Occidental CollegeStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Occidental College. Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Los Angeles, CA. Operating on a semester system.

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2K+

Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

26

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall 2026

The semester, explained for Occidental College

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall 2026
Campus terms
41
Local details
29

Academic calendar

Fall 2026 runs Aug 17, 2026 – Dec 10, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

4 entries
  1. Summer 2026
  2. Fall 2026Relevant now
  3. Spring 2027
  4. Summer 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

41 terms

A

ASOC
Associated Students of Occidental College, the primary student government body.

B

Bell-Young
A residence hall typically housing first-year students, often referred to by its hyphenated name.
Berkus
Berkus Hall, the newest and largest residence hall on campus, formerly known as New Dorm.
BY
Bell-Young Hall, a residence hall often referred to by its initials.

C

Chilcott
Chilcott Hall, a residence hall known for being partly shaded by the Weingart Center.
CSP
Cultural Studies Program, the mandatory first-year seminar and core curriculum requirement.

D

DEB
Diversity and Equity Board, a branch of student government focused on campus equity.
Detox
The name of the Occidental men's Ultimate Frisbee team.
Dining Dollars
The currency associated with student meal plans used specifically for food on campus.

E

Erdman
Erdman Hall, a residence hall known for its distinct architecture and social atmosphere.

F

Flex
Flex Dollars, the declining balance currency used for purchasing food on campus.
Fountain Hopping
The campus tradition of jumping into various campus fountains, often during celebrations.

G

GB
Common shorthand for The Green Bean coffee shop.

I

Io Triumphe
The traditional college cheer, often recited at athletic events and graduation.

K

KOXY
The student-run campus radio station.

M

Meal Credits
The currency used in the Marketplace for specific meal periods.
Meal Plan
The required dining contract for students living in campus housing.

N

Newcomb
Newcomb Hall, a residence hall located near the Marketplace patio.
Norris
Norris Hall, which includes the 'Norris Blue' section and is located near the Green Bean.

O

O-Points
The declining balance currency used on student meal plans for campus dining.
O-Team
The Orientation Team, students who lead move-in and welcome week activities.
Oxy
The universal shorthand for Occidental College.
Oxy-Cash
Declining balance funds loaded onto a student ID card for use at campus dining and the bookstore.
OxyCash
A declining balance account on the student ID used for campus dining, laundry, and the bookstore.

P

Pauley
Pauley Hall, a residence hall often associated with themed living communities.

R

REHS
Residential Education and Housing Services, the office responsible for campus housing and dorm life.
RESL
Residential Education and Student Living, the office managing housing and dorm life.

S

SLICE
Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement, the hub for clubs and volunteering.
Stearns
Stearns Hall, a centrally located residence hall known for its social atmosphere.
Stewie
Stewart-Cleland Hall, a common first-year residence hall known for its lack of air conditioning.

T

The Bowl
The Remsen Bird Hillside Theater, an outdoor Greek-style amphitheater.
The Cooler
The Tiger Cooler, a late-night dining spot and cafe located in the Samuelson Alumni Center.
The Green Bean
The student-run coffee shop located in the Johnson Student Center.
The Hill
The steep incline leading up to the upper residence halls and athletic facilities.
The MP
The Marketplace, the primary dining facility located in the Johnson Student Center.
The Oxy Bubble
The feeling of being isolated or disconnected from the rest of Los Angeles while on campus.
The Quad
The Academic Quad, the central grassy area surrounded by major academic buildings.
The Quad
A collective term for the residence halls surrounding the central grassy area, including Chilcott, Braun, and Norris.
The Rock
Eagle Rock, the nearby geological landmark and neighborhood the college is situated in.
The Tunnel
The network of underground utility tunnels that are a frequent subject of campus urban legends.

W

WAC
Women's Air Corps, the name of the Occidental women's Ultimate Frisbee team.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

29 details
Add/Drop
The initial period of the semester when students can change their course schedules without penalty.
Bengal Bus
The student-run shuttle service providing transportation to local shopping and transit hubs.
berkus_hall_saturday_dinner
Berkus Hall Saturday Dinner
Camp Saf
Common shorthand for Campus Safety, the 24/7 security and emergency service on campus.
Campus Safety
The 24/7 security service (often called 'Camp Saf') responsible for campus protection and lockouts.
Clapp
Mary Norton Clapp Library, the main campus library.
Clearance
The mandatory semesterly process of confirming enrollment, paying bills, and clearing holds to officially attend classes.
Fowler
Fowler Hall, an academic building often associated with the math and science departments.
GET
The mobile app used by students to manage their meal plans, check balances, and add OxyCash.
Hameetman
The Hameetman Science Center, the primary facility for physics and geology departments.
Handshake
The primary platform used by the Hameetman Career Center for student jobs and internships.
J-Lib
The Mary Norton Clapp Library, specifically referring to the Jeffers (J) side or the library as a whole.
Johnson
Johnson Hall, a primary academic building located near the center of campus.
Late Night
Specific dining hours at the Tiger Cooler, often extending until 2:00 AM on weekends.
marketplace
Marketplace
Oxy ID
The multi-purpose student identification card used for building access, dining, and library services.
Swan
Swan Hall, a major academic building housing many faculty offices and classrooms.
The AGC
The Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center, the main administrative building on campus.
The Bio
The Bioscience Building, used for science classes and research labs.
The JSC
Johnson Student Center, the hub for dining, student orgs, and the bookstore.
The Lib
The Mary Norton Clapp Library, the central library on campus.
The Library
The Mary Norton Clapp Library, the main academic library on campus.
The Post Office
The campus mail center located in the Johnson Student Center for student packages and mail.
The Tiger
The independent, student-run newspaper of Occidental College.
The Tunnel
The underground walkway connecting the Marketplace to the lower level of the Johnson Student Center.
The Tunnels
A system of utility tunnels running beneath the campus, often the subject of student lore.
the_green_bean
The Green Bean
Thorne
Thorne Hall, the large auditorium used for major performances, lectures, and events.
tiger_cooler
Tiger Cooler

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall 2026 runs Aug 17, 2026 – Dec 10, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
41 approved campus terms and 29 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Occidental College

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    ID Card Photo Upload Deadline

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    New Student Move-In Day

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    Health Insurance Waiver Deadline

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Find a few communities to try at Occidental College

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

22 mapped items from 6 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Associated Students of Occidental College (ASOC) Senate

The official student government, serving as the voice for the student body, allocating funds to student organizations, and acting as the main legislative body for ASOC.

Regular commitment

Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha

A local sorority at Occidental College focused on philanthropy, service, and social activities.

Invite only

Source: oxy.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Diversity and Equity Board (DEB)

A branch of ASOC that works toward empowerment and improved conditions for structurally marginalized groups on and off campus.

Source: oxy.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Easy to try first

KOXY Radio

The student-run radio station serving the Occidental campus and Northeast L.A. with diverse music, concerts, and cultural events.

Drop in any time

Source: oxy.edu · Verified 1 month ago

SpringFest

An annual concert and festival planned by the Oxy Programming Board, featuring musical artists and community activities.

Drop in any time

Source: oxy.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Resources & spaces

Emmons Wellness Center

Offers medical services, psychological counseling, and wellness education to support student health.

Open to all

Hameetman Career Center

Provides resources, trainings, and advising to help students explore career, internship, and graduate school options.

Open to all

Using DormWay at Occidental College

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Occidental College on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

2

Active Students

4

Syllabi Analyzed

4

Courses on DormWay

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Popular Courses

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Current Advances in Neuroscience and AIEmpirical Methods in Cognitive ScienceFormal LogicThe Art of Essay Writing: Writing in Class, Whiteness and Conflict

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Life in Los Angeles for Occidental College Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Los Angeles.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$2,200

Cost of Living Index

175

Student Population

600,000

City Transportation

Walkability

65

Bikeability

55

Public Transit

Los Angeles Metro Rail, Metro Bus, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Metrolink commuter rail

Nearest Airports

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Mediterranean

Avg Annual Temp

64°F

Avg Snowfall

0.1 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Gilman Road Parking Structure

garage • Limited

Lower level for Faculty/Staff; Middle level for Students.

Main Entrance (Parking Lot A)

surface_lot • Limited

Located near Bell Field and Rush Gymnasium.

Upper Stearns Lot

surface_lot • Limited

Includes ADA accessible parking.

Campus News

Latest updates from Occidental College

Occidental Welcomes Class of 2030 New First-Year and Transfer Students

The Oxy community enthusiastically welcomed the new Class of 2030 and transfer students as they began their journey at the college.

Aug 28, 2026

Read More

Anahid Yahjian '11 Named 2026 MAC Artist-in-Residence

Filmmaker and alumna Anahid Yahjian returns to campus as the Media Arts & Culture Department's 2026 Artist-in-Residence.

Aug 19, 2026

Read More

Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame Adds Six

Six new members will be inducted into the Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming & Family Weekend in October.

Aug 18, 2026

Read More

Perenchio Foundation Awards $750,000 Grant to Support OXY ARTS Incubator

A three-year investment will help create new pathways from undergraduate arts education to professional careers in Los Angeles.

Aug 18, 2026

Read More

Daily Crime Log: No crimes reported for September 1, 2, or 3, 2026.

Daily Crime Log: No crimes reported for September 1, 2, or 3, 2026.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Occidental College

Parent Coffee Chat #1

September 9, 2026

Zoom

A virtual coffee chat for parents and families to connect with the college.

Women's Soccer vs Justice University

September 9, 2026

Occidental College

Occidental College Women's Soccer home game against Justice University.

ACHO: CINEMA OF ARMENIAN GIRLHOOD — Screening and Discussion

September 10, 2026

Occidental College

A screening and discussion event focused on Armenian girlhood in cinema.

Obama Scholars Program Applicant Info Session

September 10, 2026

Occidental College

Information session for students interested in applying for the Obama Scholars Program.

One Step Beyond: Opening Reception

September 10, 2026

Occidental College

Opening reception for the 'One Step Beyond' event.

Alumni Abroad: Portugal Through Wine & Cheese

September 13, 2026

Somm Space, Austin, TX

An alumni event featuring Portuguese wine and cheese led by Cecilia Barretto '06.

Book Talk & Signing: Jason Bell, 'Operation Sparrow'

September 24, 2026

Occidental College

Historian Jason Bell discusses and signs his book 'Operation Sparrow'.

Pre-Health 101: Planning Pre-Health Courses

September 24, 2026

JSC Morrison

Advising session for freshman and transfer students considering a pre-health pathway.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Occidental College

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

25 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

Baldwin House

Capacity: 20

Room types: house

Bell-Young Hall

Capacity: 156

Room types: unknown

Berkus House

Capacity: 271

Room types: house

Braun Hall

Capacity: 138

Room types: double

Chilcott Hall

Capacity: 87

Room types: unknown

E. Norris Hall

Room types: unknown

Erdman Hall

Capacity: 100

Room types: suite

First-Year Halls (5 total)

Room types: double, triple

Food Justice House

Room types: house

Haines Hall

Room types: corridor

Johnson Hall

Room types: corridor

Mixed Halls (First-Year & Upper-Division)

Room types: double, triple

Newcomb Hall

Room types: unknown

Orr Hall

Capacity: 90

Room types: double

Pauley Hall

Capacity: 100

Room types: suite

Rangeview Hall

Room types: apartment

SAE House

Room types: house

Sophomore Experience Halls

Room types: double, suite

Stearns Hall

Room types: double

Stewart-Cleland Hall

Capacity: 87

Room types: suite

The Bungalows

Room types: apartment

Themed Living Communities

Theta House

Room types: house

Upper-Division Halls (6 total)

Room types: single, double, suite

Show the remaining 1 housing options

Wylie Hall

Room types: unknown

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@occidentalcollege.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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