Academic
Q: My daughter earned exceptional grades in high school. Will she do as well in college?
A: College is very different from high school. Students spend less time in class and more time in class preparation. College professors demand more than high school teachers, and the course material is covered at a faster pace. In order for your daughter to repeat her high academic performance, she'll need to commit to attend classes, take good notes on the class discussion, do the required reading, and study.
Q: What are the biggest adjustments during the first year?
A: Learning to discipline oneself and manage time are critical adjustments. College classes meet only every other day, or even once a week, but the workload is demanding. Students who feel like they have plenty of "free time" often don't utilize that time to study, because they think that they can do it later. Most experts recommend studying two hours for every one hour in class.
Q: Where can students go for assistance with classes?
A: The Tutoring Center is a great place to start. Also, students are encouraged to talk with their advisor, the teachers of their classes, and academic support services.
Q: What services are available for career planning?
A: The Career Services Center invites students to discuss career options, self-assessment, valuable skills, interests, goals, and job-seeking strategies. See Career Center for more information.
Student Life
Q: Is the meal plan required if my son or daughter lives on campus?
A: Yes, and there are a variety of meal plan options. See meal plans for more information.
Q: What should he or she bring for the residence hall room?
A: See the list of items to bring and items NOT to bring.
Q: What size are the beds in the residence halls?
A: All beds are twin size.
Q: When can my son or daughter move in?
A: Move-In Day is Saturday, August 23, beginning at 9 a.m. We ask that all students complete their move-in process by 4 p.m. so that they may participate in Orientation activities.
Q: Can I participate in Orientation activities?
A: Yes, in fact, several sessions are designed for the entire family. For more information, see Orientation Schedules.
Q: Can students stay in the residence halls during breaks?
A: While it's best for students to return home during breaks, the University allows students to stay on campus if necessary. Those requests must be made to the dorm supervisor.
Q: What if my son or daughter needs emergency care?
A: In the event that the illness/injury needs emergency care, your student will be transported to the ER by ambulance. Students are encouraged to carry their own primary insurance plan.
Q: Should my son or daughter receive the meningitis vaccine?
A: It is strongly recommended that they receive the vaccine if they are an incoming freshman living in the dorms. Any MD office or urgent care provider should have the vaccine available.
Q: What is there to do on campus?
A: Please see Activities and Clubs & Organizations for more information.
Q: What is there to do off campus?
A: Please see Local Community for more information.
Q: Why should my son or daughter choose a Christian college?
A: Objective facts are the same wherever your child goes to school. The difference is in the perspective from which those facts are viewed. At Ohio Valley, we explore the sciences, humanities, education, and the arts from a Christian perspective. We encourage students to develop their character and form their spiritual values. We don't sidestep the difficult issues, we just deal with them in a different way.
Miscellaneous
Q: What about computers and Internet connections on campus?
A: The main computer lab is located in room #142 of the Stotts Administration Center, and contains networked Pentium 4 2.8 GHz computers. Software available includes MS Office and several discipline-specific packages and tutorials. Internet access and email are available through the lab as well. Hours for the lab are posted each semester. Additionally, wireless Internet service is available in the residence halls. Students must provide their own wireless card, which must meet 802.11b/g standard. If your student's PC supports USB, we encourage you to purchase an external USB attached wireless card. Laptops will need a wireless PCMCIA card unless it is built into the computer. Students at Ohio Valley also have free access to an array of Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visual Studio.
Q: What are the dates for vacation?
A: The dates for school sessions and vacations can be found on the Campus Calendar.
Q: What is the mailing address for students?
A: All incoming mail and packages are received by Ohio Valley's mail services and should be addressed as follows:
Student Name
Student Mailbox Number
Ohio Valley University
1 Campus View Drive
Vienna, WV 26105
