University of Ottawa president Allan Rock said he has room for two students in his home in Sandy Hill. (CBC)

Ottawa residents can help stop university students from having to quit school due to the transit strike by temporarily billeting them in their homes for free, says the president of the University of Ottawa.

Allan Rock, president and vice-chancellor for the university, said officials are helping match students with residents close to the university because the transit strike has made it difficult for some students to get to class.

"It's very tough for them and some students have even told me that they may have to drop out of their courses," he said. "So we're trying everything we can to make it possible for them to continue."

In Rock's case, that involves opening up his own home in Sandy Hill. He said his two sons and daughter live there during the summer, but are currently away at university. That means he has room for two students.

The University of Ottawa's housing office is coordinating the program to match students with people who live within walking distance of its two campuses, in Sandy Hill and near the Ottawa Hospital general campus on Smyth Road. People can also help if they live further away but can give students a ride to campus or a pickup point for one of the university's temporary shuttles.

The university has a carpooling database and has also opened temporary, reduced-rate parking and teamed up with other local universities and colleges to offer a free weekday shuttle service until public transit service resumes.