Welcome
BRING YOUR STUDENTS TO ASHLAND THIS YEAR!
If you're looking for affordable, comfortable housing and an easy way to arrange meals for a large group, come stay at Southern Oregon University!
Come for the educational experience of a lifetime to see plays at the Tony-Award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival here in Ashland. Stay in special guest halls available year-round, dine in the Hawk dining facilities, take theater classes on campus, explore famous Lithia Park, go rafting on the Rogue River, and tour the historic gold-mining town of Jacksonville.
Every year, SOU Conferences houses 10,000 visitors who range from middle school students to athletic camps. Attracted by the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival repertory theater and Ashland's unique cosmopolitan-yet-small-town atmosphere, it's quite common to have groups return to visit us year after year.
Nestled between the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges, Southern Oregon University has been named one of the top "hidden gems" by The New York Times in an article ranking the 20 best schools in the country. We'd be delighted to arrange a special presentation for your middle school students or a campus tour for high school or college-age students.
QUESTIONS?
Call us at (541) 552-6375 or email conferences@sou.edu. We're looking forward to working with you!
Who is Eligible?
Your group will fall into one of the following categories:
Athletic Camps/Youth Activities:
Cheer and dance camps, football, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and softball camps bring a high level of energy to our campus every summer. We have a weight room, two gyms, a dance studio, and a rock climbing wall, plus athletic fields, running track, and tennis courts. To check out availability of our athletic facilities and trainer services please contact the SOU Athletics Office at 541-552-6772.
Oregon Public Educational Institutions:
An optional way to enhance the educational experience of your students is to enroll in educational programming through the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office. This is an outstanding way to immerse your students in the study of theater. For more information please visit the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office webpage or call 541-552-6333.
Other Educational Groups: (Including Oregon private schools)
Other educational organizations are required to register for a minimum of four (4) hours of educational programming through the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office. Alternatively, some groups qualify by holding their own classes on campus when the group's instructor has been appointed adjunct faculty through the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office or extended campus programs. Adjunct status must be renewed yearly. For details about educational programming please visit the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office webpage or cal 541-552-6333.
Housing & Dining Rates
Housing Information
We have a variety of housing options for you to choose from to help make your trip to Ashland a success. Our housing rates start at $26 per person, per night. Please contact us at conferences@sou.edu to discuss rates and accommodations.
Dining Information
Our convenient dining options allow you to choose which meals you want each day to match your group’s schedule. In The Hawk Dining Commons our customers will enjoy a variety of foods created by our dedicated culinary team. The Hawk provides foods for vegans, vegetarians, and meat lovers alike. From home-style classics to ethnic cuisine and healthy entrees, there is sure to be something for everyone. Each group member will receive a convenient meal card with the meals on it that you selected for your group.
Discounted rates are available for youth-aged groups. For more information on our campus food services and to view catering and boxed lunch options, please visit our SOU Catering webpage.
Meal cards are for The Hawk Dining Commons only. We also have The Landing, a convenience store next to The Hawk, that accepts cash or card, which provides snacks and drinks to go.
Hawk Dining Commons Meal Prices
Youth Group Breakfast: $7.75
Youth Group Lunch/ Brunch: $8.75
Youth Group Dinner: $12.00
Adult Group Breakfast: $8.25
Adult Group Lunch: $9.75
Adult Group Dinner: $12.50
Hawk Dining Commons Meal Hours
Academic Year - Weekdays
Breakfast/ Brunch: 7:00 am - 10:30 am
Lunch: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Academic Year -Weekends
Breakfast/ Brunch: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Summer Hours
Breakfast: 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Lunch: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Dinner: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Quick Facts
- You need to have a minimum of 15 people in your educational group and stay a minimum of 2 nights
- All bedding -including pillows and towels- is provided for your group
- Bathrooms are shared and are located "down the hall"
- Lodging is available year-round
- During the academic year, your group will be assigned to a special conference hall. Our SOU students are housed in their own residence halls
- You have until 30 days prior to your arrival on campus to make changes in your number of participants or meal plan (Until 60 days prior to arrival for groups of 100 or more)
- Campus parking permits may be purchased upon arrival at any campus parking permit kiosk
- Buses are not permitted to park in campus lots
- Alcohol is not allowed in public areas on campus; all indoor areas are smoke-free
- Youth groups are required to have chaperones (one adult to ten minors)
- Pack flip flops and a robe for trips to the bathroom; bring an alarm clock and hair dryer
- Four hours of theater classes are a requirement for all groups who do not have adjunct status or are not with an Oregon public school. For details contact the Shakespeare Studies Visiting Group Office at shakespeareworkshops@sou.edu or 541-552-6333
- Each hall is "locked down" at night, but guests have exterior door access
- A staff member is available from 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, to assist your group
- Staying at SOU is a great way to introduce your students to university life and to open up a whole new world of experiences for them. Imagine the possibilities!
Photos/Floor Plans
The residence halls at Southern Oregon University are smoke and incense free. Our halls are designed to be comfortable and friendly. There are six options on campus for conference housing: Cox Hall, Baker Hall, Greensprings Complex, McLoughlin Hall, Shasta Hall, and Madrone Apartments.
For descriptions of each residential area, click below:
Cox Hall Standard
Cox Hall Suite
Baker Standard
Program Advisor Check List
We are pleased you have chosen Southern Oregon University for your educational program and we look forward to helping you plan your visit! Please keep and use this checklist to arrange your stay on campus.
Make your reservation:
- Call (541) 552-6375 or email your date inquiry to conferences@sou.edu
- Complete the Conference Registration Form
- Once your paperwork is approved you will receive a Conference Group Agreement
- Return your signed agreement and deposit
- Submit a certificate of insurance showing your group has general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
Before you arrive:
- For groups less than 100 participants, you may change the number of participants and your meal plan up to thirty (30) days before your arrival
- For groups of 100 or more participants, you may change the number of participants and your meal plan up to sixty (60) days before your arrival
- Complete the blank floor plan with roommate assignments, noting those who are chaperones, at least one (1) week prior to arrival
- Send an itinerary, at least one (1) week prior to arrival
- Provide a cell phone number so we can contact you on campus in case of emergency
- Call the provided duty phone number approx 1 hour before arrival
Packing for Ashland is easy!
- We provide all bedding: sheets, blankets, pillows and towels (Confirm with your group leader)
- Bring layers of clothing, a lightweight jacket and good walking shoes. Even the theater is casual dress!
- Bring a robe and flip flops for trips to the bathroom
- As a suggestion, leave expensive electronics and jewelry at home.
Theatre Programs for Visiting Groups
Enrollment in the Shakespeare Studies program is required of all out-of-state groups (and of in-state groups unaffiliated with Oregon public educational institutions) who choose to stay on the SOU campus. During your visit each student must receive a minimum of four hours of educational programming on the SOU or Oregon Shakespeare Festival campuses. This requirement can be fulfilled by SOU offered classes, OSF classes*, or by your qualified instructor (must be approved in advance by Shakespeare Studies and have at least a M.A. in English or Theatre required).
For more information on programs available for visiting groups, visit their website: http://sou.edu/shakespeare/groups.html.
*Oregon Shakespeare Festival Workshops, Discussions, Prologues, and Exploring Design classes can fulfill the SOU educational requirement for visiting groups. These programs must be ordered directly from OSF Group Sales (541-488-5406) at least 3 weeks in advance. Maximum 50 students (80 students for Prologues). OSF Backstage Tours do not fulfill the SOU requirement.
