The Ultimate 2025 Guide To UW-Madison's Ogg Hall: Rates, Room Types, And The Southeast Social Scene
Planning your first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison? Frederick Ogg Residence Hall, simply known as Ogg Hall, is consistently one of the most sought-after dorms, especially for freshmen looking for a modern living experience right in the heart of the bustling Southeast Campus Area. As of the current academic year, Ogg Hall continues to be a central hub of student life, offering state-of-the-art amenities and a unique social structure that sets it apart from its historic neighbors.
This comprehensive guide, updated for the 2024-2025 academic cycle, cuts through the noise to provide you with the most essential, up-to-date details. You'll find everything from the latest projected housing rates and the specific room configurations to the highly social cluster-style living model that makes Ogg a legendary place to start your Badger journey.
Frederick A. Ogg: The Legacy Behind the Name
While Ogg Hall is known today for its modern architecture and prime location, the building is named in honor of a distinguished figure in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's history: Frederick Austin Ogg.
- Full Name: Frederick Austin Ogg
- Born: February 8, 1873, in Indiana
- Died: October 23, 1951
- UW-Madison Tenure: Served as a professor and influential faculty member for 34 years.
- Key Role: Professor of Political Science and Department Chair.
- Professional Recognition: Ogg was a prominent scholar and served as the president of the esteemed American Political Science Association.
- Original Hall: The first Ogg Hall, a massive two-tower building on Johnson Street that housed 950 students, was named after him and opened in 1965.
- Current Hall: The original structure was deemed too difficult and costly to renovate due to its unwieldy design, leading to its demolition in 2006. The new, modern Ogg Hall, located at North Park and Dayton streets, opened in August 2007 with a more manageable capacity of 600 residents.
2024-2025 Housing Details and Unique Cluster-Style Living
Ogg Hall’s design is a major factor in its popularity. Unlike traditional corridor-style dorms, Ogg utilizes a "cluster-style" floor plan that fosters a close-knit community among a small group of residents.
The Cluster-Style Floor Plan: Your Eight-Person Pod
The core of Ogg's social life is the cluster. This innovative design groups residents into small communities, creating a more intimate and less anonymous living environment.
- Cluster Configuration: Each cluster consists of four residence rooms that share a single, large bathroom.
- Shared Bathroom: The bathroom is typically shared by no more than eight residents (the occupants of the four rooms). This arrangement offers a balance between privacy and the convenience of having fewer people using the same facilities compared to a floor-wide communal bathroom.
- Room Types: The majority of resident rooms in Ogg Hall are configured as triples. This is a critical detail for incoming students to note, as sharing space with two roommates is the most common experience here. Coed clusters with gender-inclusive room options are also available.
Modern Amenities and Academic Resources
Ogg Hall is designed to support both the social and academic needs of its residents with a wealth of modern features.
- Air Conditioning: Ogg is one of the UW-Madison residence halls that features central air conditioning, a highly valued amenity during the warmer months.
- Kitchenettes and Lounges: Every floor in the building is equipped with at least two lounge spaces and a full kitchenette for resident use, perfect for late-night study breaks or cooking group meals.
- Academic Hubs: The hall is equipped with multiple academic resources, including two dedicated classrooms, a technology learning center, and tutoring rooms. The first floor also houses an office for Academic Advising.
- Creative Spaces: For music students or enthusiasts, a dedicated Music Practice Room is conveniently located on the lower level of the building.
The Ogg Hall Advantage: Location and Learning Communities
Ogg Hall's location in the Southeast Campus Area is arguably its biggest draw, placing residents at the epicenter of campus activity, dining, and recreation. Furthermore, its commitment to specialized learning communities enhances the freshman experience.
The Southeast Campus Vibe
Living in Ogg means you are fully immersed in the energetic Southeast neighborhood, known for its high-rise dorms, social scene, and proximity to key campus facilities.
- Dining Convenience: Ogg is located directly across the street from the Gordon Avenue Market (The Gordy), one of UW-Madison’s largest and most popular dining markets, making mealtime incredibly convenient.
- Recreation Access: The Nicholas Recreational Center (The Nick), the university’s massive, modern gym facility, is a short walk away, giving Ogg residents easy access to fitness and intramural sports.
- Neighborhood Halls: Ogg is surrounded by other popular Southeast dorms, including Sellery, Witte, Chadbourne, Barnard, and Smith Halls, creating a concentrated social environment.
The Business Connect Learning Community
Ogg Hall is home to a significant Residential Learning Community (RLC), providing an invaluable advantage for students interested in business and entrepreneurship.
- Community Name: Business Connect Learning Community.
- Focus: This RLC is specifically designed for students admitted to the Wisconsin School of Business or those exploring a business major.
- Structure: Business Connect houses approximately 120 residents across two dedicated "houses" within Ogg Hall.
- Benefits: Residents benefit from specialized programming, networking opportunities, and the chance to live and study alongside peers and faculty with similar academic interests. This is an excellent example of how UW-Madison University Housing integrates academic life with residential living.
Navigating Ogg Hall: Tips for Incoming Residents
While Ogg is a fantastic place to live, prospective students should be aware of a few key factors to ensure a smooth transition to campus life.
- Triple Room Reality: Since the majority of rooms are triples, be prepared for a close-quarters living situation. Effective communication with your two roommates is essential for managing space, study time, and social dynamics.
- The Social Scene: The Southeast Campus is known for being the most social and active part of campus. If you are looking for a quieter, more focused environment, a dorm on the Lakeshore side of campus might be a better fit. Ogg is ideal for students who thrive in a high-energy, bustling atmosphere.
- 2024-2025 Rates: Prospective residents should consult the official University Housing website for the most accurate and current annual rates for the 2024-2025 academic year, as costs are subject to change. The overall cost includes both the housing rate and the required dining plan.
- Getting Around: Ogg's central location makes it a convenient spot for bus travel. In a recent operational update, Ogg Hall was even used as a pickup location for the new reusable tap-fare bus passes, highlighting its role as a key transit hub for students.
In summary, Frederick Ogg Residence Hall offers a dynamic and modern residential experience at UW-Madison. Its unique cluster-style living, proximity to essential campus amenities like Gordon Avenue Market and The Nick, and the presence of the Business Connect Learning Community solidify its reputation as a top choice for students ready to dive into the full Badger experience.
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