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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Raye May / PHOTO EDITOR
Caitlin Perry, senior in biosystems engineering, bought her mobile home in the summer of 2010. The Avalon community offers a pool, gym and tanning.
Home on wheels: alternative living options safe, affordable Bianca Seward Copy Editor
After a year of twin beds, strict RA rules and the same meals students are beyond excited to move out of the dorm and into their own space. Caitlin Perry, senior in biosystems engineering, was looking for something different. While most students shuffle from the dorms to apartments, trading RAs for landlords, Perry had another idea in mind. At the young age of 20, Perry became a homeowner. Perry bought her mobile home the summer before her sophomore year in 2010. “My dad is in real estate and so he has always told me it is smarter to buy,” Perry said. “I bought my trailer with my parents,” Perry said. “We split the cost and now I just have a small month-to-
month lot rent.” Of the seven mobile home communities in the Auburn/Opelika area, the average lot rent is $222. However, lots renting for less than $200 do not include water. All seven offer Tiger Transit transportation. Average rental fees for mobile homes, combines mobile home rental and lot rental, is upward of $600 for a two-bedroom and approximately $500 for a single. Mobile home communities often offer the same amenities as most apartment complexes in the area. Perry owns her mobile home in the Avalon community just two exits and a right turn past the veterinary school. “Here we have a pool and a gym that is almost like an at-home gym, but with more machines and it has a tanning bed,” Perry said. “The gym just opened with 24hour access.”
Aside from the amenities in the community, Perry said the mobile homes also beat the dorms by having fully-furnished kitchens, spacious dining and living rooms and, depending on this size of your home, some master bedrooms have two closets. Community safety is another point advantage. Very few apartment complexes in the Auburn/Opelika area come with a strong measure of security. Perry said she has never once questioned her safety in the community. At promptly 8 p.m. the gates shut and only those expressly invited will be allowed inside the premises. And although Perry’s has a towel draped over it, each mobile home comes equipped with a fire alarm detector. “Oh it was just driving me crazy,” Perry said. “But I guess it is nice knowing it works.”
The Auburn Plainsman
Perry said she noticed when she first moved to the Avalon community more than two years go, there wasn’t a balance between families who lived there and students. However, recently she has noticed a turnover in the rates and that more and more students are moving to the community. “It’s definitely becoming more of a student community,” Perry said. “And I think the community is responding to that. They have a Tiger Transit stop and if you live in the way back there is a parking lot right next to the stop for you to park. Also, they extended the gym hours so that helps with the lives of college students.” As an economically sound decision and an alternative option to conventional off-campus living, mobile home communities offer more choices for students. 255 Heisman Dr., Suite 1111, AU Student Center Auburn, AL 36849
A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID
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Robert E. Lee, Editor Nathan Simone, Managing Editor Melody Kitchens, Special Sections Editor Bianca Seward, Copy Editor Sydney Callis, Community Editor Elizabeth Wieck, Intrigue Editor Becky Hardy, Campus Editor Raye May, Photo Editor
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The Auburn Plainsman is published in print weekly every Thursday. We can be found online at ThePlainsman.com.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Sydney Callis
this off
Community Editor
Whether moving in or moving out, organization is key. Keeping everything together and knowing the plan will make your journey to a new house exponentially easier. 1. Pack boxes by location, closet, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, etc. Knowing where everything is and goes will help when packing and unpacking. Real Simple magazine suggests keeping a binder with a detailed plan of attack can help keep track of all the elements of a move. 2. Figure out transportation ahead of time. Decide whether you want to move by yourself or hire a professional moving company. If you don’t have a truck or vehicle large enough to transport furniture or boxes, look into renting a moving truck or hiring movers a few weeks before the move. 3. According to Upack.com, before moving out start using items that cannot be transported, like frozen and perishable foods. It’ll make cleaning out the refrigerator easier if you start emptying it in the weeks leading up to the move. 4. Find packaging materials like boxes, bubble wrap, permanent markers and packing tape. UPS and the U.S. Postal Service have boxes for sale, but also check websites like Ebay. com and Craigslist.com for professional quality packing boxes for a cheaper price than buying them from an actual moving company. 5. Especially when moving out, know where the cleaning supplies are and pack them last. Cleaning when you move in and move out is important. Also, a lot of apartment complexes or renters require a walk-through before moving out to make sure everything is clean and still in working condition before you can get your security deposit
back. Professional moving companies are actually prohibited by the law from packing flammable materials. So, either keep them out to clean after all your things have been removed and then throw them away, or pack and transport them yourself. 6. Always lift with your legs. Lifting and carrying heavy boxes and furniture can be very dangerous if not done properly. There are many helpful videos on YouTube that demonstrate the proper way to transport heavy items without getting injured. 7. Real Simple magazine recommends separating valuables from the rest of the items being packed so you can personally transport them. Keeping track of the important things, like jewelry and important files makes sure they don’t get lost or stolen in the bustle. Keep a list of all valuable items as well to provide to moving or insurance companies if anything is lost or stolen. 8. Pack a separate box or suitcase of items you’ll need during the move or the first night in your new living area. After a long day of unpacking or packing, having necessities already set aside keep you from having to search for your toothbrush or pajamas. 9. Call your utility companies in your current and future location to cancel and set up your account. This ensures you are not paying for utilities not being used at your previous location and that you have water and electricity at the new location when you get there. 10. Before moving in or out of anywhere, go through all your possessions to decide what you really need and use. Eliminating some of your possessions means less to transport, which is always easier. Having a garage sale or giving away unwanted or unused items to charity are two avenues to getting rid of things you do not need to move.
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The Auburn Plainsman
Emily Brett / freelance graphic artist
How to make the best of the worst Chelsea Harvey Assistant Online Editor
Everyone has had that roommate – the one who plays the electric guitar at 3 a.m.; the one who leaves dishes in the sink so long they grow mold; the one whose boyfriend or girlfriend moves in halfway through the year and never leaves. We’ve all had our share of horror stories, and we’ve probably all come up with our own creative ways to exact revenge on the wayward roommate. However, as tempting as it is
to pour green hair dye in your roommate’s shampoo next time he or she puts a toe out of line, this column offers a few more civil solutions to some common conflicts roommates face. The roommate who never washes the dishes (or cleans the bathroom… or tidies the living room) What NOT to do: Leave passive aggressive sticky notes all over everything. “The Tilex is under the sink.” “You do know how to use a vacuum cleaner,
right?” “This ain’t your momma’s kitchen.” What to do: Divide up household chores according to your preferences. If you hate washing dishes but don’t mind scrubbing the shower, maybe your roommate wouldn’t mind making the trade. That way, you can come up with a list of tasks that everyone can accomplish without any one chore being too distasteful for either of you. » See Roommate 4
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roommate » From 3
The roommate who can’t pay the bills on time What NOT to do: Allow your electricity and water to be shut off in an act of defiance. What to do: First, divide up the bills so that some are listed in your name and some are in your roommate’s name. You’d be surprised how much of an incentive it is to pay the bills on time when your personal credit standing is at stake. Then, post a calendar on your refrigerator (or other hightraffic location) with the list of bills and their due dates to help both of you remember how much to save each month and when to have it ready. The roommate who eats you out of house and home What NOT to do: Pour Tabasco sauce into your carton of Sunny D and tell him to help
The Auburn Plainsman himself – that’ll teach him. What to do: Come up with a list of items you two can share on a regular basis. It makes sense to share commonly used items like milk, butter, salt, etc. Keeping two of everything in the same fridge takes up space, and the items often go bad before one person can use them up. Keep a track record of who buys which item so you two can alternate. If Steve buys ketchup one week, Dave should pick it up the next. All other items should be considered personal, and it is important to point this out to your roommate explicitly. If Jessica continues to eat your Cap’n Crunch every morning after this conversation, move your dry goods into your bedroom (or, if you share a dorm room, place them clearly on your side of the room) and label the items you keep in the refrigerator so it’s clear what belongs to whom.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Things to consider, list before choosing on or off-campus living Elizabeth Wieck Intrigue Editor
Choosing where to live in Auburn is a big decision. Location and proximity to campus, financial costs, driving and parking, roommate situations, amenities and size, social involvement and responsibility all factor in to making the right choice. Location Location is a prime issue when comparing on and off campus housing facilities. On campus dorms, naturally, are closer to classes, the library, the Student ACT and other campus buildings. Additionally, students can easily return to their room if something for a class is forgotten or if they have a break between classes. As for off campus housing and location, classes are not as close, campus resources are not as accessible, and it may be difficult to manage time if classes aren’t back-to-back. Cost Cost is always an important factor when deciding to live on or off campus. Depending on location, living on campus often involves higher costs, which include both dorm rent and the mandatory dining plan. Living off campus commonly allows for a lower rent cost, but includes the responsibility of power, water and cable bills. Parking It’s key to consider parking as well due to such limited parking on Auburn’s campus. Unless the parking lottery is won when living in the dorms, having a car is often inconvenient, especially when parking in the faraway resident overflow lot. At an off campus apartment or house, close parking is usually the norm. Of course, if the apartment or house is not within walking distance of the Uni-
Rachel Suhs / DESIGN EDITOR
versity, taking the Tiger Transit to class or driving are the only options. Finding a parking spot in a timely manner or close to class can be difficult, while taking the Transit can make for a long route on the way to or from campus. Roommates With the exception of a few single-person rooms, on-campus dorm life requires a roommate. Unless students live in the Village, they will be sharing a room with another person and a bathroom with three others. If students don’t formally request a roommate for on-campus housing, they may be paired at random with a roommate, while in off-campus housing they can hand pick whom to live with and may also have their own room. Amenities and size In general, there are more amenities in off-campus housing. These might include a fullsize fridge, washer and dryer, oven and stove, dishwasher, pool and workout room. Often, off-campus housing means larger bedrooms, closets, living space, a kitchen and individual bathrooms. Amenities on campus are more limited, and unless students live in the Village, they have to bring their own microwave and fridge. Laundry facilities are often on a different floor or in a different building, and re-
quire quarters for every use. The rooms are small, there is limited storage space and bathrooms are shared, although campus security guards do add a sense of safety to campus housing. Social life Social life is a large part of the college experience, as many students are out on their own for the first time. Living on campus provides a wealth of social opportunities. It’s easy to develop a sense of community and meet others, easing the often difficult transition into college. Dorm movie nights and other activities are common in residence life. Little privacy, living in close proximity to hundreds of students and dorm rules account for negatives in on-campus social life. Living off campus allows for more privacy and freedoms due to no RAs, which can include fewer restrictions on noise, parties and drinking. Additionally, off campus housing can create a potential break from the busyness of campus. Responsibility Overall, living on campus requires less responsibility, as payments and the meal plan are factored into tuition. Living off campus, although preparing students for the future, requires more responsibility in paying rent and bills, learning to live on their own and cooking.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Auburn Plainsman
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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Behind the job of an RA Becky Hardy Campus Editor
We hope you enjoy this year’s Rental Guide. Look for our other special sections this spring: February 14 March 7 April 18 May 2 To advertise, call 334-844-4130 or email admanager@theplainsman.com
Lemans square & Chateau apartments
Come in to quiet comfort A great place to live.
- Only 4 blocks from campus - Water/Garbage included - On Tiger Transit Route - Spacious Floor Plans - On-site Management - Sparkling Pools - Pet Friendly
Rates per apt. 1 BR-$420 2 BR-$495 3 BR-$570
Scan for more info!
(334)-821-9192 560 North Perry St. Auburn, AL www.lemanssquare.com
Dunn Hall Resident Assistant Annie Lopez, sophomore in business, shares her experiences as an RA. BH: What made you decide to be an RA? AL: My RA and I got along really well last year. She didn’t exactly talk it up, but it really interested me. I wanted to live on campus again just because it was close to everything and what better way than to be an RA. BH: What was training like? AL: We had to go through two weeks of training at the end of the summer. It was a lot of going over procedures and policies, just making sure that we understood the policies and policy violations and how to handle crises. We did have to go through a really extensive application and interview process, and actually, I do think they gave us a background check. BH: What does your job entail as an RA? AL: We have a lot of hall activities. It’s actually more than I thought we would have to do. We have to put up bulletin boards every month for the specific themes for each month and we have to put on at least two or three floor minglers and one hall activity. You also have to do rounds, which the RAs have to have at least one night on duty per week. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely a time commitment. BH: How many students do you manage as an RA? Does this get stressful? AL: Technically we look over the whole hall, but I’m the second floor RA, so I’m mostly focused on the residents on the second floor, which has about 44 women on it. It can get stressful when there are nights when people don’t come to floor minglers, so you don’t
Lopez
get a lot of attendance. Obviously, you’re going to have instances that you have to bring down the band hammer, but it’s not bad. As long as the residents respect you and there’s a mutual respect there and no lines are crossed then it’s fine. BH: How do you typically help students? AL: A lot of times I have built up relationships with my residents from just hanging out downstairs, so some residents have come to my room to just say hey. Just this past week I saw one of my residents and she had a question on which class she should take and one of those classes I had previously taken, so I could help her out with that. Also, they will come to you with personal questions about friends or family. You have to be really careful with how you handle it because you’re not trying to be a psychiatrist to them, so you can’t exactly give them advice or suggestions. You are more there for their support system. BH: What is it like working with other RAs? AL: It’s a lot better when everyone is around. We recently got a new RA, and she’s been really good at being downstairs all the time, not even when she’s on duty. It helps build a really good relationship with the other RAs. We’re all really close. This being my first year as an RA, I’ve gone to them a lot with any questions I’ve had. We’re kind of each others support
groups. BH: What are the perks of your job? AL: People would consider free housing a good part of the job. I didn’t really do it for the free housing. I did it more to be involved more on campus because I didn’t really get to do that last year. Just last semester I was able to have a dinner with the vice president of student affairs, so that was pretty cool and I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if I wasn’t an RA. We also get to have really good insight on what’s going on with the university because we are kind of the front line for the residents, so we have to let the university know what’s going on and advertise that. We can give advice to those who are making the big decisions telling them what residents really want. BH: Any crazy stories? AL: I can’t exactly tell stories. There are times when we have violations with drugs and alcohol, but it’s nothing we couldn’t handle. Obviously in those situations you call the police or the nonemergency number and then call the hall director. Those situations are why we go through training. It’s kind of funny because in training they were making everything sound like a crisis and a big deal, and we didn’t think that was the way it was going to be, but it really did help when things like that actually did happen. BH: Would you recommend it? AL: I would. It really depends on what interests you. If you’re just going to do it for the free housing then it’s not the right idea because it’s a lot of work. If you are really motivated and enthusiastic about it, it can be a lot of fun, so I would suggest it to people who are really enthusiastic to do it.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
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The Auburn Plainsman
Above the buzz: living in downtown Auburn Melody Kitchens Special Sections Editor
Shelby Selman, senior in political science, lives in one of the most envied apartments downtown on College Street. MK: How did you come about renting your apartment? SS: My roommate and I always knew about the apartments because my brother, who is six years older than me, lived in them one time when he was in college, too. I always thought they were really cool and a lot more spacious compared to a lot of other apartments, especially for the price you pay for them. Not to mention the location is incredible, obviously. MK: Have you enjoyed living downtown? SS: I've really enjoyed living downtown because I like being
within walking distance to class and work. I work for Auburn University in Ingram Hall which is right down the street from me, so that's really convenient. Also, we're in walking distance from the bars so we never have to worry about driving when we go out, which is really nice. It also gives our friends a place to stay rather than drinking and driving. One thing I don't really like is the parking problem. We pay a lot for one parking place, although it is voluntary, but the free parking places are pretty far away over in Elm Court's parking lot. MK: What’s the best thing about the view downtown? SS: The best thing about the view is probably the sunsets, but I mean, I just enjoy the view in general. Also, I've never actu-
ally watched the Christmas parades or looked out my window whenever they've had the "AUtumn Nights" downtown, but it is right outside so I'm sure that would be a great way to watch them. MK: If someone wanted to live above downtown on College Street, what would you recommend them to do? SS: If you want to live in the specific College Street apartments that we live in, you need to contact Northcutt Realty ASAP, because the tenants renew their leases in January and February so if there are any available after that, they usually go pretty quickly. You just have to keep your eyes open and keep checking. But if you get one, it's definitely worth it.
Melody Kitchens / SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
Samford Hall is visible from most downtown College Street apartments.
CREEKSIDE Student Living Redefined
CreeksideofAuburn.com | 334.321.2356 {650 Dekalb Street #1000 | Auburn, AL 36830 }
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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Homemade how to: make your own chalkboard Raye May Photo Editor
If you’re like me, you’ve fallen head over heels for Pinterest. From the depths of the internet, vigilant pinners find everything from fashion advice to recipes. My obsession of choice, though, has become arts and crafts. Though some may seem daunting, there are tons of doit-yourself projects that are simple, yet adorable, and this DIY chalkboard fits the bill! What you’ll need: -Chalkboard paint -Something to turn into a chalkboard. (Mirrors, glass and wood work best.) -Paintbrush -Splatter paper -Chalk or liquid chalk pens You can find these supplies at Walmart or Hobby Lobby.
Step one: Spread out some old papers or some kind of cover to keep paint from dripping on the floor. If you choose to use spraypaint instead of paint out of a can, go outside somewhere away from anything you don’t want coated. This stuff sticks to everything. Hint: To keep your soon-to-be chalkboard from touching the paper and sticking to it, prop it up on tacks to keep it an inch or so off the paper. Step two: Paint it up! A wide, flat brush or a sponge brush works best, because you need a LOT of this paint. Don’t be sparing with it--the thicker it is, the better. Make sure to smooth out all the brush strokes and drips, or it’ll be hard to write on once it’s
dry. Step three: Wait! It should be dry to the touch within thirty minutes, but that doesn’t mean touch it. If you need to move it, do so carefully. Allow two hours for it to dry completely before use, or four hours before applying a second coat of paint. Have a Netflix marathon, meet a friend for lunch, or do that homework you’ve been putting off for days. It’s going to take a while, especially if you decide it needs that second coat. Step four: Decorate and enjoy your creation! Chalk will work fine, but for cleaner lines and less dust, try liquid chalk pens. They dry like paint, but come off easily with a wet paper towel. Now go show off your creativity!
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Raye May / PHOTO EDITOR
Chalkboards are an easy way to decorate unpaintable walls.
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