Housing Guide: February 11, 2014

THE DAILY ILLINI TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

CHAMPAIGN VS. URBANA

FIND THE PERFECT ROOMMATE

THE DREAM HOUSING HYBRID

The choice between two cities comes down to personality

Ask these questions before signing on the dotted line

Combine the best of campus for the perfect living situation

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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A tale of two cities: Champaign vs. Urbana ELISEO ELIZARRARAZ Staff writer

S

eparated by an ever-powerful hyphen, Champaign and Urbana have completely different personalities. With two sides of a campus that are two different kinds of diverse, deciding where to live is an age-old dilemma.

The reputation is that Urbana is filled with the artsy, hipster crowd that love indie rock and fall-time weather, the kind of kids who at some point in their lives considered going to a liberal arts school. These are the kids who like the walks to Illini Grove, weekend house shows and local coffee shops.

On the other side, Champaign is seen as the place for social butterflies, sport enthusiasts and Keystone shotgunners.

Both cities boast an abundance of vastly different institutions.

Champaign hosts the wonders of Frat Park and the majority of sororities on campus, the Six Pack and of course, the part of Green Street that prompts foodies to salivate. Then there is the ARC, State Farm Center, Memorial Stadium, Ikenberry Commons, the majority of campus bars and,

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because there is no way they could make a living on the fringes of Lincoln Avenue, Second Story Pizza and the hot dog man.

In low-key Urbana, you have CRCE, the beautiful Engineering Quad, the Arboretum, The Canopy Club, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and, technically, the Quad. Urbana is where many professors and faculty members live, and the reality that you may be sharing the same mailman and jogging route as your economics professor is real. Busey-Evans, PAR, FAR, Allen Hall, LAR and ISR are all located in Urbana, and some students have the “misfortune� of being allocated to these places for their freshman year.

When it comes to living spaces, the bottom line is Urbana is quieter and the rent, well, it’s typically cheaper. According to Zillow, properties in Champaign average out at about $129,500, while in Urbana, the average is $110,100.

Andrea Vercelli, 2013 alumna, has lived in the Urbana side of campus for most of her undergraduate career, and she said she enjoys the relative peacefulness that comes with it. “Champaign, compared to Urbana, is really loud, and it’s really nice to have a place to go home and get stuff done when you have a full class load to focus on,� Ver-

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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4

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TWIN CITIES celli said. “Nights in Champaign are just a bunch of loud, drunk people running around, and Urbana is not as crazy. There are a lot of interesting people to meet who just like hanging out and chilling.�

Despite not living in Champaign, she feels she gets to experience both Champaign and Urbana well. “Whenever I want to go to Champaign, I can just hop on a bus, and it’s a five minute bus ride... I get the best of both worlds,� she said. “Urbana is just a really cool place; there’s cobblestone streets, trees arching over the streets in the fall and a lot of great

local places to get good food like The Black Dog and Courier Cafe.�

On the other hand, Austin Walker, 2013 alumnus, spent most of his time living in and around Champaign. “It’s really true that Champaign is just really versatile; you kind of have some of the advantages of a suburb ‌ (where) you have access to things and you’re never more than two minutes away from a cornfield,â€? Walker said. “I think that Urbana is a little bit older... Champaign is younger, it’s hipper‌ and there’s a lot more variety in Champaign defi nitely.â€?

Walker, who now lives in an area west of Neil Street densely populated by graduate students, admits that age does play a factor in deciding what area to live in.

CHAMPAIGN

“There’s a lot of variety in downtown Champaign, where Urbana I just feel like it has an older vibe.�

The dilemma is a tale of two cities, and one of two different college experiences.

Although location is defi nitely not the only factor, the location where each student makes all of his memories will make a big difference in how he remembers his time at Illinois. Making the decision could be incredibly difficult or extremely easy, but whatever the decision, getting to experience living in both cities will ultimately give every student a better understanding of campus life.

Eliseo is a freshman in FAA. He can be reached at elizarr2@dailyillini.com.

URBANA

ZOE GRANT THE DAILY ILLINI

The Art Theater in Champaign is an independent theater housed in a 100-year-old building.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did the college thing and I loved it.

Campus is still fun every once in a while, but I guess you just reach a point in your life where you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to dance on stripper poles at Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to have fun,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The two cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown areas are also strikingly different. Urbanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown seems to have an older style, as Champaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newer and larger downtown area attracts incoming travelers and more businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really like the bars in downtown Champaign; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got live music and a cool atmosphere,â&#x20AC;? Vercelli said.

This is something Walker agrees with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I guess I like downtown Champaign better than downtown Urbana,â&#x20AC;? she said.

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DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

The Urbana Landmark Hotel was built in 1923 and was reopened in 2012 after renovations.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

5

COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

Ask these questions of potential roommates

2. Utilities and other bills Unless you’re going to be in a living situation where utilities are included, you have to set up accounts for your utilities, including water, electricity and Internet. What some people have found to work best is setting up everything in one person’s name and then just paying that person every month. Another

great solution is to have each roommate have a utility or bill in his or her name.

Groceries are also a huge expense that you have to face if you plan on living in an apartment. If you plan on living in the dorms you don’t have to worry as much, but snacks you plan to share should still be sorted out.

Y

BY RAYMOND SOBCZAK

N

1. Do you mind sharing (food, drinks, etc.)?

STAFF WRITER

Whether you are an incoming freshman or a seasoned upperclassman, picking a roommate is tough. With more than 40,000 students on campus, finding the perfect roommate can feel searching for a needle in a haystack. And once you find potential roommates, there are numerous factors to consider, such as lifestyle choices, hygiene habits and finances.

So how do you find your perfect match? Consider the checklist below. First, ask yourself the following questions regarding living habits, utilities and grocery bills and cleaning schedules, and then compare your answers with your potential roommate. It may also be a good idea to circle which ones you believe are “deal breakers” or “must haves” before comparing answers.

2. Do you watch cable TV? 3. Is cable TV necessary for you?

4. Do you use the Internet often?

5. Is the Internet necessary for you?

6. Do you take long (15-20 minute) showers?

1. Making sure you are a good fit You need to make sure that you and your new potential roommate(s) are going to mesh well and ultimately bond together. You don’t want to be constantly fighting over simple issues that you could have solved or figured out before you signed the lease.

Some of the questions may seem personal.

7. Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth?

But if you’re going to possibly be living with them next year, it is important to know about their habits now rather then learn about them after you move in. Plus, if all roommates are up front with each other, it will hopefully prevent any future fights or arguments you may have with your roommate.

Y 1. Do you listen to loud music (or do you listen to music loudly)?

2. Do you like to have people over often?

3. Do you like going to other people’s places?

N

8. Do you tend to leave the lights on when you’re not in the room?

9. Do you cook a lot?

10. Do you go out to eat often?

TOTAL

3. Cleaning schedules Communication is key in ensuring that you and your roommates stay on top of your weekly chores. Divide the chores evenly between all your roommates, and, if there are certain things that you each prefer to do, try and accommodate.

Another aspect you have to look at is the

cleaning supplies. Roommates should all pitch in on purchasing cleaning products and appliances. You can again make a chart to see who bought what, and when they bought it. That way, you are not only staying organized, but you can also see if you are running low on certain products.

Y

4. Do you have a car?

5. Do you mind sharing your belongings?

1. Are there any certain areas that you don’t mind cleaning? If yes, discuss which areas.

6. Do you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes?

7. Do you mind being around drinking if you don’t do it yourself?

8. If you close your door, do you dislike any type of interruptions?

9. Do you leave personal belongings in other rooms in your current living situation? (your laptop in the living room, hair dryer in the bathroom, etc.)

10. Will you need extra storage space other than your bedroom?

TOTAL

2. Are there certain areas that you absolutely do not want to clean?

If yes, discuss which areas.

3. Are you the type of person to wash your dishes right after using them?

4. Do you let your dishes pile up and do them all later?

5. If you’re having people over, is it important that your living space is clean?

TOTAL

N

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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Six ways to make your dorm room or apartment feel more like home

BY MARA SHAPIRO STAFF WRITER

Leaving home can be tough for a lot of college students. However, it is still possible to make a college dorm or apartment a “home away from home” through various decorative and comforting tactics and items.

1. Posters Posters are a great way to decorate the dreary dorm walls. Posters of music artists, movies, sports figures or anything that make a person feel comforted should be brought to school from home or purchased at college. It will make plain white walls less bare and more lively.

2. Pictures Students can also use pictures of pets, significant others, parents, friends and even oneself to decorate the walls. There are tons of cute ways to put up pictures, whether it’s by taping them along the ceiling, making collages on boards or putting them in frames. It displays the personality of the owner of the room; it shows that the person has history. It can make students happier to see the smiling

faces of their parents or friends when they are miles away from them.

3. Familiar items Familiar items can be various items from life back home. It could be that favorite furry bathrobe, those cute bunny slippers or your favorite blanket. These things will still feel and probably smell like home, so they are bound to ease the transition into college life.

4. Inspirational items Many stores sell inspirational wall art or decorations. For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond sells a “Love is all you need” wall art for less than $10 that can brighten up your dorm room and keep you in a positive mindset.

5. Supplies for hobbies During down time, students can enjoy their favorite hobbies from high school and transport back to a carefree time at home. Students can bring their supplies to college if it fits in their dorm room, such as tennis rackets, running gear or maybe even a musical instrument.

6. A clock This may not seem like much, but a clock can make the room seem more like a home. Plus, there will always be a reminder of the time without the need to check your phone. *** Eric Savin, freshman in DGS; Roxanne Kessler, freshman in DGS; and Jennifer Foote, sophomore in DGS, know the importance of making a dorm or apartment feel like home.

Savin brought down his rollerblade hockey gear and framed pictures for his dorm. He brought two pictures by artist Steve Argyle, a painting by his father and a drawing he personally made during a high school art class. Savin appreciates his father’s artwork.

“It’s hanging right over my bed,” he said. “I get to appreciate how tough it was to make.”

He also brought his mattress pad from home to make his bed more comfortable.

“It makes it more my place and not some random room I just happen to be sleeping in,” Savin said. “(My dec-

MARA SHAPIRO THE DAILY ILLINI

orations) add personality. It makes it a home versus a house.”

Kessler also values decorations in her dorm. Kessler crafts her own items, including initial letters hanging over her bed. Throughout the room she has pictures from back home and items from her sorority, Delta Zeta.

“Pictures make it more personal,” she said. “I also like a lot of color. I try to make the room neat and organized to do homework in. Being organized is good for any small space.”

Foote also crafts her own items for her apartment. She also has Harry Potter quotes, her Sigma Alpha sorority paddle, pictures from back home and stars throughout her room.

“I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, so that’s why I have the quotes,” Foote said. “I’m from a small town so the pictures help me remember home. And the stars remind me of my childhood.”

Mara can be reached at meshapi2@dailyillini.com.

Amazing 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bedrooms!

• Sign a lease for a 4 bedroom at 1107 S Second and 202 E Green and receive $100 off your monthly rent.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

7

Maximizing space, comfort in bedrooms ANNABETH CARLSON Staff writer

T

he transition from living at home over the summer to moving into a dorm or apartment can be a big one. At home, one is allotted multiple rooms with space to move around and store everything. Plus, students have the luxury of their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; decorating, which makes the home cozy and inviting.

At college, living situations are quite often the opposite, with less space and a lack of furniture and decorations. However, this does not have to be the case. The following tips can help students maximize comfort and space in a dorm or apartment, turning it into a home away from home.

Hang a wall mirror Adding a mirror to a room reflects a wall, making it appear bigger than it is.

Also, a hanging mirror attaches to a door or wall off the ground, which saves space.

Put down a rug Rugs are great for dorms and apartments because they can cover up carpet wear and stains from previous occupants or give you an escape from cold tile floors. Plus, it can liven up a room by giving a splash of color, pattern and texture.

Set up a lamp The bright fluorescent lighting in dorm rooms can be harsh. Try turning off the lights and add a lamp to the space. The soft light will make the room more inviting.

Put up temporary wallpaper Renting a place usually means no painting the walls or changing certain fixtures. Temporary wallpaper is great because it allows one to make a statement without upsetting the landlord.

Install floating shelves Individual shelves that attach to the wall are ideal in small spaces. They allow one to

COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

store items without the bulk of a bookshelf.

Also, students can display items that make the space more individualistic.

Hang framed pictures or posters Instead of just tacking up a poster on the wall, frame photographs and artwork.

Hanging them on the wall gives more room on tabletops, and adding the extra touch of a nice frame makes all the difference.

Play with furniture arrangements In pre-furnished dorm rooms, one might not think to move the furniture; however, furniture arrangement is key for smallspace living. When moving in, rearrange items a few times to see what makes your apartment the most spacious and inviting.

Annabeth is a freshman in Media.

She can be reached at aecarls2@ dailyillini.com.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

8

Avoid packing unnecessary baggage for school

BY DECLAN HARTY STAFF WRITER

At the beginning of each semester, thousands of students arrive on campus, bringing with them heaps of clothes, treasured pictures of loved ones, and, although perhaps unknowingly, items that they will never use.

Unnecessary items brought to campus may range from school supplies to cars, according to Tricia Wolfe Anton, senior assistant director for residential life. Anton suggests that students move in with only the essentials and wait to see exactly what they will need once in Champaign-Urbana. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I suggest that students wait for their first day of classes and see what the professor is requiring,â&#x20AC;? Anton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Typically, it is just easiest to bring your clothes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; most students bring a computer or a tablet and some of your basic toiletries and things like that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and you can probably buy the rest of your things while you are here in Champaign-Urbana.â&#x20AC;?

To avoid filling oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s living space with unnecessary items, be mindful when packing school supplies and kitchen appliances, and decide early on what method of transportation you plan on using throughout the school year.

School supplies With the advance in technology, many students can take all of the notes using their laptop or tablet, making the need for school supplies obsolete. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had six notebooks that I brought in, but

I really only needed one,â&#x20AC;? said Novin Pishevar, junior in AHS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you bring your laptop, I think you are pretty much set.â&#x20AC;?

Incoming freshmen might find that many items they used in high school are no longer needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Typically parents help students pack for school, and I think parents often think about all the luxuries they have in their own home, or the things that students needed for high school, but arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really necessary here, like all the things you would put in your locker, or all the notebooks and three ring binders,â&#x20AC;?

Anton said.

Bringing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own printer may also be unnecessary given that the University provides many black-and-white and color printers throughout campus. Anton said each residence hall has its own printing station, and many computer labs that are open for extended hours.

Kitchen appliances For students who have meal plans in the dorms, the kitchen appliances they brought to campus may end up never being touched.

Pishevar and Andres Alcantara, junior in AHS, both lived in Oglesby Hall in the Florida Avenue Residence halls their first year. They both said they brought kitchen appliances, such a Brita filter, which they never used.

However, if students want to cook, Anton said that most residence halls have a kitchenette for students with kitchen equipment.

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When preparing for the semester, students may wonder if they should bring any furniture with them to campus, and if the furniture will even fit in their living space.

Anton said that dorms are typically provided with a bed, a desk, a desk chair and a side table with drawers. Whether or not a student should bring furniture depends on the size of their dorm room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our older halls are pretty modest in size for a typical double room, so unless you have your bed bunked, you probably arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be able to fit extra furniture, like a futon, in there,â&#x20AC;? Anton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But as we build newer residence halls, we are building more space for the actual living space.â&#x20AC;?

Before moving in, Anton suggested that students find out the dimensions of their room and talk to their roommates about the arrangement of the room. Room dimensions can be found on the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing website.

Transportation With the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main campus covering an area of 2.8 square miles, getting to and from class may be a worry for students, especially when the weather gets cold.

Fortunately, the University offers public transportation through Champaign-Urbana MTD, which makes not having a car or bike on campus manageable.

Having a car on campus may end up becoming more of a headache than an advantage.

Anton said fees include purchasing a park-

PHOTO COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

ing space, paying for meters and paying for parking tickets.

Bringing expensive bikes to campus may also be unnecessary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I see a lot on move-in day, a lot of parents unpacking bicycles from home, and I would caution against bringing your $600 bike to campus,â&#x20AC;? Anton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the most part, students will be leaving their bicycles outside, chained to bike racks all year long.â&#x20AC;?

For those wanting to buy bikes on campus, they can purchase through the Bike Project, which sells used and repaired bicycles to students. The campus bike shop is located at 608 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in Champaign, while the downtown Urbana Bike shop is at 202 S. Broadway Ave.

Declan can be reached at dharty2@ dailyillini.com.

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THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

9

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Top-5 college dorm room necessities

Packing lists are long, but these are the items you definitely want to bring SAMANTHA ROTHMAN Staff writer

BY SAMANTHA ROTHMAN STAFF WRITER

B

efore moving off to college, those college necessity lists can seem pretty redundant. Dorm rooms are often tight on space, and not all students need the same knickknacks and room organizers to cram in. Here are the five items students will not only want in their dorm rooms but will soon wonder how they ever lived without.

1. A dust buster or small vacuum This item, which takes up next to no space, is probably the No. 1 cleaningrelated item every student should have. If there are any extra crumbs on the ground from accidentally spilled snacks, this easy hand-held vacuum will have it cleaned up in no time.

2. Study pillow or body pillow Not only will these pillows make those well-deserved naps most comfortable, but they can also make studying a little easier and more pleasant (but there is the risk of falling asleep). It can also be decorative

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and make a dorm look a little more like home.

3. Batteries Yes, this one sounds silly, but rest assured, there is nothing worse than leaving for a math exam and realizing the calculator is completely out of battery life. It seems as though everyday items always run out of battery life at the worst moments, so buy extra batteries and keep them on hand.

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4. Luggage or duffel bags This can be easily forgotten. Keep in mind weekend trips home or bus rides to neighboring college friends. Keep an extra suitcase or duffel bag to make packing easy.

5. Coffee maker For many college students, it can seem as through their bodies are made of 10 percent water and 90 percent caffeine.

Yes, coffee is one of my main food groups, and some may even call it an addiction.

Having some type of coffee maker in one’s dorm room will allow students to more easily satisfy their coffee fix throughout the day.

These are some items most already have at home and probably take for granted.

Dorm living can be great in a lot of ways.

Students can live with friends and have their own space, but they should make sure that space has everything they need.

Samantha is a freshman in Business.

She can be reached at srothma2@ dailyillini.com.

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THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

11

From dorm to apartment, teenager to adult

BY JED LACY STAFF WRITER

Once freshman year is done and in the books, University students may find themselves with the option of being able to transition from dorm life to apartment living.

The prospect of moving from oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dormitory into an apartment can be quite an intimidating feat. This was the case for April Washington, junior in ACES, when she decided to move out of the residence halls and into her first apartment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moving into the dorms as a freshman, you gain a lot responsibility by living on your own for the first time, but getting your own apartment definitely takes it a step further,â&#x20AC;?

Washington said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The biggest difference living in the dorms and living in the apartments is the added responsibility you gain.â&#x20AC;?

Transitioning from the convenient confines of the dorms to an apartment requires students to become more self-sufficient, as well as independent. Perhaps most daunting for first time leaseholders is coming to terms with the fact that they no longer have easy access to the buffet-style catering services found in the dorm dinning halls.

For many, this means tapping into their inner Bobby Flay and putting aside the time to prepare their own meals. With the right mindset, students can look at this newfound responsibility as an opportunity to learn a valuable skill they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

However, because of the stringent time

demands of the college lifestyle, many students faced with the challenge of cooking their own culinary creations become overly reliant on easy-to-make food alternatives, such as Ramen noodles and frozen pizza. Marty Knuth, junior in Media, quickly realized that such a diet was unsustainable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At first I was eating a lot of frozen pizza and other microwavable dinners,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last long though for me to begin missing real food, and I started putting more time into preparing quality meals.â&#x20AC;?

Besides having to become oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own personal chef, leasing an apartment requires students to develop financial responsibility. According to Sean Purvines, property manager for Baraka Properties, moving into an apartment should be looked at as an opportunity to demonstrate oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credibility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With making the switch to an apartment or house, there comes a lot of different kinds of advantages,â&#x20AC;? he said. Purvines said it gives the college students the opportunity to build credit. Making a rent payment and paying for the various utilities in their own name can affect their credit report.

On top of having to pay rent on time each month, many apartment options on campus require renters to pay for their own utilities.

For those who never put much thought into their energy usage, this can have profound implications. Such conveniences as enjoying a 15-minute long shower or having Christmas lights illuminate a living room for the sake

PHOTO COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

of ambiance soon become obsolete.

While even though moving into an apartment from the dorms can at first seem overwhelming, it is nothing students at the University cannot handle. Think of this

transition as just another stepping stone in the maturation process of becoming an adult.

Jed can be reached at jedlacy2@ dailyillini.com.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

12

Staying in same apartment has benefits over moving JULIA MARBACH Staff writer

M

ost people are surprised when I tell them Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lived in the same apartment with the same roommate for three years. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll admit, it has its ups and downs, but I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change a thing.

For one, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never had to move out. That means for me, summer vacation requires a suitcase of clothes. No couches, no closet contraptions, no chairs, no dishes. And I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need my mom or dad to come down to help load up the car, or a truck in my case.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also been great that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only had to go apartment hunting once. Looking for a new apartment can be stressful. Not only do you need to fi nd suitable roommates, but you also need to fi nd a place that is comfortable, is in a good location and, sometimes hardest of all, is in your price range.

What some people might not think about, too, is how living in the same place for more than a year helps make it feel like home. I know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not alone in getting homesick sometimes, even as a senior, and being in a familiar environment that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had three years to add my personal touch to has been a comfort.

Living in the same place has also helped me build relationships with the faces I rec-

ognize from all the way back in sophomore year. Sure, not everyone stays put, but when a few of your neighbors do, it can be a great time.

Despite all the positive aspects of keeping the same apartment for three years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll admit there are a few drawbacks.

Living in a new place brings with it new experiences, something you miss out on if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move.

Even though I love my apartment, from the building itself to the location, it would have been nice to see Champaign-Urbana from a new perspective. Maybe I would have discovered a new restaurant, a cool shop or just met a new friend.

Also, not moving has made my last three years all kind of blend together. Had I moved, each year would have stood out to me and my memories would have been more distinct because I could base them on the place I lived in.

Even with all of these cons in mind, I have no regrets about living in the same place for three consecutive years.

Still, I recognize that not everyone is lucky enough to have a good experience, and sometimes you just have to move.

Brittani Turner, junior in LAS, said if you can avoid moving, do so, but if you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happy, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason to stay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re staying, move,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a tree; you can move.â&#x20AC;?

For Jason Benjoya, sophomore in LAS, the decision to move depends on the apart-

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ment itself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the apartment is in a good location, if I like living in that apartment, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not disgusting, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d probably just stay there because it would be easier to renew the lease than to look for a new place,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Erin Schanaberger, senior in LAS, has lived somewhere different all four years, including a house in Urbana and, currently, an apartment in Champaign.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I defi nitely liked being able to move around,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every different location was kind of a different experience.â&#x20AC;?

In the end, every situation is different.

But if you like your roommates and your place, the benefits of staying put surely outweigh the cons.

Julia is a senior in Media. She can be reached at marbach2@dailyillini.com.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

13

When (and how) to settle landlord disputes

WHEN TO COMPLAIN:

around the upstairs, only cool air comes out of the vents downstairs,â&#x20AC;? Cleary said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter how high we turn our heat up, the downstairs always suffers from cold air.â&#x20AC;?

After living in the same unit for two years, Cleary is still experiencing the same problems. Just recently, her landlord decided to install a sealer on the front door. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heat rises is not an excuse for insufficient heating,â&#x20AC;? said Chris Boidy, housing counselor at the Tenant Union and senior in LAS. Boidy emphasized that if a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landlord does not promptly fix the problem, calling the city housing inspector is the next step to take. From there, the inspector will either deem the apartment livable or unlivable, and if the conditions are such that remaining on the property is impossible, the landlord should adhere to some negotiation about rent until the problem is resolved.

Heating problems

Broken furniture

BY ALICE SMELYANSKY STAFF WRITER

We get it all the time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the old woman who skimps you on tips because you look too fresh-faced, or your employer who makes jokes at your expense, people like to take advantage of you because of your age. But your landlord, who takes quite a hefty sum out of your pocket every month, is not someone who is allowed a free pass.

While some complaints may be nit-picky, there are instances where standing up to your landlord is necessary, if not vital, to uphold livability conditions in your rental space. Landlords can be difficult and downright unreasonable, but there is a way to combat the fake-niceties and flat-out lies.

The Tenant Union and Student Legal Services weighed in on how to handle issues that arise while renting an apartment.

When temperatures drop to unfathomable lows, there is no excuse for your apartment not to retain an appropriate level of heat. If the heating system does not work properly, pipes are subject to freezing, which can result in as much as $14,000 in repairs. For Shannon Cleary, senior in Media, insufficient heat is all too familiar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our unit is divided between an upstairs and downstairs space, and while the heating unit works fine to circulate hot air

If the furniture is listed in the lease, the landlord is bound by the contract and must either repair or replace what is broken. However, too often, students wait for a new refrigerator or desk for months before it makes its appearance in the unit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to send in a million maintenance requests and call the office phone every day if you have a problem and want it fixed,â&#x20AC;? Cleary said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annoying, but so

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If the broken item is not on the furniture list and nowhere in the contract, the student can request compensation from the landlord, but he or she has no contractual grounds to stand on, Boidy said.

WHEN ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOT WORTH IT: Poor Wi-Fi connection

While is unfortunate your network doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work half the time and your Internet keeps trying to connect to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flyboyzâ&#x20AC;? network, there is nothing your landlord can do about it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There really is no case to be made,â&#x20AC;?

Boidy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely that the landlord includes anything in the lease about this.â&#x20AC;?

Aesthetic qualities

Peeling paint and odd stains on your walls are visually displeasing, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect your landlord to do cleanup duty anytime soon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are students who demand absolute perfection, but they are probably in the wrong community if they want absolute perfection,â&#x20AC;? said Thomas Betz, legal attorney at Student Legal Services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to get it.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Read your lease BEFORE you sign the

contract. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I could do anything in this office, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d probably have a big sign at the back, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Read your contract,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Betz said.

After your signature beautifies that thick packet of legal papers, negotiation is the only way to get your landlord to listen to your complaints. Persistence, amiability and follow-up are the best methods through which students should address landlords, Betz said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My view is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tenant needs to complain to the landlord verbally, and always follow it up with an email or a handwritten note and keep a copy of it.â&#x20AC;?

Even though landlords tend to take advantage of the college market, the discouraging fact wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get you out of a lease. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are legally, contractually bound to what you sign on to,â&#x20AC;? Boidy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a student doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you could get out of your lease agreement because you misunderstood. Just because you graduate, does not mean you have any rights to get out of your lease agreement.â&#x20AC;?

But if you are already signed the lease and your landlord simply does not want to compromise, both the Tenant Union and Student Legal Services encourage students to visit their offices at the Illini Union for assistance.

Alice can be reached at smelyan2@ dailyillini.com.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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15

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Six ways to deal with a difficult roommate

BY CHRISTINE OLIVO STAFF WRITER

Most likely every college student will have to live with one or more roommates during their college experience, whether they live in University housing, an apartment or Greek house. It is also likely that not all roommates will become or remain best friends after living with each other.

Kevin Butz, second year resident advisor at Hopkins Hall and junior in ACES, said some students may come to college as best friends, but being roommates may bring difficulties to their friendship “Many times, roommate conflicts arise from a variety of small differences that can escalate because the roommates do not work things out right away,” Butz said. “Emotions boil up until they can’t even communicate together.”

Resolving roommate situations can be hard, especially because each set of roommates can encounter different problems. After hearing different scenarios on how some roommates may act, University students responded to how they would handle different situations.

The anti-social roommate This roommate is never seen leaving the room other than to eat or shower, and he may not welcome guests in the apartment or dorm. “(I would) at least try and invite him to hang out with me and my friends,” said Michael Cosmos, sophomore in LAS. “It can start by inviting them to dinner in the dining hall or something simple like that.”

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Cosmos said if the roommate still does not break out of his shell, he would try keeping it between the two of them and play video games together.

a different room with one of my good friends and it changed my whole outlook on college after that. Don’t let your roommate dictate how your college experience is going to go.”

The messy roommate

The drunken roommate

This kind of roommate leaves plates crusted with old food around the room that she will never clean up himself. She leaves dirty clothes around for anyone to see and is gone before you can even finish saying the words “clean up.”

“Stop cleaning up after them. They won’t change a thing while you’re enabling their bad habits,” said Morgan Varner, junior in Business. “Make sure you aren’t angry when you bring it up, and bring it up in ways that seem understanding but get your point across.”

Varner suggests saying something like, “I get that dishes and laundry are time consuming, and we’re really busy, but the food on them is smelling and the dirty clothes are getting a little out of hand.”

Having a fun and outgoing roommate can be great, but some roommates do not know their limits. They go out to the bars almost every night, vomit in the room frequently and never go to class because they are “too hungover.”

“The most important thing with a scenario like this is finding help for this person struggling with alcohol and maybe even peer pressure,” Butz said. “Giving this resident options is the way I would handle something like this.

It’s never about attacking the resident or threatening him or her, but more so informing him or her that these types of choices have consequences and can be life threatening.”

Butz added that it is also important to make sure the resident is comfortable with you, so he is willing to figure out solutions.

The inconsiderate roommate Whether it’s slamming doors at 2 a.m., eating others’ food without permission, or bringing her boyfriend back to the room every night, this kind of roommate seems to be oblivious to manners and can make others feel unwelcome.

“My advice would be to try to get out of that room as soon as possible, if nicely confronting your roommate about the situation doesn’t work,” said Kristen Immen, sophomore in DGS. “I fortunately was able to switch into

The bedridden roommate Despite classes, plans and daylight, this roommate is always sleeping. Others might feel like they always have to be quiet in fear of waking him up.

Nick Binkus, sophomore in Engineering, said he would hope his roommate would be understanding of the noise during regular hours.

“If he knows he sleeps more than most peo-

ple, he will likely be understanding of me trying to live a normal life,” Binkus said. “If he didn’t get the hint, I would talk to him about when might be appropriate ‘quiet hours’ in the room and try to establish some time where I could make some noise.”

The long-distance relationship roommate Others are forced to listen to all the sappy calls and Skype dates. They are constantly on the phone, and others witness all the crying and fighting that goes on between the couple.

Butz said it is important to comfort your roommate if you two have that kind of friendship, but also not to cross any personal boundaries.

“College can be a tough time for many students because they are away from their families, friends and significant others; however, knowing when and where to have conversations like these is important,” Butz said. “It all comes down to communicating as much as possible with your roommate and deciding on how you want to manage certain conflicts with each other.”

Ultimately, it is essential for roommates to communicate their needs to each other. If the issues continue and become impossible to deal with on one’s own, consult a residence director or go to the University’s Counseling Center, located at 610 E. John St., in Champaign.

Christine can be reached at caolivo2@ dailyillini.com.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

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House vs. apartment: The pros and cons

BY BRIDGET HYNES STAFF WRITER

For upperclassmen, the decision to live in an apartment or a house can be a difficult one.

There are numerous factors students have to consider, such as how much you are willing to spend on rent, if you plan on holding big social gatherings, and more. Below is a list of some of the benefits and downfalls of both living arrangements.

APARTMENT: Various apartment layouts are available Tyler Buck, leasing agent at Roland Realty and junior in LAS, said that when students are apartment or house hunting, apartments can offer more variety as far as how many bedrooms are available, whereas houses are more “cut and dry, this is what you’re getting.”

However, Buck said the people who get houses are “usually set on getting a house and don’t mind the limited options.”

Apartments can provide a relaxed environment Hagen Mueller, senior in Media, has lived in both an apartment and a house during his time at the University, and said he enjoyed both for different reasons. Now living in an apartment, he said he doesn’t feel as obligated to have parties or people over and that it’s “nice after going out to be able to go back to the apartment and have peace and quiet and no mess.”

Apartments require less maintenance While Stephanie Svarz, junior in FAA and LAS, lives in a house now and will also be living in the same one next year, she said that renting an apartment would definitely require less maintenance.

“With an apartment, you don’t have a lawn and you have less space overall to maintain,” she said.

Utilities may be cheaper Cara Riordan, sophomore in FAA, and Cherie Kamide, sophomore in LAS, are roommates in an apartment this year and both said they love it.

“In an apartment you have the realtor to work out any issues, and heating and cooling is cheaper,” Riordan said.

Mueller agreed and said that heating a house can cost more than heating an apartment.

HOUSE: Houses can bring a sense of community Mueller said he also loved having a house because it was more communal.

“We had a big TV room where 10 people could sit and talk and watch TV, and people were always coming over—even when we wouldn’t ask them to. They would just stop by.”

Houses are spacious and accessible Svarz said she loves the fact that she has so

much space to spread out, and is not worried about bothering the people above or below her.

Svarz also said she enjoys having a house for its accessibility.

“You don’t need to buzz in or go up a flight of stairs,” she said.

Kamide also enjoyed the spaciousness of living in a house. While she likes living in an apartment, she said that she misses having a roof or front porch to hang out with friends.

Living in a house at college can remind one of home “I think there’s something comforting about being in a home versus being in an apartment,” Svarz said. “In a house you don’t necessarily think, ‘Hey I’m in college and I’m far from home.’”

While apartments and houses both have their pros and cons, what it ultimately comes down to is the people you surround yourself with.

“You can go back and forth with an apartment or a house, but it’s really about the people.

No matter what you live in, no matter where you live, you’re going to have great memories there,” Svarz said. “When you’re with people that you like, I think no matter where you live, it’s going to be a good experience.”

Bridget can be reached at bhynes2@ dailyillini.com.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

18

Five ways to divide up roommate chores Remember likes and dislikes STEPHANIE KIM Staff writer

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void the mess of unclean dishes, scattered laundry and dirty floors with creative ways of dividing house responsibilities. With these ideas, there won’t be a need for passive aggressive notes or unnecessary tension. Instead, you will most likely experience better communication and form a stronger friendship with your roommates.

Initiate the ‘talk’

A roommate meeting may seem silly at first, but it may help to avoid future headaches. Sit down and talk with your roommate(s) about house responsibilities and expectations and create a plan of how to divide the responsibilities. Being honest and straightforward is important because it can prevent conflicts from happening later on in the year.

My favorite dessert is anything with chocolate, while my roommate favors green tea ice cream. Bottom line is: We’re different, so it is probable that you and your roommate(s) will have different preferences regarding chores. If there is a chore you loathe but your roommate enjoys, let your roommate take care of that house responsibility. But alternate turns for chores that you and your roommate(s) equally like and dislike.

Let luck decide

To ensure fairness for all, let luck decide the fate of your house responsibilities. Roll a pair of dice, spin a wheel, draw straws or play a game of Uno. Just make sure everyone plays by the rules and accepts the outcome with good sportsmanship.

Make a calendar or chart

If the stakes are too high in letting luck decide, opt for a more traditional route by making an organized calendar that maps out the cycle of shifts. To instill accountability, initial your names

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once the chores are completed. To add more appeal and fun, personalize the calendar with photos of you and your roommate(s), your celebrity crushes or cute cats. For something simpler, print out a chart and put it on the fridge or draw it out on a dry erase board.

neglect our house responsibilities.

In those times, don’t react harshly.

Instead, give a friendly reminder to your roommate(s) about the chores that need to be done. Lend a hand when you can, because you will appreciate a few days of grace when you are in a similar situation.

Offer a grace period

Stephanie is a senior in Media. She can be reached at skim108 @dailyillini.com.

There will be times when homework, fatigue and laziness will cause us to

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Owning pets on campus is costly, but oh so rewarding

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A house is not a home without the ones you love, and that includes pets. Whether it is a cat or dog, having pets creates a different dynamic in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, and that dynamic is especially felt on a college campus.

Sidra Ismail, junior in Media, has a Persian cat name George living with her at school and understands the pros and cons that come with having a cat as a roommate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It can be great because you have a companion there all the time, you have someone waiting for you at home who loves you and you have a good cuddle buddy, but it is also a big responsibility,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The responsibility Ismail is talking about is the task of feeding, grooming and cleaning up after a pet. Ismail pointed out that the litter box and cat food makes her apartment smell, and that cat hair is everywhere, even on her clothes. She has to clean her apartment daily just to combat the mess George makes.

Faysal Al-harbiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husky, Zeke, has lived with him on campus since June and agrees that maintaining a pet can be a handful.

Al-harbiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule completely revolves around Zeke. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to build my class schedule around him. I have to plan to go home and play with him, I have to wake up early to take him out and just give him the attention he needs,â&#x20AC;? said Alharbi, senior in Engineering.

Because Zeke requires a lot of social attention and needs numerous walks to let out energy, Al-harbi dedicates a lot of time his husky.

Another difficulty of having a pet, especially a dog, is the training process.

Ismail had to train George to learn to use the litter box, and Al-harbi spends a lot of time training Zeke as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I live in a larger house and not everyone can keep an eye on Zeke. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go into the kitchen, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll end up spending a lot of time picking up after him and putting away things heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrown around,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Kelsey Johnson, junior in AHS, lives with her roommates and her Yorkipoo named Peyton. Johnson lucked out because her roommate already trained Peyton before he came to live with them on campus, and she said taking care of Peyton does not require as much work as she thought it would.

The cost of having a pet not only requires time and energy, but actual money as well. Al-habri said he spends around $50 every two months on dog food. Ismail also has to include litter, cat food and litter deodorizer to her monthly grocery list.

Both agree that having a pet on campus

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Alharbi agrees that at times having Zeke 1014E-11Daniel, Bi-Levels 2, 4 BR Persons,C.Washer/Dryer, Free Parking makes him feel tied down. He canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t travel HOUSES: HOUSES: 4 -11 Persons, Washer/Dryer, Free Parking whenever he pleases because owning a0DQ\ 8QLWV )HDWXUH 6HFXULW\ (QWU\ Â&#x2021; ,QWHUFRPV Â&#x2021; /DXQGU\ Â&#x2021; &DPSXV ZLGH ZLUHOHVV Â&#x2021; ,QWHUQHW Â&#x2021; $& Â&#x2021; %DOFRQLHV Â&#x2021; 'LVKZDVKHU Â&#x2021; 205 S Sixth, C. Jacuzzi & Big Screen TV 3 BR dog means he must make all his decisions0LFURZDYH &RQWHPSRUDU\ IXUQLVKLQJV Â&#x2021; &DWKHGUDO &HLOLQJV Â&#x2021; &HLOLQJ IDQV Â&#x2021; %XUJODU $ODUPV Â&#x2021; 6RXQG SURRILQJ Â&#x2021; (QHUJ\ (IILFLHQW 0DQ\ 8QLWV )HDWXUH 6HFXULW\ (QWU\ Â&#x2021; ,QWHUFRPV Â&#x2021; /DXQGU\ Â&#x2021; &DPSXV ZLGH ZLUHOHVV Â&#x2021; ,QWHUQHW Â&#x2021; $& Â&#x2021; %DOFRQLHV Â&#x2021; 'LVKZDVKHU Â&#x2021; 0LFURZDYH &RQWHPSRUDU\ IXUQLVKLQJV Â&#x2021; &DWKHGUDO &HLOLQJV Â&#x2021; &HLOLQJ IDQV Â&#x2021; %XUJODU $ODUPV Â&#x2021; 6RXQG SURRILQJ Â&#x2021; (QHUJ\ (IILFLHQW based on what is best for Zeke. He has to 605 E Clark, C. Beckman View Apts 1 BR find people to watch, feed and take Zeke 337-8852 www.mhmproperties.com out for walks if he is unable to. www.mhmproperties.com 101337-8852 S Busey, U. Paid Utilities!

1 BR But despite the responsibility, Ismail, Al-harbi and Johnson all agree that having 203 S Fourth, C. Cathedral Lofts 3 BR a pet on campus brings them happiness.

Ismail said that rather than giving her 314 E. Clark, C. NEW! 3 BR anxiety, her cat George brings her peace of mind.

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Johnson and Al-harbi both agree that having a pet brightens up the home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you can handle the responsibility, everything else about having a pet is awesome,â&#x20AC;? Al-harbi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than coming home to a puppy who is always excited to see you?â&#x20AC;?

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Studying abroad? Start browsing subleasing options

BY DAVID ROTHMUND STAFF WRITER

When Alla Krashevsky, junior in LAS, was notified she would be studying abroad in Granada, Spain, in August, she was teeming with excitement. But with plans to travel abroad, every study abroad student must make arrangements for things back home.

Waiting until the last minute can become stressful, and one may not find the best sublessee.

“As soon as you find out you are going abroad, or even have the opportunity to potentially do so, you should start browsing subleasing options immediately,” Krashevsky said.

For those wanting to study abroad and needing to sublet their apartment, there are many effective ways to find someone to take over the lease.

Facebook All registered University students have access to hundreds of Facebook groups, such as housing, summer subleases and graduating classes.

However, Kenzie Pittman, senior in LAS, said that posting on these Facebook groups can become complicated and overwhelming. It can be hard to make a post stand out to others.

Pittman said she believes more people will be drawn to a post with pictures of the apartment and the complex, featured amenities and what the apartment management staff is like.

“Consistency is key,” she said. “See how many people ‘like’ your first post, then determine whether or not you should add more details to the next post.”

Craigslist Justin Quinn, leasing manager for Tower at Third, said that he refers everyone to Craigslist. Tower at Third houses many apartment units, so when a tenant is trying to find someone to “relet,” it is their responsibility, he said. “(Craiglist) is effective, and a lot of people know of the site,” he said.

Craigslist has an entire section dedicated to sublets and temporary housing. Provide information with key words that will catch the attention of someone in need of an apart-

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ment. Including multiple pictures and a map can help increase one’s chances as well.

Study abroad website As a peer adviser for the Illinois Study Abroad Office, Pittman helps students throughout the initial process of deciding where they would like to study abroad. When students come in with questions regarding how to find someone to sublet their apartment, Pittman refers them to online sites.

The study abroad website lists numerous resources to find housing. It provides links to The Daily Illini’s apartment search, The

News-Gazette’s apartment’s search, Craigslist, Study Abroad Housing Board and the University’s Tenant Union.

Similar to The News-Gazette’s apartment search, The Daily Illini’s apartment search is an easy and organized way of sharing apartment information, Pittman said.

The Study Abroad Housing Board is similar to Craigslist, Pittman said, but it is nice that everyone has to have an illinois.edu address to log on. Also, knowing how many views each post receives can determine if one needs to update information over time.

In addition to lease reviews and educational programming, the Tenant Union helps stu-

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dents find apartments and houses.

Word of mouth Krashevsky, Pittman and Quinn stated that asking friends if they know anyone is the easiest and safest way to find a potential person to take over a lease while studying abroad. Pittman said to “make an announcement at events or meetings” because attendees may know someone in need of an apartment.

David can be reached at rothmun2@ dailyillini.com.

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THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

23

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Dream house made of campus buildings The Entertainment Complex ALEXANDER VASSILIADIS Staff writer

H

aven’t you ever wanted to go to Foellinger Auditorium, pull the screen down, and play video games on the projector? Wouldn’t it be great to have a kitchen as big as Ikenberry Dining Hall? The buildings we enter every day for lectures and discussions on campus are extraordinary, so I decided to create my dream housing situation by putting together some of my favorites. These are some of the rooms and spaces at the University I would combine to create one ideal and faultless mansion.

The Living Room

In the Illini Union’s South Lounge, students can find majestic furniture and soothing ambience that they can only wish they had in their personal living rooms. Imagine going home, kicking off your shoes, pouring yourself a cup of coffee, and lying down on one of the South Lounge’s couches. What better view than the beauty of our Quad to complement such a zen-filled living room?

Foellinger Auditorium seems to have the grandeur that a techie, cinephile or video game lover would search for in the ultimate home movie theater. With the brilliant acoustics and simply too much room to know what to do with, having this auditorium as your own personal entertainment complex would call for screenings of great films like “The Shining” and an Evite to 1,500 of your closest friends.

The Sun Room

Every time I walk into the foyer of the Foreign Languages Building, the light casting through the windows onto the people inside gives them an angelic lighting effect. The building always has so much natural light that anyone with an insufficiency in Vitamin D should be prescribed a couple visits a day to the FLB. It is also a very relaxed place where a student can sit down, open a book and sip on some tea, making it the ultimate sunroom, both in the winter and summer.

The Kitchen

Imagine descending the stairs in your own home in your pajamas, only to walk into a kitchen the size of the Ikenberry Dining Hall. Pancakes, waffles, omelets, orange juice and freshly poured milk all waiting for you on your own personal table

HASAN KHALID THE DAILY ILLINI

Left: Frank Warren, author of the New York Times’ best seller, “PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God”, presented a multimedia presentation at the Foellinger Auditorium on Nov. 5.

MICHAEL BOJDA THE DAILY ILLINI

Right: A crane marking the construction outside the Foreign Language Building. Only two small entrances remain available for students. with the sun streaming in through the large glass windows. That would be the ultimate way to start each day.

The Backyard

This is an obvious one, but it is too great not to mention. Opening your back door to enter the one-and-only Main Quad would

truly be the cherry on the cake. No-hassle personal workouts, the perfect place to walk your dog or dogs, and a fantastic venue to throw a summer party.

Alex is a freshman in LAS. He can be reached at vassili2@dailyillini.com.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

309 GREEN

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

24

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