THE DAILY ATHENAEUM LIVING GUIDE—JAN. 30
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Friday January 29, 2016
Sunnyside Construction still affecting UPlace residents by madeleine hall staff writer @dailyathenaeum
University Place is located on University Avenue on the Downtown Campus and is one of the newer apartment complexes at West Virginia University. UPlace offers a number of apartments, studios and townhomes. Apartments are fully furnished and all utilities are included in rent. Community amenities include a fitness center, study lounges, a WVU/Mountain Line bus stop, outdoor courtyards and a number of food options, such as a Sheetz, Insomnia Cookies, Burgerz n Dogz and Papa Allen’s Pizza. Individual apartment amenities include granite kitchen countertops, hardwood-style floors, private bedrooms, private and
semi-private bathrooms and a washer and dryer in certain units. Apartments are furnished to include a flat-screen TV, new couches, entertainment centers and bedroom furniture. UPlace has a policy of individual lease responsibility or “by the bed leases,” meaning that a roommate’s failure to pay rent will have no negative consequences on your credit. Parking leases are distributed on a first come, first serve basis. “UPlace is pretty nice, but it’s quite expensive,” said Karl Mueller, a WVU sophomore and Uplace resident. “They’re going to raise rent next year, so I frequently advise people against living here.” Isaac Estep, also a sophomore at WVU and resident at UPlace, said he hasn’t en-
joyed the recent construction in the area. “They are still working on the building, so frequent loud construction noises disturb your day,” he said. “I have to yell to talk to someone a foot away.” Rent at UPlace is currently $750 per month. Because rent is rising, leases signed or renewed by Nov. 30 is $760. If leases are signed after Nov. 30, rent is hiked to $775. For more information on UPlace, visit http://uplace. wvu.edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Questions commonly asked by students seeking housing by jamie mason Staff writer @dailyathenaeum
“Is there parking?” If you have a car at school with you, this answer is imperative. Especially in Morgantown, parking is one of the hardest things to come by, making this one of the most important things to ask about before signing a lease. You don’t want it to be move in day and realize there is no place to park. If parking is offered at your new home, be sure to find out whether or not there is an additional fee for it, as well. “Are utilities included in my rent?” Many times for apartments or houses off-campus at West Virginia University, students have to pay for utilities on top of monthly rent. Before signing a lease, it is crucial you find out whether or not utilities are included. How bad would it be if one month into school, the electricity turned off because you didn’t know you had to pay the electric bill? Also, clarify if all or just some utilities are included. “Are there any known issues or damages to the apartment?” The home you want to live in may be beautiful, but what if the toilet won’t flush or the bathtub doesn’t drain? You should always ask the landlord if there are any known physical problems or maintenance issues and, more importantly, check for yourself. Landlords might not be upfront, so you don’t want to be held accountable for someone else’s handiwork. Also, ask about who takes care of maintenance and how to get in contact. “What are my leasing options?” Living on your own in college can be expensive, so sometimes it’s necessary to have roommates. Before you or your potential roommates sign the lease, ask if each person has his or her own lease, or a “by the bed”
A look at the inside of an apartment at Vandalia Apartments. lease. You don’t want to lose but to the grocery store, the your house halfway through bar or anything else in town the semester because one of you’re interested in. your roommates can’t afford “How can I decorate?” People like to express their share of the rent. Many places offer separate leases themselves artistically and for each resident, ensuring make their rooms their own, your roommates’ mistakes and many times, this may won’t affect you. mean hanging photos or “What are my transpor- posters. But some landlords tation options within walk- and apartment complexes are stricter than others with ing distance?” Whether it’s walking, decoration policies. Ask what you’re allowed driving or taking a shuttle to class, you should always to physically do to your new consider how far away cam- living space before making pus is from your new home any style choices. Wouldn’t and how you will get around. it be terrible if you lost your Morgantown has a number security deposit because of of hills, so make sure there one nail in the wall? Be wary is an easy way to navigate to of “redecoration fees” landand from classes. Especially lords could be charging on if you don’t have a car, trans- top of security deposits, and portation like shuttles, buses if there is prior damage to and the PRT can be crucial walls or carpets, document to travelling not just to class it with a photo and show
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your landlord to avoid being charged when you move out. “Is there a laundry unit?” You might not particularly enjoy laundry, but it’s necessary to consider if there’s a washer and dryer in, or near by, your new home. If these features are not inside your house or apartment, ask where they’re located and how much it costs to use them. If you live in a communal apartment, check to see if the machines are free or coin-operated, and if they’re functional. “Can I bring my pet with me?” College is a time to gain responsibility. For some, this may mean adopting a pet and learning to take care of an animal. Whether you have one now or might want one
in the future, you should ask whether or not pets are allowed. If pets are allowed, be sure to see it in the lease and find out if there is an additional fee for the pet to live in the house or for further damage. Also check restrictions on pets. Some landlords will allow certain dogs under a specific weight or may ban select breeds. “What is the guest policy?” WVU is a school many students are proud of and want to show it off to their family and friends, which means lots of guests. However, sometimes landlords have a policy in their lease prohibiting guests from staying overnight or for a period of time. Find out the guest policy before you sign if you think you might have
friends over for a visit, or you might end up leaving some loved ones stranded. Also, check if guest parking is available for visitors or if special arrangements must be made with your landlord. “What is the policy on breaking my lease?” College isn’t for everyone, and family issues aren’t planned, so what happens if, after one semester, you need to move back home, drop out of school or take some time off? Before signing your new lease, ask about the terms and conditions of breaking it for any reason. Find out how much notice is required, how much you’d have to pay or if you’d be forced to find a new tenant for subleasing. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Where is the place to be?
Taking location, nightlife, attractions and personal interests into account by a&E staff
da staff @dailyathenaeum
Downtown Although recent construction plans make it seem like the school is trying to move the town’s center to somewhere between Evansdale and Sunnyside, there is no beating the charm of downtown Morgantown. The historic center of the city, High Street and the surrounding blocks have become the go-to area for nightlife, shopping and dining. Downtown offers a variety of housing options, from old-school apartments overlooking the city’s center to rentable housing along the nearby streets. There is something for every living style. Clubs and bars along High
Morgantown residents roam High Street. Street, such as The Annex, Jameson’s and Joe Mama’s, give students places to dance, meet up with friends and enjoy a few drinks. For the more adventurous, great bars such as the Apothecary are tucked
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away on side streets, offering stunning drink selections and calmer atmospheres. Food is also easy to come by downtown. Establishments like Tailpipes, The High Street Diner and Soul Broth-
ers offer delicious and quick in-and-out meals. For those desiring more of a sit-down vibe, downtown is home to many pubs and breweries such as The Iron Horse Tavern, Morgantown Brewing Co. and J.W. Thirsty’s. For music lovers, the area has venues such as the new Mainstage Morgantown and historic 123 Pleasant Street, which offer almost nightly performances from local groups and nationally acclaimed bands alike. Stadium As a student, living by Milan Puskar Stadium puts you in a West Virginia University hot spot where good grub, brewed beverages and Mountaineer sports take precedent. Within walking distance of the small community residing around the
stadium are an array of dining options for students. For a caffeine boost, or a place to study, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts provide affordable, convenient options. Both are located on Van Voorhis Drive within walking distance from the medical PRT, allowing students from various points on campus to commute without a car. If you’re looking for a boost without the caffeine, Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant’s margaritas and specialty enchiladas are a go-to for students looking for an affordable meal out. Dickey’s Barbeque located next to Starbucks also provides an affordable option for lunch or dinner. WVU student and Dickey’s Barbeque employee Ivy Meadows said the restaurant provides stu-
dents daily specials. “We have a lot of offers here,” Meadows said. “We really try to reach out to the student population here in Morgantown.” West Run One of the largest student living communities resides just beyond one of the biggest entertainment hubs in town. The West Run area not only offers a handful of affordable housing options, but also many great dining and nightlife options for students on a budget. Suncrest Town Centre, located off of Stewartstown Road., has plenty of formal and fast-food options to try. For students on the run, drive-thru spots such as Martin’s Barbeque, Five Guys,
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Continued from page 5 Dairy Queen and Sonic are available. For those looking to kick back on the weekends, check out Primanti Brothers, Buffalo Wild Wings or Pies and Pints for some tasty local favorites. Suncrest Town Centre also offers shopping destinations such as the trendy women’s
apparel boutique Park and Madison, Cowboys and Angels and a LOFT Outlet. The Moutainline conveniently extends its route to service students traveling to both the Suncrest Town Centre and Pierpont Centre shopping areas. Evansdale Evansdale appeals to Mountaineers for its convenient location and campus resources in a quiet, laidback environment. If you’re
looking to step back from the hustle and bustle of downtown, Evansdale offers easy options for living and commuting between campuses. WVU has recently added a plethora of new Evansdale dining options and entertainment on campus, with even more on the way. In the new Evansdale Crossing building located next to the Student Rec Center, students can chose between multiple eateries on meal-plan in the First
Floor Marketplace. Fast, on-the-go spots include Collo Rosso Pizza, Hugh Baby’s BBQ and Burger Shop, Little Donkey Tacos and Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe. Students can also enjoy a juice bar and a coffee shop on Evansdale Crossing’s rooftop level. In a short, five-minute walk, Mountaineers can enjoy off-campus locations along Patteson Drive. Not only do students have access to a 24-hour Kroger, latenight food options including Taco Bell, Burger King, Little Caesar’s and McDonald’s are also available. If you’re looking for a dinein experience, check out local restaurants Mario’s Fishbowl and Boston Beanery located along University Avenue for pub-style grub. Adventurous eaters might even be tempted by Evansdale’s Asian cuisine options, such as Ogawa and Volcano. The Domain Although the Domain’s location makes residents reliant on buses or other forms of automotive transportation to reach campus and downtown fun, its proximity to a whole shopping center gives students living there opportunities others do not have. Students living at the Domain have walking access to tons of shopping, restaurants and entertainment with Uni-
Friday January 29, 2016 versity Towne Centre right in their backyard. Although Chili’s, Cheddar’s, Red Lobster and the ever-so-cheap Cici’s Pizza don’t offer the local charm some downtown restaurants have, these chains are known for their consistency. With Regal Morgantown Stadium 12 only a stone’s throw away, the Domain is an excellent location for movie buffs. The theater is located in front of the Domain, meaning residents don’t need to drive or struggle with parking to see the latest blockbuster hit. With the recent addition of the new baseball stadium right next door, the Domain is also an excellent area for sports fans. When the Mountaineers aren’t taking the diamond, people can watch the West Virginia Black Bears compete. Target, Walmart, Gamestop and other stores mean Domain residents are never without food or material items. Although separated a bit from the rest of Morgantown, the Domain offers residents a lot of things to do. Sunnyside While much of Sunnyside is undergoing serious renovations, the area is still a major hub of student life. Iconic Morgantown restaurants such as The Rusted Musket and Mutt’s provide students with a timeless WVU
Students and local residents enjoy a game of pool at Mutt’s in Sunnyside.
feel. For those 21 and older looking for late night fun with friends, Mutt’s on Beechurst is a fun spot to spin the shot wheel and snag specials. For students looking to enjoy a healthier late-night option, The Greeks, located in Beech View Place, is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Owner and chef Dimitrios Kolettis said The Greeks is a great spot for students because the restaurant serves simple, one-of-a-kind food that is all prepared in-house. “It’s very healthy, and it’s one-of-a-kind here in Morgantown,” Kolettis said. “It is Greek. Greek is simple, and we make everything in the house. This is a family owned business.” Students who opt to stay in can also dessert-dial warm cookies, brownies and ice cream sandwiches from Insomnia Cookies. The latenight delivery service, located beneath University Place, will drop hot cookies at any student’s doorstep. Insomnia Cookies isn’t the only UPlace business crafting up popular student dining. Students looking to use Mountie Bounty can purchase both meals from Sheetz’ Made-To-Order option and certain groceries at the downtown convenience store. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu
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Traffic becomes congested on High Street in downtown Morgantown during rush hour.
Taking transportation into account when choosing a place to live by amy pratt
staff writer @dailyathenaeum
Transportation in Morgantown can be complicated, especially with the growing number of students and hilly terrain. Fortunately, West Virginia University and local services offer some methods of transportation to students. The PRT and the bus are common methods students use to get to class and travel between WVU’s campuses. Both are free for students with their WVU ID. Taylor Fama, a freshman biomedical engineering student, lives in Oakland Hall on Evansdale Campus.
She uses both the bus and the PRT to travel downtown for class. Though she prefers riding the PRT because it drops her off closer to her first class, she usually takes the bus. “The PRT is not reliable enough,” Fama said. “The bus is more reliable than the PRT, and you know exactly where it’s going to be. They (have) the Twitter and the schedule. You can use the schedule to find out where (the bus) is supposed to be and the Twitter to know where it actually is.” While the bus is usually more reliable than the PRT, it also has its disadvantages for Fama. “If you miss the bus, there’s not another one
for 20 minutes. It’s not like you can wait for another bus to come in the next five minutes,” Fama said. “Also, comparing the bus to the PRT, the bus doesn’t increase its productivity or the number of runs it makes based on how many people need it. The PRT will have more cars running on the track and more runs during a rush time, but the bus can easily get overcrowded.” Josef Heller, a biochemistry student who lives at College Park, thinks College Park’s location can be inconvenient. While walking to class can take too long, it’s also too close to drive. “I always walk to and from my classes because
it’s hard to find parking. There is parking at College Park, so I have the option of having a car, but I don’t drive to class,” Heller said. Heller has to walk up a large hill to get home after class, which he didn’t realize when he decided to live at College Park. “I picked the apartment based on the fact it has family units, but then I found out it’s at the top of this giant hill, and I was like, ‘Holy crap that kind of sucks,’” he said. “But I’ve only lived here so this is all I know. I know some people who lived in the dorms before driving to class because of the hill...” Even with the hill, Heller plans to continue walking to class throughout the
winter months because finding parking downtown will only get harder with more people driving. Denali Hedrick, a sophomore strategic communications student, lives at Chateau Royale between the Downtown and Evansdale campuses. Hedrick rides the Valley View 44line bus downtown for class and, later, takes the PRT to medical and then walks home. She prefers the bus because it stops right in front of her home, but it stops running at 2:15 p.m. “The bus is pretty reliable. Sometimes it leaves a little earlier than it should, but it’s just by a couple minutes. It’s just enough that if you’re running a lit-
tle late, it’s a little risky,” Hendrick said. “It’s quick and part of the reason I live there.” The real problem will be in the winter, however, when Hedrick will have to walk home from the medical PRT. Some off-campus apartments offer shuttles to take students downtown or to Evansdale. Campus Park at the Ridge, The Lofts, Copper Beech and Campus Evolution all offer shuttles. Most students who live downtown can walk or use the Mountain Line Transit Authority. To check bus schedules and where they service, visit http://busride.org/Maps-Schedules. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Friday January 29, 2016
West Virginia to host second off-campus housing fair by amy pratt
staff writer @dailyathenaeum
West Virginia University will host a second off-campus Housing Fair for students looking for places to live next year. The fair will be held from noon-3 p.m. on Jan. 31 in Towers’ Blue and Gold Rooms. Students can meet 30 landlords who own properties in the Downtown, Evansdale and Health Sciences areas of Morgantown. The goal of the housing fair is to show students the different options they have when trying to find housing. “One of the main reasons for holding the housing fair is to allow students to see the different types of landlords and off-campus living we offer in Morgantown,” said Brian Walker,
head of WVU off-campus housing. In the past, students have told Walker they resorted to walking around Morgantown looking for “rent” signs in order to find housing. “That’s pretty time-consuming and not very efficient. You’re only looking at one type of property, and prices are all over the map in Morgantown,” Walker said. “(Now) they can walk into the Blue and Gold Rooms on Saturday… and they can talk to the landlords and see what they have to offer, what price ranges and what different types of properties.” There are plenty of places around Morgantown to live, but not all students know about them. Walker explained many students simply search “Morgantown stu-
dent rentals” on the Internet when looking for housing, which will only provide eight to 10 options ‑ it is usually the large, corporate-owned properties that have large marketing budgets. “That’s another reason for the Housing Fair: getting students to understand the different locations around town where students live,” Walker said. “Obviously, Sunnyside is our traditional student neighborhood, but we have many other places where students live.” Walker hopes the fair will show students they can find good values in Evansdale and near Health Sciences, not just Downtown. Landlords will also have giveaways for students who attend. State Farm Insurance will have
a table at the fair to talk to students about renter’s insurance and Student Legal Services will be there to answer questions about leases. Walker advises students, especially first years, not to sign a lease right away. There can be many changes in a student’s life between signing a lease in November or December and the school year starting in August. “Once you sign a lease,
no matter what happens to your financial status or your status as a student, you are locked into the terms of that contract,” Walker said. “A lot of times students will want to run out in November and sign a lease that doesn’t begin until six or nine months later. A lot of things can happen to you in (that amount of time).” Along with attending the Housing Fair, Walker also recommended students check local news-
papers’ classifieds for properties. Walker believes the housing fair will expand s t u d e nt s’ k n ow l e d g e about off-campus housing at WVU. “I think it will help students figure out what options are out there,” Walker said, “I think it broadens their scope more than anything else.” danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Students take the opportunity to do some research on different housing options during WVU’s 2014 housing fair.
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Living on a budget: working in the dorms as an RA
Many students choose to be an RA for the managerial experience. by jamie mason and reasonably quiet envistaff writer ronment. Although these @dailyathenaeum are not all of the jobs an RA must do, these are some of When students first arrive the most time-consuming at college and move into a tasks. residence hall, they usually Students interested in behave a few questions. To as- coming an RA have to start sist and help answer these applying for the position questions, West Virginia roughly seven months beUniversity puts Resident As- fore the fall semester even sistants in every dorm. begins. But the job and rewards Before even applying, of being an RA do not start students must ensure they meet a few requirements. nor stop there. “I applied to become an Requirements include beRA because I’ve always had ing a full-time student and the goal to go through col- having “appropriate acalege without having to take demic and residence hall out any loans,” said RA Dan student conduct records,” Niess. “This job allows me according to http://wvu. to get my education with- edu. out having to (go) into debt, If these minimum requirements are met, the stuwhich is a lifesaver.” While there are many re- dent can then apply through sponsibilities of being an an online application and RA, Niess is happy he de- submit multiple refercided to pursue the position. ences from past or present “The best part about be- employers. ing an RA is the sense of Students are notified family among staff mem- once Housing and Resibers… Everyone has each dence Life makes its deother’s back,” Niess said. cisions and can continue The responsibilities of an with the RA employment RA include providing per- process. sonal help and assistance to The benefits of being residents, promoting their an RA do not come easy, growth and development though. On top of managand maintaining an orderly ing a full class schedule and
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a personal life, RAs have to make time to assist and help students. Niess said the toughest part of being an RA is time management and being able to balance everything. “As an RA we are still students, so having time for work, school, social life and being able to get enough sleep is a task in itself,” Niess said. Niess said he didn’t believe there was anything bad about being an RA, despite the job’s challenges. “...Overall you come out of the experience with a lot more positives, and rarely are there any negatives,” Niess said. Even though there may be sleepless nights while being an RA, it is definitely rewarding, according to Niess. “Being an RA so far has had its challenges, but overall (it) has given me skills that have made me more responsible, better with my time management, more accountable and overall a better person,” said Niess. “It’s a great job to have while getting an education.” danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Friday January 29, 2016
Student Renters Alliance offers assistance to students by trey santorine
ing for the first time, from absent or exploitative landlords starting this spring. The Student Renters A student organization Alliance will fight to pro- at West Virginia University, tect students, often rent- the group aims to be an incorrespondent @dailyathenaeum
valuable campus resource by providing a resource to name exploitative property owners, recognizing outstanding landlords and offering services to students being treated
unfairly. After the indictment of Copper Beech, a multimillion dollar student housing complex that was found to have collected tens of thousands of dollars in illegal charges from students, Student Government Association Governor Mac McIntyre saw the importance of an organization that would advocate for the rights of individual students. “The Student Renters Alliance is a student solidarity network to stand up against landlord exploitation and make sure students know their rights and they’re not being taken advantage of,” McIntyre, a senior po-
litical science student, said. The new student organization will act as an advocate for the thousands of student renters at WVU, helping to mediate conflicts between landlords and tenants, or directing students toward relevant legal services if necessary. In addition, the organization will produce publications to inform students about particularly notorious landlords in the area. “We’ll get the word out and say, ‘Here’s a landlord that’s been very bad historically, here’s a landlord that’s been taking advantage of students, here’s a landlord that won’t fix
problems or charges excessive fees,’” McIntyre said. “It’s really about education and information, especially after freshman year where students are moving out of dorms, helping guide them through the minefield of choosing an apartment for the first time.” The Student Renters Alliance will also highlight the specific landlords in Morgantown that go above and beyond to support their student renters, while providing them with a safe environment. Students will be able to better choose who to lease from and where. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
From a glance: Campus Park at The Ridge
ridgewv.com
Campus Park at The Ridge.
by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum
Campus Park at The Ridge provides an all-inclusive student housing experience in Morgantown, West Virginia, according to its website. In addition to fully furnished units and free WiFi, residents have amenities such as a Mac computer lab, outdoor kitchen, late-night shuttle service and a brand new 24-hour fitness center. The Ridge offers threeand four-bedroom apartments. The price for a standard three-bedroom,
three-bathroom apartment starting August 2016 is $509 per room; $399 for a standard four-bedroom, fourbathroom and $425 for a deluxe four-bedroom, fourbathroom apartment. Deluxe apartments are bigger with a dining area and more private entries into each bedroom. All utilities are included in the rent price per room. “I don’t like living here because I feel like it’s so far away from my classes,” said Delilah Ruebush, a Ridge resident this semester. “There’s only one bus, and it takes forever.” Former resident Chris-
tianna Shaffer lived at The Ridge for two years and had renewed her lease for a third year. After experiencing some disheartening situations, however, she decided to leave the complex. “The amenities and rent (were) great... That’s why we (originally) chose to live there,” she said. “(But) they did not take into account who they paired up to live with each other... It was a terrible experience.” For more information on The Ridge, visit http:// ridgewv.com/. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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The hunt: Searching for the right roommate by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum
In the current economy, many college students can’t afford to live alone. Roommates hold the potential to reduce rent costs and create the possibility of making or becoming closer with friends. How ever, ro ommates can also cause stress and make a living situation unfortunate. Deciding who to live with can be a stressful and daunting task for many. There are factors to consider when mak-
ing this decision, including deciding whether or not to with live with a random person or a close friend and what to expect when living with either option. MaeBeth Fisher, community assistant and current resident at The Lofts apartment complex, believes when deciding to live with potential or current friends, it is important to be aware of their personalities and daily routines in order to find out whether or not living with them is the right choice. Finding out if a per-
son smokes, has pets or a hectic work schedule early on can save a lot of headaches and worry in the future, Fisher said. “You want to live with someone who shares the same sort of lifestyle you do,” Fisher said. Corianna Cavitt, leasing agent for Copper Beech apartment complex, described what she personally looks for in a roommate. “I like someone who has genuine respect for other people and their things,” Cavitt said. The most common problem Cavitt said she sees among roommates is when roommates don’t pick up after themselves, leaving the mess for someone else to clean. Other common compli-
cations Cavitt and Fisher have seen witnessed include throwing parties at unwanted times in the apartment and allowing general differences of living standards to cause issues with one another. Matt Kaufman, a sophomore at WVU, experienced some of the common complications of living with others. According to Kaufman, his living condition during his freshman year was sometimes horrible. Kaufman said his former roommate gave off an authoritative arrogance that made him come across as extremely unfriendly and selfish. He and his former roommate hardly ever conversed with one another, making being in the dorm room together stressful. “It really upset me,” Kaufman said. “He just
Several WVU students enjoy dinner and some drinks at Mario’s Fishbowl.
gave off an attitude I couldn’t connect with.” Due to fear of upsetting his former roommate, Kaufman said he never confronted his roommate about what was bothering him. “I didn’t want to make him angry or make things awkward,” Kaufman said. Now, Kaufman lives with a roommate he connects with and trusts. “He’s (his new roommate) a thousand times better,” Kaufman said. Issues with roommates can make students dread going to the place that is supposed to be a safe haven. Cavitt described what she thinks is the best way to go about resolving problems that commonly arise when living with differing personalities. “It’s best to have the entire house sit down together to decide what’s go-
ing on and what the possible solutions are,” Cavitt said. Fisher agreed with this method and said putting off confronting roommates can sometimes make matters worse. “(You) definitely want to talk to them if something is bothering you,” Fisher said. “If you talk to them about it, then it will be easier to come up with a solution to the problem.” While there are a number of professional roommate-matching services, the vast majority of students pick roommates themselves, either by reaching out to personal networks or by taking a chance with fate and living with a random person. When looking for one or multiple people to move in with, a little bit of planning goes a long way. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Campus Evolution evolves housing
andrew spellman/the daily athenaeum
by jamie mason staff writer @dailyathenaeum
The Campus Evolution apartment complex is located minutes from the Downtown and Evansdale Campuses and has a number of different features. Amenities include an on-site cafe, 24-hour fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts, 24-hour computer lounge, pool, hot tub, tanning beds, parking and free shuttle service both to and from campus. Campus Evolution has two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments with private bathrooms, a washer and dryer, Internet service and HD cable with HBO. There are individual leases and modern furniture for each bedroom. Andrea Phung, a WVU junior and tenant at Campus Evolution, pays $655 a month, which includes all utilities. The free shuttle is Phung’s favorite part of living at Campus Evolution. “(It’s) super convenient… and nice for when
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I’m too lazy to drive,” she said. Although the shuttle is her favorite amenity, Phung said it still has its downfalls. She wishes Campus Evolution was closer to the University when heading to class in the mornings. While the distance is a concern, Phung has lived there for two years and recommends it to other students. “Overall, I’ve had a great experience,” she said. “The employees are super nice and really work with you. The place is spacious, and the shuttle makes getting
around easy if you don’t have a car.” For more information on Campus Evolution, visit http://cevillages.com/ f i n d - h ou s i ng / ca mpu sevolution-villages-morgantown/. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Students have access to Student Legal Services by jordan miller staff writer @dailyathenaeum
For the legal aspects of housing on or off-campus, West Virginia University students have access to Student Legal Services, which provides advice and representation to all enrolled who have paid their student fees. SLS will take on everything involving housing, from lease reviews to reclaiming security deposits, in an attempt to keep Morgantown landlords accountable for how they treat their tenants. “We really truly do find
that when students are educated about an issue, it changes the way they handle the problem,” said Carrie Showalter, managing attorney for SLS. “… When students come in for a lease review and they understand their rights and responsibilities, they have less issues a lot of times, and they know how to handle things a little bit better as they go forward.” In reviewing leases, Showalter said it’s important to make sure students are aware not only of what they’re agreeing to but also of the binding and enforceable nature of signing a legal document. Students
should know both their rights and their responsibilities as it pertains to the lease. A free service, SLS has saved students more than $141,000 in legal fees alone since April 2015, according to Showalter. “Working with students is really rewarding, and we don’t charge anything so a $500 security deposit is a lot of money to a student, and for them to go hire an attorney to address that would be cost-prohibitive,” Showalter said. “… We’re able to make change and actually assist students in cases they wouldn’t have assistance (otherwise).”
Showalter said students should come to them as soon as an issue arises so they can address it and begin the legal process in a timely fashion to better their chances for a favorable outcome. Philip Lehman, a legal graduate assistant and second year student at the College of Law, said when students go to SLS for landlord disputes, current and future tenants are benefitted as landlords are held accountable. “It creates a nice balance. Not only does (SLS) help (students), but it helps landlord-tenant law here in Morgantown. It keeps the
landlords in check with the statutory law. I think (the managing attorneys) do a great job making sure the students’ claims are heard,” Lehman said. Along with housing, SLS takes on civil issues, such as expungements of records, powers of attorney, family law, wills and contracts. In criminal cases, however, SLS can only provide advice, not representation. SLS also cannot handle issues between two or more WVU students or cases filed against the University. For cases that require specific expertise, like patent law, immigration or tax
disputes, SLS will provide referrals to other places where students can get the help they need. “I would advise all students, if they think there’s an issue happening with their landlord, to come and see us, and we can evaluate the claim and hopefully help them,” Lehman said. Students may call SLS to schedule an appointment at (304)-293-4897 or email sls@mail.wvu.edu. There are additional walkin hours from 4:45-7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in room G5 of Elizabeth Moore Hall. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
From a glance: The Domain at University Town Centre by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum
The Domain at Town Centre prides itself on being “the newest and most luxurious student housing community serving West Virginia University students.” Located in the University Town Centre, the Domain is just minutes away from the Evansdale campus and a short drive to downtown Morgantown. The apartment complex is also near Regal Cinemas Morgantown 12, Target, Walmart, Giant Eagle and a number of restaurants. Amenities for The Domain include, but are not limited to, fully furnished apartments, stainless steel appliances, a flat-screen
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TV in every living room, a resort-style pool and free WiFi Internet access. The complex is also pet friendly. The complex offers onetwo-three and four-bedroom floorplans. One-bedroom apartments start at $1,006 per month ; two-bedroom apartments start at $655 per month; three-bedroom apartments start at $593 per month, and fourbedroom apartments start at $560 per month, according to its website. The Domain rent rates include all utilities except electricity. This rate includes fees for water, sewage, trash, Internet and cable TV with HBO. “I love the view of the city I have and all the amenities available to me,” said Jacqueline Braham, current Domain resident. “I also really love the bus system. It makes getting to class so easy.” For more information on The Domain, visit http:// domainmorgantown.com/. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
The Domain at University Town Centre.
kyle monroe/the daily athenaeum
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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday January 29, 2016