Can a person join Courtyard after fall term begins?

Students can typically move into Courtyard any time of the year if there is space available. Contact our director for information about current availability.

Who oversees Courtyard?

Courtyard is a ministry of Relevance, a 501(c)(3) charitable ministry whose vision is “To produce, promote, distribute, and exhibit the relevance of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in all forms of art, music, and communication, to all peoples, through all methods.” Relevance is not associated with any one denomination or church, rather it’s mission is to work in collaboration with all churches to reach people for Jesus Christ. Courtyard is a means to achieve that vision in two specific ways. (1)Through providing an environment for Christian students to grow and learn through discipleship and serving the community and (2) by providing public teaching and activities that welcome the community in to see the relevance of Jesus Christ. Relevance is run by a board of 7 members and meets throughout the year to oversee Courtyard.

How many students live at Courtyard?

There is room for 48 students to live full time at the house. The rooms all range in size including 4 apartments that have kitchens. Every room has it’s own private bathroom.

Are there house meetings that Courtyard residents are required to attend?

Yes, there are weekly short meetings that are required for all residents. These meetings are on Monday nights, from 6-7pm. The goal of the meetings are to discuss announcements, celebrate birthdays and life events, share what’s going on in our lives, have small groups, prayer time, and anything else that comes up. It’s a great opportunity for connection for the whole house.

How does the house handle food allergies or special dietary needs that residents might have?

Our cook creates the menu each week but she is great about working with our residents. If you have certain allergies that you need to have addressed while living at Courtyard, you will need to talk to our cook before the beginning of the school year to insure that we will have some menu items suitable to your needs.

What furniture is provided by the house for the residents?

• Wardrobe or personal storage space. The dimensions vary, but the average size of the wardrobe is 45” tall by 22” wide by 24” deep.

• A desk. The tabletops vary. Most do not have drawers, so we suggest plastic bins or drawers to keep small items. All residents are welcome to bring their own desk.

• A bed. Each student gets either a top or bottom bunk. These beds are a standard twin. All residents are welcome to bring their own mattress.

Is there a TV at the house?

Yes, we have a TV and DVD player in the lounge.

How many roommates will I have?

Each room is different and it ranges from 2 person rooms to a large 6 person room. Many rooms have 2 separate rooms (a sleeping porch and living room) and each room has it’s own bathroom. Roommates are chosen once you have signed your contract and are chosen by our house director. All new residents fill out a roommate questionnaire to give specific information about yourself including your sleeping and organizational habits. Our director works very hard to match you with roommates that will work well with you.

Are residents allowed to have pets?

Fish in small tanks are the only pets residents are allowed to keep.

Is parking available?

Yes. Courtyard has 37 parking spaces. Parking is not an additional cost and is included in your lease.

How much does it cost?

Rates vary year to year. Please contact our director for our current rates.

What is included in the cost?

• A room with adequate space

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday-Friday. (Meals are only provided on school days. Meals are not provided on weekends, school holidays, holiday breaks, and during the summer.)

• Wireless high-speed internet

• All utilities

• Laundry facilities (These are not coin operated. Residents are required to supply their own laundry detergent.)

• Parking

• Christian mentorship

• Ministry opportunities and an environment to explore your gifts and talents

• A community of peers who want to encourage you and help you grow

Is there anything not covered in the cost? Any hidden fees?

All residents are required to provide a $200 damage deposit that will be returned at the end of the lease and a $70 supplies fee covering all the cleaning and paper supplies for the year. The lease also does not cover our yearly winter retreat. Our retreat is optional, and Courtyard works to subsidize costs every year to make it has inexpensive as possible. That’s it! No other fees required.

Is it mandatory for the residents to attend a specific church on Sundays, or are they able to attend a Christian church of their choice?

Residents are expected to attend a Bible-teaching church but are not required to attend one specific church. There are many good churches in Corvallis, and it is the goal of our staff to help each resident find a church they feel at home in.

How close is it to campus?

Courtyard is 2 blocks from Monroe Ave, the north edge of campus. Monroe has several coffeeshops, Chipotle, Dominos, American Dream Pizza, Qdoba, Yogurt Extreme, and several other restaurants within walking distance. Most of our residents walk to classes, others brave the streets on their bikes.

Is there a place for sports and outdoor activities?

Each year, there is an intramural sports program for OSU students with seasonal sports. Courtyard puts together teams of interested residents to participate in the various sports throughout the year such as flag football, basketball, volleyball and softball. Teams can be co-ed and enjoyed by those of all experience levels. If you don’t want to participate, you can always go cheer on the team! For other outdoor activities, Courtyard is aptly named for its outdoor space located in the center of the building. This space has trees, greenery, a fountain, and tables and is a great place for a BBQ, a quick snooze in a hammock, or to soak up some sun. Also, Chintimini Park is located just across the street where a field and court activities are available throughout the year. There are four sand volleyball courts, pickle ball courts, and a softball field.