Got Housing

1
Got Housing?

• A joint presentation of
• Off-Campus Life
• AND
• The Office Of
• Residence Life

2
Goals

• To help you decide which living opportunity most
  interests you!
• To present some realities about housing at JMU so
  you can have a back-up plan in case your first
  choice for living is unavailable
• To prepare you to take the necessary steps to
  find a place to live for next year

3
On vs. Off Campus!

• OFF
• Independence
• Not on campus 100 of the time
• Your own room
• Can stay over breaks
• Private bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Can live with opposite sex
• More options (duplex, house, apartment, etc.)
• Apartments may commit earlier than ORL
• Some places allow pets

• ON
• Utilities, cable, internet included
• Close to classes, meetings, food, UREC, on-campus
  jobs, etc.
• Housekeeping service
• Close relationships with peers
• Convenient bus service
• Theme housing opportunities
• Opportunity for room changes
• Campus Police provide another level of security

4
Cost Considerations
Rent Length of Lease Food Utilities Cable Int
ernet Phone Household Expenses Parking
5
In a perfect world

• All students would live on campus for the first
  two years of their college experience
• Research shows that students who live on are
• More likely to graduate
• More satisfied with their overall college
  experience
• More interactive with faculty
• More involved with campus activities and social
  issues
• (Astin, 1992 Blimling, 2003)

BUT
6
The Reality is not so pretty

• Due to our growing numbers, we cant guarantee
  on-campus housing for all students who apply
• If you intend to apply for on-campus housing for
  next year, be prepared for the possibility that
  you might get waitlisted and, ultimately, not
  receive a contract

7
The On-Campus Process
8
Defining Some Terms

• Housing Request
• Housing Contract
• Waitlist
• Room Selection
• Priority Number
• Voucher
• Proxy
• Theme Housing

9
How does the waitlist work?
A certain number of beds are set aside for
incoming first-year students. The remaining beds
are offered in the following priority order

• Current on-campus, first year freshmen
• Current upperclass, on-campus students
• Newly admitted transfer students
• Students currently living off-campus

10
How do I get off the waitlist?

• Contracts are offered to those on the waitlist as
  space becomes available
• Students offered a contract may decline or fail
  to return signed contract by deadline
• Students with a contract can request a release
• Students with a contract may transfer or withdraw
  from JMU

11
The Downer Page

• There is no guarantee that students on the wait
  list will receive a contract
• It is possible to move down on the waitlist
  because of the priority groups

12
Room Selection

• Students who receive a contract prior to the
  first week of February will take part in room
  selection
• Students who receive a contract after this date
  will be assigned a space over the summer

13
Choosing Your Room

• When, where?
• Can I live with my friends?
• Talk it out
• But I cant make my appointment!

14
When Should I Start?
15
What About Living Off Campus?
16
What Exactly Does OCL Do?

• Off Campus Life (OCL) strives to educate,
  inform, and help ease JMU students transition to
  living off campus.

17
Services Offered

• Utility Deposit Assistance Program (UDAP)
• Housing Guide
• Conflict Resolution
• Roommate Mixer
• Housing Fair
• Lease Review

18
Choosing Where to Live

• What kind of place do you want to live in?
• How much can you afford?
• What kind of lifestyle do you lead?

19
THE LEASE

• Dont rush!
• Types of Leases Individual vs. Group
• Lease Review
• Make copies of the lease!

20
The Sublease

• Why sublease?
• Resources
• Its your name on the lease!

21
Rental Security Deposits

• Create damage checklist
• Take pictures
• Be present at the walkthrough

22
UDAP Stands for..

• U Dont Always Pay
• Understanding Deposits Aint Pretty
• Utility Deposit Assistance Program
• Utility Deposits Are Pricey!
• Correct Answer?
• C!

23
The UDAP Agreement

• 35 Annual contract
• Protects your credit!
• Waives the hefty security deposits!
• http//udap.jmu.edu/

• Requirements
• Full-time degree seeking student
• No JMU financial holds
• Must be living off campus

NOT ALL STUDENTS NEED A UDAP
24
UTILITIESa.k.a Are you tryin to heat the
outside???

• Consider the utility costs before renting!
• Find out what utilities are included
• Purchase a UDAP before contacting utility
  companies
• Contact non-UDAP utilities if you need them
  (cable, internet)

25
Other things to consider

• Safety
• Life after meal plans
• Commuting

26
Choosing a Roommate

• Roommate Mixer
• Roommate Agreement
• Must be signed
• Consider utilities, chores, parties, guest rules,
  etc.
• Examine your lifestyle before choosing a roommate
• Cleanliness, habits, social and academic goals,
  etc.

27
Conflict Resolution

• Conflicts sometimes occur between roommates or
  between tenants and landlords
• A third party is often helpful to resolve
  conflict

28
Final Thoughts

• ORL publicity begins in October
• Contract request is NOT a commitment
• Signing your contact is a commitment just like a
  lease.

If considering off campus, stop by OCL
today! Dont be pressured into signingcome talk
to OCL first
29
Goals

• To help you decide which living opportunity most
  interests you!
• To present some realities about housing at JMU so
  you can have a back-up plan in case your first
  choice for living is unavailable
• To prepare you to take the necessary steps to
  find a place to live for next year

30
Any Questions???

• OCL
• Warren HallNear Transitions
• [phone]AIM Ask OCLocl_at_jmu.eduwww.jmu.e
  du/ocl

• ORL
• Huffman Hall
• Room A101
• [phone]
• res-life_at_jmu.edu
• www.jmu.edu/reslife

31
http//isapps.jmu.edu/ecampus/Emerg_Notification.p
pt