Off-CampusHousing

Information 2015-2016

Living Off-Campus

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• Gustavus is a residential college – all students are required to live on-campus.

• The COLLEGE is residential.Residential Life simply manages the process.

• Residential Life is mandated to have up to 98% occupancy (about 2095 of 2140 total beds)

The Process

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Groups for off-campus applications Size of groups: 1 to 8 Average Room Draw number taken Order of consideration: groups of SENIORS, then

groups of SENIORS/JUNIORS, then groups of JUNIORS

The Process

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Translation… SENIORS should not finalize plans quite yet, but

there’s a good shot at getting permission. JUNIORS should NOT make off-campus a realistic top

option.

The Application

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Important stuff…• EACH person in the group MUST fill out an

application.

• List everyone you want to apply with…

• People currently off campus should NOT be listed on application (they won’t influence your status).

• Gusties in your group who qualify for automatic permission will NOT be factored into your group’s average number

Residency Exemptions

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• Married• A veteran of military service• 23 years old by the first day of class of fall

semester 2015.• Have custodial responsibility for dependent

children• Live with your custodial parents/guardians in

the St.Peter area (w/in 15 miles)

• Be home owner (100% of home – sole name on mortgage)

Crunching Numbers

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For 2014-2015About 50 people retained permission296 people in total are off-campus to start year61 people left on wait list (49 were seniors)No mixed groups of seniors/juniors got permission

For 2015-2016Factors:

• Size of incoming first-year class• Number of Gusties who transfer OUT or withdraw• Number of incoming transfer students

Living Off-Campus

Things to consider…

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Living Off-CampusWhat people think….

•Saving Money

•Cool Roommates

•No college rules

•No meal plan

•Parties

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Living Off-CampusWhat people may miss considering when

thinking of moving off-campus:

•Parking

•Utilities

•Convenience & connection to campus

•City regulations & enforcement

•Cooking for yourself

•Roommates change

•Property Maintenance (like snow removal)

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It’s cheaper to live off-campus

It’s easy to get out of a lease

Landlords are screened/professional

Being off-campus equals freedom

Living Off-Campus:Myths

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Things to Consider: Price Range

What’s included, what’s not?

Utilities

Maintenance

Internet

Lawn/Snow

Parking

Distance from campus

Number of Roommates Over-occupancy ordinance: in St.

Peter: no more than 4 unrelated individuals can share a single unit (single family home, half of a duplex, etc.)

Research the Property Inquire about the landlord

Inquire about the neighborhood

Inquire about the neighbors

Check the property out

Inspect the property thoroughly

The Search: Finding an off-campus property

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Remember, a lease is a legally-binding document.

Read the lease thoroughly before signing

You can negotiate the lease with the landlord

For example: If your inspections revealed something you want fixed before you move in, have that written into the lease

Understand all expectations

Sub-leasing,

Refund of Security Deposit

How/when rent is due

The Lease#gacrl

Document condition of property before you move anything in

Use photos, with date stamp

Have landlord present! Request it…

Meet your neighbors

Make the awkward first move as soon as possible… (cookies help)

Exchange contact info

Set up utilities

Renters Insurance

Moving In…

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Neighbors Who are they?

Mutual respect

Communication

Noise

Ideas to introduce yourself?

55.3% of Gusties say they have tried to get to know neighbor

Safety Lock it up!

Fire plan

Emergency weather plan

Of those who have had contact with SPPD, 75% say it was positive

Neighbors & Safety

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The line between “having a few people over” and a “party” is VERY thin.

Know the people at your party

Only let people in who you know

Only 46.4% of respondents to our off-campus survey said they strongly agree that they are comfortable controlling gatherings at their off-campus house

Remember: THE LAW MATTERS!

You’re STILL a Gustie, even off campus…

Parties#gacrl

Resources/Updates

Res Life website

Res Life Facebook Page

Twitter: @Gustie_ResLife

Email Charlie at cpotts@Gustavus.edu

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