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Table of Contents
4 Amenities 6 Roommates 8 Development
19 FSL house stories 20-21 Off-campus Housing availability living tips around campus increases 10 Signing a lease 22-23 A no-waste lifestyle 12 On-campus 24 Renting living costs Should you rent a house 14 Resident or an apartment? assistants 25 International Living life as an RA at students Missouri State International students 16-17 Residence can suffer from culture shock in American living halls 26 Dorm life 18 FSL housing hacks fines
Standard staff Joel Grieshaber sales Kyle Rickman sales Kayla Thompson sales Olina Einarsdottir graphic design
Editorial staff
Sarah Teague editor-in-chief Carissa Codel news editor Zoe Brown lifestyle editor Amanda Sullivan sports editor Kaitlyn Stratman photo editor Greta Cross engagement editor Madeline Schatz copy editor Chloe Sierks copy editor Diana Dudenhoeffer copy editor Ashton Garza assisant copy editor
Reporters/Photographers Afton Harper reporter Connor Wilson reporter Tinsley Merriman reporter Kathryn Dolan reporter Lainey Sanders reporter Paige Newton reporter M. Todd Dearing reporter Kelsey Benack reporter
Scott Campbell reporter Victoria Scroggins reporter Lauren Johns reporter Caroline Mund reporter Desiree Nixon reporter Claire Niebrugge senior sports reporter Derek Shore senior sports reporter Stephen Terrill sports reporter TJ Scott sports reporter Cole Sutton sports reporter Annelise Pinjuv columnist Lindsay Farrow columnist Cole Trumble critic David Wheeler critic Kamran Choudhry critic Jaylen Early photographer Brenna Lumley photographer Kate Brown photographer Christian Cuozzo photographer Lainey Sanders videographer Madison Harper illustrator Jadie Arnett illustrator Alyssa Vandegrift cartoonist
Professional staff
Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager
HOUSING GUIDE 2020
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 Olina Einarsdottir
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Convenience vs. cost Are apartment amenities worth the added expense? LAUREN JOHNS Staff Reporter @lje2017 You’ve lived in a residence hall for a few semesters and now you’re ready for a change. Despite the convenience of having been in the center of campus, you believe that getting an apartment would be the ultimate declaration of adulthood. But what does that entail? Are there hidden fees? Will you miss being a mere five minutes from dining halls and classes? Would you realize you rushed into the decision to get a great apartment before applications closed? According to Gary Stewart, director of residence life, there are various factors students often overlook when submitting applications. “(You need to account for) travel to and from campus, hidden fees, finding parking, time required for cleaning, buying supplies and equipment, the cost of groceries and the time to prepare meals,” Stewart said. Despite the extra costs, Stewart states that the on campus apartments, Monroe and Sunvilla come fully furnished with kitchens, TVs, streaming services and valet trash services. “Be sure it is in writing as to what is and is not furnished and ask for a price list for damages before making a commitment,” Stewart said. Wanlu Huang, a sophomore business administration major, emphasizes that various necessities like electricity are not always included in the price of the building and could add on an extra 200 dollars.
“I live in the Jefferson apartments which cost about $500 per month and includes everything like internet and electricity,” Huang said. “(It’s nice that) when summer or winter vacation comes I can still live there without finding another place to live. I know some dorms allow this too but an apartment is cheaper since dorms are more expensive for international students. Also I can keep pets in apartments.” Staci Stokes, a junior graphic design major, made the decision to move into an apartment due to the lack of privacy that came with having dormmates. “I knew after living my first year on campus that I wanted to move off campus the next year,” Stokes said. “Living on campus was great but I'm a pretty independent person and so living in the dorms was very restrictive for me. I missed my privacy and having my own space. Especially as an art student and staying up late working on projects all the time.” According to Stokes, she also had a job that was off campus so parking was a complicated endeavor. “I live in Tall Grass Apartments,” Stokes said. “I live with two other roommates in a three bedroom apartment so our rent and utilities are split evenly between the three of us. Our rent is $895 a month for our 3 bedrooms so it comes out to be about $300 a month, not including utilities, those are an extra $40 each per month. So in total, about $340 a month for each of us.” In addition, she had to pay
$
“I genuinely feel more like a local because I haven't been confined to the buildings of campus and it has made all the difference.” -Staci Stokes, graphic design major
an initial deposit to secure the apartment which the dorms require as well. “We were required to have renters insurance which is about $10 a month but we were able to pay it for the whole year,” Stokes said. “So about $100, once again split between us three.” Stokes explains that her and her friends partook in multiple tours and settled on this one for the safe neighborhood, close distance to campus and budget. As far as amenities, the apartment included a gym, pool and various laundry facilities, as well as being pet friendly. Despite the positive aspects, the apartment lacked furniture. “Our apartment was not furnished upon moving in, besides the kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, fridge, oven and microwave,” Stokes said. “We all chipped in different pieces for the main living area and then each were responsible for our own bedrooms and bathrooms. Major pieces such as the couch, living room, TV and washer and dryer were provided by family members so that wasn't an out of pocket expense.” Stokes was able to thrift a lot of furniture from places like Habitat for Humanity Resell. In addition, some furniture was purchased as an investment for the next couple of years. “Once it was done, it wasn't going to be a recurring expense,” Stokes said. In comparison, Huang also finds that her apartment was worth the expenses, despite the lack of entertainment facilities.
“I think it was worth it,” Huang said. “And we have the Bear Line to get to the school which is very convenient. However, I would like to change to another apartment with better entertainment facilities, kinda like Bear Village where there’s a swimming pool, gym and theater.” Stokes relishes in the attentive management. “Our property manager, Lacey, knows as all by name and has always responded to any problem that we've had right away,” Stokes said. “They are always checking up on us.” Regardless of the initial challenges, living in an apartment invokes a real sense of freedom and an abundance of real world experience. “I definitely think that moving into an apartment is worth it, but it isn't for everyone,” Stokes said. “Having your own apartment takes a lot of responsibility, from grocery shopping every week because there isn't a dining hall attached to your building, to keeping tabs on the utilities and rent payments each month,” Stokes said. “Even so, just being off of campus opens you up to so many more things about Springfield that you wouldn't notice before. I genuinely feel more like a local because I haven't been confined to the buildings of campus and it has made all the difference.” Her advice to those interested in apartment living? Remember that not every apartment is ideal. You should explore your options and see what works best for you.
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ROOMMATE RESPONSIBILITIES Procrastination in finding roommates for off-campus living can seriously backfire PAIGE NEWTON Staff Reporter @PagesofPaigeM One’s experience with their freshman year roommate usually has one of two outcomes: They walk away with a valuable friendship that may last the rest of their life, or they have great horror stories to share. If your case was the latter, then make sure to not end up in the same situation. Whether you plan on living on or off campus, actively seek out a roommate who will be a good fit. With the end of the spring semester approaching quickly, now is the time to begin making arrangements. Mariam Mohamed, senior cellular and molecular biology major, waited until the last minute when searching for a roommate following her freshman year and regretted it. “Do not procrastinate!” Mohamed said. “You really need to look into the place you’re going to live in and have clear rules with the people you’re going to share the apartment with.” For those struggling with finding potential roommates, they should consider looking within an organization they’re involved in or consider joining one. Sarah Benton, sophomore elementary education major, found her roommate through Color Guard at MSU. “I recommend finding an organization you enjoy and meeting someone through there,” Benton said. “It means you have the same interests.” Luke Scott, junior history major, agreed that joining organizations, on or off campus, and getting involved significantly helps one in finding a roommate. “My roommates are friends I made in my fraternity,” Scott
said. “It makes it easier, I think. You just have to have open communication. It’s really important. The most important thing is making sure everyone contributes to cleaning the living space.” While most turn towards friends for their future roommates, that’s not always the best idea. Erin Kemp, senior kinesiology major, found living with her best friends didn’t necessarily mean things went smoothly. “I lived with three of my best friends, and they were great friends, but they were very messy,” Kemp said. “It drove me insane. It caused each of us to nitpick at each other. The biggest thing to consider is the structure of what you like your house to be like.” Jalen Lee, senior graphic design major, thinks it’s important to distinguish between what friend groups are suitable to live with, and those that aren’t. “Separate your friend groups,” Lee said. “If you don’t think a group would be good as far as roommates, then you have another group of friends. You can think, ‘Yeah, okay, I can room with them. I can tolerate them.’” Mikala Meadows, junior chemistry major, agreed not all friends are equal when it comes to compatibility for a roommate. “You have the ones that you’re okay living with and think you could live in an apartment together,” Meadows said. “Then you have the ones where you’re friends with them, but not in a living situation.” When it comes to deciding on potential roommates, there should be more thought involved than whether you “like” them enough or not. While liking them is an important aspect to consider, so is their level of cleanliness, willingness and ability to communicate, and
their habits. Most leases last one year. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between 12 months of bliss or 12 months of utter misery.
Roommate Tips •Don’t procrastinate in searching for your next roommate. • Find someone with similar interests. •Live with someone you trust, and whose lifestyle doesn’t conflict greatly with your own. •You don’t have to live with your best friends, that could actually hurt a relationship. •Decide collectively on standards for living. Sometimes writing a “roommate contract” listing expectations for cleanliness and schedules can help.
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KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD
HollandEdge is new housing built just off campus near Strong Hall.
Construction booms around campus TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @merrimantinsley Ground near the Missouri State University campus has been broken by various construction companies, each one striving to build new housing for students. A notable example is the new dorm Holland House on the Southwest corner of Holland and Madison Street behind Strong Hall. According to the MSU Planning, Design and Construction website, Branco Enterprises, Inc. were contracted to build the $2.75 million dollar residence hall. It will include a parking garage, full service kitchen, dining facility and small retailer. The MSU website reports the scheduled completion date is expected to be June 27, 2020. According to a weekly project update, as of Jan. 31, 2020, the sixth floor of the dorm is being framed and the dining hall is still being coordinated on for building permits. While contracted by a third party, the new dorms are still tied to MSU. For students looking for complete independence from university bills, a stone’s throw from Holland House is the newly constructed HollandEdge building. Located at the intersection of South Holland Avenue and East Grand Street, HollandEdge was opened in December of 2019. While designed by hdesigngroup, it is owned by the Magers Management Company. Other properties leased by MMC near campus include WestEdge, MadisonVue and The M @ 414.
Bryon Oster, associate designer for hdesigngroup, said the previous apartment complex was demolished and HollandEdge erected in its place. He also gave the rent price and amenities for the fully furnished complex. “The building is comprised of efficient micro studio units that are fully furnished,” Oster said. “Units include contemporary furniture, kitchenettes with modern appliances, highspeed internet, a smart TV, washer and dryer, full-size bed, private patio and a parking space. Units lease for $725 per month.” MMC leases commercial buildings across the Springfield area, but according to their website, all MSU apartments are located west of campus. All apartment complexes are close enough to walk “in most cases.” All available Magers Management properties are shown on their website. The MMC apartments portion of the website provides reassurance to parents of students, listing benefits of their apartment complexes and why students should choose to live there. “Our student housing apartments are designed with safety, location, and affordability in mind,” MMC’s website said. “In our unrelenting commitment to MSU students, we give your student the college experience they want and the academic environment they need to succeed.” HollandEdge is already available for leasing for the fall 2020 semester. To make a reservation, dial (417)-831-6207. Holland House is unavailable to register for the 2020-2021 semester as of the time of this article.
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What to consider before signing a lease VICTORIA SCROGGINS Staff Reporter @vs12591 Missouri State University offers two different apartment complexes, Monroe and Sunvilla Tower. The requirements to lease an apartment are the same for both buildings. “You have to have 30 or more MSU credit hours completed,” Resident Assistant, Camdyn Anders said. “You also have to be enrolled in a certain number of credit hours while you’re living in an apartment.” Six credit hours are required for full-time enrollment during the summer. The website said for fall 2020 and beyond, applicants must complete 27 credit hours instead of 30 as of Aug. 17, 2020. Because of the credit hour requirement, on-campus apartments are only offered to upperclassmen and returning students. The Residence Life and Housing Brochure states Residence Life requires a 10-month housing contract for students who wish to live there. “Residents of legal drinking age are permitted to have and consume alcohol responsibly,” the website said. The Monroe apartments house 100+ students, while the Sunvilla Tower apartments house 225+ students. The Residence Life website said meal plans are offered but not required. Students who have completed the credit hour requirement are also permitted to live off-campus. There are numerous apartment complexes close to campus that are not considered to be on-campus living. A popular off-campus apartment complex is Bear Village. Leasing and marketing manager, Anthony Klier, said, “98% of the people who live here are MSU students.” “We only offer full year leases that go from August to July,” Klier continued. “Movein day is usually Aug. 8 and move-out day is July 31.”
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Leasing your first apartment is a big step towards independence during college, but comes with big responsibilities too. Knowing the details of your lease is essential to becoming a responsible tenant.
Some questions to ask before signing your lease: •What are the lease terms? How long are you agreeing to live in this unit? •What are the consequences for breaking the lease early? •Do you need renters’ insurance? •Can you burn candles, The requirements to live in Bear Village are less strict than those of the on-campus apartment buildings. “As long as rent is paid on time and there are no complaints, you can live here,” Klier said. “We are a smokefree property so smoking in the rooms is not allowed.” Bear Village also runs background and credit checks on applicants before they lease apartments. “Residents must have a guarantor (co-signer) that makes at least three times the monthly rent,” Klier said. “If a resident makes three times, they can pay
grill outside or use nails in the walls? Personalizing a space may be important to some, but some landlords limit how much decorating can be done in an apartment or rented home. •Does your complex or landlord for rental homes have a process in requesting maintenance to be done? •What is the pet policy?
the standard deposit and aren’t required to get a guarantor.” The standard deposit for Bear Village is $500. If a resident doesn’t have a guarantor, they have to pay a deposit of $800. “We do not have resident advisors like dorms on every floor, but we do have a resident director in the front office that is here 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday,” Klier said. “We also have three other full-time office employees along with a team of parttime community assistants and a housekeeping and maintenance team.”
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Where do students’ room and board fees go? SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Reporter @ScottCa81380794 The price usually matters most when choosing a living arrangement, but paying attention to the finer details can end up having a big impact on your daily routine, your style and even your mental health. The office of Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services gives detailed price breakdowns on every dormitory and apartment complex on campus, which can be found at Missouri State’s website. The website includes exact layouts, amenities and locations. For example, a student living in a four person apartment in Sunvilla Tower would pay $2,690 for one semester. If this student chose a 19-meals-per-week dining plan, they would pay an additional $1,161 for the semester, which comes out to approximately $3.59 per meal if a student eats every meal they’ve paid for. An interesting trend seen in student GPAs. Data provided by the Reslife office shows that by student class average, GPAs are at least .25 higher for on-campus students compared to off-campus students of the same year. Contributing factors may be proximity to the library, living among students of the same major or having a lesser transit time between
File photo by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD
home and classes. Dining services are provided by Chartwells, a private company that works with the university by contract. This means their financial breakdowns are not available through the university’s website. Campus dining services include staff wages and building costs in their prices but also benefit from producing large-scale. The Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services department generally operates as a separate financial entity within the university, but there are overlapping accounts. According to estimates
received from the department, $1.8 million goes into utilities, $1.2 million goes towards custodial services and $1 million goes to ResNet. Note that all of these would not be included in rent in most off-campus apartments. Other expenses that do not directly affect residents come from the department’s budget, including: $1.5 million for employee fringe benefits, $332,991 towards payment of debts and $5 million towards regular university operating costs. Details for off-campus living such as
apartments and house rentals are more difficult to find with consistency. Contract prices given by property managers vary depending on the season, the length of the contract and renewal incentives. This makes them much less uniform than on-campus fees. Two off-campus students may have almost identical contracts with the same company but different rent prices solely because of negotiations. The first easy mistake can be made by forgetting that most apartment contracts are by year while on-campus living goes by semester. Private property managers usually allow contracts with 9-month durations, but at higher rent. Think like a business – every month that an apartment is vacant, that’s lost money for the company. It’s much harder to fill a 3-month gap than it is go by 12-month contracts, so the compensation usually comes out of rental rates. Some living arrangements are more subjective and difficult to quantify. Consider that your walking distance to class or to the gym may affect your motivation for success, and the difference could matter more during the winter months. Living arrangements also largely determine who you spend your time with and affect your social life. When balancing your options, consider what matters most to you and then compare prices.
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KATE BROWN/THE STANDARD
Residence Life offices are located in Hammons House.
RAs help students adjust to college KATHRYN DOLAN Staff Reporter @kathryndolan98 Resident assistants help students adjust to the residence hall as well as the social and academic challenges of college. RAs strive to develop a sense of community among the residents on their floor by hosting events and one-on-one meetings with students. RAs serve as positive role models to residents while enforcing university rules and policies. Jonathan Petesch, a junior communications major, has been an RA for two years in Woods House. “When I wake up in the morning, I have no idea what the day is going to look like,” Petesch said. Petesch said a big part of the RA position is being open and available on the floor for residents. “I’m on-call probably about once a week, but I’ve done it up to four days in a week,” Petesch said. When an RA is on-call, they must stay in their residence hall, only leaving to eat somewhere on campus. Last on the agenda for Petesch is the completion of rounds, an evening building inspection to make sure students are safe and the building is secure; this is also the time in which RAs enforce policies like quiet hours. Petech said while working can often be inconvenient when it comes to being social, the job has made him familiar with on-campus resources which help him get more involved. Petesch said time-consuming obligations will often come up that consume his whole evening. “Sometimes the job can throw a wrench in
some of your plans when you’re trying to go out for the night or trying to spend some time away from the building,” Petesch said. Petesch said as time went on he got used to this and planned his evenings more strategically. He said the inconveniences are worth it after seeing students benefit from his labor. “I have around 40 residents, each one is unique, each one has their own struggles,” Petesch said. Petesch said he sees the direct impact he’s had on his residents’ lives. “It’s really rewarding whenever you go and help those residents and give them the support that they need and see them progressively changing and improving,” he said. Alex Webber, sophomore computer science major, is an RA in the Fruedenburger house. Webber said most of his friends are resident assistants. “The Freddy staff is really close, they’re all great. We get along well,” Webber said. Webber said students often seem to think that resident assistants exist to get students in trouble, which he said is not true. “This can make things awkward when trying to hang out with new people,” Webber said. “Sometimes people won’t be up front with you when they know you’re an RA.” Webber said little signs of acknowledgement can go a long way when it comes to residents interacting with their RA. “Even if it’s just a resident seeing me in the hall and saying hi — it feels really good,” Webber said. Webber said overall he is satisfied with what he does for students and the university and plans to be an RA next year. Full disclosure: Jonathan Petesch is a former columnist for The Standard.
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Breaking down pros and cons of what MSU CONNOR WILSON Staff Reporter @Connor4Wilson The amount of places to live on-campus at Missouri State can be overwhelming. there are six different residence halls that all full-time students can choose from. Additionally, MSU has two apartment buildings, Monroe and Sunvilla. The university also provides housing for specific groups of students, such as Scholars House for Honors College students, and Kentwood Hall for transfer students. There is also a new residence hall, Holland House, which is under construction right now and set to open fall 2020. Below will be a rundown of the six general residence halls to help make the decision process a bit easier. The first is Blair-Shannon,
one of two residence halls found in the center of campus. Blair-Shannon is a two-tower building, offering suite-style living. In this suite-style building, two students share one bedroom and have a living room and bathroom to split between five other students. Blair-Shannon is one of three residence halls that has a dining hall located on its first floor. The other residence hall in the center of campus directly across the street from Blair-Shannon is Freudenberger, or Freddy. Located beside the Plaster Student Union, it is a short walk to about anywhere on campus. “It’s a very beautiful building,” said Avery Richardson, sophomore general business major. Richardson lived in Freddy for one semester. She warned that the elevator’s operating
condition can be frustrating. “I actually got stuck in the elevator on two separate occasions,” Richardson said. The two room layouts Freddy offers include two or three people in one large room, with a community bathroom on each hallway. Freddy compensates the smaller living space by being among the cheapest housing on campus. Located towards the north side of campus are Hammons and Hutchens. Unlike Blair-Shannon, these are two separate residence halls that offer very similar living situations. Both offer suite-style rooms, however students can choose between two-person and four-person rooms. Each has two people per bedroom. Unlike Blair-Shannon, Hammons and Hutchens rooms come with a kitchenette. Garst Dining Hall is
File photo by KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD
located on the first floor between the two buildings. However, with the higher privacy and amount of amenities
comes a higher price tag. Located east of the PSU is Hammons and Hutchens are Wells House. Wells gives stuamong the most expensive dents the option of a two-peron-campus halls. son room or a four-person
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housing has to offer suite. The suite comes with a small kitchen space as well as a living room. However, Wells does not have private bathrooms. Instead, like Freddy, a community bathroom is located in each hallway. Richardson, who now lives in Wells, said one of the best privileges of living there is the 24-hour visitation. “You can have friends over literally whenever,” Richardson said. “You don’t have to worry about how many hours they can stay or anything like that.” The last residence hall offered to students on campus is Woods House. Woods has been newly renovated and is currently the only co-ed community residence hall. The building has one-person and two-person room options to choose from, with private bathrooms located in each hallway. Along with the added privacy and newer renovations, Woods is among the cheaper options at MSU. While this serves as a few highlights and lowlights on each residence hall on campus, students seeking more detailed and thorough information can go to Missouri State’s website where room layouts, housing rates and amenities are all listed out and available for each hall.
Missouri State residence halls and apartments • Monroe and Sunvilla Apartments •Scholars House, traditionally for Honors College students •Kentwood Hall •Blair-Shannon, suite-style with Blair-Shannon dining center •Freudenburger House • Hammons and Hutchens House, with Garst dining center on the first floor joining the two •Wells House •Woods House
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Alpha Omicron Pi is one of many sororities that fines members who live elsewhere when there are empty rooms in the house.
Fraternities, sororities can fine members for not living in house LAINEY SANDERS Staff Reporter @lainey_sanders Joining a sorority or fraternity can shape someone’s college experience, giving them a group of like-minded individuals who are active in volunteering and share interests. It also provides an opportunity of living in the sorority or fraternity house which Isabel Donovan, a sophomore double majoring in psychology and Spanish, says is an essential part of being in a sorority. “Living in a sorority house is one in a lifetime chance for most people,” Donovan said. “So I say why not give it a chance? I think it is important for girls to live in the house because it helps build relationships, and it allows girls to see what it’s like living with other people.” Living in the houses is a big change from living in the dorms on campus. Dorm life consists of making daily trips to the dining hall, sharing washers and dryers, whereas life in AOII consists of having two chefs and house boys who help the chef, two washers and dryers on each floor except the main, access to the kitchen, fridge, a mini fridge, juice machines, coffee maker and more. They also have a living room area with a TV and a library that serves as a hangout area or study area. House life in a sorority provides the same amenities as dorm life but with the luxury of having it in a more private space and sharing it with fewer people.
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Sigma Nu is one of many fraternities that fines members who live elsewhere when there are empty rooms in the house. However, it has its trade-offs. If enough rooms are not filled in the sorority or fraternity house, monthly dues will go up for each individual. Devin Busk, a junior studying finance and a member of Sigma Nu, said this rule applies to both sororities and fraternities. “We can handle a few vacancies but after a certain point, it will raise dues substantially,” said Busk. For some, like Donovan, this is not a problem they seem worried about when asked about the possibility of raised dues if enough rooms are not filled. “Yes it’s true cost would go up, but why wouldn’t you want to live in a mansion with tons of other girls in the same sorority?” Donovan said.
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FSL residents share memorable moments from house life KELSEY BENACK Staff Reporter @kelseybenack Imagine living with 30 other people in one house. For some, this situation is ideal; for others, it may sound like a personal hell. Members who decide to live in their fraternity or sorority house experience memories that can stay with them long after graduation. Listed below is a compilation of some of the funny and memorable stories shared by MSU sorority and fraternity members.
Marshall McCarl, Pi Kappa Phi’s president “I think our fraternity’s funniest in-house moments happen after the 21+ crowd returns from the bars. “Last year, one of our Photos by BRENNA LUMLEY/ members THE STANDARD
returned from the bars around 1 a.m. looking for people to keep him company. The problem was that it was a Wednesday night, or Thursday morning, and most people were already asleep in their rooms. One unsuspecting member of our chapter had left his trumpet lying in the open in his room, and our downtown adventurer saw his moment of opportunity. “He used his lack of experience to wake up the other members of our house walking up and down the hallways blaring what could possibly be the most horrific sound a trumpet could make. When he finished his rounds, he laughed, returned the trumpet to our brother’s room and proceeded to go straight to bed. “This year, one of our in-house members returned from the bars determined to go straight to sleep. “In fact, he made as far as the pool table before climbing on top and cuddling a lonely pool cue before nodding off. “We once thought that the idea of covering a brother in barbecue sauce and having a group of cavemen and a man in a dinosaur costume chasing after him would be hilarious for a recruitment video. “It got as far as the videotaping, but sadly the footage was never used for a promotional video.”
Emily Groce, a junior in Delta Zeta “Last year before mystery sports, a homecoming event, my roommates and I decided it was a good idea to move everyone’s mattresses out of their rooms into all the common areas of the house. “There were beds in the hallways, TV room, laundry room and on the stairs. It only took about 30 minutes to do all of this. “Let’s just say, some weren’t happy when they came home.”
Abby Falgout, Alpha Sigma Alpha president
“Over the three-day weekend, we had a Mario Kart tournament between some of the girls that live in the house. It was a fun way for the girls to reconnect after a long winter break.” These stories are only a couple of the unforgettable instances that come with the livein experience. Greek life emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and sisterhood in each chapter. When a member lives with their brothers or sisters, they may have a better chance to more thoroughly bond with them and create lasting memories.
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What to know before moving off campus DIANA DUDENHOEFFER Staff Reporter @kisstein “Before moving into my apartment, I wish I had made a plan,” said Heidi Facklam, junior exercise movement science major. After living on the Missouri State campus for two years, Facklam was ready to make the switch to her own place. She and her roommate moved into Coryell Crossing Apartments, located on the corner of Kansas Expressway and Sunshine Street before the fall 2019 semester began. Facklam loves her new place and said it feels like home. It only takes her about 15 minutes to get to campus, and she enjoys that Coryell Crossing has a lot of college-aged residents. But it hasn’t been easy. There’s plenty that she wishes she knew before deciding to move off-campus. “This year has been the hardest just because I’m more on my own,” Facklam said. “[I’m] living on my own in an apartment and I’m paying rent. It’s like, ‘oh, crap, I can’t just spend money. I have to save it.’” Facklam’s rent is $450 a month, and she splits that payment halfway with her father. “I’m very glad that I have that support,” she said. While $225 of Facklam’s monthly earnings go to rent, she has other financial obligations. Nearly all of her money goes to pay for rent, utilities and gas, she said. “You have to be responsible with money,” she said. “Having a budget is very important, and I wish I knew to do that before.” Facklam isn’t the only MSU student experiencing a new and unfamiliar world with new and unfamiliar financial obligations. Ericka Peppers works as a marketing manager at a number of properties including Bear Village, a student housing complex located just west of campus on Kimbrough Avenue. She said plenty of students struggle with rent and other contractual obligations. “I think (students) know that they’re signing up for a monthly agreement, (but) knowing I have to pay my $600 rent every month can be a huge shock if you’ve never done it,” Peppers said. She said late fees often incur for Bear Village residents simply because the monthly payment is out of sight and out of mind. However, Peppers considers student housing a great “purgatory” between on-campus living and adult housing because all the bills associated with
living there are combined. “Bear Village is just an awesome step in-between because you get that independence; you get to come and go as you want,” Peppers said. “But all those bills (are) lumped into one payment, one contractual agreement, instead of having to go to City Utilities and having to go to Republic Trash and going to AT&T and all those different things.” Of course, Facklam’s financial obligations aren’t the only thing she wishes she knew before taking the leap off campus. Since Facklam and her roommate are two young women living on their own for the first time, this can come with its own unique challenges that require extra steps to stay safe. When she was growing up, Facklam’s father was always the one to lock the doors and turn off the lights before going to bed. She said it’s a big change to learn to do those little things. As another safety measure, Facklam always calls her roommate when she’s on her way home after a late night. She does this out of courtesy to make sure she doesn’t startle her roommate upon entering their home, but she also does it as an accountability measure: Facklam wants her housemate to know when she expects to be back in case something happens. Another way the two stay safe is with a guard dog. She said her roommate’s Labrador retriever, Beau, is ready to defend the home from any unwelcome guests. A pet may sound like a great way to make a house feel like a home, but Peppers gives a word of caution to her residents at Bear Village. “If you don’t have time – if you have a full school schedule and you have a full workload, you should not have a pet,” she said. “It is a commitment. I feel really bad for some of these dogs because residents will leave them for hours and days on end.” Peppers said it’s not fair to the furry friend when the owner can’t commit to being a pet parent. She advises students to wait until after college when they can devote more time to having a pet. “Don’t sign up for a commitment if you’re not able and ready to fulfill the terms of the commitment because it’s just not fair to the pet, and it’s really not fair to the apartment,” Peppers said, citing floor and furniture damage that she frequently sees in resident apartments. Thankfully for Beau, Facklam and her roommate have different break times throughout the day to give him attention. “He gets to play all the time,” Facklam said. Even if residents don’t have dogs, Facklam said there are plenty of other measures students
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can take in order to stay safe. One often overlooked element is choosing the right roommate. “I think who you have as a roommate is a big part,” Facklam said. “Are they responsible? Are they doing to lock your doors? You have to trust the person you live with.” She also said to make sure the place you pick is one you actually want to live. Do your research. Don’t pick a place just because it’s cheap or just because it’s close to campus. She said it’s okay to have non-negotiables. “If you don’t want to live on the first floor, then don’t settle for an apartment on the first floor if that’s not what’s going to make you feel safe,” she said. “If that’s all they have, then don’t live there. It’s not worth it to not feel safe every night.” One of the biggest tips Facklam said she can give to stay safe is to not leave cars unlocked – and to not leave valuables in the car. Peppers couldn’t agree more. “One of the problems that arise is that sometimes students are a little too trusting, and they’ll leave their car doors unlocked,” Peppers said,
citing a high occurrence of reported break-ins in the area. She said the biggest concern for everyone working for Bear Village is safety. She explained the complex keeps its residents safe through the use of security officers, 24-hour locked doors and a “buzz-in” system for guests. Peppers said she wants her residents to feel that same safety they felt while they lived on campus. While safety is Peppers’ biggest concern, she knows there are a lot of other things students should know before making the decision to move off-campus. Practicing cleanliness and not being afraid to ask questions are at the top of that list. “I wish that students would give some attention to what it means to ‘adult,’” she said. Facklam is optimistic about her living situation, despite all the learning she’s had to do. “I think I’ve gotten into the groove for sure,” she said. “At first it’s tough, but after a while I got used to it.”
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Zerowaste How you can start moving toward a minimal-waste lifestyle GRETA CROSS Digital Editor @gretacrossphoto The zero-waste lifestyle has become increasingly popular with the recent emphasis on environmental issues. Products such as metal straws, cloth shopping bags, on-the-go utensil kits and glassware for bulk shopping are particularly trendy. The idea of living green is appealing to many, but just how easy is the switch from a disposable world to zero waste entirely, especially as a college student? Amber Holko, a graduate speech language pathology student, began her zero waste journey in August of last year. “I saw YouTube videos about it and I had heard a lot of stuff about people going zero waste and with all of the political stuff going on and climate change, it made me want to do something,” Holko said. “Going zero waste is something I personally have control over.” Holko has swapped the majority of her single use items out for more sustainable ones, including a water bottle, utensil kit, collapsible metal straw, silicone zipper bags and glass and metal containers. She also made the decision to start purchasing some of her groceries in bulk at stores like Mama Jean’s Natural Market. Holko said, in addition to reducing her disposable product usage, shopping at natural food stores has improved her diet. “I have definitely seen a change in my dietary habits,” Holko said. “Most people who live a low-waste lifestyle tend to have a very veggie-based meal prep. There’s been a lot of stuff in the media about how meat
is super consuming of our natural resources. I’ve been more interested in trying to eat more fresh fruits and veggies and buying more food from the produce aisle.” According to Smithsonian Magazine, “livestock-based food production causes about one-fifth of all global greenhouse gas emissions.” Compared to other food sources, beef requires 28 times more land, six times more fertilizer and 11 times more water. This being said, altering one’s diet is just one way to leave a smaller carbon footprint. Besides Mama Jean’s, Holko visits SOAP Refill Station downtown to eliminate her plastic use in the bathroom. SOAP Refill Station’s mission is to reduce single-use plastics, shop manager Kori Smalley said. Customers can bring in their own containers to refill with the station’s soaps or purchase containers provided. The refill station not only provides bathroom-use soaps but also laundry soap, lotion, essential oils and other zero waste products. SOAP Refill Station offers a “Bring Your Own Container Refill” 10% discount to students living in specific apartment complexes and a “Neighbor” 5% off discount to students who live in the downtown area, Smalley said. The refill station also offers bulk discounts to customers who purchase over 24 oz or over one gallon of soap. Along with taking steps to remove disposable waste from her life, Holko began a small countertop compost bin to recycle kitchen scraps. Once her bin is full, Holko said she takes the scraps to a communal compost bin behind Ott’s Pasta on Cherry Street.
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Photo submitted by Amber Holko
Amber Holko’s small compost bin rests on her countertop in her kitchen out of the way. When her bin is full, Holko takes the compost to Ott’s Pasta’s community compost bin, which the Springfield Compost Collective picks up on a regular basis. The 32-gallon compost bin is provided by the Springfield Compost Collective. Springfield Compost Collective founder and executive director Justine Campbell said she understands recycling and composting can be overwhelming at first, but there are steps college students can take to do their part. For those living on campus, Campbell said students should slow down in the dining hall and only take servings they’ll eat completely. Chartwells, Missouri State’s dining service, composts in all of their dining halls on campus, which removes the stress for students. When composting off-campus, Campbell recommended addressing one’s trash area first. “Can you make your trash can a little smaller, so you can maybe fit a few small containers, where you could start separating plastic and glass?” Campbell asked hypothetically. “Your waste station can’t
just be one bag that you mindlessly throw stuff in and forget about. It needs to be something pretty and structured like the rest of your house.” After making adjustments, learning about what types of items and food products can be recycled and composted is important, Campbell said. The City of Springfield offers a “Recycling & Yardwaste Centers” guide, which includes information regarding what is accepted at their recycling centers and how to manage a personal compost bin. “It’s hard being a college student and doing low waste,” Holko said. “Start small. It’s really easy to get overwhelmed thinking you have to do it all and be perfect. It is a transition, and you can’t just go and throw away all of these perfectly good things you have and switch them out for glass and metal because you still need to use what you have before you transition to things that may be better for the planet.”
“It’s hard being a college student and doing low waste. Start small.” - Amber Holko, graduate student
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House or apartment?
Choose the best rental experience for you CAROLINE MUND Staff Reporter @cemund32 Sitting around a table at Starbucks, you and your future roommates begin thinking of ideas how your home for next year, how you will decorate it and all of the memories that will happen there. You can’t wait for next school year. Looking through pamphlets, rental websites and flyers, you aren’t sure which would be the best fit for you and your roommates. Apartment and houses come with their own pros and cons. “When we began looking for a home or an apartment, we were looking for somewhere that had a nice kitchen, enough bathrooms and then the cost and space were important too,” said sophomore organizational communication major Emily Fahrlander. When looking into renting, there’s a handful of off-campus housing aspects that should be considered. The distance from campus, the price, the number of roommates, security, pre-furnished or not and if you have a pet, does the rental place allow it? “For first-time renters, they need to be aware of what they’re getting into and know
“For first-time renters, they need to be aware of what they’re getting into and know what they are doing.” -Kathy Loomer, Loomer Rentals what they are doing,” said Kathy Loomer, who runs Loomer Rentals. The prices of rental houses compared to apartments are significantly different. Apartments that are on campus are typically more expensive than renting a house. Apartments usually come with more amenities, such as a pool, gym, gated community and other services which increase the price. Often times utilities are included. “That was 100% the main reason I stayed there,” said junior Baylea Ann Seibert, who lives in the Aspen apartments. “I did not want to get all new furniture just to live here for two years.” Typically with houses, renters end up having to pay for furniture, utilities and possibly a washer and dryer but aren’t forced to pay for extra amenities that may not be utilized. “Houses are better. It’s a little bit more your own and
you don’t have to worry about being too loud,” said sophomore Sam Chanitz. “You get your own driveway and back yard.” An important difference between apartments and rental houses is the security. Houses don’t come with as much security, whereas some of the apartments around campus are gated. “My parents and my roommate’s parents wanted us to be in a gated community. That’s why they really like Aspen [apartments],” said junior public relations major Jordyn Clough. When it comes to looking into rentals, regardless of whether they’re an apartment or a house, look around and keep an open mind to options. There’s a lot to take into account when you sign your lease. Both apartments and houses come with their own list of pros and cons, pick somewhere that will make you feel at home.
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International students can live on campus in places like Monroe Apartments to give them an idea of American living while still being able to commute easily to classes.
International students can experience culture shock when moving to America ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @overander With over a thousand international students on Missouri State’s campus, many of them have to contend with some substantial lifestyle changes. Some might find it difficult getting used to a new language, while others may have mixed feelings about a new diet. But for many, the greatest source of culture shock comes from a vast difference in living situations. One of those students is graduate student Ebraheem Bouq, originally from Saudi Arabia, who began his journey for higher education abroad by first traveling to England then Toledo, Ohio, before finally ending up in Springfield. Bouq’s apartment is a far cry from his family home in Saudi Arabia, a villa with a pool, a large garden and plenty of bedrooms and living space for him and his six siblings. Bouq said his middle-class Saudi home is rather standard for the country, as are apartments with three bedrooms or more. Although it might seem like a downgrade in housing, Bouq said one of the greatest benefits to American living is the proximity to a diverse group of friendly people.
“One of the big things about the United States is that it makes you a really open-minded person, and it kinda makes you friendly,” Bouq said. International students who’ve been to university in their native country may have to adjust to housing on campus. Graduate student Yuganesh Gunalan, who originally studied in Malaysia, is just one of those students. Gunalan’s old university had strict male and female housing with only one dining hall for a much smaller campus. While he got used to Missouri State’s co-ed residence halls and larger campus, Gunalan said one of the differences he came to appreciate the most was a caring and welcoming collection of RAs who had such an impact on him, he decided to work as one for a few years. “Everyone is cared for,” Gunalan said. “Everyone is given priority here. Not one person is differentiated, and I think that’s one of the beauties of U.S. dorm life … You matter. Regardless of who you are, you matter.” Much like Bouq, it’s the sense of community in Gunalan’s new home that has really stuck with him. While both of them miss parts of their life back in their native countries, they’ve managed to find a comfortable college home here.
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DORM LIFE: HACKED
How to make the most out of your dorm experience ZOE BROWN Lifestyle Editor @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 the 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, sophomore communication sciences and disorders major said stacking wooden crates in different formations to create cute storage helps her stay organized. Similarly, senior 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 junior marketing major, uses the under part of her bed for storage and covers it with a bedskirt for appearance. Pannell suggests adding 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. “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.” Sarah Kantra, sophomore 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.” Sarah Miloshewski, sophomore nursing major, stays organized by keeping a Command hook near her bed to hang her keys. Beyond staying on a budget and keeping organized, maintaining healthy eating habits is another challenge presented to college students living in the dorms. Students often have minimal time to cook or sit down for every meal. 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, junior elementary education 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 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.
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