The Daily Illini: Spring Housing Guide

HOUSING GUIDE THE DAILY ILLINI | FEBRUARY 27, 2017

Choosing to be a Resident Advisor

How to make your dorm feel like home

Construction projects create more housing

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How to transition from dorms to Greek housing JESSICA POTEMPA Supplements writer

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s a rite of passage, all college students must spend their fi rst year living the dorm lifestyle. After freshman year, those who join Greek life will transition from having one roommate to dozens. It can be a huge transition to go from living in a dorm to a sorority or fraternity house. To put it simply, life will change drastically. Here are a few things to expect when transitioning from a dorm to a fraternity or sorority house.

Privacy is hard to find

If you are the type of person who needs your alone time, living in a sorority or fraternity house might be a diffi cult transition for you. It’s comforting to know everyone’s doors are always open, but it can also be hard if you need some time to yourself. As the year continues, you will eventually get used to having less alone time. You might even feel odd when you fi nd yourself alone throughout the day.

No more dining hall meals

Dining halls generally aren’t known for delicious food. You have probably found yourself craving home-cooked meals throughout your freshman year.

However, living in a sorority or fraternity house provides you with less “dining hall” food, and more meals that feel homemade.

Sororities and fraternities have their own chefs and different meal plans each week. You can even suggest meals you might enjoy.

Doing activities together

Whether it is walking to class, doing laundry or simply going down to dinner, everyday tasks seem odd to do on your own because you’ve grown accustomed to being with others. You won’t have to go to the gym alone or suffer through boring lectures by yourself, because someone living with you is bound to be doing the same thing. Living in a sorority or fraternity house means always having people to join you in your day-to-day activities.

Lots of sharing

Living in a sorority or fraternity house teaches you to share many of the things you once had control over in your dorm.

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You learn to either race for the best shower or patiently wait until your roommate is done. You will also learn to share the laundry machines and all of the snacks put in the pantry. There will be times you hope to come home and watch your favorite show, but the TV room is already fi lled. In time, you will learn to compromise and join the group’s movie viewing.

You will gain the best of friendships

There is no better way to strengthen friendships than living together. Living with your friends truly allows you to get to know them better than you could have ever imagined.

The greatest laughs and memories are bound to come from living under the same roof.

The best part of living in a sorority or fraternity house is the amazing friendships that will form between you and your pledge class, because instead of one roommate, you have 50.

Transitioning from dorms to Greek housing can initially be a challenge, but like anything, is just something to adjust to.

Jessica is a sophomore in Media. specialsections@dailyillini.com

THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Living with sorority sisters or fraternity brothers and sharing daily activities fosters friendships.

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Choosing to be a Resident Advisor

BY JILLIAN KAEHLER SUPPLEMENTS WRITER

Resident Advisors at the University take on a lot of responsibility, in addition to their job of being a student.

Making the choice to be an RA can be a tough one because it means taking on a year of responsibility and an extra year of living in a dorm.

Harshita Reddy, senior in Engineering, is a RA at Bromley Hall. She lived in Bromley her freshman and sophomore years and decided to come back for her last year as an RA. “I came into college not knowing many people from my high school, and not really having any friends, so this is where I found a lot of my best friends,” Reddy said.

While living in a dorm, many friendships form by sharing a sink, microwave and overall living space.

“Just the atmosphere, and the people that live here are so great. It always felt like it

was home after that, and that’s why I came back as a senior RA,” Reddy said.

Meanwhile, RAs Carly Collins and Tiara Holman agree that working at Illini Tower is perfect, both professionally and personally.

Collins, sophomore in LAS, is like many other RAs in the sense that she decided to work in the place she had previously lived.

“I lived here freshman year, so it was easy to jump on board. With private housing, and Illini Tower in particular, you just apply and get interviewed, and it is completed like a regular hiring process,” Collins said.

Holman, sophomore in AHS, agrees with her fellow Illini Tower co-worker in regard to the ease of coming to work at a place that you once lived.

“Its entire community is so welcoming.

This job is also great on my resume,” she said.

Down the street from Illini Tower, and

a block from the Main Quad, is Newman Hall, a private certified housing building attached to St. John’s Catholic Church.

Natalie Brady, freshman in Business, is a Resident Advisor in training at Newman.

She currently lives at Newman and wants to give back to future students, as older students have to her.

“Living at Newman, there is a really unique aspect of community, and I wanted to be a part of that in a professional way.

I want to be there for students that need help, and be of assistance in any way that I can, so I’m really looking forward to that aspect next year,” Brady said.

Brady explained that she is happy that she chose to be an RA in the same building that she once lived.

“Especially at such a big university, being at Newman is like having a smaller community where I know people and where people know me. I can always have a group of people that I feel at home with,”

Brady said.

Brady’s co-worker, Alexandra Carter, is a Newman Ambassador and is working with Brady to get ready for the RA lifestyle.

Carter, sophomore in LAS, also lived at Newman her freshman year, and currently lives there now, serving as a tour guide, recruiter and overall promoter of the Newman way of life.

“This community has allowed me to get some nice leadership experience, and become more connected to a place I feel so passionate about,” Carter said.

A common theme among all the private housing RAs is a sense of community, friendship and familiarity. They credit the dorms and their jobs as Resident Advisors with bringing them closer to their lifelong friends and for their heightened love of the university. Plus, the resume building is a defi nite perk. specialsections@dailyillini.com

Dorm life: from friendships to infestations HARRISON LINDHOLM Staff writer

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iving in a college dorm is an experience unlike any other.

There is much to learn about the world around you, as well as about yourself. As someone who has spent almost two years living in the dorms, not only have I heard the many horror stories of nasty roommates and unclean bathrooms, but I have experienced them fi rst-hand. I know someone whose roommate urinated and vomited in his closet, and then proceeded to not clean it up. I know someone else who could not handle living with their roommate, and decided to move out during the semester.

The worst experience I had in my dorm happened late one night. I had decided I would take a shower. I grabbed my towel and put on my shower shoes. I walked down the hall and into the bathroom. All of the lights were off, and I had an inkling of what was to follow. With one hand on my towel, I reached out and fl icked the light switch. Milliseconds later, light flooded the room, revealing one very large, black oval, which immediately scuttled away from me. The cockroach had gone directly into the showers.

Alone, a scream hung at the base of my throat, but it could not climb out of my mouth. What came out was somewhere between a moan and the sound a poorly

played trumpet makes. I mustered what courage I had, and decided I must put an end to the cockroach. I slipped one of my shower shoes off and hobbled on one foot to massacre my enemy.

I must have looked like a true fool. I had one hand holding my towel up (so the cockroach wouldn’t see me in the nude), one hand holding my sandal above my head, and my right leg risen so my bare foot wouldn’t touch the putrid blue tiles of Weston Hall. I smacked and smacked at the poor bug, until he was no more. After this visceral experience, I turned the water on, and washed the insect’s blood off my hands.

This was the worst experience of my life in the dorms. But, on a less violent note, fi nding a place to relax and be alone is an unsettling prospect of dorm life.

Everyone needs to have time to themselves. Even the most enthusiastic, giddy, bubbling extrovert must have time to unwind and enjoy solitude. The way most dorms are designed makes it diffi cult to fi nd a place to rest and unwind. If your roommate is home, then you must go somewhere else, and what if you go to the lounge and people are there? My answer is to go and enjoy a stroll. I fi nd that I enjoy the alone time while I am walking around campus, but it would be much easier if I had a room to myself.

Residence halls are not all that bad. It is much easier to think of all the negatives rather than the positives. There are an amazing amount of experiences the residence halls offer a new student.

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MICHELLE TAM THE DAILY ILLINI

The people in the hall you fi rst move into are going to be the fi rst people you get to know at the University. Often, new friendships form with the people who all live in the same building with you. You can gain friends that will last your entire life. It is

a blessing, and since you can just knock on friends’ doors and hang out with them, it’s hard to ever be bored.

Harrison is a sophomore in ACES. hlindho2@dailyillini.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

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Random roommates: the pros, cons NORA HALLERAN Supplements writer

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hoosing a roommate is a daunting task. Living with another person can be challenging and awkward, so picking the person you live with is an important decision. You can choose to live with a friend from high school, mutual friend or someone you meet on Facebook. The most interesting, but risky, choice is completely random.

We’ve all heard the random roommate horror stories; they bring a strange exotic pet, they leave month-old leftovers in the fridge, they watch you sleep, they take your things.

But, not all random roommates turn out to be psychopaths. Having a random roommate can be a great opportunity to do something different and step out of your comfort zone.

Here are a few pros and cons of choosing to live with someone you’ve never met before:

Pros

Your random roommate could turn out to be a great lifelong friend. You two could share lots in common, from your favorite Netflix shows to favorite foods, and hit it off right away. A roommate is different than

your average friend. You spend countless hours together doing menial housework and can still have to manage to have tons of fun.

When you live with a random roommate you not only get to become friends with them, but also you get to know their friends.

It’s a great way to expand your social circle and meet new people. Meeting new people is one of the best opportunities going to a big university offers, so take advantage of it.

Many people don’t take into consideration how difficult it may be to live with someone you already know. Living with someone is very different from being someone’s friend, so sometimes it can be better to have conflict with a person you don’t have history with.

Cons

It may turn out you just don’t click with your random roommate, and since they are random, it can be hard to know this before move-in day. You two may not have many similarities and not get along. Then, things like taking out the trash and doing dishes could lead to passive aggressive fights and uncomfortable interactions.

Sometimes, people’s personalities do not mesh well. It’s obviously best to find a roommate who is accommodating and respectful of your stuff, but many people are rude. It’s important to have a roommate who is under-

RYAN FANG THE DAILY ILLINI

Students study in Illinois Street Residence Hall. Whether or not your random roommate experience is positive, living with someone you don’t already know can help you meet new people. standing about your schoolwork and personal life. Yes, going out and having people over is fun on the weekends or nights that you don’t have a lot going on, but when you’re studying for a huge midterm or writing a paper, you do not want a roommate who will distract you. You want someone to be motivational and to share a similar schedule, but it is unlikely that someone you don’t know will bring this to the table.

When living with someone random, it is possible that you will dislike their friends.

Also, the fact that they are always in your

space may irritate you.

You know if you would feel comfortable or not living with a stranger, so make your roommate decision with that in mind. College is a great time to try new things and meet people. A random roommate may be a risk, but it could lead to some great outcomes. You’ll either make a friend or have some interesting stories and memories to share.

Nora is a sophomore in LAS. specialsections@dailyillini.com

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Monday, February 27, 2017

Finding housing if you’re planning on going abroad ISABELLA JACKSON Supplements writer

T

he University has an amazing study abroad program. With hundreds of programs spanning all across the globe, there are many options for students of every major. However, for those studying abroad, figuring out housing for the semester of the year that will be spent on campus can be difficult.

Because students pay housing costs with their study abroad fees, no one wants to pay rent twice every month.

Many students who study abroad want to look for a one-semester housing contract in the residence halls. This is one of the best options, especially for those wanting to go abroad during their sophomore year. Many of their friends will be in the same situation, and it is possible to choose a room with a friend also staying in the residence halls.

For those in the residence halls, under Section 11 of the Residence Hall Contract, study abroad is an approved reason to drop the lease before paying the second half of the year’s room and board. Simply go to the Housing Office or go online and cancel your housing contract at the end of the semester.

However, this can be a difficult decision for those studying abroad later in their college careers.

When I decided to study abroad, I knew I would be abroad the second semester of my junior year. After spending my sophomore year living in an apartment by myself, I knew going back to the residence halls when all of my friends were moving out would feel like backtracking.

For those involved in the Greek system, there are options to live in the house for one semester, as long as you can fi nd a member of the house to fi ll your bed when you leave. This can differ between houses, but is not uncommon. However, as I am not involved in a sorority, a Greek house wasn’t an option for me.

Some leasing companies have options for shorter, six-month leases, but these tend to be difficult to fi nd, and gener-

ally resign you to living on your own. If this option is not feasible, you will want to fi nd another student to sublease from you, or officially take over your lease for the semester you will be abroad.

Finding a sublease for an apartment is not always an easy task. If you plan on studying abroad in the fall, a good tactic is to look for a senior who is planning on graduating early. They will likely not want to sign a year-long lease or stay in the residence halls, making them great candidates to live in your apartment while you are abroad.

If you are planning on studying abroad in the spring, it can be a little more difficult to fi nd a sublease. Without the advantage of graduating seniors, the best option is to fi nd a student studying abroad the opposite semester of you.

Luckily, my roommates knew of a girl in their engineering fraternity who would be studying in Copenhagen in the fall, and I reached out to her.

Although she was not originally planning to live with my roommates, she jumped at the idea of subleasing so she did not have to not pay rent during the fall semester.

For those looking for a sublease, the Facebook page “UIUC Study Abroad Roommate Finder” has posts from people looking for subleases or roommates. One critical point to remember when fi nding a random roommate is that you need to ensure the person subleasing from you will hold up their end of the agreement.

Hopefully they will get along with your other roommates, but at the very least, they need to pay rent on time and not destroy the apartment, especially if you were the one to pay the security deposit.

Additionally, don’t forget to officially sign a subleasing form with the landlord or leasing company.

There are various ways to fi nd a subleaser for an apartment or to sign a short lease on campus. Every student should look into studying abroad, and housing should never keep you from your semester traveling Europe – or Asia, South America or Africa.

Every student should look into studying abroad, and housing should never keep you from your semester traveling Europe — or Asia, South America or Africa.

Isabella is a junior in LAS. ijackso2@dailyillini.com

ISABELLA JACKSON THE DAILY ILLINI

Isabella Jackson is currently in London, England for her semester studying abroad in Europe.

Monday, February 27, 2017

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5 considerations before signing your first lease LILLIAN BARKLEY Features editor

M

oving out of the dorms and into a house or apartment is a benchmark moment — it’s the next step in gaining responsibility and independence. Signing a legally binding document is a necessary evil that comes before you can move in.

It’s tempting to blindly sign a lease like you’re accepting Apple’s terms and conditions, but not reading a lease carefully can come back to haunt you. A lease can be dense, but there are five main things that are important to look out for.

Security deposit

The security deposit is the thorn in the side of basically every renter. Make sure you hammer out the details of what is allowed in your rental with your real-

tor. Can you hang up pictures? Is it fi ne if you copy keys? What if a drunken guest smashes a hole in the wall during a party? The security deposit is typically the same as one month’s rent, so it can be more than annoying if your realtor determines that you can’t get it back because you wanted to redecorate with some wall hangings. It’s also worth it to see if there are any other things that would keep you from getting the security deposit back, such as not cleaning the house before moving out.

Leaser’s responsibilities

Renting is a two-way street. Renters need to keep the house maintained, but if something goes wrong in the house, the renter usually isn’t required to pay for it out of pocket. If an appliance breaks, the bathroom floods or the pipes burst, it should be clear who needs to take care of the repairs and if the renters will be required to pay anything. If you’re working with a leasing company, you should

know the specific person you should contact. Make a note of any previous damage to the house and negotiate improvements — being a college student doesn’t mean you have to live in a broken house.

Utilities

Paying monthly bills is another budget concern that gets absorbed into the “room and board” cost for dorms. Housing situations vary when it comes to included utilities, and a low rental price can be offset if no utilities are included. Gas is usually included, though water, trash and electric generally aren’t. If you’re living somewhere with amenities — laundry for most, a gym or pool at nicer apartments — determine what the rules are and if there are any additional costs.

Rental period (12-month or 9-month) This is especially important for students who are used to dorms, which follow a 9-month agreement to fit with the school year. Unless you’re planning on

staying on campus for the summer, you’ll need to fi nd a sublease or budget for an extra three months of rent. Pay extra attention to the ending period of the lease — if you’re planning on leaving anything in the rental over the summer, it needs to be moved out by the end of the lease. Unless you’ve worked out an agreement with your leaser, leaving any personal belongings can result in breaking the lease (and not getting your security deposit back).

Extra guests

Whether the guest is a sub-letter or an animal companion, the lease should cover who’s allowed to stay. This is especially pertinent if you want to sublet for the summer or a semester, which is necessary if you want to study abroad. If you feel like keeping a pet, make sure it’s allowed or can be negotiated.

Lillian is a junior in Media. lbarkle2@dailyillini.com

Simple touches to make your dorm room feel like home MADELINE GALASSI Supplements editor

The transition from home to a dorm room can undoubtedly be challenging, and dull dorm rooms don’t help. From plain brick walls to old furniture, a little effort is needed to make a dorm feel like home. With a little determination, your new home can feel just as comfortable as your old one.

Pictures

Decorating a wall with pictures is an inexpensive way to make your dorm feel like a familiar place. Print out pictures and find a section of your wall to cover with all your memories. You can also get a picture printed on a canvas at your local Walgreen’s.

Lights

Translucent dorm room lighting can feel more like you’re in a doctor’s office than your room. Bringing lamps, desk lights and string lights to turn on as a substitute for the dorm lighting can help to make it feel cozy and comfortable.

Rugs

Bringing small area rugs to your dorm can customize your room and change the entire feel of your living space, especially since many of the dorm’s floors are tile.

Covering even a small part of your floor with a fun patterned or colored rug will

help brighten up the space.

Futons

If space allows, having a futon in your room is an excellent choice. It’s great to have a space in your room for people to come and sit besides your bed, and to encourage friends and visitors to spend more time with you, and they can even sleep in your room if needed.

Tapestry

Hanging a tapestry on a wall is another easy, inexpensive way to change an entire dorm room. Since tapestries take up so much wall space, they eliminate the need to invest in other wall hangings and do the job of decorating for you.

Potted plants and flowers

Investing in some potted plants (real or fake will do the job) can help immediately liven up a room. Putting them in colorful flowerpots can help you get double the bang for you buck.

Floor cushions

Floor cushions are another way to provide color to the room, while doubling as additional seating. They are also easy to store under a bed or in a closet if they need to be put away.

Removable wall decals

Removable wall decals can make your walls feel painted, but easily peel off at the end of the year, leaving your walls damage-free.

JESSICA JUTZI THE DAILY ILLINI

Adding decorations to a bland dorm room can make it both personal and comfortable.

Throw pillows

Adding a few throw pillows to your couch or futon can help your bed feel more comfortable while adding decoration to the room.

Keep it organized

With such a small space to live in, staying organized is vital. Living without clutter helps your room feel more relaxed, and dis-

organization is a waste of precious space.

Although a dorm room is something that takes getting used to, there are many ways to make it your own and help you look forward to coming home at night. Utilizing one or all of these simple tricks will leave you forgetting you’re not at home.

Madeline is a junior in Media. mgalass2@dailyillini.com

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Tips for a successful roommate experience BROOKS BERISH Assistant supplements editor

O

ne of the many worries of incoming freshmen is how their roommate situations will turn out.

Regardless of whether you went random or elected to live with a friend, there are similar challenges. Living with a friend can be akin to living with a stranger, and you will learn many new things about them.

I speak from experience, but through the years, my roommate and I have learned how to effectively live in a room together. It is a continuous learning process that affects both upper and underclassmen.

One of the most important things that I have learned, both from personal experience and from the stories of others, is to not be afraid to be stern with your roommate. This can sound harsh, but note that this should only be the case if absolutely necessary. If your roommate is being obviously invasive of your privacy, being obnoxiously indifferent to your presence in the living space, or is just straight up doing something that makes you uncomfortable on a consistent basis, you

should speak up.

Be diplomatic about if you can, or just firmly tell them to stop. If they refuse, ask others for advice because sometimes it can be hard to objectively view a situation from your own biased standpoint. If their advice doesn’t work, there are more disciplinary routes that can be taken through higher authorities in the residence halls, or wherever one might be living. This is a situation that we all would like to avoid, but it doesn’t hurt to be confident and prepared.

Being strict should not serve as your approach to being a good roommate.

It is a safeguard against bad roommates. The steps to becoming a good roommate are much easier to follow.

The most important thing to remember is compromise. It means realizing that your room is not your room only. Someone else, just like you, will be living and sleeping in the same room.

The safe route when rooming with another person is really quite intuitive. It involves being cautious of the other person’s needs and possessions. You are entitled only to your belongings, but sharing your things is an excellent way to build rapport and trust between you and your roommate. The residence halls also have something called a roommate agreement, which acts like a contract between you and your roommate outlining what is and isn’t permitted.

I personally don’t take the contracts too seriously, but I like the idea. I will talk about boundaries with my roommate whenever need be. Another important thing to remember is that the way you like things may not be the way the other person does. This is where compromise can mitigate any kind of conflict.

Think of having a roommate as a longterm relationship. You have to make

The most important thing to remember is compromise. It means realizing your room is not your room only.

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sacrifices in order for the relationship (or partnership) to flourish. You don’t have to be best friends, but there should be a mutual respect and understanding between the roommates.

One strategy that works for a lot of people is to just draw an imaginary line down the middle of the room. You can do whatever you want to your side of the room and so can your roommate, so long as it doesn’t affect the other person, such as the smell of dirty clothes piled up to the ceiling.

I have a last little bit of advice that may not be as obvious or as popular to some.

When compromising, it is important to not establish a trend of power. Show a little dominance here and there to keep from that submissive pattern that the other roommate may be inclined to take advantage of. This does not mean forcing your demands on the other roommate, but rather, it should act as a reminder that you have equal say in the room decisions.

Having a successful roommate experience shouldn’t be a stressful endeavor. You should be able to come back to the room after a long day and feel comfortable in your little home away from home.

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Monday, February 27, 2017

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Challenges, considerations of bringing a pet to school

it comes to living with them in college, change a cat’s litterbox, or anything else. so establish what pet you would want to More people to take care of a pet would bring through that decision process. make having a pet around be a lot easier Editor-in-chief You also have to consider that you may and is another reason to bring one to not get to live in the most ideal place college. if you want your pet to stay at school The third thing to consider is whether For those who grew up with pets, being with you. Make sure to check with the you can adequately take care of the pet away from them can be rough. Playing landlord to see if pets are OK and what or not. This is something you should with a pet after coming home from limitations they may have. Some places take a lot of time thinking about if you school is one of the many joys that can have extra security deposits and extra cleared out the fi rst two. Pets can be make you homesick in college. guidelines to go with pets. Typically, a big responsibility, especially for a Some people end up bringing their places that have more space are better busy college student. They need food, pets to school to try to make Champaign- about having pets. attention, grooming, potty-training and Urbana feel more and more like home.

Some people choose to have pets in much more. If your lifestyle consists of Here are a few things you should places where they are prohibited. That going to your part-time job, helping out consider when bringing a pet to campus. might not be advised, as a violation of with your RSO and taking 18 credit hours The fi rst big thing is housing options. something in the lease could lead to a semester, maybe you won’t have time to If you make the decision to bring a penalties against you or something even take care of the pet. If you are someone e screen television • Fully-furnished with wall mounted, large screen television • Fully-furnished with wall mounted, large screen smart television • Fully-furnished with wall mounted, large screen smart television pet to school, your housing options worse: getting evicted. who typically stays in and gets a lot of diminish signifi Dorms andEnergy many second thing you refrigerator have consider your own room, it may be a grade refrigerator • Super capacity commercial grade • inSuper capacity commercial liances in every unit • cantly.

Fully furnished StarThe approved appliances in to every unit work done apartments will either not allow pets or is if your roommates are OK with it. You little easier looking after the pet.

• Full-sized • kind washer Fully furnished and dryer Energy Star pet approved appliances unit • Fully Energy Star approved appliances in every unit have limitations on what of pet you may love your no matter how messyin every Ultimately, don’tfurnished bring a pet to campus can have. Some dog breeds like pitbulls or loud they can be, but your roommate if you can’t adequately care for it. It can • Dishwasher Full-sized washer and dryer • Full-sized washer and dryer may not be allowed, and• other places may might think otherwise. Make sure that be something that brings joy to your life, require that• the pet be in during they are willing to take on some of the but pets a good caretaker. If you Microhood • a cage Dishwasher • deserve Dishwasher night hours. responsibility of raising the pet, because feel that you are up for the task, a good • the Alarm (tenant activated) • system Microhood Microhood THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO There is also extra consideration if these aren’t ironed out beforehand it pet can• make your, your friends’ and Wrigley, the Acacia house dog, sits with members of what kind of pet are you bringing. A can create rough and awkward situations your roommates’ lives brighter each and 9’ ceilings • toAlarm systemwith (tenant • Alarm system (tenant activated) of the fraternity during lunch. People should weigh goldfi sh can• be fairly easy take care youractivated) roommate. every day. the pros and cons before getting a pet in college. of, but a dog• willModern require more work An advantage to this could be that • finishes 9’ ceilings • 9’ ceilings Masaki is a senior in Media. to look after. Each pet will bring its they are extra willing to help raise the • unique Upgraded cabinets and pet. flooring • Modern • Modern finishes msugimo2@dailyillini.com own joys and challenges when finishes Roommates can help walk the dog,

tion system

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Monday, February 27, 2017

13

Don’t discount living far off campus BRIAN BAUER Assistant photo editor

Living far off campus can seem like an unattractive option to most undergraduate students. Those that do go through a number of challenges that other college students may not face, but they can reap many enviable benefits.

There are many valid reasons for preferring to to live off-campus. A big one for me was money — I pay very little in rent and the surrounding grocery stores offer better deals because there are so few students nearby. The quiet, homey atmosphere can appeal to those who would like to get as far away from Green Street as possible. Being closer to downtown Urbana or Champaign offers easier access to the variety of experiences to be had in the communities outside of campustown. Plus, being somewhat cut off from other students can create a strong bond between you and your roommates, which will more than likely start as necessary codependence.

But distance makes the heart grow fonder, especially for decent public transportation, something you might find

BRIAN BAUER THE DAILY ILLINI

Some students live off campus, like near the Florida and Philo intersection in Urbana. out the hard way. It is often the case with living so far that few buses run nearby or change their route in the evening. If you don’t have a car or bike, this can make the commute difficult, and in the winter it’s just plain awful.

You also sorely miss the convenience of the dorms when you forget something important like your i-card or textbook. And after finally arriving on campus, or home after class, the motivation to do it all again disappears. Leaving becomes a challenge

and can get in the way of things like taking part in clubs, going to morning classes and spending time with friends.

In the end, it’s all what you make of it.

If you have the means and are willing to put up with the effort, putting some distance between yourself and school can be practical and enrich your time at the University.

Brian is a junior in Engineering. bmbauer2@dailyillini.com

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Monday, February 27, 2017

Battle of the on-campus apartments: Green Street edition

BY KYRA KIRSH SUPPLEMENTS WRITER

When it comes time to choose between the many on-campus apartment options that lie on Green Street, we all become desperate for some truth amongst all of the rumors.

The two Green Street apartments that most people find themselves stuck between are Green Street Towers and 309 Green. The differences and similarities that these apartments share stem mostly from their location, prices and amenities. So, which is best for you?

That’s the question you can ask yourself once you’ve seen the facts.

Green Street Towers

616 E. Green St., Champaign IL 61820 Green Street Towers sits directly above Panera Bread, Subway and other popular dining options. The location continues to impress with the Main Quad kitty-corner from the Green Street Towers building. This offers the convenience of a short walk to class, as well as the luxury of one of the most beautiful views on campus, right from your couch.

Green Street Towers provides a bathroom inside of every bedroom, which many other apartment buildings do not. There are no balconies in Green Street Towers apartments, but there is a private central courtyard that is accessible to all apartments. You may only

access the building with an electronic key fob, unless buzzed in by an apartment owner.

The pricing for the four bedroom and four bathroom 12-month lease falls at a minimum of $735 per person. This does not include the $128 monthly utility and service fee (water, sewer, recycling and internet) per apartment, but does include access to the workout room.

If you have a vehicle on campus and need to park it in the Green Street Towers parking garage for the full year, you will be adding a $1,080 cost to your lease. These costs are higher than most in Champaign, but is that the price you’re willing to pay for the convenient central-campus location?

309

309 E. Green St., Champaign IL 61820 This highrise trades in the short walk to the Main Quad for the short walk to the infamous campus bar, The Red Lion. 309 is a true skyscraper, reaching 24 floors high, triple the height of Green Street Towers. This makes for beautiful views from the balconies that jut out of each apartment. You may only enter 309 with an electronic key fob, unless you are buzzed in by an apartment owner. There is also front-desk security, and a patrol officer outside of the building in the evening hours.

The pricing for the average four bedroom, two bathroom apartment in 309 is at about $729 per person. This includes utilities such

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Green Street Towers and 309 Green are two of the most popular apartments on Green Street. as electricity, water and internet. This price also includes access to the building’s amenities, such as: a rooftop pool, hot-tub, sun-deck, fitness center and study lounge. Parking your vehicle in the 309 parking garage adds a cost of only $780 per year-long lease, roughly $300 less than Green Street Towers. These costs may sound appealing, but are you willing to add the extra 10-15 minute walk to the Main

Quad into your morning class routine?

Both Green Street Towers and 309 are safe, fully furnished and newly renovated apartment options. Now it’s time to answer the million dollar question. Which is best for you?

Kyra is a sophomore in Media. specialsections@dailyillini.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

16

University Housing

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Monday, February 27, 2017

Construction projects bring more housing for fall 2017

BY JILLIAN KAEHLER SUPPLEMENTS WRITER

All over campus, there seems to be a new apartment being built on every block. Here is a rundown of some of these new projects for an in-depth look at how these apartments stack up.

HERE

Post Office

Green St

Green St 309 The Red Lion

212 EAST Just a block down from The Suites at Third is 212 East, located on the corner of Third

3rd St

and Green streets. First Column Student Living’s latest construction project is one of the newest buildings on campus available for students starting in fall 2017.

Samuel Mtunga, principal at XFD Real Estate Partners, spoke on behalf of the construction at 212 East, emphasizing the importance of completing their project on time and keeping their promises to future residents.

“We are actually two months ahead of schedule. We’re scheduled to deliver at the end of May, and initially we were planning on delivering mid-July.”

According to First Column Student Living’s website, 212 East will come fully furnished, with a workout facility, shared and private study rooms and lounges, and an outdoor courtyard.”

Mtunga also addressed the rate assurance plan that First Column Student Living offers to its residents. He explained that some companies tend to reward people that sign a lease later, rather than the ones who sign earlier. This causes students to wonder if they are missing a better deal down the road.

“We allow you to lock in the space that you want, and you are guaranteed that if we ever offer anything better than what you have, then you can get that too,” Mtunga said.

212 East Green offers students three different suite layouts that includes two bedroom, two bath at $879 per month; a three bedroom, two bath at $849 per month; and lastly, four bedroom, two bath layout at $779 per month.

THE SUITES AT THIRD American Campus is a company that owns multiple properties across campustown, John St

John St

3rd St

Daniel St

including well-known buildings like 309 E. Green, Lofts 54 and the Tower at Third. They are also close to completing their latest endeavor, The Suites at Third.

According to American Campus’ website, Suites offers three different room sizes that are all four bedrooms, four baths, starting at $729 per installment/per person, including amenities. Rates and installments do not represent a monthly rental amount (and are not prorated), but rather the total base rent due for the lease term divided by the number of installments, according to American Campus.

The building will offer professional, on-site management and maintenance, on-site community assistant staff, and 24-hour, on-call staff. Suites residents will have access to the amenities at The Tower at Third, as well.

In regards to construction deadlines, American Campus says that in the event your accommodation within the community is not ready for occupancy on Aug. 24, it will compensate you $1,000 in the form of a gift card.

Early move-in on Aug. 1 is also an option, but excludes the $1,000 offer.

305 DANIEL Another brand new property opening up to students this fall is 305 Daniel, located blocks Daniel St

Washington Park

away from the Quad. Owned by Next Chapter Properties, workers for 305 Daniel say construction will be completed by the start of the Fall 2017 semester.

According to New Chapter Properties website, 305 Daniel offers five different room options for students. There are two different 2 bedroom, 2 bath options, with the only difference being square footage and cost, which ranges from $890 to $935 per month. The 3 bedroom, 3 bath option starts at $875 per month, and the 4 bedroom, 3 bath option is $799 per installment. Lastly, 305 Daniel offers a two-bedroom bunk option, featuring two rooms with two bunkbeds for a total of four people, starting at $499 per month.

305 Daniel will cover all cable, internet and trash, however, each resident has a utility cap per month per floor plan to cover electricity/water.

The units come fully furnished, and will offer a wet bar in every room type, as well as ceiling fans and available private balconies. 305 Daniel does not offer 24-hour on-site security.

No matter where you end up living, don’t forget about the properties that are still under construction. Pardon the dust, and look forward to exciting new apartments.

JACOB SINGLETON THE DAILY ILLINI

Jillian is a junior in Media. jkaehle2@dailyillini.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

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18

Four tips to becoming the ideal roommate MATT SILICH Opinions editor

O

nce all the logistical concerns about housing — where to live, who to room with, when to sign the lease — have subsided, students are faced with an unenviable dilemma: We now have to actually survive these random people we found wandering the streets of Urbana for at least a year.

In the spirit of solving that residential riddle, here are four quick tips for easy living from someone who’s never been wrong in a single roommate confl ict ever.

Don’t be afraid to let your music rock

Any student with musical taste as sophisticated as yours should be well-prepared to educate your fellow apartment inhabitants on the fi ner points of Nickelback’s “Photograph.” If you’ve done your homework and chosen the right roommates, there’s no need to keep the volume to a minimum: Any selfrespecting friend of yours should feel honored to hear your “Only ‘90s Kids Will

Understand This Playlist” playlist.

On the off chance your roommates aren’t interested in hearing “Closer” on repeat every weekend night from 8 p.m. to midnight, don’t hesitate to break out the acoustic guitar and really show them what for. If they can’t appreciate a classy rendition of “Californication” to help them focus on studying for their exam tomorrow, then maybe they shouldn’t be living with somebody as talented as you anyway.

Leave your food everywhere

your dishes and neatly putting them away after a quick dishwasher cycle.

Some will go even further and make playful jokes off this classic interaction.

If you hear things like, “Why is it so hard for you to clean up after yourself?” or “You’re an arrogant slob with no respect for us,” then just be sure to meet them with a hearty laugh and smile.

Your roommates should know you’re in on the joke, and you appreciate their sarcasm.

Worry not, unsure sophomore: There’s no need to seek permission to host if you’re throwing the hottest rager of 2017.

A good roommate will always monitor the eating habits of their friends, and you should do your best to accommodate the rest of your apartment in this regard. If you don’t leave out half-eaten plates of your lunch every day, then it’s going to be a heck of a lot more difficult for everyone to track your calories and let you know when things are getting a bit dicey.

A sink full of your dirty dishes is basically a full day’s inventory for your roommates. Most nice roommates will then pay you back for this service by rinsing

Plan a party and don’t tell anyone

I know nothing gets me going quite like coming home to a trashed house with 30 drunk college students splayed across my living room in positions of varying levels of gravitational defiance. Who doesn’t love a nice surprise party?

Worry not, unsure sophomore: There’s no need to seek permission to host if you’re throwing the hottest rager of 2017. And this tip even comes with an added bonus: Your neighbors will have some fascinating noises to listen to deep into the following morning.

Invite your significant other to live with you

Speaking of late-night noises, there’s no better time than the first week of school to invite your significant other to move into your apartment. Ideally, they’ll have a drawer and a toothbrush in place before your laziest roommate even finishes unpacking. This urgency helps establish a hierarchy of power within the apartment that your roommates are sure to appreciate.

In case you get some pushback from roommates concerned about things like “personal space” and “sleeping,” feel free to be a bit more open with your public displays of affection. The goal here is to firmly establish that your significant other matters more than anyone who actually pays to live in this apartment.

Lastly, every roommate gets a good laugh out of coming home to a couple making out on their bed, so keep that in mind in case of emergency.

Once everyone knows their place in the apartment, life just gets so much easier.

Be sure to establish your dominance early and often, and let these four tips guide your ideal college roommate experience.

Matt is a senior in Media. silich2@dailyillini.com

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Monday, February 27, 2017

19

Make these 5 microwave meals in a mug MADELINE GALASSI Supplements editor

Dining halls and Greek housing chefs are great until you’re starving and a meal you hate is being served. Mug recipes have rapidly grown in popularity in recent years, and there are tons of healthy, quick and simple recipes that you can make in under five minutes. These recipes are perfect for anyone in need of a quick meal.

Egg omelet

From joyfulhealthyeats.com Ingredients • Cooking spray • 2 eggs • 1 tablespoon diced red pepper • 1/4 cup spinach • 1 tablespoon feta cheese • 1 teaspoon sliced green onion • Pepper, to taste.

Instructions 1. Spray inside of coffee mug with cooking spray.

2. Add eggs to cup. Using a fork, mix until the yokes are combined.

3. Add in roasted red pepper, spinach, feta cheese, green onions, and pepper to taste.

4. Gently stir until mixed.

5. Put mug in the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

6. Remove the mug and let sit for 1 minute.

Homemade “SpaghettiOs” From biggerbolderbaking.com

Ingredients • 1/3 cup pasta • 1 cup water, hot • 2 teaspoon cornflour (cornstarch) • 4 tablespoon pasta sauce • 2 tablespoon milk Instructions 1. In a large microwavable mug or large bowl, add the pasta and the water. Use a large mug, as the water will boil up.

2. Microwave for roughly another 3 ½ minutes or until tender. You want the pasta to be fully cooked. (Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary.)

3. Pour out the remaining cooking water.

4. Stir in the cornstarch, tomato sauce and milk and microwave for a final 60 seconds or until the sauce thickens. The cornstarch is the thickener for the sauce.

5. Stir well, season with salt and pepper and enjoy.

HANNAH AUTEN THE DAILY ILLINI

Preparing meals can be easy, even with limited cooking appliances. You can make anything, from pizza to an omelet, using a microwave and a coffee mug.

Blueberry muffin

Pizza in a mug

Coffee Cup Quiche

Ingredients • 1/4 cup flour • 1 tablespoon brown sugar • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder • 1/8 teaspoon salt • Pinch of cinnamon • 1/2 tablespoon butter • 2 tablespoon milk • 1 tablespoon frozen blueberries

Ingredients • 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder • 1/16 teaspoon baking soda • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoon milk • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon marinara sauce • 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese • 5 mini pepperoni • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or basil)

Ingredients • 1 egg • 1 1/2 tablespoon milk • Salt • Ground black pepper • 1/4 of a bagel • 2 teaspoon cream cheese • 1/2 slice prosciutto or ham • Fresh thyme leaves or fresh chopped chives • Dijon mustard

Instructions 1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a microwavable mug.

2. Add in the milk and oil with mix together.

There might be some lump but that is OK. 3. Spoon on the marinara sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter.

4. Sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni and dried herbs.

5. Microwave for 1 minute and 10-20 seconds, or until it rises up and the topping are bubbling (timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary).

Enjoy.

Instructions 1. Beat egg and milk together with a fork in a coffee cup, adding salt and pepper to taste. Tear bread into dime-size pieces; stir in. Add cream cheese; stir in. Tear or cut prosciutto into small pieces; add to mixture. Sprinkle with thyme.

2. Microwave on high until done, about 1 minute 10 seconds.

3. Garnish with mustard and fresh thyme or chives.

From budgetbytes.com

Instructions 1. In a microwave safe mug, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon until well mixed.

2. Add the butter to the mug and use your fingers to rub or smoosh them together until no large chunks of butter remain and the mixture looks like damp sand.

3. Stir the milk into the butter/flour mixture. It should now resemble a thick muffi n batter. If it’s too dry, add a splash of milk. Sprinkle blueberries over the top and push them down into the batter. Microwave on high for approximately 90 seconds. Enjoy with a drizzle of maple syrup on top.

From biggerbolderbaking.com

From stltoday.com

Madeline is a junior in Media mgalass2@dailyillini.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

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20

What to do when touring an apartment Is the apartment you look at your place?

area beforehand.

CHARLOTTE CARROLL Sports editor

S

o you’ve decided to live in an apartment.

While that sounds simple enough, it can be tricky.

It can be tough when thinking about leases and roommates, but often the hardest part is the tour itself and deciding what you want in a place. It’s really important to have a few conversations with your future roommates and be sure to look at a few different places to get a feel for what is out there. It’s easy to pick the first place if it seems right and there is pressure to sign. But make sure to do a thorough tour before signing on that dotted line. Follow these steps to picking out the perfect place.

Before you tour Agree on a budget

Think about rent, but also think about utilities. It’s not one without the other. If you want to spend $500 a month, make sure it’s under $500 a month. This means making sure both rent and utilities will be under your desired price. When looking at apartments, make sure you clarify with the realtor what is included in your rent because some companies include certain utilities while others do not.

Decide on a location

Want to be located on Frat Park? Or on Green Street? Maybe you want to be steps from the Main Quad? Regardless of whether you want to be close to your classes or near home after bar close, be sure to agree on the

Look into realty companies

There are many options when it comes to realtors, but be sure to talk with friends about their experiences and look at reviews before deciding on one. Certain companies have reputations about being helpful, while others might have terrible reviews. Do your research because these are the people who will be helping with any future leaky pipes or broken windows.

Amenities

Are you looking for a high rise with a panoramic view?

What about a certain number of bathrooms?

Maybe you want a parking spot? All of these things are important to nail down before going on the hunt. With these discussions, you can narrow down the necessary amenities that are more negotiable.

Make sure to clarify whether the apartment you’re looking at will actually be yours when you sign or whether it’s a showroom. Some companies will show you an apartment that will be yours, while others have fancy ones that are meant for showing off. Most realtors will knock on doors of apartments with various layouts to show the differences. This will give you a feel for how the place does as a live-in unit.

The most important thing is to talk with your roommates about what you want in an apartment. All of you will be living there, so their input is essential when it comes to finding the perfect home.

While you tour

Make sure you take all roommates with so you’re seeing the place at the same time.

It’s a lot tougher to discuss a place if you all haven’t seen it. Here’s what to look for during your tour.

Look for problems

As you tour, look for problems that might be detractors such as holes in the wall, bugs or any other weird issues.

Ask the current people living there what they think.

You may need to pull them aside to get an honest opinion.

It’s easy to see the place as is, and be super frightened or excited. But keep in mind, the apartment you are seeing is under different tenants’ control, and will look different after you move in. You’ll have a say when it comes to decorating.

Safety

Is the security to get in the building sufficient? Don’t underestimate or downplay safety if you’re concerned. Your apartment will be your home and you want to feel safe living there, especially when coming home late at night.

Be realistic

Can you see yourself living here? It sounds very HGTV, but this will be your home for the next year. Do you want to live here? Is it cozy? Is it worth the price? Is it a home?

After you tour

After the tours, follow up with your roommates before deciding to sign.

Talk, talk, talk!

Make sure you talk with your roommates

Take the realtor right after the tour to get their opinions with a grain of salt away from the realtor. It’s important you

Listen to what the realtor has to say, but don’t be easily impressed. It’s their job to show it off and add flash, but remember to ask realistic questions and ones that matter to you. Also be sure to ask whether the company can come in randomly and show your apartment, or whether they need to give you a heads up. This is crucial, as you don’t want them walking in on some sights.

Consider the people living there now

all discuss honestly to either cross the place off your list or decide it’s the one.

In the end, the most important thing is to talk with your roommates about what you want in an apartment. All of you will be living there, so their input is essential when it comes to fi nding the perfect home.

Charlotte is a senior in Media. cmcarro2@dailyillini.com @charlottecrrll

‘A La Carte’ option brings dining hall variety MADELINE GALASSI Supplements editor

O

ne of the best parts of the University is that there are so many dining options to choose from on campus.

Instead of spending money at restaurants on Green Street, there are many dining halls that feature A La Carte options, where food can be purchased with Illini Cash and Cafe Credits.

57 North

Ikenberry Commons, located at 301 E. Greg-

ory St., is home to 57 North, which has freshly prepared food, as well as beverages, local produce, groceries and personal items. Some on-the-go food options include chicken tenders, wraps and mac and cheese bites.

Hours:

• Sunday-Saturday: 9 a.m.–midnight

The Caffeinator

Instead of getting into the habit of spending money on coffee every day, located upstairs in Ikenberry Commons is The Caffeinator, which has coffee, bakery items, smoothies and other beverages.

Hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.–midnight • Friday: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Saturday: Noon–5 p.m.

• Sunday: 2 p.m.–Midnight

Busey Bean and Green

Busey-Evans hall, located at 1111 W. Nevada St., is home to Busey Bean and Green, formerly known as Busey Beanery. You can stop here for meals and snacks like paninis, baked goods and smoothies.

Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 8 p.m.– midnight

Chomps

Illinois Street Residence, located at 1010 W. Illinois St., holds ISR Chomps, which sells on-the-go food options.

Hours: • • • •

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.–midnight Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.–midnight Saturday-Sunday: 4:45 p.m.–midnight Saturday-Sunday 8 p.m.–midnight

Penn Station

Penn Station, located at 906 W. College St., offers convenience food and beverages and foods.

Hours:

• Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–midnight • Saturday and Sunday: 8 p.m.–midnight

Madeline is a junior in Media. mgalass2@dailyillini.com

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FOR ALL YOUR HOUSING NEEDS

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Monday, February 27, 2017

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The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

23

Sign a lease for Fall & get up to a

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