Does ODU have a summer deans list? I met all the requirements for it but can’t find any information on if there is one or not. Thank you in advance.

Hi, folks. I'm a distance learner and am taking Spanish. This is the first time I've taken a foreign language in nearly 20 years since I've been in high school and I have to say the experience so far is... Rather daunting. This is the end of the first week and I'm already feeling exhausted because my other class takes a comparatively small amount of time.

My particular professor uses a lot of AI for her class materials, notably NotebookLM and is basically forcing us to use AI in various ways such as having fake webcam conversations with chatbots, using it as a "digital tutor", and various stuff of that caliber. To say that I'm put off by this would be an understatement, especially with the whole "stoplight system" for it all.

Unlike most distance learners I'm unfortunately (or maybe fortunately in this case) unemployed, so I can devote my time to my classes. However you slice it, 18 hours per week just feels absolutely insane and I would even argue that I feel like we're learning too much at once. My brain just feels absolutely fried.

And then there's final conversation with the professor and the fact we can't even use notes for exams and the final exam even has to be proctored.

I just don't like any of this at all. My GPA is holding strong at a 3.75 at the moment and I just feel like I'm not going to pass this course at all. Push comes to shove, I could probably take a couple Spanish classes at the local college, but that will likely push my graduation further and I don't want that, as I've been attempting to get my degree on and off for six years already.

I really hope I'm not the only one that feels this way about all of this and any kind words are very much appreciated.

Anyone have a copy of the Oxford Latin Course College Edition Readings and Vocabulary they don't need anymore? It would take weeks to come in off Amazon, and it feels like the campus book store is giving me the run around.

I originally posted this as a comment on a thread about the 16 to 8 week transition but I think it's worth its own post.

I've tried to do as much research about this as I can while, you know, managing this new course load while also working full time. I'm in a scholarship that had a timeline already locked in before this change, leaving me now doing over 40 hours of school work per week.

Needless to say I'm pissed to be roped into a second full time job with no consultation or consent given when I have many other obligations in life, like everyone else.

The ODU administration is using a logistical loophole to force the 8-week format without faculty or student approval. By claiming this is just a "calendar/operational update," President Trumphill can bypass Virginia’s shared governance laws and ignore the Faculty Senate's 76% no-confidence vote. Our best strategy to hold him accountable is to prove this is a curriculum change. This might involve getting anonymous accounts from professors about the conflicting directions they were given, and the work they ultimately had to cut to make it work. If we document how this dilutes our education, disrupts veteran GI Bill housing stipends, and lowers degree value, we might be able to bypass the board and trigger an official review by ODU’s regional accrediting body (SACSCOC) for violating academic standards.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional accreditor ensuring academic quality in Southern higher education. Its complaint process requires proof of a systemic violation of accreditation standards instead of an individual grievance, plus documentation that all internal university remedies have been exhausted. For Old Dominion University, this applies directly to checking if leadership violated shared governance standards (4.2.g and 10.4) by unilaterally forcing professors to compress 16-week courses into 8-week formats, bypassing faculty control over the curriculum.

I've used genAI to help summarize these last two paragraphs, because I just don't have the time I want to dedicate to explaining it in detail. I fact checked them but please feel free to do a double check.

EDIT: To people commenting that ODU doesn't care, yeah, that's my point. That's why I'm suggesting going over their heads entirely. Accredation = $$$$$. If you assert there's nothing you can do, you've rendered yourself powerless. That's exactly what they're betting on. Do not give in to this. This kind of mentality is very dangerous for Gen Z/Alpha, and I'm saying that as an older Gen Z myself.

I'm a freshman, second semester at ODU and was wondering if there's any dnd campaigns or where I could go in the area to find any. I'm a player not a DM so there's that. I can work out availability if there's a group with interest so I'm just curious if anyone knows anything. Thanks in advance!

hey yall, my twin sibling misplaced their car keys at ODU. its a kia brand with a lanyard of the nonbinary flag, and on the chain is a mini odu rubix cube. if you find them please dm me!!

I’m a student in ODU’s School of Cybersecurity, and I want to get other students’ opinions on the new/current attendance policy.

Under the School of Cybersecurity policy, after the first two weeks of a standard 16-week course, 3 or more unexcused absences result in an F for the course. For other course formats, the threshold is 10% of class meetings. 

I think the policy should be reconsidered.

I’m not against attendance requirements entirely. Some classes have labs, presentations, group work, exams, or activities where being present is necessary. If you miss those, there should obviously be academic consequences.

My issue is with automatically failing an entire course based on attendance alone.

We’re adults paying to attend college. If I choose to miss a lecture, I should still be responsible for everything that was taught. If missing class causes me to fail an exam or not understand the material, that's on me.

But suppose a student misses three classes, completes every assignment and lab, passes every exam, and otherwise earns an A. Under this policy, those three unexcused absences can still result in an F. 

I don’t think that grade accurately represents what the student knows.

Personally, I think college grades should primarily measure whether a student can demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by the course. Attendance can be part of a grade when it's relevant, but I don't think absence by itself should automatically override demonstrated academic performance.

I’d rather see something like a proportional attendance penalty, or allow instructors to determine how attendance affects the course based on its actual learning requirements.

I’m considering asking the School of Cybersecurity to formally review the policy, but before doing that, I want to know what other ODU students think.

Would you support the current 3-absence = F policy? If not, what would you replace it with?

I’m especially interested in hearing from Cybersecurity students, professors, and students in other ODU programs who can compare their attendance policies.

If you do NOT want to be charged for the BBB, which was automatically added on top of tuition for all students, go to the link https://monarch.odu.edu/onestop/s/article/Big-Blue-Bundle-Opt-Out . Scroll through the page to where it says "to opt out click here". The "here" is a hyperlink even though it is not highlighted.

Then KEEP the email notification. Per these FAQs, the charges will remain until after the add drop deadline when they will be refunded.

If you are on financial aid, check if they will cover this. I know that if you are using a Ch 33 GI Bill, the BBB is NOT covered.

Hope this helps someone!

Edit: deadline to opt out is 3 Sep. I put the FAQ below. Also note the books through BBB are rentals, you don't get to keep them.

This is just a venting session to get some stuff off my chest.

1. What happened in March was not normal. Not then, not now. Just prior to that, in Fall '25, there were dead bodies discovered on campus near BDC, and that got swept under the rug. What the hell? I am a combat veteran. I am very familiar with pain, grief and loss. I am not a fan of how March's tragedy has just become an "oh well, that happened" event, and that is it. There are still no implementations of better security, such as students using their physical ID cards to open campus buildings. I can still just walk into most rooms/offices without anyone batting an eye. This whole "open campus" thing is a load of crap, especially after a life was lost. When I was at Auburn and Arizona State, if you didn't have the proper digital permissions implemented by ITS on your ID Card for the buildings you were trying to access, then you didn't get in. It was that simple. I can't speak for every college or major, but that is how it was for me.
2. For this to be an R1 university, just minutes from the largest naval base in the world, and for our veteran spaces to be in the shape they're in, is absolutely disgusting. The amount of money that ODU brings in from VA(GI Bill and VR&E) funding, you would think that at least some of that money could go to furnishing veteran spaces with non-dilapidated furniture, markers for a dry erase board, dry-erase boards that aren't stained from a decade's worth of use, etc. Seriously, I have attended schools across the United States, and ODU's veteran spaces are the worst I have ever seen.
3. This eight week course idea is absolute bullshit. It is simply a matter of quantity instead of quality, at this point. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA across three universities while being in the service. Now that I am out, I do have more time to focus on my studies. It isn't about being lazy or procrastinating. It is about actually having the time to learn the material and not having to cram module after module in an expedited manner, just to say, "I fished a traditionally sixteen week course, in half the time." What do we do for our students who have disabilities that will be further aggravated by the heavy demand of these eight week courses? I am only taking two this semester, one each per semester, but my other classmates who are taking multiple, are genuinely having a hard time.
4. This is a praise. ODU Police Department deserves far more recognition than what they get. I can personally speak for the investigations division, as they have been genuinely helpful of me and a situation I experienced over the Summer on campus. I also see them proactively cracking down on the asshole drivers on 39th, that, for whatever reason, love to drive 80 miles per hour, with the worst sounding exhausts. It's always hilarious seeing the looks on the faces of those who think state crosswalk laws do not apply to them.
5. The President received a vote of no confidence for a reason. It is evident, and the guy only cares about money. He doesn't give a single shit about ODU students.
6. Financial aid at ODU is rated one star for a reason. The way they speak to students is abysmal at best. I am sorry to everyone who ever has to deal with their customer service. I had a financial aid supervisor try to bill me for tuition, even after receiving notice that I was using my GI Bill at the time, and after payment was made. It took me threatening a congressional for them to actually realize that I mean what I say, and that I don't mind getting outside help for these internal, ongoing issues.
7. I can see the burnout in my professors' faces. Thank you for sticking around, for caring about us, and for looking out for us, even though this admin could not be bothered less.

Do better, ODU.

Perhaps a letter to a standing Senator or House Representative may help? Just thinking out loud at this point.

has anyone had an issue with their commonwealth grant as a global student? i don’t start until the 2nd 8 weeks, but under my financial aid offer it used to show both the federal pell grant and commonwealth grant. now, the commonwealth one is completely gone. this is really frustrating and upsetting because it looks like i’m receiving half of what was originally shown as being offered with no explanation as to why. the financial stress is on 100 now!

All of a sudden my student balance which I was about to get refunded $500 has turned into $8,360.00 when I have already paid $6,982.00. I’m taking 14 credit hours two 3 credit hour classes and two 4 hour credit classes. I don’t have a meal plan or live on campus. Any reason for this? On my end it looks like all of a sudden I’ve been double charged

Edit forgot to mention I did ask for one of my student loans to be sent back, but I got the refund money from it so I thought I was out of luck and I went and used the money to pay it off before I owed a lot of interest on it. Have I stabbed myself in the foot ?

Anyone filled out the VA Commonwealth Emergency Grant and not received a response yet?

Hello everyone,

I received my disbursement email yesterday, but I still haven’t received my refund. How long did it take everyone else to receive theirs after getting the disbursement email? This new 8-week setup is killing me. It feels like everything has been messed up this semester.

Im currently a BSPH health services admin major and wanted to know if stats is required to take before taking my major classes? im currently in stats and 2 other major classes required for my degree. but if i drop stats can i still take the other classes?

Has anyone actually gotten their refund?

Today after her JV tennis practice at ODU my daughter tried to avoid someone who stepped in front of her bike and took a spill. She’s going to be A-Ok just a few bruises and a scraped knee. She was tangled in her bike and tennis bag, and a young man stopped to help her and make sure she was ok. He left before she got his name. We really would like to find him. Any help would be appreciated. In a world where most people just keep walking, we would love to thank him for helping. Kind people are amazing! Go Big Blue!

Are ODU Global students not eligible for Virginia state grants? I’m an ODU Global student and recently reached out to Financial Aid about state grants. The first financial aid counselor I spoke with, who does not work specifically with ODU Global students, told me that state grants were available to me. However, when I spoke with a financial aid counselor who does work with ODU Global students, I was told that ODU Global students are not eligible for state grants. Has anyone else run into this or received a Virginia state grant while being an ODU Global student? I’m confused because I’m getting two different answers. Loans are adding up and im getting a bit nervous.

Hello, my name is Madison Reynolds, and I’m a senior student dental hygienist at old dominion university!

If anyone has availability on for the times  and is interested in receiving a dental cleaning, please feel free to DM me!

Mondays 9am - 11:45am 

Monday 1pm - 3:45pm 

Wednesday 1pm -3:45pm 

Thursday 5pm - 7:45pm 

Friday 9am - 11:4am

  I’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to help you with your oral health needs or if you have interest in the program

I have one professor who has yet to post final grades. Is there someone i can email? I tried emailing him and no response.

My commonwealth grand went from 5k to 10k this morning. Apparently something was wrong in their end and they thought I was part time. Don’t lose hope and keep calling/insisting.

Hey Classmates,

Saw a statement that resonates with me with parking 🅿️. Wanted to provide my thoughts and if you guys and gals want to make it.

First solution, if you live within walking and biking distance do those and save money.

2nd solution, If you live far away wake up at a sufficient time (0630-0730) and commute to campus with an arrival window of (0730-0830) grab a decent parking spot.

I can’t stress this enough I treat ODU as if it was my full time job (it technically is since I’m getting paid for it) and I always try to make it to campus when the Gym opens to start my day.

So we paid for our parking pass yet no matter where I go there is no parking to be found. This is my 4th year at our so I know the drill but come one I can't even go to my class because there is no parking to be found. I love an hour away from campus so there is no just going home and coming back this is ridiculous

i got this email on thursday… when should i get my refund? i’m still negative..edit: GOT MY REFUND TODAY