2013
MORGANTOWN
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TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013
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LIVING GUIDE | 3
TRANSPORTATION to navigate CAMPUS by daniel schatz correspondent @dailyathenaeum
3/4 BR. Townhouses Mclane/Grant
11/2 or 21/2 BA, Furnished, W/D, Parking, NO PETS. $425/ Month each Plus Deposit • 304-677-2171 • 304-622-5512 David Rossana
For students at West Virginia University, figuring out how to get around can be a challenge, but public transportation is more accommodating than most students think. The University offers the Public Rapid Transit system for students and nonstudents to conveniently maneuver across both the Downtown Campus and Evansdale Campus. “The PRT is more convenient than the bus because the bus doesn’t run as often as the PRT does, and traffic can make the bus unre-
liable,” said freshman journalism student Maia Anna Brumage. “The PRT is also a more energy efficient mode of transportation than the bus.” Built in 1975, this system appeals to people who either don’t have cars or the time to wait for the bus. Students can swipe their student ID card to ride for free and non-students pay 50 cents. The PRT shuts down at 10:15 p.m. weekdays, 5:00 p.m. Saturday and is closed Sunday. Despite its benefits, the PRT only connects the University campuses downtown, so students looking to do some traveling outside of Morgantown have to rely on the bus. The Mountain Line Transit Authority can take stu-
dents to destinations all over the city, and even to destinations outside of the greater Morgantown area. The bus system travels to destinations such as: the Morgantown Mall, the Suncrest Towne Centre, Cheat Lake and even other cities in West Virginia. Students can catch the bus to travel to destinations like Fairmont and Clarksburg. With the Campus PM bus line, students can travel between campuses at hours when the PRT may not be running. Thursday-Saturday, the bus begins the first run at 6 p.m. and ends with its final run at 2:50 a.m. “The bus is more convenient than the PRT at night, because the PRT is closed too early,” Brumage said. “It makes me feel bad because
I don’t like to take the bus.” For students deciding to bring cars, however, the public transportation systems may not be as important. Daniel Commerford, a freshman civil engineering student, said he finds having a car to be more efficient in retrieving student essentials on command. “I’m able to get supplies, and I’m able to get the stuff I need to do the work I have,” Commerford said. “It makes it so much more convenient.” For students with cars, parking can be difficult without a decal, which allows students to park in conveniently placed designated areas around campus, but they can be quite expensive. Some local businesses
also offer priced parking. WVU also offers a shortterm rental car sharing program called Zipcar. Zipcar is available 24/7 and provides students, faculty and staff with a great method of alternative transportation. Zipcar vehicles are located on both the Evansdale and Downtown Campuses. The cars are $8 per hour rented or $66 for an entire day throughout the week. They are $9 per hour or $72 during the weekend. Gas and insurance are included in the price, and there is an annual $35 registration fee for becoming a registered Zipster. For more information on University transportation, visit http://transportation. wvu.edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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4 |LIVING GUIDE
by sam bosserman correspondent @dailyathenaeum
N O F O E L T T A B E H T vs US P M A C OFF USING HO
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Finding a place to live can be a stressful process. One of the biggest decisions in the housing search is deciding whether or not to stay on campus or go in search of a privately run place to call home. Both on- and off-campus options have their advantages and disadvantages, which students consider what they think is the best fit for their personal situation. For those who find themselves leaning towards staying on campus, the advantages mainly stem from the sheer convenience of the arrangement. Assuming a student chooses a Residence Hall on the same campus as the majority of their classes, the ability to roll out of bed five minutes before class and still make it on time can be priceless. Many upperclassmen living on campus claim the lack of having to rely on bus or car removes a great deal of frustration. Shivakumar Mahakali,
Tuesday DECEMBER 3, 2013 a West Virginia University senior who has lived in Stalnaker Hall for the last three years, said the joys of on-campus housing are indeed related to the simplicity and easy living. “Food is right here, the Mountainlair is right here, (and) High Street is just a block away,” Mahakali said. “The library is close, and all my classes are just a quick walk away.” Mahakali said another aspect to the simplicity of living in the residence halls is residents only have to worry about dealing with the University and only at the beginning of the semester. “Just from an economic standpoint, I think it’s a lot more efficient if everything is paid in one check and is settled in a one-time deal,” Mahakali said. Mahakali said one of the reasons he decided to stay in the residence halls was due to having so many good times and memories inside Stalnaker Hall. “I got so used to Stalnaker. I really like the glass lounge in particular – I’ve become attached to the place,” Mahakali said.
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“(During freshman year) you develop so many good memories … You already know what you’re dealing with, which makes living (in the dorms) less stressful.” On the other side of the spectrum are those looking to move off campus and away from the prying eyes of Resident Assistants. Off-campus housing options allows students to experience a sense of freedom, which many have never had before. The ability to live in a place without the stringent rules of the residence halls is a major advantage in the eyes of many students. Sahil Parag, a WVU senior who has lived offcampus since sophomore year, said in addition to not having to follow strict dorm rules, the privacy and space makes leaving the dorms a good choice. “It’s about privacy. You have your own room, and usually you only share a bathroom with, at most, two other people,” Parag said. “You can have people over whenever you want, and there are no restrictions on when guests can and can’t be in your room.” Parag also said living off campus usually means having more choices, such as choosing and preparing food. “You get your own kitchen, a stove, big fridge and you can cook whatever you want,” Parag said. No matter which side of the debate students are on, there are certainly arguments for both on- and off-campus living. It comes down to students’ personal situation and where they feel most comfortable. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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Tuesday DECEMBER 3, 2013
Grocery shopping on a tight college budget by alyssa pluchino
pus in the nation work minimum wage jobs, juggle several hours of course work and at the end of Each week, college stu- the day are rewarded dents across college cam- with a not-so-appealstaff writer @dailyathenaeum
ing bowl of Ramen noodles. It is no secret college students are typically poor, but there are many tips that can help save these students money on
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SEE FOR YOURSELF To compare prices of the local grocery stores, students can visit http:// www.comparegroceryprices.org. groceries. Firstly, to invest in a Sam’s Club membership, especially students who are living with three or more people. Sam’s Club is a bulk distributor, so for only $45 a year, students can stock up on their favorite products. Not only does it end up being much cheaper than buying products separately each time, it also cuts down on unnecessary trips to the grocery store. In particular, students should focus on buying household items frequently used like toilet paper, paper towels and plastic cups. “I have five roommates, so at the beginning of the year we each
chipped in $10 for a Sam’s Club membership,” said Brittany Livak, an exercise physiology student. “We didn’t have one last year, and I can already see that we are saving a lot on the things that we all share. The only things we do not buy are the different snacks that each of us eat.” A Kroger card can be a lifesaver when buying groceries. Using the card to buy the discount items can save lots of money. Students can always opt for purchasing the storebrand for most items. Most of the time, these offbrand items have the same exact ingredients as name brand, only with a different label attached.
“I always buy store brand items because I honestly do not notice a difference,” said Andrea Berardenelli, a criminology student. “I also try to only buy meals instead of foods to snack on because they are expensive and not necessary.” Aside from keeping an eye out for sales, students should invest in groceries that will last a long time. Eggs, canned soups and freezer items are essentials that everyone should have on hand. Compare prices among the different grocery options as well. Many assume Walmart is always the cheapest option, but this is not always the case. Target, Giant Eagle, and particularly Aldi are also promising options. To compare prices of the local grocery stores, visit http://www.comparegroceryprices.org. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
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8 | LIVING GUIDE
Tuesday DECEMBER 3, 2013
Law students create business to help resolve landlord conflicts By Carlee Lammers Managing Editor @CARLEELAMMERS
It’s no secret that tenant-landlord relationships are often difficult to navigate. Jordan Lomis, a law student at West Virginia University, learned that the hard way. “About two years ago, when I first moved to Morgantown, I lived in an apartment complex. When I moved in, the place was a mess,” he said. “I knew that I should have taken pictures. But I didn’t.” On move-out day Lomis said he spent hours cleaning his apartment. His landlord failed to return his security deposit, but that wasn’t the end. “Not only did they not return my security deposit,
but they sent it to collections, which ruined my credit,” he said. “I was actually (rejected) for student loans for the (next) semester because of that record for collections.” After seeing friends go through the similar experiences, Lomis decided something had to be done. Lomis, along with another law student, established their own business, Morgantown Security Deposit. “I started thinking ‘How can we fix these problems?’ And that’s how I came up with the business model,” he said. “It’s designed so that there can’t be any disputes.” For $100 per apartment, MyMSD will come to the apartment for a move-in consultation and inspection.
“
“ Not only did they not return my security
deposit, but they sent it to collections, which ruined my credit,.”
Jordan Loomis
”
MYMSD Founder
During the hour-long appointment, the two take time-stamped and watermarked photos of the entire apartment, looking for any preexisting damage, of which MyMSD keeps a detailed log. Then, when students move out, the company provides the same services. “There’s all these little things that if you don’t do the landlord can say ‘Hey, you didn’t follow the steps exactly as your supposed to, so we’re keeping your security deposit,’” he said.
“By that time most students are ready to get out and leave. They’re not even thinking about it. We just make sure students do all the steps that they need to.” Lomis said MyMSD helps students prepare to take any necessary legal action after not receiving a security deposit. “We have a working relationship with student legal services. So, if there is a dispute, we contact them, on the student’s behalf and give them all of our records
... and they will take legal action on the student’s behalf,” he said. “That legal representation is free for students.” Lomis said he encourages students to take action and utilize his service, especially when hundreds of dollars are at stake. “It’s important to know that we do have rights. A lot of people feel helpless, they feel like they don’t have rights. But, being a law student, you realize that you do have rights and it’s important to protect them,” he said. “It’s important to inform people that they have rights. That’s what being a lawyer is all about.” Lomis said he believes all students should take advantage of MyMSD’s services, because it could save a lot of pain a year
down the road. “We want to students to be proactive, not reactive. Look a year ahead to when your lease is ending, and know that there is a possibility that you might be losing money. If you take steps now, you might save yourself some money and a headache down the road,” he said. “It may not seem like it’s worth it at first, but at some point, living in a college town for four to five years, there is a very high likelihood you’re going to have issues with your landlord.” For more information on MyMSD and for more information on other services provided, visit www. getmymsd.com or facebook.com/Get.MyMSD. carlee.lammers@mail.wvu.edu
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BUDGET
WORKSHEET Use this budget sheet to decide how much you can afford to spend on rent in order to help narrow down your apartment search.
Salary/Wages Scholarships Parent/Spouse/Partner
LIVING GUIDE | 9 INCOME Loans Stipend Other Total Income
Tuition/Fees Off Campus Meal Plan Books and Supplies Rent Deopist/Application
ONE-TIME EXPENSES Utility Deposits Cable Installation Internet Installation Other Total One-Time Expenses
Rent Utilities Cable/Internet Furniture Rental Renter’s Insurance Car Payment/Insurance Groceries/Dining Out Gas/Car Maintenance Transit Fares Health Insurance
MONTHLY EXPENSES Household Supplies Clothing Toiletries Personal Care Entertainment Gifts Credit Card Payments Loan Payments Savings Other Total Monthly Expenses
Exceptional Service, Exceptional Locations, Exceptional Style Perilli Apartments, in Morgantown, West Virginia, is a 40-year-old family owned residential home provider that specializes in excellent accommodations and high quality furnishings for students and professionals. From apartments to townhomes, to houses, Perilli Apartments has it all and wants nothing more than to help you find a new place to live that you’re happy to call your home.
SOUTH PARK
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Furnished Apartments & Homes Efficiency, 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 Bedrooms 8 Minute Walk to Campus Off street parking, intercom system, washer/dryer, dishwasher, central A/C, ceiling fans
Scandinavian Kitchens 1, 2, and 3 Bedrooms Just Minutes to Campus, entry security system, laundry facility, A/C, ceiling fans, close to restaurants, shopping, & night life.
Close to Hospitals, Health Sciences, Mylan, Niosh, and PRT 1, 2, and 3 Bedrooms, Covered garages, play area for children, washers and dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, central A/C, ceiling fans, and several units with fireplaces.
With a variety of apartments and homes available, Perilli Apartments is sure to have exactly what you’re looking for. Whether that’s peace and quiet for you and your family, or a taste of downtown living for you and your college roommate. We have continually passed inspections from the City Code Enforcement and the Fire Department, and are grandfathered in by the City to accommodate your needs for anything from one bedroom up to five bedroom units. *No Pets allowed in any Perilli rentals.
304-296-7476 • info@perilliapartments.com • www.perilliapartments.com
10 | LIVING GUIDE
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Tuesday DECEMBER 3, 2013
Becoming an RA at WVU By Alexis Randolph Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum
There are many leadership positions college students may choose to take on, however, few are as actively involved in the lives of fellow students as Resident Assistants. With 14 residence halls on the West Virginia University campus, which require approximately 230 RA positions, there is a large demand for RAs and the services they provide. An RA is a first-year student’s guide to all things WVU. As full-time students at the University, RAs know where you are and are there to help you figure out where you need to go. An RA is not a parent. They are a peer who can help lead a student down the right path and be an ear when the student needs someone to talk to. Deonna Gandy is a sophomore student and first-year RA in Honors Hall. Gandy said the process of becoming an RA is long but rewarding once you have the position. “A lot of work goes into the interviewing process. You have to go to different sessions and meet all of the Residence Hall Coordinators,” Gandy said. “In the end it was all very enlightening. I learned more than I guess I thought I would.” Gandy said she thinks being an RA is great because she gets to meet new people and learn more about others and herself. To become an RA, students must meet a certain set of criteria. The student must be a full time student enrolled at WVU, must be in good academic standing with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher and have a good disciplinary standing within the residence halls. The student must also have second-year status or higher with at least 29 credit hours. One benefit of being an RA is the student’s room and board are paid for the duration of their employment.
This includes a meal plan for the student. There are both undergraduate and graduate level RAs, although the criteria for being a graduate RA is somewhat different and can be found on the housing website. Chris McBride is the graduate RA in Honors Hall and has been working as an RA for four years. McBride said it gets easier each year. “The skills you acquire definitely help you later on,” McBride said. “It is very rewarding to see first -year students come onto your floor with the high school mentality and leave with a college mentality by the end of their freshman year.” McBride said he thinks separating yourself from the job is one of the most important things, because you live in your job environment day in and day out. “If you are in it for the money, you are going to hate it,” he said. “Your heart has to really be in it if this is something you plan on doing.” Karen Sommers is also a graduate RA in Lincoln Hall and has five years of experience. Sommers said she has had the pleasure of working with about 500 residents throughout her tenure. “This is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. There are definitely more pros than cons to being an RA,” she said. “It is really great to see your residents grow through their freshman year and become sophomores, and then even to see them go on to graduation.” Sommers’ advice for those thinking about applying is to not be afraid to explore new halls the student may not be familiar with. Applications to become an RA for the 2014-15 academic year must be submitted by Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. To learn more about becoming an RA or to apply, visit http://housing.wvu.edu/employment/undergraduate-residence-hall-assistant. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013
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TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013
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UTILITY HOOK UP Water: Morgantown Utility Board (304)-292-8443 Trash: Allied Waste (304)-296-3696 Internet, Cable and Phone: Comcast (304)-906-4981 Mail Keys: U.S. Postal Service (304)-599-5769 Electric: Mon. Power (800)-686-0022 Natural Gas: AmeriGas (304)-296-8206
LIVING GUIDE | 13
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Coupon clipping proves to be beneficial for students shopping on strict budgets BY Jacob Bojesson Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum
Grocery stores around the country are introducing new methods to make the outdated couponing system easier for students to use. A survey conducted by eMarketer showed almost 80 percent of Americans use coupons at least once every year. While students working on limited budgets might be among the demographic that needs coupons the most, the same survey shows that this age range tends to be the people that use them the least. Students can use coupons at grocery stores in Morgantown to save hundreds of dollars annually. “Our flyers are at our front door and basically ev-
erything on our shelves is signed very well and are labeled well,” said Mike Madden, employee at University Town Centre Giant Eagle. “There are thousands of discounts.” Discounts and coupons change weekly and depend on the caterers’ schedules. Madden said the savings from coupon-clipping always adds up in the long run. If you shop at Giant Eagle using discounts, money will automatically be added toward gas savings at GetGo, Giant Eagle’s partner gas station. “If you take advantage of our weekly ads and our low prices, it will save you a lot,” Madden said. “Gift card offers goes beyond just what’s offered in the store. You can pick up extra gas perks, so you save money on gas that way.”
In September, Kroger introduced a new system in which coupons are loaded onto the Kroger card electronically. By using a computer or smartphone, customers can claim an unlimited amount of coupons that will be automatically scanned at the register. “In an effort to modernize the company’s coupon policies, Kroger has been investing additional resources into its digital coupons and promotions,” Tim McGurk, public affairs manager for Kroger’s Louisville Division said in a press release. “This change will please the rapidly growing segment of our customers who prefer to shop and save without the trouble of clipping paper coupons.” danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
The pros and cons of meal plans BY Alyssa Pluchino Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum
With the 2014 spring semester quickly approaching, it is time for students to start considering what, if any, meal plan they will be purchasing for the remainder of the school year. Although freshman attending WVU are required to have a meal plan, there are several on-campus dining options available for every student’s convenience. WVU offers a total of six meal plans ranging from $432-$2,240 per semester. Students and parents can modify their dining plan online until Jan. 29, 2014, by 3 p.m. “I like having (a meal
plan) because it is convenient,” said Michael Tattoli, a senior communications student. “I can just stop at the Mountainlair or the closest dining hall near me to grab something quick. It also helps when you have friends visiting, so they do not have to pay to eat everyday.” The cheapest dining option is called the Upper Class Express, costing a total of $432 per semester. The Upper Class Express allows students entry into any dining hall with up to 48 meals, essentially costing $9 per entry. The Upper Class Elite costs $835 per semester. It allows access to any dining halls, and provides students with 80 meals. This
means each meal costs roughly $10 per meal, but the plan also comes with an additional $100 of dining dollars. The Mountaineer and Select Fifteen meal plans both work on a weekly cycle. The Mountaineer plan provides students with 20 dining hall entries per week and the Select Fifteen allows 15 meals. Both of the plans have a maximum of three swipes per day. Students can only swipe once within the allotted meal times. Both the Blue and Gold meal plans have no daily or weekly limit. The Blue Plan offers 160 meals per semester, costing roughly
see MEAL on PAGE 15
Tuesday december 3, 2013
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Living guide | 15
Farmers Market local food option
WYTHE WOODS/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
A farmer from Mon Valley Farms sells fresh produce at the Morgantown Farmers Market on Spruce Street.
by laura haight staff writer @dailyathenaeum
The Morgantown Farmers Market turns produce shopping into a fun event for families and students. From May-November, the market is located in the Morgantown Market Place on Spruce Street. Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 40-46 vendors set up their stands, offering locally grown fruits and vegetables to the residents of Morgantown. Since the pavilion’s opening in September of 2012, the $700,000 pavilion hosts 3,0004,000 customers per weekend. Kaylee Kuzma, a junior exercise physiology student, said the Farmers Market is a great place for students to get fresh produce. “It’s awesome that you can go get some of the same things you could buy at any grocery store, except you ac-
MEAL
Continued from page 14 $11 per meal but also has $300 in dining dollars. Similarly, students who purchase the Gold Plan get 220 meals and an additional $300 of dining dollars and costs a total of $2,317 per semester. Jessica Jordan, a senior
tually know where it came from and you know it’s fresh,” Kuzma said. With all of the products for sale being locally grown, the Farmers Market is the best way to find the freshest fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat in the Morgantown area. All of the farms at the market are located within a 50mile radius of Morgantown. Market manager Lisa Lagana inspects the vendors to make sure they’re keeping up with the standards of being locally grown. “If the vendor says they’re selling blueberries, we inspect their farm to make sure they’re actually growing blueberries on the property,” Lagana said. She also checks for antibiotic use, organic certifications and pesticide or chemical use. This ensures customers know exactly what they’re buying and vendors do not advertise falsely. Along with offering fresh produce to the public, the
market also features local artists for live entertainment each week. Although the market’s peak season is during the summer months, for the winter season the market is located indoors at Wesley United Methodist Church Gymnasium on North High Street. For students who live downtown, the market is an easy way to shop for food without battling traffic. All of the purchases made at the Farmers Market support the local economy and the small family-run farms. The winter market is open select Fridays from 4-7 p.m. and select Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For winter dates and more information on the Morgantown Farmers Market, visit http://morgantownfarmers. org
speech pathology student, said she is a firm advocate for the Blue Plan. “Even though I live off campus now, my meal plan has really helped me save a lot of money, because I do not need to spend as much on groceries,” Jordan said. “Besides saving money on food, it also helps me save money because I am using less dish soap, garbage bags and
utensils.” Every student leads a different lifestyle, and it is important to consider your weekly costs to determine if purchasing a meal plan is right for you. To learn more about offcampus dining options, visit http://diningservices. wvu.edu/dining_plans/ off_campus_plans.
danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
- Affordable - Partially Furnished Units - 24 Hour Maintenance - 1-7 Bedroom Units - Utilities Included - Great Locations - Laundry Facilities
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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013