Policies are outlined in the student life handbook. The policies were created by students to help make living in the residence halls and on campus a positive community experience. Students are encouraged to discuss resolving violations with each other recognizing that a violation of policy does mean taking responsibility for the consequences of that behavior. Some selected policies include smoking, visitation, alcohol, pets, and courtesy hours. All of the residential facilities at Otterbein are smoke free.
Visitation varies depending on the type of living environment.
In the Commons where residents have more privacy, there is open visitation. In the community setting of the residence halls, visitation is different based on an increased need to assure students privacy and promote increased security. Alcohol is not permitted on campus and is not sold in the City of Westerville proper. Turtles, hermit crabs, and aquarium fish are allowed as pets. Courtesy hours is a reminder to all that living in a residence hall means being sensitive to other student's studying and sleeping patterns.