During the spring semester, hunts for apartments and houses for the following year begin. When choosing to leave campus, careful financial planning is one of the starting points.
Attorney John Connor from Student Legal Services offers advice and information for students entering into new leases. In addition to helping students who may have problems with their living situation Connor offers several resources. These include forms for roommate agreement contracts.
"Roommate disputes are one of the most common problems when living off campus," he said. "I encourage students to execute a roommate agreement, making the duties of each roommate clear."
Living off campus also means paying monthly bills instead of a flat rate for the entire year. Sophomore Renee Kruger is living in Beeman hall for her second year, and will probably remain in the dorms next year.
"I would like the privacy and freedom of living off campus, but it's a lot more responsibility," she said. "My financial aid pays for living in the dorms, but if I moved off campus I would have to work a lot to pay the bills."
When figuring out the costs to live off campus, it is also important to consider utilities if they're not included in the rent. Utilities can include electric, water, sewage, trash pick-up, heating and cable. Energy costs can elevate considerably in the winter.
Connor suggests discussing the costs of living in a specific house or apartment with current or former tenants. Signing a lease right away without taking precautions can also lead to problems down the road. Connor also encourages all students to make an appointment with him before entering into a lease.
"I try to educate students about their rights and obligations, so that they can enter into a lease on equal footing with the landlord," he said. "Students should think long and hard about the decision to move off campus and take preventative measures before signing a lease."
Stella Shaw, president of the Residence Hall Association, has found that living on campus works well for some students and not as well for others. Instead of moving off campus, students can find ways to improve their life in the residence halls.
"If you put everything you have into the community and the rest of your floor does the same, you will enjoy it," she said.
The experience of living on campus can be beneficial, but some students will always find negative sides to the living conditions and other residents. Shaw said building a community to bring the residents together is important.
"There are people you like and people you don't, and you have to learn to live with all of them," she said.-á "When your community is great, you feel at home and are more apt to live there again.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
