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Table of Contents 18 Commuting 20 Dorms 21 Dorm hacks 22-23 Residence halls 24 Appliances 25 Resident assistants
Standard staff Advertising staff Joel Grieshaber sales Mark Phillips sales Hailey Gilbreath sales
Editorial staff Cortlynn Stark editor-in-chief Emily Cole news editor Nina Todea life editor Amanda Sullivan sports editor Kaitlyn Stratman photo editor Bill Sioholm digital editor
Reporters/Photographers Claire Niebrugge senior sports reporter Layne Stracener senior reporter Ben Vickers videographer Alec Sahm videographer Connor Wilson reporter Carissa Alford reporter Terry Chapman reporter
Afton Harper reporter Kathryn Dolan reporter Afton Harper reporter Reese Radmacher reporter Derek Shore reporter Andrew Unferverth reporter Bryce Derrickson sports reporter Cole Sutton sports reporter Monica Blake sports reporter Sam Grus sports reporter Bailey Vassalli photographer Megan Burke reporter/photographer Bradley Balsters photographer Sarah Hollstrom copy editor
Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager
HOUSING GUIDE 2019
is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.
Cover design by Sandy King
4 FSL living 6 International housing 8 Best apartment 10 Leasing 12 Roommates 14-15 Pets 16-17 Editors’ living situations
The Standard 901 S. National Avenue • Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 • Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org
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FSL living: Here’s what students think about living in an FSL house CARISSA ALFORD Staff Reporter @carissabalford Living in a fraternity or sorority house can either be mandatory or a choice, depending on the fraternity or sorority. However, receiving pamphlets may not be enough to convince a student whether or not they should live in-house. While most organization members agree that living in-house a is beneficial, there are some drawbacks. Construction on the new Delta Chi house finished Aug. 17, 2018. It is a 12-month lease, $520 a month for a single room and $435 a month for a double room, utilities included. Senior Brian Black, an elementary education major, has lived in the Delta Chi house for three years. “One of the benefits of living in a Greek house is you already know your roommates,” Black said. Aside from being a central meeting place, Black said he believes there could be an educational benefit to living in the house as well. “We had two guys that signed leases to live in the house who ended up not making the grades,” Black said. “Both of their GPA’s have increased since they lived in the house. I don’t know whether to equate that to living in the house or not.” He also said members can’t drink or smoke in the house, so they likely drink and smoke less. “I don’t think that drinking and smoking every day is beneficial to your academic success,” Black said. “And living in house is limiting the amount that you do.” One of the 16 bedrooms in the Delta Chi house was left empty, so an alumni donated couches, a TV was added and it became a room where people could go to get things done, academic or otherwise. “It’s a place where I just go and read,” Black said. “You’re not really going to get bothered.” In the house, members are expected to clean up after themselves, which can cause some issues. “If I could change absolutely anything, it would be that guys would just take more responsibility for their own,” Black said. “Like cleaning their own space.” Sophomore undeclared major Logan Schillinger currently lives in the Delta Chi house, and despite it being a new house, he has problems with cleanliness as well. “Our house is brand new,” Schillinger said. “It’s not like you’re living in an old, beat up house.” Being the house manager, Schillinger has to keep it clean. But that doesn’t always prove easy.
“People do not do their dishes,” Schillinger said. Living in the house could be a challenge if someone’s grades aren’t making the cut, and they have dedicate timeto a job in order to pay expenses. However, Black said if that is a problem, it can usually be solved by reaching out to parents. “People’s parents are willing to help more than they think,” Black said. While it is mandatory to fill the house, Black said he thinks everyone should want to live there — especially since not everyone can live in the house due to the number of new recruits compared to the amount of space. “Guys who do not ever live in the house are usually guys who feel disconnected from the fraternity after a year or less,” Black said. “A lot of times they’ll come in after a chapter meeting and say, ‘Hey I just don’t feel connected anymore.’ A lot of times I can point to the fact that they lived with people that are not in the fraternity so they’re not spending a lot of time with the brothers, or they lived with guys who are also disconnected from the fraternity.” Raffy Dizon, a sophomore nursing major, also lives in the Delta Chi house. “It’s super close to campus, which I feel is super important for me because I don’t have a car down here,” Dizon said. There is also a Bear Line stop right in front of the house. Dizon said it was a cheaper option compared to other housing choices that are within walking distance of campus. While the proximity to campus could be viewed as a good thing, there are other drawbacks to living in a house with 27 people. Schillinger said it can be harder to do homework and study with so many people around. “We don’t have a designated study room, so your options are your room or the kitchen,” Schillinger said. “Often times there are people in there playing video games or making food, so it’s really hard to focus.” However, Dizon doesn’t see it in such a negative light. “At the same time, while it might be distracting, it can also be a good thing,” Dizon said. “You always have someone you can ask for help.” Schillinger said it’s “a night and day difference” with how well he has gotten to know the guys he lives with as opposed to guys in the same fraternity who live off campus. “You only have four years to live with 27 of your closest friends,” Schillinger said. “You won’t get an opportunity like this again.” Living quarters for fraternities are similar to sororities, where a significant amount of people are living under the same roof. Brianna Ackerson, sophomore recreation, sport and park administration major, is a member of Gamma Phi Beta.
“You always have someone you can ask for help.” - Raffy Dizon
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There are 16 bedrooms in the Delta Chi fraternity house, where smoking and drinking are prohibited. The house was under construction until Aug. 17, 2018.
Like Schillinger, Ackerson said there are many benefits to being so close to people in the same sorority or fraternity. “My favorite part is the movie nights and the sleepovers we have with girls who don’t live in house in the TV room,” Ackerson said. “We also have a study room, and girls that are in the same majors or the same college study together. We post on our page what classes girls are struggling in, and girls who are good in those classes come over to help them.” She said there are around 45 girls living in the Gamma Phi Beta house. Rent is $805 a month, including all meals except u See FSL, page 26
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Best housing for international students LAYNE STRACENER Senior Reporter @LayneStracener Freshman business major Ali Alfaraj, an international student, chose to live in Kensington Park Apartments because it’s close to campus but not too close. He likes it because it’s furnished, has a clubhouse and pool and is a good mix of international students and American students. Brochures are available in the apartment office with information about campus and community events, and the staff sends emails about them. While freshmen are required to live in the dorms, most international students live off campus, said international admissions coordinator Shadeed Khan. Price is the main reason for this, especially because international students pay more in tuition, Khan said. International Services gives international students a guidebook that lists information including common off-campus apartments for students and information such as prices and phone numbers. For furnished apartments, the guidebook lists Sky Eleven, The Qube, Deep Elm, Bear Village, The Bay, Aspen, The Jefferson, Cresco, The Sterling, The U, Beacon Park, Pad Madison, So El and 800 South. For unfurnished apartments, it lists Campus Court, Embassy Apartments, Kings Apartments, Town and Campus Apartments, Markwood Apartments, El Chaparral, El Madrid,
Cherry Plaza, East Manor and El Chaparral. Living in these apartments helps international students culturally assimilate because they are popular apartments for students and they’re close to campus and downtown, Khan said. “Living on campus or in these places off campus makes it a lot easier for international students to assimilate with the society here and get more comfortable doing things here and meeting new people, especially if they’re trying to live with people from countries they’re not from, or American students,” Khan said. The guidebook also lists community events including the First Friday Art Walk, farmers markets, Bearfest Village tailgates, Missouri State University International Day and a variety of festivals. It also lists international dining close to campus including Chinese, Indian, Italian, Korean, Mexican and Vietnamese restaurants. Most international students who live on campus live in Kentwood and Sunvilla because these apartments are on campus but cheaper than the dorms, said Gary Stewart, director of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services. These apartments are also fully furnished and include a kitchen and TV, they stay open during breaks, have free washing machines and dryers, are staffed 24/7 and have convenient parking. The staff at these apartments tries to help international students feel more connected to the community. For example, Sunvilla has international student potluck dinners.
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Johana Diaz and Matias Rubilar dance their hearts out at a celebration of Chilean culture at the Jim D. Morris Center. International students come here to get oriented and find housing.
“The staff tries to give them experiences they might not otherwise have living in an apartment off campus,” Stewart said. “We really try to get them connected to the community here and we want to make sure they know about events on campus or downtown.”
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The best place to hibernate SHANNON NOONAN Staff Reporter @_HUTCHINSON_ With over 950 apartments available for rent within a 10-mile radius of Missouri State University’s campus, this article is here to help narrow down your search for the absolute best option. Within that radius are several buildings — Boomer Town Studios, Monroe Apartments, Sky Eleven, Aspen, Deep Elm, and The Jefferson. There are a variety of options to choose from based off of proximity, pricing, utilities and, of course, the luxurious amenities. The following complexes are those recommended by current MSU students who live in the apartments. The first recommendation is The Qube, advertised as campus housing by MORe Student Living and located a third of a mile off campus. Residents of a two-bed, two-bath apartment pay $650 each every month with cable and internet included. The units contain a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a washer and dryer and a balcony. The property is a gated community that features on-site maintenance and a fourth floor fire pit veranda. Sophomore criminology major Zoe Wilson, recommended The Qube, where she currently lives. She will continue using MORe Student Living and rent an apartment at The Jefferson for the 2019-2020 school year. “For the best apartments: MORe Student Living,” Wilson said in response to our search for the best housing options. “They own
three properties all (within) walking distance to campus. They also put on events like food truck day and smores nights all for free.” Second is Beacon Springfield, located a quarter of a mile off campus. The two-bed, two-bath apartments come in at around the same price as The Qube, between $645 and $675 per bed. However, their units come fully furnished and all utilities are included in rent. Their list of amenities is extensive, including a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor fire pit and grilling area, a computer lab with free printing, a Bear Line shuttle stop and much more. Sophomore accounting major Sierra Weidner has lived at Beacon Commons for a year and plans to continue living there for the next school year. “They even give you a nice handwritten card for your birthday with a candy bar,” Weidner said. Next up is Weaver Creek, located 6.5 miles off campus and ranging between $810 to $895 a month, these apartments feature carpeted, wood and laminate flooring with furnished options. The amenities include a game room, a standing tanning bed, a DVD library, a playground and even a pressure washer for your car. “My boyfriend and I wanted something nice, and when we got a tour it was beautiful, but what sold us was the people,” said Taylor Meyers, junior exercise and movement science major. “The management team is so good to their residents. They go above and beyond to make it feel like a home.” Last are the properties owned and operated by Brentwood Management. Locations and amenities vary based on which
Graphic by CORTLYNN STARK/THE STANDARD
property you choose, but most are located right off of campus. Residents of two-bed, two-bath properties pay $490 a month per person with all utilities included. “The management isn’t in your business but is always friendly and expedient when you need maintenance,” said Josie Battles, senior political science major and one year tenant of Brentwood Management.
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So, you want to lease an apartment. But which one is best for you? TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @MerrimanTinsley Many college students want a space to call their own. But some students do not look before they leap and wind up with costly bills on top of their tuition. Before leasing an apartment, students should consider the pros and cons of the building they have their eye on. On the Missouri State University campus, there are two main apartment buildings. These are the Monroe Apartments and Sunvilla Tower. Both require a student to have completed at least 30 credit hours before moving in. But these apartments also come with a big price tag. According to Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services on the MSU website, a Monroe two-person apartment can be leased for $8,265 yearly. Sunvilla costs less, with a two-person apartment valued at $7,063. There are also a variety of different off-campus apartments within walking distance. Aspen Heights, Bear Village and Boomer Town are all less than a mile from campus. Farther away are TLC Apartments. TLC has several student focused buildings throughout the Springfield area and a shuttle service to and from the campus. The shuttle makes stops at four of the student-based apartments; Coryell Crossing, Sherwood Village, Palm Village and Battlefield Park. The shuttle also runs to both Bear Park North and South on campus. Off-campus apartments are seemingly cheaper, but a look at the fine print might shows an interesting detail. According to the Aspen Heights website, the lease for a two-person apartment is $719. But, all prices are per bedroom. This means that one must pay the full price for the room they are staying in, and only that room. The lease cannot be split by roomates; both must pay the full $719 respectively. Assistant director of Residence Life-Business Services Angela Strider suggests that pricing and payment type are major factors to look at when deciding on leasing. “Are you responsible for your portion of the rent, or is it a shared rent?” Strider said. “That would be one thing. I would also say, what is the housing deposits and or administrative fees? You might get some housing fees back. Administrative fees you don’t.”
Photos by KAITLYN STRATMAN/ THE STANDARD
Bear Village (top) and Aspen Heights (bottom) are two apartment complexes within a mile of campus.
Having an apartment with shared rent and a roommate will significantly cut down on expenses. A roommate can also provide feedback for assignments and a helping hand when cleaning. Communication is key to finding a roommate, as one doesn’t want a total stranger with completely different habits in their personal space for a whole year of school. Amenities can also play a large role in deciding whether or not to lease. Whether or not the apartment has water, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi, cable or trash services included are major factors. One should also consider how much parking the apartment offers, if they have a vehicle and if the Bear Line shuttles run to the complex, not just near it. “You have to think about, in the end, how much will the overall contract cost versus the incentives you might be enticed by,” Strider said. “(Students) should read their terms and conditions entirely before signing them.”
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How you can find the perfect roommate VANNA GUZMAN-SLATER Staff Reporter @vannaslater Finding the perfect roommate takes a lot longer than six seconds, but with some careful consideration, tools like the Missouri State roommate matching survey or even social media can have you rewatching Vine compilations on YouTube at 3 a.m. with a good roomie. Kayla Collins, a freshman majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology, knows that the stress of finding a suitable room and a good roommate can be overwhelming. She said she didn’t get assigned the building she was hoping for, and after switching rooms multiple times, she finally found her perfect roommate. “I chose to room with someone I didn’t know to push myself out of my box and make a new friend,” Collins said. “Me and Katey talked all the time — all the way up until August when we moved in.” Collins and her roommate became friends through good communication before they moved in, a bond she says is an important factor to having a good roommate. “Without a good bond, you’re going to make yourself and whoever your roommate is miserable because you’re going to dread going back to your room,” Collins said. Collins said in order to have that bond, it’s important to look for people with good senses of humor, kind personalities and a flair for the unconventional. She even went to visit her room-
File Photo Illustration by KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD
When searching for a roommate, consider whether your sleep, social or academic schedules will clash, making it difficult to live together. mate’s hometown over summer, before school. Filling out the matching survey MSU created for roommates doesn’t always work out well, something Riley Case, freshman international business major, can attest to. “The first housing experience really sucked for me. I did
use the roommate survey to match me up,” Case said. After a not so good experience in a three-person room, Case finally decided to move out. And her ornery roommates weren’t so happy with this decision —Case came back to her things disheveled and some of her makeup missing. Case wasn’t expecting to be best buds with her roommates, but she says it certainly helps. “My advice would be to try to find someone you have stuff in common with,” Case said. Instead of using the survey to find her current roommate, Michaela Glaus, Case found Glaus on a self-searching roommate directory called Schoolsapp that she downloaded on her phone. Glaus didn’t have a very good first roommate experience either; she and her roommate both had strong, stubborn personalities and argued too much. “I do not think it’s necessary to be friends with your roommate, but I do think you have to do well at coexisting together,” Glaus said. When Case reached out to her about moving in, she was apprehensive, but now the two are best friends — Case even joined the sorority Glaus is apart of. Social media can be a good way to find a roommate, Glaus suggests looking on Facebook. But don’t forgo the survey, Glaus said, because she never filled out the roommate survey for either of her roommates. “I feel like if I would, we would not have been put together because we are total opposites,” Glaus said.
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Pet ownership: The responsibilities, GRETA CROSS Staff Reporter @gretacrossphoto Imagine coming home from a long day of classes and work. You are exhausted, but as soon as you open your front door, you are greeted by a friendly, furry creature who sheds only unconditional love — and maybe some hair. Many Missouri State students find this lifestyle a reality when living off-campus with a pet. Balancing the responsibilities of being a pet owner and college student can be difficult, but dedicated pet lovers make it work. Madison Rees, a senior interior design major, said that she decided to get a pet in order to combat the everyday stresses of being a college student. “I just really wanted something to focus on rather than schoolwork and the hustle and bustle of going to work and running a business and being stuck inside all day,” Rees said. “I wanted a cute animal to cuddle and be able to take care of." According to News in Health, a monthly newsletter published by the National Institutes of Health, interacting with animals has been proven to reduce cortisol levels — a stress-related hormone — and lower blood-pressure. Rees owns a 1-year-old golden retriever named Lucy.
Rees said Lucy’s presence in her life has benefited her emotional health. Freshman early childhood education major Brooke Fischer decided to purchase her goldendoodle, Noodles, for the emotional benefits, along with another, more specific reason. Fischer said she wanted a running partner that could help her feel safe while running around Springfield. One of the largest responsibilities that comes with being a pet owner is time commitment. Creating a flexible schedule around an animal can be hard as a college student. "My biggest concern was if I had enough time to let her out, feed her and give her the right amount of attention while balancing school and my sorority,” said Madeline Finkelstein, a junior elementary education major, who owns a 2-year-old Weimaraner-Labrador mix. Balancing time between school, work and caring for a pet can be hard. However, creating a monthly budget as a college student, who is also paying tuition and rent, can be just as difficult. Rees said that the biggest disadvantage of owning a pet are the random, unexpected expenses. GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD “When she got an eye infection or was having some bowMadison Rees cheeses with her Golden Retriever, el movement issues, those were extra costs that I hadn't budgeted in,” Rees said. “She had some serious digestion Lucy, who is just over 1 year old.
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rewards of owning a pet off-campus issues. It was really hard to find her a food that stayed down or didn’t give her diarrhea, and I had to end up buying specialty food that was for sensitive stomachs, and that costed me a lot more money.” Unexpected expenses may be rare, but pet owners should be aware of such occurrences before adopting or purchasing a pet. Keeping money set aside to help pay for large vet bills or medication is an ideal way to ease the stress of these costs. If you go into pet ownership with your eyes wide open, pets come with many responsibilities but can be positive additions to a college student’s off-campus housing experience. Rees said Springfield has a fun pet community that has allowed her to meet students she would have never been able to meet without walking her dog or visiting the Springfield Cruse Dog Park.
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Brooke Fischer’s Goldendoodle, Noodles, acts as her running partner. Noodles’ presence during Fischer’s midday runs make her feel safe around Springfield. GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD
Madison Rees describes Lucy as a funny, goofy dog that helps her emotional health as she faces the challenges of a busy college schedule.
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A look at various living situations Apartment to apartment CORTLYNN STARK Editor-in-Chief @Cortlynn_Stark After my freshman year living in Scholars House, I moved into my first apartment. Up to this point, I’ve lived in three different apartments: Beacon Springfield, Coryell Crossing and now a downtown loft owned by WiseRentals. Of all the apartments, my favorite is the one I’m in now. It’s the most spacious and has the best location. The high ceilings — and my roommate — are my favorite things about my current apartment. The only thing it’s really missing is a washer and dryer. If you can, always, always avoid not having the washer and dryer unit. Doing laundry in sub-zero temperatures is the worst. The bills that come with apartment living — or really any form of living on your own — are also the worst. Keeping up with rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, etc. is a pain, but the independence is worth it. Living in Coryell Crossing was the cheapest option though, as I only paid about $270
per month, but that was because we had three people in a two-bedroom apartment. That apartment also came with the most amenities, including a movie theater, half-court basketball court, access to three gyms, three pools and more. However, I didn’t set foot in any of those amenities once … which was when I realized amenities don’t really matter to me. Coryell was the only one of my three complexes to allow pets, which worked out well after my roommates added a husky. I’m a proud aunt. Beacon Springfield also offers great amenities — and super sweet management — but it was the most expensive of my three apartments. However, it did include everything — electric, Wi-Fi, furniture and more — which was an advantage for my first apartment. But the cost simply didn’t outweigh the location perks. We also weren’t allowed to have pets, which got complicated after my roommate adopted a kitten. When you’re apartment hunting this spring, be sure to do your research. Different complexes offer different amenities, but you need to figure out what’s important to you.
Bear Village is quite bear-able AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandasullivan14 Living in Bear Village is generally great. It’s a perfect first apartment after leaving the dorms. The fully furnished four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment I live in is a great size. Rent, utilities, Wi-Fi and cable are all included in my monthly payment. Maintenance requests are answered fairly quickly, and security is better than what the dorms had. You still have roommates, and just like Hammons or Hutchens House, you have to clean your own bathroom. There are plenty of extra perks of living in Bear Village besides being within walking distance of campus, always having a place to park
and heightened security overnight. Access to an outdoor pool, a movie theater, a dog park, a gym and tanning amenities are available in the clubhouse. There are always events where free thing are given away in the clubhouse as well. Everything from pizza to pasta dinners, free Red Bull, Monster and candy, the benefits are awesome. Unfortunately, living in a dorm-like apartment complex means dorm-like experiences. Often times music is played loudly, people drive their cars around the parking lot at 3 a.m. and there are almost always people you’ve never seen before walking your hallway. Big picture, though, it’s a quality place to live if you want all of the benefits for a few extra dollars. It’s a great transition from living with resident assistants to living on your own.
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Living in a house: Extra space means extra upkeep EMILY COLE News Editor @EMCole19 In my three, going on four, years of college, I’ve experienced almost every living situation there is. I lived on campus in Freudenberger House, I briefly moved back in with my mom, I rented an apartment and now I’m renting a house. I’ve done it all. Since the beginning of my junior year, I’ve lived in a three-bedroom house with three roommates and a cat. For the most part, it’s been pretty good. There’s the occasional problem between roommates — as you can expect when four people live together — but honestly, we’re usually okay. One of the biggest pros of living in house instead of an apartment is the space. In my two-bedroom apartment, it felt like everything was on top of everything else. In our house, we have a lot of room for all the things we need. We each have our own space to relax, and our common spaces, like the living room, are big enough for us to hang out together and even invite friends over.
We also have our own washer and dryer, and I don’t have to worry about using a communal laundry room or dragging my laundry to my parent’s house like I used to. Most of the downsides, however, also come from the extra space — like the bills. Unlike some apartments, utilities are not included in my rent. So each month, we pay a separate bill for utilities like electricity and water, and it can get expensive. We also pay to have our trash picked up each week, and we pay for internet and cable. While we split the bills four ways, and have low rent, bills can add up — especially when it’s really hot or cold outside. Another thing that can be a downside of living in a house is that you also have a yard. My roommates and I decided that we would split the responsibility of mowing, which can be a pain. Keep that in mind when you’re looking for your next living space. I would recommend living in a house to anyone who’s willing to deal with the extra upkeep, but if you’re more of a “I just need a roof over my head” kind of person, I’d stick to an apartment.
Living with your family is the worst, but not all the time NINA TODEA Life Editor @Todea_NinaM Let’s be honest — no 22-year-old college student wants to live with their family. Think unspoken curfews — because you can’t walk into a sleeping household at 2 a.m. — daily questionings, a lack of private space and so on. But there’s also obvious perks, and they’re perks that add up. In the four years I’ve been in college, I haven’t paid a penny of rent. Some students pay roughly $5,000 just per academic year. Think of how many Chick-fil-A meals you could have with that $5,000. Because my parents have been ever so gracious as to not charge me living expenses, I also haven’t been forced to pick up a second, or a more stable, part-time job. I have more time to dedicate to classwork. It’s enough time that taking 18 credit hours doesn’t affect me the same way that someone with two part-time jobs would be affected. Dedicating more time to classwork has allowed me to retain more information, maintain a higher GPA and, ultimately, keep my scholarship throughout the
years. In turn, that scholarship covers the bulk of expenses I do have. The most delicious perk here is food. I grew up in a family that had warm, home-cooked meals each night, and I’m fortunate to still have that. Many of the college students I know don’t have the money for fresh fruits and veggies, a variety of meats, grains and more. But because I’m part of the household — and my mother still loves us all enough to spend hours shopping and cooking — I reap the benefits. Have you ever tasted freshly-baked lasagna after a long day of classes? Apart from the material items, family will always be family. Being at home or at least close to home means a strong support system. I get to see my sisters. I get to see my brothers. And even though parents are experts at nagging, I’m thankful I still get to see my parents. I know that once I graduate in four months and move across the country or across the world, I won’t have that luxury. In the meantime, I’m just trying to make the best of it. Sometimes that means giving up a little freedom, but at least the questions at the dinner table on Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t quite as surprising.
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Commuting to campus:
Should you stay or should you go?
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About 77 percent of undergraduate students live outside of campus and commute to classes. ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @unverferthandr1 Even with all of the housing options available on the Missouri State University campus, many students decide to avoid dorm life and opt for a different sort of living arrangement off campus. According to MSU’s Common Data Set 2017-2018 — student and university demographic data compiled by the Office of Institutional Research — 77 percent of undergraduate students lived outside of campus. If you’re planning on being one of those students next semester, there are a couple of things you should consider before you decide where to stay. A lot of issues students seem to have are caused by their daily commute. While driving time obviously depends on where you’re living, simply having to make the drive to campus every day can take its toll. For one, living far away from classes can make it incredibly tempting to just skip them. Senior information technology infrastructure major Daniel Emery said he feels things are especially difficult this year due to his schedule. “I have early classes and late classes, and it’s sometimes a struggle to get the motivation to go to class,” Emery said. “Same with studying. I mean, it’s a lot harder to study at my house than it is at the library or something, but I don’t really wanna go out of my way to go to the library.” One of the biggest issues for commuters
is the university’s notoriously packed parking. Junior electronic arts and video studies major Tara Kline is one of many students passionate about the campus parking issue. “Once you get in the parking lot, you barely ever find a parking spot,” Kline said. “There’s definitely not enough parking lots for the commuters.” Though she finds parking to be a regular inconvenience, Kline suggests finding a spot becomes easier when attending evening classes. While there are plenty of difficulties facing commuters, there are also a number of benefits that draw these students off campus. According to Haylie Mason, a sophomore entertainment management major, one of the biggest factors keeping her off campus is the cost. This is Mason’s first year at MSU, and she said the cost of a residence hall was simply too high for her. “I haven’t lived on campus at all,” Mason said. “It was just way too expensive, so I chose to commute from the beginning.” Another reason students find their own place is because they prefer their privacy over a residence hall. Sophomore undeclared major Zoe Salaiz said she simply enjoys having a space to herself. “I don’t have to share a room with anyone, and I can just be alone if I need to,” Salaiz said. Off-campus living has its benefits, but it isn’t for everyone. It’s well worth weighing the pros and cons before deciding where to stay, especially when so many students fight over parking every day.
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Are residence halls really worth their cost? CLAYTON FRYE Staff Reporter @clayton_frye Residence halls are generally accepted as a part of the college experience, but they come at a steep price. Most college freshmen are required to live in residence halls, despite the fact that the price of living on campus is substantially higher than living off campus. The average cost to rent an apartment in
The average cost to rent an apartment in Springfield is $735/month Springfield is $735 per month, according to the United States Census Bureau. The median cost of utilities for a two-person apartment is approximately $200, according to an article by Zillow. With these two costs split with a roommate, a student would pay $467.50. Assuming one spends approximately $150 to $200 monthly on food, one is left with a $642.50 basic cost of housing.
The average cost to live in a campus residence hall is $998/month The average cost of a Missouri State dorm for a semester — 4.5 to 5 months — is $4,493. Though this includes 19 meals per week and utilities, it still costs approximately $998 per month. Despite the high cost, students still do not have their own rooms. According to the Missouri State University on-campus housing website, “taking advantage of these opportunities, you have the chance to grow as a person through the development of new friendships, the exploration of new ideas and involvement in new activities.” This sums up one of the main arguments
for living in the on-campus residence halls: that the people you meet and the things you experience are worth the extra cost. The residence halls, especially Scholars House, emphasize the importance of an academic environment in which to start college. A study from the Indiana University - Purdue University by professor James Murray found that those who lived on campus had a GPA of .3 to .9 points higher than those who didn’t. In the study, Murray states, “Even much later, the ones who lived on campus were more likely to study with their classmates, and less likely to engage in drug or alcohol use.” This, combined with the fact that most residence halls put you within walking distance of your classes, makes a convincing argument for staying on campus. The Residence Hall Association also puts on a number of events over the school year designed to provide on-campus entertainment and allow students to socialize. However, the residence halls also have limitations. As mentioned before, most people staying in these halls have to share a room with another person. The residence halls also enforce a host of rules, limiting when non-residents can stay, banning possession or influence of alcohol and restricting the appliances and furniture allowed in the rooms. In addition, some residence halls close over winter break, creating a difficult situation for people like international students who cannot go home. While these guidelines are acceptable to some, others see them as a burden. Shane Berliner, a student employee of the residence halls and a sophomore undeclared major, said the residence halls wouldn’t be his first choice. “I definitely wouldn’t live in the dorms if I didn’t have to,” Berliner said. “It’s way overpriced, especially for sharing a room with other people.” His roommate, freshman wildlife biology major Drew Rudolph, agreed. “The furniture is kind of gross, even though the price is higher than what you’d pay for a normal apartment,” Rudolph said. The dorms are not the right choice for everyone. Though the intentions of requiring freshmen to live on campus are clear, the results may be less so. In the end, it’s a matter of the costs and benefits to your academic life, so you are the one responsible for making the right choice for yourself.
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DORM LIFE: HACKED How to make the most out of your residence life experience ZOE BROWN Staff Reporter @zoe_zoebrown Most college students in America are familiar with the age-old college hack: ramen noodles. It may always be a cheap staple of college culture, but there are lesser-known tips and tricks to be incorporated into college life. There are hacks to keep you healthy, organized and happy while living dorm life. College residence halls and apartments are not notoriously spacious. However, there are ways to maximize limited space while letting personality shine through. Maggie Wampler, freshman communication sciences and disorders major said stacking wooden crates in different formations to create cute storage helps her stay organized. This is an alternative to buying a shelving unit that allows the user to easily build up or break down the shelves. Similarly, junior speech and theater education major, Katelynn Wilson, has invested in neutral colored storage boxes, drawers and cubbies. “In college, you move a lot, so don’t waste money and time decorating with millions of little knick-knacks and wall decor items,” Wilson said. “Just choose a few cute items that match your theme, and then if you want more, add pictures.” For effective space usage and visual appeal, Caitlin Pannell, a freshman marketing major, uses the under part of her bed for storage and covers it with a bedskirt for appearance. In the living room, Pannell suggests to cover couches with blankets to add personality and
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Top, a string of pictures decorates a colorful backdrop. Bottom, stacked wooden crates in the common space of Wampler’s suite create a shelf-like structure that helps with organization. color. She said to add twinkle lights to each room to make up for lack of natural light. Candles and other wax burners are prohibited in the dorms, so Wampler recommends an alternative to keep her dorm smelling pleasant. “One thing that seems a little silly, but has been very worthwhile, is putting dryer sheets in our air vents to keep our room smelling good and fresh,” Wampler said. DIY decorations are another way to showcase personality, individualism and creativity. u See HACKS, page 26
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Deciding on a dorm: Which residence hall is the best fit for you? AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 Living on campus has advantages and disadvantages. Students in residence halls don’t have to pay to wash their laundry and have access to free cable and Wi-Fi while on campus. Each room is also furnished with either a full-size or mini refrigerator and a microwave. There are also 24-hour computer labs on the first floors of residence halls. Students are able to print black and white printouts to the front desk of their dorm. On the other hand, all students living in residence halls are required to have a meal plan and have certain restrictions on what can be in the dorms. Some residence halls cost more or less than others as well. These are things to consider while choosing where to live at Missouri State University. Below is information about each of the residence halls and what they have to offer.
Freudenberger House
Freddy is a U-shaped building near Plaster Student Union that accommodates 720 students — housing the largest population of students on campus, according to the MSU website. There are two, three and four person rooms on each floor. Freddy is broken up into wings — east, west and main wings for each floor. Freddy is also a community-style building which means each wing of the building is equipped with a shared bathroom. Noah Smith, junior history education major, said it’s easy to hear noises through Freddy’s walls. “It seems like there’s a lack of insulation,” Smith said. “Other rooms can be pretty noisy sometimes.” The residence halls do hold quiet hours between 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. During this time, students can face consequences for not being considerate of their neighbors while they are studying or sleeping. All washers and dryers are on the first floor and are shared by Freddy residents. Freddy is also considered a 24/2 visiting building, meaning guests are only allowed to stay over on the weekends and can’t be in the dorm past midnight on weekdays. There are a few floors in Freddy that are 24/7 visitation as of the 2018-19 school year. These floors are first east wing, first west wing and fifth west wing.
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Freudenberger house, commonly known as “Freddy,” sits across from Blair-Shannon and next to the Plaster Student Union. Freddy houses 720 students with two, three and four-person rooms. Blair-Shannon is also home to one of MSU’s dining halls, which is on the first floor between the two towers.
Woods House
Woods is a 10-story building near Baker Bookstore that houses 334 students, according to the MSU website. Woods is also community-style like Freddy, but only accommodates two person rooms. The laundry room and computer lab are on the 10th floor. Jared McAvoy, junior geology major, said Wood’s new remodel made it look nicer than when he first toured the building. “I lived on the ninth floor, and the elevators kept breaking almost once every week,” McAvoy said. “If both elevators broke down, then I’d have to walk up nine stories — so that sucked.” McAvoy also said the rooms are a bit small, so students should make sure they are OK with being fairly close to their roommate. Woods recently received new washers and dryers as well as loft-style beds. Over the summer of 2019, the bathrooms in Blair-Shannon is a two-tower building across the street Woods will be renovated. from Freddy that houses 700 students, according to the MSU Woods is a 24/2 visitation building except floors eight and nine. website. There are 15-suite style floors with six-person suites. These suites have three bedrooms, a shared living area and bathroom. Wells is the same U shape as Freddy but houses 442 stuTwo people stay in each of the rooms and the beds can be dents. It also accommodates both community and suite-style KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD bunked to maximize space. living. It’s located near the PSU and Baker Bookstore. A lounge with tables, couches, a ping pong table There are laundry rooms on each floor of Blair-Shannon. Because of its U shape, it is also split into east, west and and more are available for students on the first Lexi Ross, sophomore hospitality leadership major, said main wings. she loved being a part of a Living Learning community in Students can choose to live in a four-person suite or two to floor of Freudenberger House. Blair because she was surrounded by like-minded individuals. three-person rooms, and there are communal bathrooms on “Set ground rules for your roommates and what you expect each floor. “The only issue worth complaining about is the water here out of them,” Ross said. Isobel Ramsey, sophomore musical theatre major, said Wells which sometimes gets cold but is always solved in a timely All of Blair-Shannon is 24/7 visitation. is quiet and has a great community. manner,” Ramsey said.
Blair-Shannon House
Wells House
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Freshman Emily Falbe works on the fourth floor of Woods, sitting at a window facing East Monroe Street. The 10th floor has a spacey study lounge for residents as well.
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Blair-Shannon, housing over 700 students and a dining halls, is a central building on campus, next to the Foster Recreational Center. Wells has 24/2 visitation excluding first east wing, second west main, second west wing, third east wing, fourth east main, fourth east wing, fourth west main and fourth west wing. Wells has 24/2 visitation excluding first east wing, second west main, second west wing, third east wing, fourth east main, fourth east wing, fourth west main and fourth west wing.
Students can either live in a two-person or four-person suite with a shared bathroom. The laundry room is in the basement of Hammons, and the open access computer lab is located on the first floor. Hung Vo, senior digital film production major, said he felt safer living in Hammons, but felt uncomfortable in the living space. “I felt uncomfortable living with another person in a small space while also having expensive stuff with me,” Vo said. Hammons is an 8-story suite-style dorm Hammons has 24/7 visitation. that houses 580 students, according to the MSU website. u See RES HALLS, page 27
Hammons House
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Useful appliances How to make living on campus comfortable KATHRYN DOLAN Staff Reporter @kathryndolan98 Just because a residence hall room is a temporary living space, doesn’t mean it can’t be turned into a home. There are many functional appliances that can make your time living in the residence halls both enjoyable and comfortable. Alex Mannebach, a freshman psychology and criminology major lives in Freudenberger House and recommends purchasing storage bins. “I have two or three (bins) that I keep extra clothes and shoes in because there is not much storage space in the closet,” Mannebach said. Freudenberger House comes with a 36by-80.5 inch wardrobe. Room and furniture dimensions can be found on Missouri State University’s website. Mannebach says that the beds in Freudenberger House could use some extra cushion. “I have this mattress pad that people use to put under sleeping bags when you go camping,” Mannebach said. “I would highly recommend it. It makes the bed so much better.” According to Missouri State’s Residence Hall Guide to Living, all mattress toppers and pads over 2 inches high need to be California fire rated. Gary Stewart, director of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services, says the university limits what students are allowed to bring into residence halls in order to prevent fires. “Nothing with an open flame is allowed, no candles or incense,” Stewart said. “Anything that could produce enough heat to cause a fire.” Stewart warns students to stay away from lamps with plastic shades. “If you don’t buy the right bulb, this can be a dangerous fire hazard,” Stewart said. Stewart encourages students to cook in their residence halls but to stay away from hazardous appliances like toaster ovens or hot plates. “We provide a fridge and microwave,” Stewart said. “There is a student kitchen as well as utensils that (students) can check out from the front desk if (students) want to cook spaghetti or bake cookies.”
Graphic by BILL SIOHOLM/THE STANDARD
Nicole Imo, a freshman elementary education major, lives in Hammons House. “I chose Hammons because I didn’t like the idea of community bathrooms,” Imo said. Imo lives in a suite-style room with three other girls. “We bought an organizer for our shower that hangs on the shower head,” Imo said. “I’d recommend it for suite style dorms. We put all of our toiletries in there.” Mannebach says he doesn’t mind the community bathrooms in Freddy, but recommends buying a pair of flip flops. “Sometimes the floors can get pretty gross.” said Mannebach. Imo and Mannebach suggest bringing a device to watch Netflix on –both students have had trouble with the university’s TV service. “Missouri State came out with a new internet system,” Imo said. “You have to buy an Ethernet cord to get internet on your TV.” Last semester, Residence Life switched from cable to online streaming through Philo TV that requires an ethernet cord to access on a TV. “My TV doesn’t connect to Ethernet, so I had to get an HDMI cord,” Imo said. HDMI cables, when connected to a TV, allow for a laptop monitor’s display to appear on a TV screen. Imo also suggests buying alternatives to candles to keep your room smelling fresh. “My suitemates have oil diffusers,” Imo said. “They make the room smell nice, and it really makes it a pleasant environment to do work.” A list specifying recommended items to bring to residence halls, as well as prohibited items, can be found on Missouri State’s website.
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Keeping life running smoothly in Res Life CONNOR WILSON Staff Reporter @Connor4Wilson Every residence hall in Missouri State University is filled with students, and where there are students, there are inevitably problems that need to be solved. Front desk workers and resident assistants are there to answer the call. “If someone has an issue with something, we are there to suggest creative solutions or help address their issue or at least make them feel heard,” Sydney Weber, a junior economics major, said. While there are full-time front desk workers employed by Missouri State, there are many student workers as well. Weber said that student workers take the role of filling time around when the full-time staff work, and that results in a very accommodating schedule. Weber said that along with having a work schedule that accommodates being a student, front desk workers are also encouraged to use their down time at work as a time to finish homework, but their primary job is still to help residents. “Essentially, the way I look at the front desk is a customer service job,” Weber said. “Yes, while we are there to enforce policies, we’re also there to do it with a smiling face and an attitude of helpfulness. “A lot of times when people are upset, there’s a valid reason. You want to make sure that they are heard and that you can direct their request or their issue to someone who has the power to deal with it.” Some students have more complex issues that the front desk worker can’t deal with on their own. It’s in these cases that RAs often get involved. RAs deal with managing residents of the various residence halls across campus, helping them with whatever issues may arrive along with organizing events and building relationships. Megan Craven is a resident assistant in the Blair Shannon House and a senior international
business management major. “I think for sure there is this love-hate relationship since (residents) view us as the people who tell on them,” Craven said. “We honestly hate having to do incident reports. Yes, it is part of our job, but nobody likes to write people up.” Craven said she enjoys filling the big sister role for students by giving them someone to vent to or talk to if they need help with anything from knowing where resources are to getting in contact with certain people. Being an RA can demand a certain lifestyle. Craven said that for her, it was a change not only to become that person who always has their door open and can respond to texts at 2 a.m. but also having to become an authoritative figure when needed. Despite this change in lifestyle, Craven said being trusted by her residents enough for them to reach out and come to her when they need help is her favorite part of being an RA. “Being able to build that bond of trust in such a short amount of time is really rewarding,” Craven said.
“Yes, while we are there to enforce policies, we’re also there to do it with a smiling face and an attitude of helpfulness.” -Sydney Weber
Graphic by AMANDA SULLIVAN/THE STANDARD
Resident assistants cannot be involved in many other activities, but the schedule is accomodating for busy class schedules.
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Continued from page 4 on Saturdays and Sundays. “It’s much easier to feel involved in the chapter because you are surrounded by other women who are, and when an event or a get-together that was planned by other girls happens, it’s usually at the house,” Ackerson said. Sometimes Gamma Phi Beta will hold meetings in the house where speakers talk about sexual assault, alcohol consumption and what to do in certain situations. “(Living in the house is) not mandatory, but it’s strongly encouraged so we can keep up the payments for the house and get that experience,” Ackerson said. Ackerson said all of the executive members are asked to live in the house, giving some students more leadership opportunities. Unlike Gamma Phi Beta,
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Delta Chi does not have a chef. But, the house does have a communal kitchen. “Living above the common room and kitchen area is really loud,” Schillinger said. “The first floor is really loud, so I would say stay as far away from that as you can.” However, Dizon said that is to be expected when you live close to other people. “There’s nothing you can really control about that,” Dizon said. “It’s the same with residence halls. There will always be distractions.” Despite noise levels, Schillinger said he is living in the house again next year, as well as Dizon. Every FSL house is different and has its upsides and downsides. If a student wants to live in house for a year, the best thing to do would be ask around.
“A lot of the decor in my room are items I made myself,” Wampler said. “DIYs are a great way to make your decor your own while spending very little money. Plus they’re just more fun.” Sarah Kantra, freshman interior design major, shows off her personality by purchasing seasonal decorations from a dollar store to hang on her door. “For Christmas, December and January, we had little snowflakes," Kantra said. “For Valentine’s Day coming up, you can buy little hearts. It’s a good place to go to get things to make your door fun and cute so people on your floor will want to say hi to you or meet you.” Sarah Miloshewski, freshman psychology major, stays organized by keeping a Command hook near her bed to hang her keys. This way, she never forgets where she put them. Beyond staying on a budget and keeping organized, maintaining healthy eating habits is another challenge presented to college students living in the
THE-STANDARD.ORG dorms. Students often have minimal time to cook or sit down for every meal. These simple tips help you avoid the Missouri State 28 while still utilizing your meal plan. When eating meals, choose foods that help you stay full longer to avoid overeating. “Make substitutes that are going to make your body feel healthier,” Sarah Lowe, freshman undecided major, said. “You’re still getting the fullness, and it still tastes good.” Lowe advises picking protein over pasta, rice over fries and popped rice chips over potato chips. These substitutes will help get the most nutrients out of a meal. Kantra said she tries her best to pick grilled foods over fried. “We all want the unhealthier foods, but in the long run, it’s going to make you feel better during the day and about your body in general,” Kantra said. Most residence halls rooms are equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. However, each residence hall has a fully-functioning community kitchen in the building for students to dabble in the culinary arts. Additionally, Missouri State hosts cooking demonstrations for students
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Wampler’s room is decorated with handmade wooden letters that she spray-painted with rose gold paint and hung up on the wall using Command strips. Twinkle lights adorn the walls and an assortment of pillows decorate her bed.
at Garst and Blair-Shannon dining halls once a month, alternating each month. The February class will be held in the evening at Blair-Shannon dining hall on Feb. 14.
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Hutchens House
THE STANDARD It’s a six-story building that accommodates 101 students in four different styles of rooms — private rooms, two person rooms, super doubles and three person rooms. Super double rooms are larger than a standard two person room and also include a flatscreen TV. Because these rooms are suite style, bathrooms are included in the rooms, and students must maintain the bathrooms themselves. Kentwood’s laundry room and the Kentwood Dining Hall are located in the basement. Sean Mahoney, senior geology major, said Kentwood is his favorite residence hall because it’s clean and just far enough away from campus. “Most of the people who live here are transfer students,” Mahoney said. “Which is nice because they are old and seem to have mellowed out.” Kentwood has 24/7 visitation.
Hutchens’ structure and capacity is identical to Hammons and functions as a “companion” hall to Hammons, according to the MSU website. Carson Kincaid, junior electronic arts and interactive media major, said Hutchens is a nice place to live if you aren’t worried about the cost. “The amenities, such as the laundry room and basement, are nice and being connected to Garst is the best part,” Kincaid said. Kincaid also described Hutchens as an “apartmentesque” living style without having an oven and stove. Hutchens also has 24/7 visitation. Scholars house is a three-story building on Hutchens and Hammons houses are con- Cherry Street specifically for honors college nected in the middle by Garst Dining Hall. students. The room layout for all of Scholars House is four-person suites. Each suite has two rooms Kentwood is known for housing transfer with two students residing in each. students in suite-style rooms and allowing those Bathrooms are also located in these suites. over the age of 21 to drink responsibly in the Sydney Weber, junior economics and globresidence hall, according to the MSU website. al studies major, said she met some of her best friends living in Scholars House. It is located off campus on Walnut Street.
Kentwood Hall
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Scholars House
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Woods House is a newly-renovated dorm housing over 300 students.
“It’s a lot smaller and intimate,” Weber “If we hadn’t left our doors open or advertised said. “And since it’s the honors LLC, you’re when we had free food or candy, I would’ve more likely to be in classes with the people missed out on some amazing people,” Weber said. It also has 24/7 visitation. you live with.” For more information on all of MSU’s Weber suggests getting to know the people residence halls, visit MSU’s website. who live nearby.
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