s housing policy, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 419.530.2941 or 800.5TOLEDO.
What is First Year Experience?
Adjusting to college isn’t always easy. Students are faced with a higher level of education and take on more responsibility while adapting to a new environment. This is why The University of Toledo has created its First Year Experience (FYE) initiative to help ease the challenges your student may encounter in their first year of college. UT’s FYE Office organizes events, provides support and connects first-year students to other beneficial offices, organizations or programs on campus. Visit the FYE Web site to learn more about the wide variety of services they offer.
How is Parking on campus?
Beginning fall semester of 2005, UT automatically issues a parking permit to each student upon registration. If the student does not wish to receive a parking permit, they must either “OPT-OUT” when they register or, if a permit is received, return the permit to the Parking Services Office (1610 Rocket Hall) before the end of the Add-Drop grace period for a full refund.
First-year students living on campus with less than 30 earned credit hours are required to park their car in a secure lot at the Scott Park Campus. A shuttle is provided to transport students from the lot to main campus. Students living off campus (commuter students) are able to park directly on campus in designated parking lots.
For more information, please visit the UT Parking Services' Web site.
How safe is UT’s campus?
The University of Toledo has its own police department that provides 24-hour patrol of all University residence halls, academic buildings, on-campus Greek housing, grounds and parking lots by foot, mountain bike and vehicle patrol. Students may also call UT’s Night Watch/Escort Service at 419.530.4292 and request an escort to and from their vehicle, between buildings on campus, or to apartment complexes immediately adjacent to campus.
Every year The University of Toledo Police Department publishes crime statistics, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and the Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998. These statistics can be found in a PDF format on the UT Police Department’s Web site.
What Student Activities are available?
There’s always something for your student to do at The University of Toledo! With nearly 200 student organizations – from social to professional, religious to athletic – there is something for every interest. Intramural sports, Circle K (a service organization), and the National Pan-Hellenic Council are just a few examples of organizations that students can join. The student activities Web site provides a complete list of all student organizations located on and off campus.
Will my student have access to Computer Labs?
Can’t afford to buy a computer for your student? No problem! With over 3,000 computers available in ten student-access computer labs (three open 24 hours a day) plus computer labs in every residence hall, there will always be a computer available!
What Technology is available on campus?
The University of Toledo has been named one of “America’s most wired colleges” by Yahoo! Internet Life Magazine for three consecutive years. UT was also the 200th member of Internet2, a consortium of 206 universities, partnered with industries and the government, working on expanding the possibilities of the broader Internet. In addition, the department of Educational and Informational Technology operates and manages computer technologies at UT while staying up to date with new technological developments, ensuring that The University is on the cutting edge.
What Telecommunication services are available?
We know how college students love to talk! Also, as a parent, you want to make sure your son or daughter calls home frequently. Therefore, UT provides its own telecommunication services, Rocket Telecom, to ensure that students have an inexpensive way to keep in touch with friends and family.
Rocket Telecom assigns a local telephone number and free local calls to each residence hall room. Also, for a mere $6 a semester, each student may purchase his or her own voice-mailbox. This way they can’t say they never knew you called! Second, domestic long distance calls are only $0.06 per minute 24 hours a day! Finally, the Rocket Freedom Cellular Service offers students five plans to choose from at very reasonable prices, so you can call them on their cell phone anytime! To learn more about the services offered, click the respective links in the text.
Will my student receive an E-mail Account?
YES! At UT’s orientation, Rocket Launch or Rocket Transition, every student will receive a username and a University assigned e-mail address as well as create a password to log into The University of Toledo Area Domain (UTAD) system and access their Microsoft Outlook e-mail account. Also, as a gift from UT, graduates are able to use their e-mail accounts for the rest of their lives!
What is the myUT Portal?
In order to eliminate the hassles of jumping from Web site to Web site, trying to register for classes, checking e-mail and reading the news, The University of Toledo is creating a new Web portal called myUT, opening in fall 2005, where everything can be accessed in one place! The new portal acts as a Web site “gateway” to multiple services. It will improve your student’s life online by only requiring him or her to sign on one time for all self-serving applications at the University, including Web for Students, My UT Account, WebCT online learning and more! For more information visit the Project EntERPrise Web site
Will my student have to pay for sporting events and other campus activities?
NO! Sporting events are free-of-charge to students taking classes at UT. All they need is their Rocket Card (student ID) to attend any home athletic event including football, basketball, softball games and more! Visit the UT Athletics Web site to find out when the Rockets are playing at home so your Rocket Fanatic can cheer on their favorite team! Tickets are available for parents as well; buy them on-line or call the ticket office at 419.530.GOLD.
A variety of other events also take place directly on campus, free-of-charge or at reduced prices to students with their student ID card. For a list of events, tell your student to continuously check the UT News Event Calendar.
City of Toledo
What activities are in the city for my student?
UT students can take advantage of the many activities that the city of Toledo offers. Maxwell’s Brew, located within walking distance of campus is a perfect setting to grab a snack and a cup of coffee to study with a group or relax with friends. They also feature live entertainment on the weekends! Or, if your student is into the arts, they can head downtown and catch a show at the Repertoire Theatre or visit the world-renowned Toledo Museum of Art and Center for Visual Arts, designed by the famous architect, Frank Gehry.
Looking for a little more action? Catch a ball at a Toledo Mud Hens AAA baseball game while visiting your student in the spring and summer or watch the Toledo Storm Toledo Storm hockey team battle on the ice in the fall and winter. Students can also form their own game of Frisbee golf or bike the trails at one of Toledo’s Metropolitan Parks. There are endless opportunities for entertainment on and off campus in Toledo. To learn more about what the city has to offer, visit Toledo’s Visitor Bureau or Toledo.com.
What are some of the companies that offer jobs/internships to students?
The University of Toledo has built strong, long-standing relationships with many local, national and even global companies through which students and graduates are able to obtain internship or job opportunities. Students in the College of Engineering are employed with companies like IBM, Honda, and Dana Corporation. Owens Corning, 3M, Proctor & Gamble, and Marathon Ashland Petroleum are examples of employers that the College of Business holds close relations with. The College of Health and Human Services works very closely with the Medical University of Ohio and students work in law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and schools as well. The College of Pharmacy works with companies like Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Abbott, and Microsoft. There are many opportunities for internships or future employment for UT students!
What public transportation is available?
The city of Toledo offers mass transportation through TARTA bus systems, making it easy for your student to travel around the city without a car. Flying is also convenient thanks to Toledo Express Airport, offering flights through American Eagle, Continental Connection, Delta Connection, NWA Airlink, TransMeridian Airlines and Vacation Express. Finally, Toledo offers international and domestic cargo facilities for ships at the Toledo Sea Port on the Maumee River.
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