The never-ending problem: Getting off-Campus
Students search for, find and give advice for getting off-campus
Liz Essley
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: News
Junior Kate Jones ended a two-month long odyssey Wednesday. She and her suitemate, junior Alexandria Carraher, decided they'd found the place they want to live next year.
Jones said she likes the spaciousness of the three-bedroom apartment, as well as the location - downtown.
"I like it better downtown," she said. "The places aren't as run down."
Jones is one of 320 students who received off-campus permission for next semester. Many of them are still scrounging for a place to live.
Junior Christian Campbell already lives off-campus, but started planning in the fall to move into a different house. He's still looking.
"Trying to find people you want to live with and finding some place accessible to campus is always hard," he said.
Campbell currently lives at 31 Howder St., an eight-minute walk from his classes, but he wants a house with a nicer interior and exterior, he said. He currently pays $300 per month but expects to pay more next year. He also wants a washer and dryer.
"I don't want to pay $400 for a house and then not be able to wash my own clothes," he said.
Both Campbell and Jones began their searches with a list of landlords available from Dean of Men Aaron Petersen's office. It contains the names and phone numbers of more than 30 local landlords.
Jones said she and Carraher ended up finding their apartment without the help of the list. Campbell advised house-seekers to start there anyway.
Senior John Scribner, who lives downtown at 42A N Howell St., warned new renters to ask former occupants about the landlord. He said his landlord last year lied to him several times about the rent and furniture.
"He would intermittently throughout the year come in and take various possessions of ours," Scribner said.
But other students have had positive experiences.
"A lot of landlords in this area tend to be very nice and considerate," Jones said.
Students also diverge on the question of location.
Junior Kari Snyder said living downtown can present major difficulties.
"Walking three-fourths of a mile to school every day is not so much fun," she said.
But Scribner said he likes living downtown, and Jones looks forward to it.
Obtaining off-campus permission creates additional obstacles for some students. Glen Ziegler, who rents six houses on Hillsdale, Manning and West Streets, doesn't allow students to sign leases until they obtain permission.
"It's a dance we [landlords] have to go through," he said.
He once planned to rent a unit to a group of women until one of them could not get off-campus permission. He rented the unit to a different group.
"We had to follow the motto, 'First come, first serve,'" he said.
Ziegler also had advice for house-seekers and renters alike.
"Communicate with the landlord. And be open," he said. "It's nice to be included."
Jones said she likes the spaciousness of the three-bedroom apartment, as well as the location - downtown.
"I like it better downtown," she said. "The places aren't as run down."
Jones is one of 320 students who received off-campus permission for next semester. Many of them are still scrounging for a place to live.
Junior Christian Campbell already lives off-campus, but started planning in the fall to move into a different house. He's still looking.
"Trying to find people you want to live with and finding some place accessible to campus is always hard," he said.
Campbell currently lives at 31 Howder St., an eight-minute walk from his classes, but he wants a house with a nicer interior and exterior, he said. He currently pays $300 per month but expects to pay more next year. He also wants a washer and dryer.
"I don't want to pay $400 for a house and then not be able to wash my own clothes," he said.
Both Campbell and Jones began their searches with a list of landlords available from Dean of Men Aaron Petersen's office. It contains the names and phone numbers of more than 30 local landlords.
Jones said she and Carraher ended up finding their apartment without the help of the list. Campbell advised house-seekers to start there anyway.
Senior John Scribner, who lives downtown at 42A N Howell St., warned new renters to ask former occupants about the landlord. He said his landlord last year lied to him several times about the rent and furniture.
"He would intermittently throughout the year come in and take various possessions of ours," Scribner said.
But other students have had positive experiences.
"A lot of landlords in this area tend to be very nice and considerate," Jones said.
Students also diverge on the question of location.
Junior Kari Snyder said living downtown can present major difficulties.
"Walking three-fourths of a mile to school every day is not so much fun," she said.
But Scribner said he likes living downtown, and Jones looks forward to it.
Obtaining off-campus permission creates additional obstacles for some students. Glen Ziegler, who rents six houses on Hillsdale, Manning and West Streets, doesn't allow students to sign leases until they obtain permission.
"It's a dance we [landlords] have to go through," he said.
He once planned to rent a unit to a group of women until one of them could not get off-campus permission. He rented the unit to a different group.
"We had to follow the motto, 'First come, first serve,'" he said.
Ziegler also had advice for house-seekers and renters alike.
"Communicate with the landlord. And be open," he said. "It's nice to be included."
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