MARCH 2, 2020 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • VOL. CXXIV, NO. 20
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2020 Renter’s Guide ON CAMPUS: Fraternity, sorority life ‘unique’ 3 • OFF CAMPUS: Noise, fire laws aim to protect 17 • FORUM: SOTS: Housing advice 20
INDEX
COMMUNITY CALENDAR MONDAY,MAR.2
Intro to Olympic Lifting Workshop
Dixon Recreation Center, Studio 2 5-7 p.m. This workshop is targeted toward participants who are interested in, but unfamiliar with Olympic lifting. The workshop helps build participant skills and confidence. Participants will learn in a group environment and have the chance to identify their skill-level. They will learn progressions of the Olympic lifts: the clean, jerk and snatch, in a step-by-step fashion, and will use a wooden dowel to learn the first progression of the lifts.
OSU Wind Symphony
LaSell Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium 7:30-9:30 p.m. The OSU Wind Symphony under associate director of bands Olin Hannum presents its winter term performance. Free for students and K--12 youth. For others, $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
TUESDAY, MAR. 3
Advancing Women’s Participation in the Technology Sector
Native American Longhouse Eena Haws 3-4:30 p.m. Eight Cambodian women leaders will appear on a panel to gain insight into how different departments at the university connect to promote cooperation in research and development of innovation technology and to share about their own work. After the discussion, there will be a reception.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 4
Disabled Students Union - Club Meetings
Learning Innovation Center, Room 200 6-7:30 p.m. The purpose of the Disabled Students Union is to provide a safe space and sense of community for disabled students and their allies, as well as advocate for the accessibility needs of all students on campus. Zoom meetings are now available to join remotely. All OSU
COOPER BASKI NS | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK President of Phi Delta Theta, Danny Dhas, sits in the basement as he explains why the basement is an important shared space for brothers to come and enjoy game days and pay per view fights.
IN THIS ISSUE
3
Fraternity, sorority life ‘a unique experience’
experts provide tips 12 Botany for house-plant owners
5
R A p osi t i o n ca n be d i f f i c u l t , re wa rd i n g
se , f i re laws ai m to 12 Noi p rotec t resi dents
6
St u d e n t s o f fe re d reso u rces to co m b a t ho u si n g cost s @DAILYBARO
14
Forum: Student on the street: What advice do you have for those looking for housing?
DAILYBAR O M E TE R
@O M NSP O RTS
students and staff are welcome to join!
FRIDAY, MAR. 6
CITY EDITOR
Student Experience Center Plaza 2-5 p.m. With just 100 days left, graduation is close enough to taste. Kick off the Countdown to Commencement with a tasty treat. While you enjoy a free donut, learn more about the steps you’ll need to take to prepare for commencement. And pick up your FREE commemorative Countdown to Commencement bookmark, bring it to each event and receive ten additional raffle tickets at Grad Night to be entered for many great prize. Vegan donut options will be available. For questions or accommodations requests, please contact OSUAA Early Engagement Director Mamta Chowdhury or call (541) 737-2351.
baro.city@oregonstate.edu
Joe Wolf
100 Days Until You Are Alumni
SPORTS EDITOR
Alex Luther EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Delaney Shea
baro.editor@oregonstate.edu
541-737-3191
NEWS EDITOR
Jaycee Kalama
baro.news@oregonstate.edu
CREATIVE ASSOCIATE
Mara Weeks BUSINESS:
541-737-2233 TO PLACE AN AD CALL:
omn.sports@oregonstate. edu
541-737-6373
PHOTO CHIEF
Nyjah Gobert
omn.photo@oregonstate.edu
SEC Fourth Floor Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1617
COPY EDITOR
NEWS TIPS:
Patience Womack
ON CAMPUS:
541-737-2231
The Barometer is published on Mondays, except holidays, during the academic school year and summer with additional content, including video, available online. The Barometer, published for use by OSU students, faculty and staff, is private property. A single copy of The Barometer is free from newsstands. Unauthorized removal of multiple copies will be considered theft and is prosecutable. Responsibility: The University Student Media Committee
COVER: Photo illustration by Mara Weeks, OMN Creative Associate.
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is charged with the general supervision of all student publications and broadcast media operated under its authority for the students and staff of Oregon State University on behalf of the Associated Students of OSU. Formal written complaints about The Barometer may be referred to the committee for investigation and disposition. After hearing all elements involved in a complaint, the committee will report its decision to all parties concerned.
ON CAMPUS
Fraternity, sorority life a ‘unique experience’ By TANVEER SANDHU News Contributor For students who want to live in large, but tight-knit communities, then fraternity or sorority housing may be a good choice. There are currently 49 chapters at Oregon State University, all sharing six core community values: scholarship, philanthropy, inclusivity, community service, friendship and leadership. Phi Delta Theta is a fraternity located just north of campus on Northwest 13th Street. President Danny Dhas, a second-year student who is majoring in business administration, said one of the greatest things about being in his fraternity is that he gets to “be around all the brothers and be around the guys.� “In the house you know everyone, there’s 50 guys that you can hang out with,� Dhas said. “There’s also the amenities of having a chef at the house and a gym downstairs. But the biggest thing is just being with the guys.� Dhas said that whenever you need help or want to do anything, there’s always someone there to join you, be it your roommates or someone right next door. “There’s always a group of guys that are going to the gym, so if you don’t want to go to the gym by yourself, you’ve got other guys going,� Dhas said. “[If ] you want to play basketball, then we
always have people playing basketball.� Dhas said he didn’t really know about fraternities before he joined Phi Delta Theta, but he liked all the guys he met during the rush period, so he decided to join. “I just decided to check out a few events, and I liked all the guys, so I took a shot at it,� Dhas said. Dhas said he would 100% recommend others to join. Alpha Phi is a sorority located on Northwest 25th Street. President Molly Stadeli, who is a third-year student majoring in human development and family sciences, said her favorite part about living at Alpha Phi is that she gets to be constantly surrounded by other people. She said living in this environment has led her to grow so close to every girl in the house. “I transferred here, not knowing basically anyone except a girl I went to high school with,� Stadeli said. “I was immediately immersed into this environment, and so I found my friendgroup that I have grown so close with.� Claire Gorman, a business administration major and member of Alpha Phi, said the sorority provides an incredible support system. “Every day is crazy,� she said. “If it’s a bad day, then you have so many people here to cheer you up, or to celebrate the happy and sad times together.� Stadeli seconded this, saying, “whenever you
COOPER BASKI NS | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK
One of the many photo collages that can be found in Alpha Phi, celebrating the sisterhood and giving the halls and stairways pops of color. “You make so many amazing friends that you would never have expected,� said Alpha Phi President Molly Stadeli. want to do something, there’s always someone else to do it with---you’re never alone. You make so many amazing friends that you would never have expected.� Gorman said there tends to be a stigma about sororities, that they’re full of “crazy, partypeople, who don’t do anything and don’t do homework.� But she said girls can set positive examples, and other girls in the house can learn from these good examples. “You’re exposed to all
these great attributes that help you become a better person,� Gorman said. “I think there’s a lot of leading by example. You can’t not grow from living in [a sorority].� Stadeli described living in Alpha Phi as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Living with 50 girls is such a unique experience, that nowhere else you can really do that. You learn so much, not only about yourself, but about other people, and you grow so much as a person,� Stadeli said.
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MARCH 2, 2020 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 3
ON CAMPUS
Special-interest housing aims to foster individual growth, interpersonal relationships By ALEX GAUB News Contributor
Editor’s Note: The following article mentions substance use. Jack’s last name has been withheld for his anonymity. Jack is an Oregon State University student who is set to graduate at the end of spring term with a bachelor’s in computer science. Jack’s path through school hasn’t been the most traditional route, however. He has struggled with substance use in the past, leading him to have gaps in his time at college. Jack attended OSU from 2005 to 2007, returning in 2018 to finish his degree. Life on campus can be difficult to navigate without the support of like-minded people. The rigors of study, work and life are stressful in even the best circumstances. At Oregon State, there are special-interest communities dedicated to helping students get the best out of their college experience, communities that aim to foster individual growth and interpersonal relationships. The Joan and Tom Skoro Recovery Living Community is located in Dixon Lodge. It houses 10 residents this term who are full-time residents of the hall, 30 more students have access to the community and all of the activities
there. The community is among only a few nationwide that provide housing for students seeking a sober living in college. Jack became a resident of Dixon Lodge in the fall, prior to that he said he felt as though he was not connected to life on campus. “Being involved here and moving here has given me a community, and that’s so important in recovery to have other people with similar experiences that you can relate to. We have activities here, we do stuff together, it’s huge,” Jack said. Dixon Lodge has 45 single rooms available, and right now they are only using 10. Taylor Milam, the recovery coordinator for Dixon Lodge is looking to change that. Milam, who is working towards a Master’s in social work has been the recovery coordinator for a year. Since he was hired as the first full-time coordinator, the amount of full-time residents has more than doubled. “You really need someone central, who is here all the time to really start to work on bringing that community together,” Milam said. “Prior to me coming on there were a lot of students who were a part of the program that were in recovery, but they didn’t have those really deep intentional connections.” One of the reasons Milam thinks that
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students don’t take advantage of Dixon Lodge is affordability. However, he has worked with donors to provide students living in the hall a scholarship that knocks the price to $600 outof-pocket per month— including a meal plan. Typical university housing costs are over $1,000 per month for a single room that includes a meal plan. Women in Engineering is another specialinterest community on campus. Located in Buxton Hall on the fifth floor, the community is available for women in science, technology, engineering and math programs who want a closer group of students who share the same gender. Students on the floor have the opportunity to receive mentorship and coaching from one another. The floor has 45 residents per term, and 20 rooms available for women in science fields. One of the draws for residents of Buxton Hall— including women on the fifth floor—is access to events in the building. Events can range from talks given by professors in the science fields to talks given about study abroad and what that looks like for engineering and science majors. “That’s usually one of our most active floors that has a lot of community built within itself.
See SPECIAL-INTEREST, Page 5
ALEX GAUB | ORANGE MED I A NETWORK Taylor Milam is the recovery coordinator for the Joan and Tom Skoro Collegiate Recovery Living Community. The community has 10 full-time residents and about 30 more who have access to the community and its activities.
After the requirement of living on campus for one’s first year at Oregon State University is met, students have a variety of options to consider for their living situation. OSU offers students the opportunity to be resident assistants in exchange for free living and dining and a payment at the end of the term. Additionally, there are living communities specifically designed for second-year and above students at OSU. The university has select Living-Learning Communities, INTO OSU and international living quarters as well as a variety of sorority and fraternity residency options. Jennifer Boland, a third-year mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering student at OSU, worked as an RA in Poling Hall during the 2018-19 academic year. Boland said her experience as an RA was one of the most stressful and fulfilling experiences of her life. Boland said living where she worked made it difficult to relax and step away at times, and she often knew to expect residents to knock on her door at any given time. She helped people living in Poling fix small issues like broken blinds, to more serious issues like sexual assault and medical emergencies. “To this day, it warms my heart to be waved to and called over by residents I pass on campus,” Boland said via email. “Though it proved difficult at times, the time spent in the dorm helping students network, attend events, feel included and enjoy their new home was always exciting. It might seem silly, but how I felt about the personal growth I saw from my residents and the floor community is what I imagine it feels like to be a proud mom.” OSU also offers a diversity learning assistant position for each residence hall on campus. Each of the 14 residence halls has one DLA, who is responsible for monitoring and promoting social justice within their communities. The DLA position was previously known as the community relations facilitator position. DLAs are compensated with a furnished room in their assigned residence hall, a University Housing and Dining Services meal plan and a monetary stipend each term. According to the UHDS website, next year’s DLAs will be offered their positions on March 13 and the applications have already closed. Another position offered at OSU is the academic learning assistant position. Similar to RAs and DLAs, ALAs live in the residence hall they work at and help with academic mentorship and support. To apply to be an ALA, students need to be full-time at OSU and have at least a 3.0 GPA, according to the UHDS website. ALAs have the opportunity to connect with first-year students and help them adjust to the academic environment of the university setting.
ur Rental H ll Yo o “A
By VADA SHELBY News Contributor
Please call or check our website
eds”
Use a QR code scanner or Snapchat to view special-interest communities and housing rates.
UHDS offers several positions in exchange for housing, dining plan
ELITE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Ne
We usually try to have [a resident assistant] that has similar experiences or at least has some knowledge of what the experience is like on that floor,” said Christopher Bush, resident director of Hawley and Buxton Halls. Women in STEM fields face challenges that men don’t, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, only 30% of STEM degree-holders are women. Being a minority in the field can lead to feeling underrepresented at the university or in the workforce. The Women in Engineering Community aims to give women a place to study and network in a safe environment. “It’s important that we have that space within the residence hall itself, I think we can do what, we can, to bring women in engineering together, give them resources, and do events that are tailored to their experiences,” Bush said. A triple room in Buxton Hall runs for about $1,000 per month, including a meal plan. In addition to events for STEM majors, Buxton Hall also offers students access to the DAMlab, which is a workspace provided in partnership with the College of Business. The DAMlab houses a variety of tools and machines for working on school projects or even personal projects. Oregon State offers more options for specialinterest groups on campus. Global Village is located in the International Living-Learning Center and is dedicated to helping develop students who have an interest in learning languages and exploring different cultures from other students. The Pride Community is located in Wilson Hall and is a space that aims to foster inclusion and development within OSU’s LGBTQIA+ community. Other special-interest communities on campus include the Transfer Communities located in Halsell, Bloss and Tebeau Halls, which is on-campus housing for second-year and above students located across campus. There are also Reserve Officer Training Corps residences for students in the ROTC programs, located in Finley Hall, as well as Single-Gender Communities located throughout campus.
RA position can be difficult, rewarding
in g us
SPECIAL-INTEREST, Continued from Page 4
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MARCH 2, 2020 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 5
OFF CAMPUS
Students offered resources to combat housing costs By ADRIANA GUTIERREZ News Contributor
The threat of housing insecurity becomes more prevalent as students are moving off campus and into leased housing for the upcoming academic school year. Rent for housing continues to rise in Corvallis, Ore. while the minimum wage peaks at only $11.25 per hour in the local community. This leaves students struggling to find housing they can afford, and risking other aspects of their wellbeing in order to make rent each month. “Recent data nationally has come out that a little bit less than half of the student population at public universities face some type of basic needs insecurity,” said Miguel Arellano, the basic needs navigator at the Human Services Resource Center at Oregon State University. “Housing insecurity includes being unsheltered, but also includes not being able to pay your rent in full or not being able to pay your electricity bill in full, things like that.” In the Campus Inclusivity Report conducted by Student Affairs Assessment at OSU, 47.7% of first-generation students reported working over 20 hours a week, and 26.3% of students reported working 40 hours or more per week. This excess of hours are most likely worked in order to combat the aspects of living off campus a student might not always consider when moving, according to Arellano. These costs can
COURTE SY OF UN SP L ASH A person counts dollar bills. For students trying to make ends meet while living in Corvallis, taking actions such as using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, using the textbook lending program at the Human Services Resource Center and finding housing rental services which will waive certain fees or requirements.
include first-time move-in fees, utilities, landscaping and grocery costs. “There’s a lot of things that you can do to save money, and the more money you save the more you supplement your budget by accessing resources, [so] a lot of money you save can be redirected to rent,” Arellano said. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is one of the many resources the HSRC offers to offset the costs of expensive housing for students. Students can apply and receive a
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maximum of $194 in the form of an EBT card, accepted at most grocery stores in Corvallis. Along with SNAP, students can secure emergency grants, emergency aid within their college, using the food pantry and using the textbook lending program at the HSRC. There are also housing options in Corvallis that will work with students with financial struggles. The 7th Street Station is an apartment building located off campus. For $764 per person each month, students can live in a single room with an attached bathroom, in a unit with three other residents and a shared common space. “Typically we have a security deposit which we are waiving, but it is the lowest on the market at $150 per person,” said Rachel Zenaty, general manager at 7th Street Station. “You don’t have to do first and last [rent], it’s just the first installment that’s due in September.” Zenaty also mentioned that the application fee is often waived, as this tends to be a cost students don’t realize factors into looking for off-campus housing. As a part of the rent cost, all utilities are included except for electricity, which is billed back for each month. “One of our main core values are ‘put students first, and do the right thing,’ so obviously we understand that students have financial struggles or what-not, which is why our security deposit is so low,” Zenaty said. “If you’re communicating with us, we’ll set up a payment plan
based on if you layout reasonable dates. Or, let’s say, you have financial aid and you want to pay a bulk of your lease up front, you can do that.” Leasing rules have also been tailored to benefit students who receive financial aid, Zenaty said. In the past, they did not accept financial aid as a source of income until they realized it might be a student’s sole asset for paying rent. Even if a student solely relies on a job’s pay to make rent, the exact same income each month is not always guaranteed. “Sometimes I’m not able to make it to work or I’m sick and I miss out on work, or there is some external factor and life happens and you have to spend money somewhere,” said Asra Noor, senior and biochemistry major. “I’m an international student so a lot of the benefits don’t fall to me, so I use the food pantry occasionally.” International students are unable to apply for grants like the Pell Grant, and therefore have to look for other options to supplement their budget. Noor also works in the food pantry at the HSRC and said there has been a steady increase in students using their services versus previous years, as she continues to use them herself. “It’s gotten to the point in Corvallis where it’s not necessarily ‘where can I find cheap housing?’” Arellano said. “It’s really like… ‘where can I save, what’s my budget, and what am I willing to give up in order to save money on my rent?’”
OFF CAMPUS
Renter’s rights knowledge can save time, money By TERESITA GUZMAN NADER News Reporter Students can save money and avoid disputes with their landlords by learning about their renter rights, with the help of Associated Students of Oregon State University’s Student Legal Services. In an email, Halli Barrios, ASOSU chief of staff and fifth-year biology student, said she is currently living off campus, and as a renter, not knowing her rights made her very stressed because she had to ask her campus mentors and parents about her rights all the time, which she said was time consuming. “As a student, instead of focusing on my homework, I was focusing on my rent or renter agreement because that was what took precedent,” Barrios said in an email. “Fortunately I was able to bounce back, but for some I know they skip class just because they have to meet with a landlord or company due to renter complications and it shouldn’t be that way.” ASOSU Student Legal Services, located at the Student Experience Center, room 232, is a resource provided by ASOSU for all Oregon State students of the Corvallis, Ore. campus, where students can seek help with several legal disputes or learn about their renter rights. These services are free for students attending
“The most common thing that we see are disputes with regards to recovery of security deposits, and security deposits are the money that tenants are often required to put down when they initially rent an apartment or a house, and they are entitled to get that back.” Marc Friedman
Executive director of Associated Students of Oregon State University Student Legal Services
the Corvallis campus because they are paid through the Corvallis campus student incidental fees. Noah Chamberlain, staff attorney at ASOSU Student Legal Services said students are welcome to review their leases on the second floor of the SEC, before signing them to understand what they are agreeing to. “When you are working with a landlord that does electronic submissions, if you are unsure of what you are clicking, don’t click it. If you can’t tell that it is just a link to open for review,
that you can read the lease in its entirety before signing, don’t open it,” Chamberlain said. “If you have any question about that, you should either go directly to a leasing manager at their physical office and ask for a physical copy of the lease to review, or come see our office, and show us what you are questioning in regards to a link that you have been sent and we will do our best to advise under the circumstances.” Marc Friedman, executive director of ASOSU Student Legal Services said an honest and legitimate landlord will have no problem with providing a copy of the lease for review. If a landlord does not want to provide a copy of the lease or is hesitant about it, then the student should be hesitant about signing that lease. “The most common thing that we see are disputes with regards to recovery of security deposits, and security deposits are the money that tenants are often required to put down when they initially rent an apartment or a house, and they are entitled to get that back,” Friedman said. “However, landlords often will try and keep all or some portion of the deposit, and depending upon whether or not they are on the right or the wrong, we will often see students with regard to those matters and often help them to recover the money that is due to them.” Chamberlain said one thing that tenants should do before asking themselves what their rights are as renters, is what are their responsi-
bilities, because a tenant can have issues with their unit, but if they never tell their landlord about the issues, then their right to ask for repairs could be taken away. “On day one that a tenant takes possession of a unit, they must document the condition of pre-existing damages. Fill out a form from your landlord for pre-existing damage to the unit, while video is okay, I definitely recommend photos because they are easier to present in court as evidence, and then any time an issue arises,” Chamberlain said. Chamberlain said according to Oregon law notices to the landlord need to be on writing and delivered to the address that is on the lease agreement, and such notices should be immediate. If tenants have a problem with the condition of the unit, such as a water leak, the tenant has to send a written notice to the landlord. If the tenants do not notice the landlord for several months that there has been a water leak in the unit, then the tenant might be liable and responsible for damages that such water leak caused, because the tenant never properly notified the landlord. Chamberlain and Friedman said that each case is unique and that all OSU students are invited to reach out to the ASOSU Student Legal Services with any questions about their renter rights. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in SEC 232.
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OFF CAMPUS
Students work through living-space conflicts, OSU offers resources By ZOË SANDVIGEN News Contributor
College roommates are part of the pinnacle undergraduate experience. Dorm rooms, small apartments and shared spaces are a part of the journey to getting a degree. For some, sharing a nightstand and shower with a complete stranger can be overwhelming. There are times when a close-living space can bring students together to form life-long friends. Other times, it can seem like a living nightmare, because dealing with difficult roommates can be beyond frustrating. When stuck in a lease for a set amount of time, it can force students to compromise and deal with situations that test their utmost patience. There are many ways to navigate through difficult situations when dealing with livingspace conflict. The Associated Students of Oregon State University has a specific office dedicated to providing support for situations like these. Student Legal Services is located in the Student Experience Center office 232 offering legal advocacy for students who need to leave a lease or simply just want advice. Another available option is OMBUDS, on OSU’s campus in Waldo Hall 116, is a student mediation service providing impartial advice and listening ears to parties struggling to work through conflict. Before all of this though, the most beneficial way to deal with subpar roommates is to not pick them in the first place. When searching for potential candidates, start off with asking basic lifestyle questions about sleeping patterns, cleanliness level, comfort level with guests coming over and noise curfew. Getting big questions answered in the beginning, leaving both people at ease, can help in selecting the right roommate. KJ Barrett, a third-year emergency medical technician student, went through a difficult
JACOB L E | ORANGE MED I A NETWORK Two roommates play video games together in their shared space.
situation—living with a roommate who refused to pay her rent and continuously used Barrett’s things and didn’t clean up after herself. “One of the big ones had to do with her always shorting me on rent and then would expect me to pay her for gas. The other big one would have to be how the place itself was treated,” Barrett said. “She would use the place like a dumpster and refuse to take out any of her trash, which led to us getting a horrible ant infestation. The last would be her always using all of my stuff when I was not there.” Barrett said she tried to talk to her about her concerns many times, but her roommate was unresponsive, leaving Barrett to deal with all the cleaning and chore duties in the shared space. “In the very end, after a big fight about the ants and trash all over the place, I decided that it was my time to just leave. It wasn’t worth my time anymore,” Barrett said. “Anytime she was there, I would go out to the grocery store.” Barrett said she received concerning advice from one of her roommates’ past friends, but she didn’t think much of it. Now, she wishes she would have taken those precautions more seriously. “At the end of the day, it is not worth the fight,
and even though it may be more work for me to do. It was easier to just do it than to cause another fight,” Barrett said. Barrett realized that her roommate and herself operated on two completely different schedules that weren’t compatible. According to Barrett, fighting just wasn’t worth it anymore so she calmly avoided the situation when she felt she needed space. Sometimes physically separating yourself from the situation is the best thing you can do. Living with roommates who leave your space a mess, or living in constant stress for your roommates’ safety is typically not ideal. College is a big step for a lot of young students, and living with people much different than yourself is an immense challenge on its own. Lilly Mann, a fourth-year psychology major, was faced with isolation upon moving in with a roommate she hadn’t met prior. “The first red flag was when I couldn’t find my roommate on social media. This isn’t the biggest requirement, but it is a way of finding out who’ll you’ll be living with. She had renewed her lease, so this meant she had been living there the previous year,” Mann said. “I figured that would be awesome because she would have decorated the apartment to match her personality. Upon
entering, it was bare.” Mann said there was not one personal belonging in the living space except sticky notes on what cabinets and fridge space would be hers to use. Mann said everything was segregated and the roommate would stress to her that there would be no sharing involved. According to Mann, the most frustrating part of this was that her roommate would sit in front of the TV all day long and refuse to watch anything besides Korean soap operas. “She would plunk our chair right in front of the TV and start watching something I couldn’t understand. She would then remain there for the duration she spent in the apartment,” Mann said. “If she got home before me I could expect to be walking into a Korean TV show.” In order to solve the problem, Mann tried to set days and times that she would like to use the living room. Mann said this led her roommate to disrespect her time in the living room by inviting a lot of friends over and ignoring Mann. After requesting a leasing agent mediation, whose job it is to help residents navigate through difficult situations like these, Mann’s roommate failed to show up to the appointment and then moved out soon after that. “The lesson I learned is personalities really do make a difference, and opposites do not attract, no matter how hard you try to make it work,” Mann said. “I feel as though being open with a new roommate is especially important to establish a home that makes both parties welcome.” Mann learned quickly that boundaries and expectations need to be set prior to making a lease-long commitment. She wanted to resolve her roommate conflict even going as far as to book a mediation appointment to try to work things out. Mann believes that being comfortable opening up about what you’re looking for in a potential living partner is the best way to make choices that are right for you.
Renters insurance protects students from ‘unforeseen catastrophes’ By JADA KRENING News Correspondent For less than $20 per month, student renters living in off-campus housing can protect their belongings and their dwellings with a renter’s insurance policy. Kelton VanHoesen, an account manager at the Erik Fast State Farm agency in Corvallis, Ore., said renters insurance is a policy that provides protection for anyone who rents an apartment or house, for any length of time. “A renters insurance policy will cover a tenant’s personal belongings which include clothes, furniture, computers, etc. It also includes personal liability protection which would cover the tenant if they are found liable for any fire damages that may incur during their tenancy,” VanHoesen said via email. “For example, if you are cooking and there is a fire and half of the kitchen needs to be re-done, the policy would cover that.” Justin Kruse, an agent at State Farm located off Harrison Boulevard, also said renters insurance can protect students from theft, in addition to water or fire damage. “Renters insurance covers all the stuff you have. It’ll help replace a stolen computer to
everything you own if there is a catastrophic fire in your apartment. It can even pay for you to stay in a hotel until you find new permanent housing,” Kruse said via email. Kruse said when students rent, the owner of the building or home has insurance to protect their property, but does not cover a renter’s personal property if there’s a fire, theft or vandalism. “Most students assume somehow the school or the apartment complex has something in place to help you in the event you have a loss, but the reality is you are in most cases on your own,” Kruse said via email. “Lastly, it carries liability insurance to protect tenants, should there be damage to the building you are being held responsible for.” Bryan Flager, the owner of Bryan Flager Agency American Family Insurance, said the cost of renters insurance to students typically ranges anywhere from $10 to $20 per month, depending on the amount of personal property coverage they need. “Students can easily purchase renters insurance online, over the phone, or in person at a local agency,” Flager said via email. Likewise, Kruse said the cost of insurance varies from person to person and company to company, but it is typically very affordable,
BRI TTNEE BARRY | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK Pictured is a photo illustration featuring apartment keys, money and a calculator sitting on a table. In order to weigh the costs and benefits of getting rental insurance, many students must first take into account their financial capabilities.
ranging from $8 to $10 per month. Kruse said students can also save on renters insurance by bundling their car insurance. VanHoesen said the process to purchase renters insurance is quick and simple, and writing a policy takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. VanHoesen was a student at Oregon State University prior to working at Erik Fast State Farm, and said most apartment complexes, property management companies and private landlords require renters insurance to protect tenants and dwellings in the case
of catastrophic loss. Kruse, who has worked as a State Farm Agent in Corvallis since 2012, said it has become increasingly common for apartment complexes to not only require tenants to obtain renters insurance, but to offer it to their tenants themselves. “That can be a convenient way to satisfy their requirement, but oftentimes those policies do not include coverage for your belongings or loss of use, only liability to protect the apartment owner should you cause damage to the complex,” Kruse said via email.
MARCH 2, 2020 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 9
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Botany experts provide tips for house plant owners By TARYN HUGO News Contributor
“Who doesn’t want to be around plants?” said senior instructor for the department of Horticulture, Alan Shay. According to Shay, plants add a heightened level of joy to people’s lives, however, most people have minimal comprehension as to the level of care most plants require, particularly regarding indoor climates. “People have big dreams as to what they want to grow, but they don’t think of the climate inside their home as being an issue,” Shay said. Shay attributes these problems to the lack of awareness most people have in regards to the types of plants capable of being raised in an interior environment, such as ferns or other tropical greenery. According to third-year botany student and Vice President of Oregon State University’s Botany club Marvel Luzell, within the state of Oregon, the level of humidity can create an excellent environment for certain tropical plants like ferns and begonias. “Tropical plants are good in Oregon’s humid climates, but will need to be watered every couple of days and placed by a window for light exposure to stay alive,” Luzell said. Although constant watering and
proper lighting are necessary, according to Luzell, such methods may not be enough for certain tropical plants that require airborne moisture for survival. According to Luzell, one method of keeping tropical plants alive is creating humidity within the home. For example, such places as the bathroom may be perfect for storing tropical plants in order to expose them to steam when a hot shower is running. However, this method only works if there is a window in the bathroom for exposed light, Luzell said. Another method of creating in-home humidity, recommended by Luzell, includes placing the plant near a shallow dish containing water and pebbles,which produces humidity in the air. According to Luzell, even though such methods are useful for die-hard plant lovers, they may result in too much work for most plant owners, especially preoccupied college students. “If someone is looking to own a plant that needs little care, I would recommend a succulent or a pothos plant,” Luzell said. A succulent for example, is considered one of the easiest plants to keep, due to the little need for water consumption and is an excellent plant for any on-thego college student, according to Luzell. “You really only need to water a
succulent about once a month. They are very easy plants to keep alive,” Luzell said. As for a pothos plant, such as devil’s ivy, which must be watered at least once a week, they are convenient for indoor living mainly because they require very low light to survive. It is important to note, however, when caring for your plants one must not over water, according to Assistant Professor of Nursery Production, Lloyd L. Nackley, Ph.D. Nackley saidit’s important to provide an indoor plant with adequate amounts of water because an indoor environment is similar to a desert climate. “A house is a harsh environment for any plant.” Nackley, who agrees that a ficus or monster plant can make for great indoor décor, said it’s important for plants to balance moisture intake and for people to not over care for them through extensive watering. According to Nackley, proper amounts of water intake are significant to any plant’s health, but light is their primary life source, so make sure your plants are exposed to adequate lighting within the home. JAD E WEBSTER | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK “Most people over love their house Roommates Logan Howell, Joseph Brooks, Cesar Dominquez and plants and because of this, plants often Khal Sievert hang out in their favorite room in the house: the sun fade before their time,” Nackley said. room.
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Ruotolo: OSU students need affordable grocery options By TOSCA RUOTOLO Columnist
While “barely surviving off of Top Ramen” is a common stereotype of college students, food insecurity is a difficult reality for many Oregon State University attendees. Though many students prepare for college by designing their rooms and planning out their schedules, it isn’t often that meal planning and food budgeting is taught, or even on a student’s radar. This leaves the student to feel unprepared to address their food needs. According to Joanie Pioli’s article “Addressing Food Insecurity on College Campuses,” when students are faced with over 20 hours of school work, responsibilities and expenses per week, they often see food bills as the easiest thing to cut out. Many college students then resort to skipping or shrinking meals and even, in some cases, dropping classes to save money. Corvallis, Ore. is an interesting case when it comes to food insecurity, as it features a multitude of different grocery store options. Fred Meyer, Safeway, WinCo, Trader Joes and
Grocery Outlet are just a few that Corvallis provides. This does not automatically solve the problems at hand. Pricing, distance, variety and safety are all components that students have to consider when grocery shopping. Many students, like Logan Reck, a third-year history student, choose their shopping location simply out of convenience, rather than what is most beneficial to their diet. “It’s actually part of the reason we chose [our] apartment complex,” Reck said. “Because Fred Meyer is basically just a quick walk to the other side...that’s all it is.” For some, safety is an issue with the grocery stores in Corvallis. Tristan Hilbert, a third-year computer science student, said Corvallis’ Safeway and Fred Meyer locations don’t always feel the safest. “There’s a Safeway that’s closer,” Hilbert said, “I guess it’s hard to be brave at times...I have to put on a stern face when I go to Safeway, there’s sometimes some sketchy action,” Hilbert said. “What’s really hard is when you do go to Fred Meyer, it’s high traffic...the lanes are
12 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • MARCH 2, 2020
BRITTN E E BARRY | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK A shopper, carrying a basket walks down the chip isle of Winco on Feb. 25. Winco is a popular store choice for Oregon State University students to go to for their weekly groceries.
really tight.” Price comparison can be very important to potential shoppers, but once you factor in dietary restrictions, the prices may be too substantial for some students to afford. At the Corvallis Safeway, a loaf of Wonderbread white bread is $3.99, but a loaf of gluten free white bread can range from $5.99 to $6.89. At Fred Meyer, Good to Dough white bread is only $0.89, but the Kroger gluten free loaf is $4.29. The same price disparity goes for milk products. At Safeway, a Lucerne gallon of milk is $5.19, while a Lactaid
96 fluid gallon of lactose-free milk is $7.99. At Fred Meyer, a gallon of whole milk is $2.99, while a Lactaid 96 fluid gallon of lactose-free milk is $5.69. Students with dietary restrictions or preferences, like many of OSU’s students, may struggle to continuously afford the higher prices, let alone general consistent grocery bills. Many students have ideas on how to design an ideal grocery store that would help limit waste and create a helpful environment. Prescott Benner, a first-year
architectural engineering student, had some ideas for his ideal grocery store design. “I tend to like to have the ability to have those bulk food dispensers, so you can select a specific amount of food because it can help limit waste, and also, then you can reuse bags, which is nice,” Benner said. “The model that Costco uses where they specifically select what they think is the best option within each category of food, I think that’s nice because it means you don’t have to spend so much time looking for things.” Unfortunately, campus food insecurity isn’t an issue that will be solved overnight. Thankfully, there are organizations in Corvallis that offer services, free meals and assistance to anyone in need of food resources. Community Outreach Inc. offers a community kitchen in Corvallis. St. Mary’s Catholic Church school gym, at 501 NW 25th St., the Westminster House at 101 NW 23rd St., and The First Christian Church, 602 SW Madison Ave., all offer public soup kitchens and even offer free vegan and vegetarian dinners.
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C R O S S W O R D
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With the upcoming Housing Fair and students deciding between new places to live, one of the first questions posed is, ‘how am I actually getting to campus?’ Living near campus usually correlates with higher rental prices. While walking is the simplest way of getting to school, it’s not a feasible option for everyone. Of course, monthly and annual parking permits can be purchased from Oregon State University’s Transportation Services. However, the department is focused on providing viable alternatives for commuters instead of increasing the number of parking permits sold. OSU have five main objectives they consider when planning future transportation; being bold in addressing the climate crisis, making the school accessible and affordable for students and staff, being good neighbors to the Corvallis, Ore. community, being good stewards of the land itself and to be financially responsible. They hope to accomplish this goal by reducing the percentage of trips that are made by a solo driver. Currently, the OSU drive-alone rate is 32%, with a goal of reaching a 20% rate by 2030. According to Transportation Services Director Meredith Williams, reaching this goal is feasible. “60% of OSU employees live inside the boundaries of Corvallis… I think about 45 to 50% of OSU employees live within a quartermile of a CTS stop,” Williams said. Between that and efforts on their part to facilitate additional shifts from driving alone to other travel modes, even conservative efforts have them at 20%. In order for these drive-alone rates to decrease, support has to be provided for viable alternatives like biking, skateboarding and transit. Thirty-one percent of trips are made by walkers, another 20% are done by bike, while only 7% are using public transit. Two-thirds of OSU students currently live within a quartermile of a CTS stop. Recently, the Corvallis Transit System expanded their services by upping bus frequency and including services on Sunday, now operating over all seven days of the week. According to CTS Transit Coordinator Tim Bates, this expansion results in an additional 10,000 service hours over the year. The CTS has been providing fareless bus services since 2011, making it one of approximately 40 transit departments to do so. This is made possible by a fee collected from every resident that pays a utility fee. The bus routes sprawl across a majority of the city and typically arrive at hourly intervals. “One of the barriers to getting people on transit is the cost, people didn’t want to pay necessarily 75 cents to go three or four blocks,” Bates said. “Along with that, it’s also good for social services, people who otherwise would be unable to take the bus. Now, again, there’s not a financial barrier for them to be able to do so.” The CTS and the Associated Students of
16 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • MARCH 2, 2020
SCOTT SCHMID T | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK TOP: A Corvallis Public Transit bus makes it way down Monroe Street. The city’s transit service is free to ride. BOTTOM: Students load a shuttle bus which connects OSU to Linn Benton Community College. The shuttle is free to ride for students.
Oregon State University have also collaborated to create the Night Owl program, which includes the usage of three bus routes from 9:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. These routes reach the southwest, southeast, and north corners of the city, providing Corvallis residents and OSU students with a free and safe option for getting home after dark. Increasing safety for bikers and skateboard users has become a priority to transportation officials across the city. A recent amendment to the city’s Transportation Maintenance Fee will now allocate 1% of funds to pedestrian and bicycle safety projects like the introduction of low-stress neighborhood bikeways. There are plans in place to convert 11th, 27th, and 34th streets into low-stress neighborhood bikeways. According to Williams, a few low-cost changes will make these routes safer and easier for bicyclists to travel to and from campus. However, accessible transit options across the city are not always distributed equally.
Reaching campus from South Corvallis can be difficult, as the only bus line that reaches that area weaves throughout the neighborhood and requires a transfer at the Downtown Transit Center. A majority of the current CTS bus routes have stops on either Monroe, Western, or travel directly through campus. “I’ve taken the bus once. When I tried to get home I got lost,” said third-year ecological engineering student Sierra Smith. Smith has lived in South Corvallis over the past two years and primarily gets to campus by bike, taking anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes. Despite enjoying the autonomy and exercise that comes with cycling, she still feels that using the bus could be turned into more of a viable option. “I think I would consider using it more, particularly on the way home, if there was only one bus or if the transfer process was a little clearer,” Smith said.
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Noise, fire laws aim to protect residents By WILLIAM ROSS News Contributor Noise complaints and fire danger are not always at the top of student’s minds as they approach renting an apartment, but following city laws and guidelines can protect new renters from fees and harm. According to the city of Corvallis Housing and Neighborhood Coordinator Tracy Oulman, ORS 90—the state’s landlord/tenant law— obligates tenants not to infringe on their neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of their own homes. Corvallis expands on this state law more with a municipal code Article 5.03.030 of its own. “If amplified sound is audible more than 50 feet from your residence any time of day, then that is a violation of the municipal code,” said Corvallis Police Department Lieutenant and Public Information Officer Dan Duncan. “If you have a big party and you’re playing music loud, it’s not too hard for it to go beyond 50 feet.” If residents don’t follow noise ordinances, there can be legal consequences. Duncan explained if the police come to one’s door because of a noise complaint, it is up to the officer to decide the penalty the resident can receive. This can range from a verbal warning to
a fine for multiple violations. While landlords can hold tenants accountable for the noise they produce, they have no power to issue fines based on sound, according to Oulman. Community livability officers have another way to deal with multiple sound violations that college residents may commit, Oulman said. “A Special Response Notice is essentially a warning from the Corvallis Police Department for specifically disruptive behaviors,” Oulman said. “They can be minor possession, it can be noise, it can be a nuisance, all kinds of things and if they issue an SRN one of the things that happen is that all the copies of SRN’s go to Oregon State University’s code of conduct office. Then the code of conduct office can reach out to students to follow up. So it’s an important thing to be aware of if you live off-campus.” While controlling noise is an important factor to make sure students don’t break laws, fire safety laws and guidelines can save lives. Fire Prevention Chief Jeff Prechel said it is mandatory by law for landlords to have functional fire and carbon monoxide alarms in their buildings. Renters have the responsibility not to tamper or destroy these devices. Preventative measures can also keep students safe from fires.
“One of the most common causes of fire we have here in the city is unattended food on the stove,” Prechel said. “It’s common in rental properties, so if somebody has a fire they should call 9-1-1. One, for the fire department to come out and make sure it’s properly extinguished and two, we can make sure there are no injuries [and] talk to people how to avoid that in the future.” With the legalization of marijuana at the state level in 2015, there has been a spike in smoking, a common cause of fires, according to Prechel. “You shouldn’t be smoking inside the building, and a lot of rental agreements will specifically state you can smoke on the property at all, that is the landlord’s right to restrict smoking in their property cause it does cause damage to the property and it’s just risk management,” Prechel said. “If you do smoke, you should have an appropriate place to put your buds, so you should have a metal container with some sand or water.” Grilling is another safety issue renters should take into account to keep themselves protected, Prechel warned. “Your grill is supposed to be 10 feet from any combustible materials. You shouldn’t be grilling on any balconies because they can’t get 10 feet
from the building. So whether it’s charcoal, gas, there should be no cooking on an exterior balcony,” Prechel said. Burning one’s trash is also against the law in Corvallis, since it can affect the air quality of one’s neighborhood. The only burning of materials allowed takes place in a two-week span around April in which yard debris can be burnt, according to Prechel. Burning a large number of organic materials any other time is against the law. “A lot of the times the issues we find on fires are expressly prohibited in their lease agreements and that creates an issue against the tenants and the landlord after the incident,” Prechel said. Tenants are responsible for whatever actions their guests or pets take, if laws are broken or fires started, it will be the tenants’ responsibility to deal with them, according to Oulman. “It is always very good to make sure you have good communication with your property manager, cause there may be municipal codes you need to be aware of but there also may be rules from the property management you need to be aware of as well,” Duncan said. Renters interested in more information about fire safety can consult the City of Corvallis’ College Fire Safety webpage.
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City government, local utilities work to implement renewable energy programs
Corvallis, Pacific Power use Blue Sky initiative to improve energy efficiency By JADA KRENING News Correspondent The City of Corvallis and local power companies such as Pacific Power and Consumers Power Inc. have implemented renewable energy programs in order to reduce the area’s contribution to climate change. Pacific Power, the main provider of electricity in the City of Corvallis, has a voluntary initiative known as Blue Sky, in which customers opt in to the program and pay an additional cost on their monthly power bill to support renewable energy efforts. According to the Pacific Power website, customers can opt in to three options, including “Blue Sky Block,” “Blue Sky Usage” or “Blue Sky Habitat.” “Blue Sky Block” costs $1.95 per 200 kilowatt hours block per month and supports renewable energy at a fixed price. “Blue Sky Usage” costs approximately $8 more per month and supports 100% renewable resources from Oregon, Washington and Idaho. “Blue Sky Habitat” costs about $10.50 more per month and helps restore and preserve native fish habitats in Oregon. According to the Pacific Power website, there were over 125,000 participants in Blue Sky in 2018, collectively supporting 790,051,058 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy and reducing their combined carbon footprints by 323,931 tons of carbon dioxide. Tom Gauntt, spokesman for Pacific Power, said the community participation rate for Blue Sky in Corvallis is 23%, meaning nearly a quarter of Corvallis Pacific Power customers choose Blue Sky. “Corvallis has long been a leader in renewable energy, especially with using our Blue Sky program to further its own goals,” Gauntt said via email. “The City of Corvallis received the Blue Sky Legacy Award recognizing more than a decade of participation in the program.” According to Gauntt, there are a number of other Blue Sky participants in Corvallis, including the Beit Am Jewish Community Center, Corvallis Municipal Airport, City of Corvallis Waste Water, Coho Housing Condominium Association, City of Corvallis Fire Station #1 and #4, OSU
L OGAN HOWE L L | ORANGE MED IA NETWORK
A sign giving details about the City of Corvallis’ use of solar power, including four solar sites within the city. Funding for this site was provided by Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Initiative and the city government. Optical Motion Tracking System, OSU WERF Wind Research and the OSU Wave Energy Linear Test Bed. Pacific Power’s current energy resources consist of thermal energy, hydropower, wind and solar. According to Gauntt, 70% of Pacific Power’s resources come from coal and natural gas, with plants located in Utah and Wyoming. 10% comes from hydropower, with projects on the Lewis River in Washington, North Umpqua River in Oregon and Klamath River in California. 10% comes from wind and solar, with wind assets in the Columbia River Gorge, Utah and Wyoming. 10% of power is purchased off the
market, meaning its source depends on what is at sale at the time. “Pacific Power is transitioning away from coal-fired energy. By 2038 we are retiring 20 of the 24 units currently operating. At the same time, we are accelerating creation of new wind, solar and storage. During that same 18 years of expanding renewable capacity, including storage, we plan to bring on more than twice the capacity than the coal units being retired, ensuring reliable and renewable power for generations to come,” Gauntt said via email. While Pacific Power is the primary electricity provider in the area, Con-
sumers Power Inc. also serves 23,000 members in Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion and Polk counties. Consumers Powers Inc. is a non-profit, cost-based cooperative utility owned by its customers, in comparison to Pacific Power, an investor-owned utility. Consumers Power Inc.’s mission is to provide safe, reliable and affordable power to its members, according to James Ramseyer, the director of member services at the co-op. “Our resource mix is currently 97% emission free,” Ramseyer said via email. “Most of that, over 80%, is hydropower.” The City of Corvallis works in
conjunction with local power companies, including Pacific Power, to implement energy initiatives, according to Corvallis Public Works Director Mary Steckel. Steckel said the city has taken a number of steps to increase its use of clean and renewable energy, including switching to LED street and traffic lights and placing thermal solar panels on several city buildings. Additionally, there are photovoltaic solar arrays at the Corvallis Public Works complex, municipal airport and two Corvallis fire stations. “The electricity produced at our four on-site solar arrays plus Blue Sky purchases equaled 25% of our total electricity usage in 2019, up from 8% in 2013,” Steckel said via email. Steckel said the city also plans to purchase at least 50% renewable diesel fuel this year, since it emits less carbon and particulate matter—hazardous particles that are suspended in air—than regular or biodiesel blends. Additionally, Steckel said the city has an action plan item in its Strategic Operations Plan to get to 100% renewable electrical energy by 2030. Steckel said the City of Corvallis has specifically worked to improve efficiency at two of the city’s largest energy consumers: the wastewater treatment plant and the water treatment plant. Steckel said their efforts were focused on two areas, reducing the amount of water that’s treated through conservation outreach in the community and identifying efficiencies in how water is processed in both plants. The latter effort is done through the Department of Energy’s program, which includes a team that consists of members from Pacific Power, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Energy Trust of Oregon and other communities. This team, according to Steckel, seeks the best practices and consultant advice on potential areas of improvement. “The City of Corvallis currently derives 12.7% of overall electricity from renewable resources,” Gauntt said via email. “We continually work with the city to help strategize ways to meet their renewable energy goals, often working on strategies to energize fleets. 22% of municipal load is through Blue Sky.”
MARCH 2, 2020 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • 19
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Student on the street: What advice do you have for those looking for housing? By ADRIANA GUTIERREZ News Contributor
By CLAIRE NELSON OMN Photographer
JANANI SWANINADHAN ROBOTICS
I didn’t know about the bus services before I came here, so I was hesitant to find a place too far away, but then I realized we have free buses so two miles isn’t too far away.
LUC BOUCHARD COMPUTER SCIENCE
A lot of students think that they can find a place and work on it…you can’t hesitate and you can’t compare, you just got to go for it.
FISCHER HILL
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Yard work sucks… Make sure you have a car or you live close.
EVANI QUINONEZ SOCIOLOGY
Live somewhere close…within six or seven blocks. You can bike, you can walk, it’s really convenient.
JINAL PATEL
S T U D I O A R T, A R T H I S T O R Y
I wish I knew I had a lot of options to choose from and what type of house I wanted to live in.
KAYLEE WALLACE MARINE BIOLOGY
Make sure you know the bus systems because you might not always have a car…if you can avoid using an Uber you should.
20 • DAILYBAROMETER.COM • MARCH 2, 2020