Housing Guide Fall 2019 - The News Record at University of Cincinnati

CAN YOU BRING YOUR PET TO COLLEGE? PAGE 4

MANAGING YOUR DIETARY LIFESTYLE IN DINING HALLS PAGE 6

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

The Deacon, at 424 Straight Street, opened to students at the start of this academic year. (Photo by Mary Callaway LeBus)

KEEP THESE 10 THINGS IN MIND WHEN RENTING AN APARTMENT

BY AMANDA PACE

T

hinking about leasing an apartment?

Not sure where to start? Here is a list of 10 things that you may need to know:

1. Security deposits and other fees

Of course, you’ll have to pay rent. What you may not know is that most apartments require a security deposit of at least one month’s rent. Most have other fees, too, such as an application fee, a parking fee, a pet fee (if they accept pets and you plan to have one), and other resident life expenses. Budget for these costs.

2. Paying for things separate

You’ll likely be responsible for paying the water bill, Internet bill, energy bill, and cable bill. You may need to pay to do your laundry. Make sure that you add these costs into your budget.

3. Paperwork and cosigners

Renting an apartment comes with a lot of paperwork. The application might require a list of previous jobs, banking information and references. You might be required to have a cosigner. Do you know who that will be?

4. Travel time

Be mindful of how long it will take you

to get to campus from your apartment.

Do you want to drive and find a place to park? Have a 30-minute walk uphill?

5. Furnished vs unfurnished

It can be fun choosing your own furnishings. That said, a furnished apartment can save you money; it means you won’t have to buy dressers, a bed, a couch, etc. Ask what comes with the unit.

6. Roommates vs. no roommates

Having roommates can be great. You have someone to hang out with, and you can split costs. If you’re planning to share a place, agree on the amenities you want and the price you’re willing to pay before starting your search. And try to do your search, whether online or in-person, with your roommates.

7. Priorities After you make a list of the things you want, decide what’s most important.

Have a lot of clothes? Closet space may be a priority. Need a place to park your car? Make sure the complex has ample parking.

8. Organization

Think about the things you’ll want to take with you to an apartment and envision where they will go. Remember, necessities first!

9. Timing

The timing on an apartment hunt is critical. Start early. Look up the places you’re interested in online and see when they require applications. Don’t be left out of a place you want.

10. Moving plan Moving can be a big deal. Are you going to rent a van? A trailer? Move-in day can be stressful, so make sure you have plan – and friends and family who are willing to help.

ABOUT THE GUIDE Stories and photos in the spring/summer News Record Housing Guide were produced by students in UCommunicate, a communication services firm housed in the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Communications.

Writers: Sarah Dieterich, Jason Greenberg, Amanda Pace, Chase Prather and Audrey Springman Photographers: Mary Callaway LeBus, Alexa Reiniger Designer: Jared Thorton Adviser: Autumn Miller

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

CAN YOU BRING A PET WITH YOU TO COLLEGE? IT DEPENDS...

BY AUDREY SPRINGMAN AND AMANDA PACE

O

ne of the hardest parts about moving to college is leaving your pet behind.

Luckily, if you wish to bring a pet with you, you have options.

Before getting a pet, consider if you will have time to care for it. Research what the pet needs to thrive, and think about where your pet will stay while you’re on breaks.

On-campus housing

If you’re living in a university-ownedand-operated residence hall, fish are the only pets allowed in rooms, according to residence hall handbook and policies by Resident Education and Development (RED).

Fish tanks must not exceed 10 gallons.

UC-affiliated housing options that follow RED’s policy are Calhoun Hall, Campus Recreation Center Hall, Dabney Hall, Daniels Hall, Marian Spencer Hall, Morgens Hall, Schneider Hall, Scioto Hall, Siddall Hall, Stratford Heights, Turner Hall, University Park Apartments, 101 East Corry and U Square.

One UC housing option, University Edge, is a bit stricter and doesn’t allow fish, no matter the tank size.

Off-campus housing

If pet fish don’t sound appealing, plenty of non-UC-affiliated student housing options are pet-friendly.

The Deacon, a new residential complex, has multiple pet policies. For a monthly fee, it allows cats, dogs (except pit bulls, rottweilers, doberman pinschers, chows, akita, German shepherds, airedale terrier and staffordshire bull terrier breeds), caged bird and fish in up to a 30-gallon tank.

CP Cincy has a one-pet limit with a deposit and monthly fee.

The Verge allows fish and small rodents.

Uptown Rental Properties, a major player in the off-campus housing market, will allow almost any pet for a monthly fee.

Gaslight Properties is also accommodating to most pets if you pay a deposit and monthly fee.

You can bring a dog to many places on campus, including a baseball game.

(Photo by Alexa Reiniger)

Service animals

Service animals are permitted on campus with restrictions. These animals are trained to perform tasks for a disabled person that directly relate to the individual’s disability. UC does not require service animals to register, wear any identification, or carry documentation.

The 4 Paws for Ability university program provides students with the ability to foster a future service dog in training while in college. While the animals are not allowed to live in any UC-affiliated housing communities, they may visit in lobbies.

They may be in classrooms or at an oncampus job with written consent. Students wanting to be a part of this process must submit an application to be a foster or a sitter.

Emotional support animals

UC recognizes that the reasonable accommodation of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) may be needed for a student with a mental health disability.

Each ESA request is reviewed on an individual basis.

To make a request for an ESA, reach out to UC’s Office of Accessibility Services.

Complete the ESA accommodation request form and provide a completed ESA mental health provider form from your healthcare provider.

If approved, the animal will not be allowed to go into classrooms or other people’s residencies. The only restriction on the type of animal that can be an ESA are turtles, which pose a risk of salmonella.

However, if a vet signs off saying your turtle posing no zoonotic risk, it can be your ESA.

A pet-friendly campus

With its open grass fields and shady spots, UC is a very animal-friendly place.

Although pets aren’t allowed in most campus buildings without permission, expect a mood-boosting dog sighting -- or two or three – on a nice day outside on campus. Just make sure to ask the owner before petting. And if you’re the owner, please remember to leash your dog and clean up after it.

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

Every dining hall on campus offers a salad bar that can be friendly for those on restricted diets. . (Photo

by Mary Callaway LeBus)

MANAGING DIETARY LIFESTYLES IN CAMPUS DINING HALLS

BY SARAH DIETERICH

G

oing to college is an exciting milestone, but with it comes the added responsibility of being in control of your meals. Whether you commute, live on- or off-campus, you’ll have access to dining halls through a meal plan or guest swipes from friends. But what if you’re a vegetarian or vegan? Or if you have a food sensitivity or allergy? Below are evaluations of how each major dining hall accommodates the dietary needs of students.

CenterCourt

If you’re attempting to avoid cross contamination with foods, CenterCourt might not be the best option. The same surfaces are used to cook multiple dishes.

If you have a nut allergy, foods are pretty clearly labeled. If you’re trying to eat gluten free, avoid the pizza and pasta bar.

Your best option may be the salad bar.

MarketPointe

Food at Marketpointe is not all cooked on the same surface, but if you have issues with cross-contamination and you’re attempting to be fully vegetarian or vegan, you might not be able to eat anything from the Cincy Grill station, as chicken tenders and fries on Tender Tuesday tend to be fried in the same oil.

On the Green

On the Green is smaller than the CenterCourt and Marketpointe, but it can be well worth the hike across campus if you have a dietary restriction. It’s the newest dining hall on campus, and it tends to be the most accommodating to food restrictions. In addition to the salad bar, at least one of the stations tends to have a fully gluten-free menu. Plus, there are usually ways to opt out of having dairy.

Weighing your options

If you’re just trying to avoid a certain food by choice, and cross-contamination is not a big issue, you’ll probably be able to find some food to eat no matter which dining hall you choose. However, if you have a severe allergy or autoimmune disease where you can’t eat any food that may have been in contact with a possible allergen, a meal plan might not be the best option for you.

If you’ve developed an allergy and are required by the university to have a meal plan, you can contact Housing and Food services at UCFood.uc.edu and fill out a medical request to be waived from the required meal plan with a doctor’s note confirming your allergy or autoimmune disease.

If you have any questions about dining halls, call UC Food Services at 513-5566461 or visit them on the first floor of Marian Spencer Hall.

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

MAKING THE TRANSITION TO COMMUNITY-STYLE BATHROOMS

BY MARY CALLAWAY LEBUS

G

oing from a single bathroom at home to an occasionally dirty, hair-on-theshower-wall community-style bathroom can be difficult for a first-year college student. It can become worse as the year goes on as students stop wearing shower shoes in the bathroom, toilets become stuffed with paper, and no one seems to care enough to pick up after themselves.

Here are some ways to make this transition to community-style bathrooms easier.

Always wear shower shoes Shower shoes are essential, as fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. You want to avoid getting athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that that causes itching, stinging and burning. Wear those flip flops. Plus, who wants to step on hair on the floor of the stalls with their bare feet?

Shower caddies Make life easier by carrying shampoo, conditioner, soap and other shower essentials in a shower caddy. In Daniels,

Calhoun, and Siddall halls, residents are known to carry either a hard and soft shower caddy, as there are hooks and a shelf in the showers where people can hang or place them. In Dabney Hall, residents prefer a hard shower caddy because there aren’t hooks in the showers; instead, they place the caddy on the floor.

Walking through the hall Robes also are a necessity before and after showering in a community dorm.

Cover up and wear a robe as you walk in the hall from your room to the shower.

“RA on-call…”

Be aware that resident assistants (RAs) are allowed to walk into the community bathrooms even if they’re of the opposite sex. However, RAs that are on-call must say, “RA on-call” and knock on the door before they’re allowed to enter the bathroom. RAs typically only do this to check on resident safety.

These are just a few suggestions to help

It can be hard for first-year students to adjust to community-style bathrooms.

(Photo by Mary Callaway LeBus) first-year students feel comfortable. While the community bathrooms do get gross from time-to-time, most residents are able to get past these issues and make the best of the situation.

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Writing a check is an important skill that one should learn before college. (Photo by Mary Callaway LeBus)

HOUSEHOLD SKILLS YOU SHOULD LEARN BEFORE COLLEGE skills when you’re renting a house or apartment. If you’re living in a place that requires that you to pay utilities, you’ll need to know how to go online and pay the water bill, electricity bill and the Internet payments. Take the time to learn before the first bill is due. It will save a lot of stress. Many landlords will help you.

own apartment, learning how to make efficient and time-friendly meals in your own kitchen is essential, as eating out can be expensive. Many college students rely on microwavable ramen noodles because they never were taught how to cook after schools eliminated home-economics classes. Don’t be that student.

Many high schools cut home-economics classes and finance classes due to budget restrictions, and thus did not teach you some of the most essential tasks you’ll need to know. Here are some household skills you should acquire before heading to college.

Once you get a job on or around campus, being able to file your own taxes is an important step in the post-high school learning curve. And tax filing is something you’ll need to know how to do for the rest of your life.

Cleaning and laundry

Finance skills

If you live in a residence hall and have a meal plan, you won’t necessarily need to be able to cook. But once you get your

BY JASON GREENBERG

W

hen you first step foot on campus, you’re thrown into an entirely different world from high school. Suddenly you’re forced to make responsible decisions that weren’t required while you were living at home.

Being able to write a check and budget for monthly payments are important

Cooking

SUDOKU

By The Mepham Group Sukoku is played on a grid of 9x9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 squares made up of 3x3 spaces. Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1 through 9 without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in. The more spaces filled in, the easier the game. The more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.

Solution on Page 10.

An important skill to learn before coming to college is the ability to clean, and clean properly. Some students will go months without dusting or vacuuming. While most dorms provide an older vacuum, think about bringing a small, portable handheld vacuum – and clean often. Knowing how to do the laundry is another important skill. Don’t let clothes pile up around your room.

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

HERE’S HOW TO RID YOUR PLACE OF THOSE PESKY PESTS

BY CHASE PRATHER

A

s a renter, it can be frustrating to see ants or rodents running across the floor of your place. Prevention is key.

Here are some useful tips for keeping your living space pest-free.

Use mice traps Mice can be hard to catch. The easiest and most common practice to eradicate them is the use of traps. A six pack of traps costs about $13 on Amazon. They come in a variety of options; some don’t even harm the mice. Place them in corners and hidden areas where mice are likely to roam.

Apply insect sprays Are insects invading your living space?

Buy a bottle of bug repellent and spray the point of entry. Repellents are available at grocery or convenience stores for about $15. While this is a quick and easy fix, it isn’t a permanent. You’ll have to spray fairly often.

Cover up entry points A small bug will always find space big enough to get into your place, but that shouldn’t stop you from covering up gaps in doors, baseboards, or windows. If you have an entryway that you can’t cover up, buy small “ant bait” devices that can be placed by a window or door. These devices cost only $10. Also effective: Take an old shirt or towel, roll it up and stick it in front of a door to block the entryway.

Keep your space clean Any place can have bug problems.

However, leaving your home a mess will always make the problem worse. Don’t leave food out on a table, counter or floor.

Do the dishes after you eat. Vacuum the floor occasionally. These simple steps will do wonders to keep pests out and save you and your roommates a lot of stress.

If you run into a situation where you have unwanted pests in your home -- and odds are you will – these tips should help. If you have a more serious pest issue, call animal control or a pest control company.

Have a bug problem? You can purchase insect spray at most grocery stores. (Photo

by Mary Callaway LeBus)

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FALL 2019 | NEWSRECORD.ORG

UC offers many resources to ensure that students feel safe when on or near campus. (Photo by Mary Callaway LeBus)

BE SAFE, BEARCATS: TAKE PRECAUTIONS ON AND NEAR CAMPUS

BY ASHLEY MARTIN The University of Cincinnati campus and its surrounding neighborhoods are beautiful, but they are not always safe, especially at night. Here are tips to make sure that your college experience is not only a rewarding time but also a safe one.

Avoid walking alone It’s not always easy to find someone to accompany you while you are walking home after a late night at work or studying at the library, but it’s very important.

While you may not want to think about it, perpetrators are more likely to attack someone alone with few witnesses nearby, especially at night. Find a friend or two before heading out the door.

UC NightRide If you can’t find someone to accompany you, UC’s Public Safety Department offers NightRide, a free evening shuttle within a one-mile radius of UC’s main campus for

anyone with a Bearcat card. The service runs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sunday through Wednesday. Call 513556-RIDE. Students, staff and faculty also can request NightRide service using the NightRide app, available on the App Store and Google Play. The app can be used to set your pickup and drop-off location, search for locations, receive notifications when your van arrives and more.

Bearcat Guardian app Download the Bearcat Guardian app for additional resources. The app is available for free on the App Store or Google Play.

Search “Rave Guardian.”

Pepper spray Many students carry pepper spray as a precaution. Pepper spray is an aerosol spray that contains cayenne pepper.

When sprayed in the eyes, it’s extremely irritating. It can be bought at department and discount stores and some gas

stations. Some sprays can be put on a keychain for easy access. “I always carry pepper spray on my keys when I walk home at night,” said Kate Glaser, a UC student. “I haven’t had to use it, but it’s comforting knowing that it’s always there.”

Be alert If you see something, say something.

Sharing information can keep everyone safe. Visit https://www.uc.edu/campuslife/wellness/topic-areas/by-stander.html for information on Bystander Intervention training. If you observe suspicious activity, call 911. In a non-emergency situation, you can reach UCPD at 513-556-1111 or Cincinnati Police at 513-765-1212.

Follow campus alerts UC’s Public Safety Department makes students aware of incidents through email safety alerts. Follow them and heed their advice. For more information about UC’s safety resources, visit www.uc.edu/ publicsafety SUDOKU SOLUTION

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