Case Western University Housing, Residence Life, Greek Life

Case offers unparalleled opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue their academic goals in an environment that encourages success through living and learning. In the heart of Cleveland's University Circle area, the Case campus is an exciting location to live, learn and explore. The Office of Housing, Residence Life & Greek Life is committed to this goal by creating developmental and comprehensive living and learning communities.

Housing & Residence Life

The residence halls at Case provide an environment that is supportive of the academic mission of the university. Every student has something to contribute to our residential community, and the experience for every student is enhanced by living in this community. Residential students are more active in campus organizations and activities and have greater interactions with their faculty and peers. This results in students who are more satisfied with their college experience, perform better academically and are more likely to graduate. The residential experience is a powerful tool in promoting the bond between students and the university. Being a full-time student is an intense, stressful lifestyle. On-campus housing provides the quality, flexibility and student-friendly environment that best supports this lifestyle, yielding more satisfied and better-performing students.


Students live in communities with other students at a similar place in their undergraduate journey. New students live in a Residential College in the First Year Experience, in single and double rooms, and focus on the challenges of transitions, foundations and connections. The Second Year Experience emphasizes exploration, engagement and personal vision in areas with suite-style room configurations. The Upperclass Experience builds community around apartment living, with themes of focused experiences, application and future preparation. Within upperclass housing, students in their final year before graduation also experience programming targeted to reflection, transition, connections and celebrations. All residential communities are guided by live-in professional and paraprofessional residence life staff and active community councils.

Summer Conference and Guest Housing provide a pleasant, convenient and low-cost alternative to hotel or conference center rooms for groups and individuals. University facilities provide overnight accommodations and meeting spaces with many amenities such as wireless access, cable television, fitness equipment and cooking facilities. Meetings and programs serve both current students as well as outside groups visiting our campus.

Greek Life

A Greek organization is a group of individuals of similar interests bonded together by common goals and aspirations. These bonds are created through rituals in which all members participate. Rituals are based on common principles such as honor, friendship, truth and knowledge.

Fraternities and sororities have long been a part of student life at CWRU. In 1841, the first chapter was chartered at Western Reserve College (WRC), making Case the 14th college in the country and second college in Ohio to establish a Greek community. Since then, Greek life has grown to be the most popular activity at Case, with 18 fraternities and seven sororities.


Being a leader within a fraternity or sorority carries many responsibilities similar to running a business and provides experience in managing finances, maintaining a home and creating positive public relations. Our great Greek experience can go a long way to place members above the competition in a career search. Employers, graduate schools and professional programs all look at more than just grades. They are interested in a student's activities and what is learned through these activities.

Case Western University Welcome

Welcome to a snapshot of the services provided by the Division of Student Affairs at Case Western Reserve University.

Our primary mission is to serve our students and to ensure that they have an enjoyable and successful experience outside of the classroom.

More specifically, the staff of the division provide leadership in the development of services and programs that enrich student life, provide experiences that encourage students to participate in leadership roles, extend and enhance the academic experience, foster a just and humane climate and contribute to an environment that encourages personal growth and development.

Take the time to read through this publication and see how we demonstrate our mission.

Our institution of higher learning holds a unique past and an exciting future! Rich in history, strong in commitment to the “Case Way,” this snapshot will brief you on the proud tradition that is Case Western Reserve University.

Enjoy!