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isn’t the best. Maybe you’re looking for ways to keep your space clean and healthy. Maybe you Thank you so much for reading The Standard’s 2022 Housing just need something new in your life. There are articles in here to Guide! help with all sorts of problems We have composed a collection of stories aiming to provide students encounter when enduring the process of living away strategies for your adult life. from home. Where you rest your head at We hope these articles help night unique to you, be it in an make the best of your housing apartment building, Greek Row situation. The Standard’s goal is house or a dorm right here on always to inform; though entercampus. Wherever that place is, tainment is a welcome byprodit’s made from the connections uct. you have around you. We also encourage all stuAs a long-time campus residents to attend The Standard’s dent myself, I have called SunHousing Expo at the heart of villa home for two years now campus. Please go say hello and (though Wells House was also a see options for housing on Feb. fun time). These articles cover 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the vital information on the topic of second floor of the PSU. housing for your life here at MisI’ll see you there! souri State University. I am glad this tab has made it into your hands, either digitally or printed! Maybe your living situation
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Applying for an apartment: Learning the leaser lingo LILIANA HAYES Reporter D@lilidarleen
potential unpaid rent payments or any damages made to the property while the tenant lives there. Depending on these conditions, you’ll get your security deposit back in full, in part, or not at all at the end of While applying for an apartment next year, I came your lease. across a lot of terms that I hadn’t seen before. As I read through websites and later my lease, I found Renter’s Insurance myself constantly looking up different terms and tryThis is a special type of insurance specifically ing to piece together what it all meant. designed to help protect the tenant. Your belongings These terms turned out to be some of the most will not be covered in the landlord’s property insurimportant information when it came to renting an ance, so in the event of unexpected damage or theft, apartment, and I had no idea what they were until renter’s insurance is used to cover the costs. Exactly then. Here are a few terms that first- ime renters might what it covers is predetermined and should be highcome across when looking for their perfect apartment. lighted in your lease. Many places require this but if you cannot get private insurance, they will also proTenant vide a basic insurance plan at a specified monthly If someone pays rent for the space they live in or rate. This rate is about $22 per month on average in use, they’re a tenant. You would be considered a tenant Missouri. if you rent an apartment.
Landlord
Inversely, the person you are renting the space from is called the landlord or property owner. The landlord can be a single person or an entire team. Communication is key with the landlord because they’re the one you go to for any questions or concerns. More information on this can be found here.
Lease
Amenities
Most apartments around Missouri State University offer a wide variety of “amenities” to renters. These are non-essential features and services provided along with the apartment at either no extra cost or for a small amenity fee. Amenities may include a pool, dog park, fitness center, tanning beds or visitor parking, along with many other things, depending on the apartment complex.
Once you’ve sent in an application for an apartment and it has been approved, you’ll be sent a lease agreement. This document covers everything you’ll need to know about your apartment unit, the property as a whole, any specific dates you should take note of and other various rules and policies. Make sure to read this thoroughly because once you sign a lease, there’s no going back.
Utilities
Application Fee
Pet Policy
Utilities are features within an apartment, and the most common ones are electricity, water, internet/ cable and heating/air conditioning. Students may come across utilities-included apartments as well as utilities-not-included. If an apartment has all utilities included, you can expect to pay no additional fee on top of rent. If they aren’t included, you pay for them as you use them. The more you use, the more you Guarantor pay. Utilities-included apartments tend to cost more This is the legal term for something you might than utilities-not-included. have heard before: a co-signer. A guarantor is an individual, usually a family member or friend, who Sublease/Sublet signs the lease with you. By signing, they are taking With the permission of the landlord, a tenant can on the financial responsibility if for some reason you rent out some or all of their apartment to another aren’t able to make rent in time. Basically, if you can’t individual. Getting permission is crucial because pay, they pay in place of you. However, they won’t without it you risk breaking your lease’s terms and live in the apartment with you. Not everyone has to conditions. A common reason for someone to sublease have a co-signer or guarantor depending on the situ- their apartment is if they have already signed their ation. If you do not have a high credit score or if you lease but cannot live in the apartment for a certain don’t make a specific income each month, you may amount of time and don’t want to waste money. This or may not be required to have one. Check with the can include having a job in a different area, going abroad, changing schools, etc. property owner to see their specific requirements
An application fee is one of the first fees you can expect to see when apartment hunting. It’s an additional cost that goes along with submitting a finished application, hence the name. It specifically goes toward determining renter eligibility, such as with running background checks and credit checks.
Many students have a pet that they want to bring with them to their apartment. If you happen to be one of those students, you’re in luck. There are various apartments around Springfield that allow pets, but they typically have a pet policy that outlines the facility’s rules and regulations. This policy can include weight restrictions and a specified pet deposit, which Security Deposit is a sum of money given to the landlord to cover costs A security deposit is a fixed amount paid to the from potential damage caused by pets. landlord before moving in. This money goes towards
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Aspen Student Living, an apartment complex north of campus on St. Louis Street, said the reason for this competitiveness is the saturation of the housing market. A market is considered saturated when there are multiple sources of competition providing options, limiting the demand of certain products or services. Hebenstreit said there are a lot of Graphic by Noah Huettenmeyer Q@nhuett.21 options and competitors when it comes to student living. Aspen Student Living caters to Missouri State, as well as Drury University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Evangel. An agent with the Federal Student Aid office told The Standard that funds credMAKAYLA MALACHOWSKI ited to a student through their chosen university can only cover tuition, fees and Reporter room and board if applicable. Neece tesD@MMal2024 tified to this, as she said the Free Application for Federal Student Aid does not pay When students choose to live off cam- for her living expenses. pus, they have a variety of options to “Indirectly, it helps because I don’t have choose from, including rental properties to foot the bill for a semester, but I’m still and apartments. However recently, students a full-time student trying to pay rent and have been struggling to find affordable keep above water,” Neece said. housing off campus. While FAFSA cannot help off-campus Ragan Neece, a sophomore speech and students with housing, some student living theater education major, said she spent days facilities can, according to Hebenstreit. with her fiance calling apartment complexAspen recently started a new program es around the area. this year called Flex, and Hebenstreit said “We have spent $200 on application fees it works like a credit card in that the tenant in January alone,” Neece said. “We were pays nine dollars for the service and the company covers rent when necessary. From only accepted by one apartment.” Besides the application fees, Neece said there, the company works with the student they have been struggling to find a place on when they can cover their rent, or they to live due to high rent prices. Additional- can work out a payment plan. ly, the places they toured were unpleasant Hebenstreit said Aspen tries to be fle on account of pests, repair needs and out- ible with residents who need help making dated styles. Neece said these places were ends meet, as long as there is communiin the $900-$1,300 per month range. cation between the tenants and the comAnother concern for Neece and her fi- plex. ance was safety. Neece said a large reason Neece offers two pieces of advice for they moved was because their cars were students who are still looking for somebroken into and there was even an attempt where to live. to break into the apartment, despite the “Stay on top of people you’ve contactfact that their place of residence was in a ed,” Neece said first. “It can be very exhausting, but a company will give the gated community. Neece attributes this struggle to the property to whoever can have the money competitiveness of the housing market. first and is available soonest “Also, talk to people who have lived “One day something is there and ready for you, but the next day someone (else) there in addition to the leasing company. is moving in,” Neece said. “It feels like They will be honest with you more than you have to grab onto something just to someone who wants you to sign a lease.” make sure it’s yours at the end of it.” Nate Hebenstreit, leasing manager of
Off-campus students struggle to find a fordable housing
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Decide whether it’s better to stay on or off campus
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Understanding tenant safety rights on campus DESIREE NIXON Editor D@DesireeNixon17 Picking out a place to live can be stressful. Stress can increase once people start thinking about safety. However, when renting on campus, there are extra safety protocols residents can take. Teresa Frederick, director of residence life, housing and dining services at Missouri State, said it is important for students to consider all of the possible living choices before deciding on one. “Utilize the safety measures available to you,” Frederick recommended. “You may have the very best security measures available, but you need to utilize them in order for them to be effective.” An example of this is Missouri State Alert. Students must sign up in order to take part in this safety feature via text. “Missouri State Alert is the mass notification system used to contact students, faculty, staff and the public in the event of an emergency or school closing,” the MSU website says. In addition to this, Frederick said to look for these seven things when deciding on a unit:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Secure entrances Secure key system Fire safety Severe weather shelter 5. Staff 6. Security Cameras 7. Lighting Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky
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LIFE ON CAMPUS:
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Scholars House:
Scholars House is home to many students in the university’s Honors College. It is a three-story building in close proximity to Garst Dining Center, offering suite-style living with two double-occupancy rooms, a bathroom and a shower stall. Each room includes a bunkable twin bed as well as its own small fridge. The suite also includes a mid-size fridge in the main area. The yearly cost of living in 2021ABBY TEITELBAUM suite, allowing six students to live in a dorm 2022 is priced at $7,424. at a time. Living areas provide furniture, a Reporter bathroom, a shower and a small fridge. D@AbbyTeitelbaum Blair-Shannon also has a laundry room on all At Missouri State University, all single floors, as well as a dining hall in the same students who have earned fewer than 27 hours building. The yearly cost of living in 2021of transferable credit after high school and 2022 is priced at $6,722. who are under 21 years of age must live on campus, with a commuter exception form Freudenberger House: Also known as “Freddy,” Freudenberger available to students. With eight residence halls currently open to students and a ninth is a five-story building with the largest popuon the way, it can be difficult to decide which lation on campus. It offers two- and three-peroption is the best. Here is a breakdown of son rooms, and is located at the center of various residence halls offered around campus, campus. It’s near multiple lecture halls, Plaswhat they have to offer and their prices. More ter Student Union and Blair-Shannon’s dining information is available at Residence Life, hall. Housing and Dining Services online at reslife. A community bathroom is available in each missouristate.edu. hallway, and laundry is located in two centralized facilities in the building. Each room contains a mid-size fridge. The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 is priced at $6,114.
What’s in the residence halls?
Hutchens and Hammons Houses:
Hutchens and Hammons are located next to each other on Harrison Street. Both are eight stories, offering two- and four-person suite style rooms with a bathroom, tub, shower and kitchenette. Two-person rooms include a midsize fridge, while four-person rooms include a full-size fridge. Both Hutchens and Hammons are connected to Garst Dining Center and Boomer’s Convenience Store. Each house’s laundry facility also includes Laundry Alert, letting residents know when their laundry is finished. The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 for a two-person room is priced at $8,510, while a four-person room is priced at $7,424.
File photo/THE STANDARD Scholars House is on Cherry Street and is home to many of the students in the university’s Honors College.
Wells House:
Wells House is a four-story building offering room and suite-style living. Rooms allow two-person occupancy. Suites offer two double-occupancy rooms, a kitchenette and a living area. Wells has a community bathroom on each floo . It is located next to Plaster Student Union with close proximity to the University Bookstore.
Kentwood Hall:
File photo/THE STANDARD Blair-Shannon House is located near the center of campus and has a dining hall on the fi st floor b tween Blair and Shannon Towers.
Blair-Shannon House:
According to the Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services page for Blair-Shannon, Blair-Shannon is home to the second-largest student population on campus. The building is named for the Blair and Shannon towers, making up the house. It offers suite-style living, with three double-occupancy rooms per
Kentwood is a six-story building located near downtown Springfield, housing transfer students in the Transitions LLC and offering private, two-person, super double and three-person rooms. The rooms are suite-style, with bathrooms, a mid-size fridge and adjustable loft-style beds. Super double rooms also include a flat screen TV, more seating and more space compared to the standard two-person room. Kentwood also has its own dining hall and is connected to the Bear Line Shuttle route. Unlike other residence halls, this one is reserved for upperclassmen. The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 in a single-person room File photo/THE STANDARD is $7,892, in a two- or three-person room is Wells House is located near the center $6,772 and in a super double is $7,656.
of campus and was recently renovated.
Each room comes with a mid-size fridge. Wells also offers Laundry Alert, letting residents know when their laundry is finished The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 in a two-person room is priced at $6,114, and the four-person suite is priced at $6,576.
Woods House:
Woods House is a ten-story building with room-style living. Rooms are single- and two-person. Each room includes open closet space and loft-style beds as well as a mid-size fridge. On each hallway, single-user private bathrooms are available with showers included. Woods also offers Laundry Alert, letting residents know when their laundry is finished The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 is priced at $6,114 for a two-person room, and $7,206 for a single-person room.
The New Residence Hall: Holland House
Opening in 2022 for student occupancy, Holland House is a seven-story building: four stories for parking and three stories for living. Single-user private bathrooms will be available to residents as well as a dining center and retail space. It will have two-person bedrooms with mid-size fridges in each room. The yearly cost of living in 2021-2022 is priced at $6,772. See page 10 of this publication for updates on the building’s construction.
What does each residence hall have in common?
Most residence halls (with the exception of Kentwood) allow both under- and upperclassmen to apply and live in them. Each room in each residence hall provides a microwave. Each residence hall also has available free laundry, a community kitchen, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for each student, TV Streaming with Philo and a 24-hour computer lab. A meal plan is required to live in the residence halls. Each house also includes rates for private buy-outs, which are one and a half times the standard cost of living. More information about housing rates and private buyouts can be found at reslife.missouristate.edu/ Rates.htm.
How to apply for housing:
Housing applications are open for both current and incoming 2022-2023 students. To apply, go to My.MissouriState.edu, click on the Campus Life tag, scroll down to find the Housing block and click on Complete Application. Spots are first-come first-serve. More information about reapplying for housing can be found at reslife.missouristate.edu. Click on “Apply” and then “Reapplication.” Current residents must reapply by 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2022, to receive housing priority. Students are encouraged to visit the Resident Life Office in Hammons 1-4 with questions about application.
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New residence hall to open this fall
Photo by Russ Bray Q@russ.bray Construction workers build a set of corner stairs of Holland House. The building was conceptualized in late 2017 and has endured several delays.
BRADIE JOHNSON Reporter D@bradiehope After more than two years of delays, Missouri State University is planning on opening a new residence hall in the fall of 2022. Holland House will be the university’s ninth residence hall. “There have been lots of strange battles on this one, but the simple answer all goes back to COVID-19,” project manager Bruce Colony said when asked about delays. “We’ve had material issues galore, some coming from Europe that we are still waiting on, are all delayed primarily due to COVID-19, or the resulting supply chain challenges.” Holland House will be the newest residence hall to open at the university in over three decades and will offer new and unique amenities. Located on the west side of campus, this seven-story residence hall offers a four-story parking garage and three stories of living space. There will also be a new dining center and a small retail space in the building. Holland House is a co-ed residence hall that will have two-person rooms and single-user private bathrooms. There will be an interior courtyard on the fifth level that will “feature casual patio areas and loads of turf for frisbee, throwing bags and catching some sun,” Colony said. This new residence hall will add an additional 400 bed spaces for first-year and upperclassmen students.
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CLOTHING:
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To toss is an environmental loss
LAUREN JOHNS Music Critic D@lje2017 Springtime is a fresh start for many. After living with cabin fever and shortened days, many students lose the motivation to complete tasks like cleaning and reorganizing their living spaces. With temperatures rising, it’s time to clear out those cobwebs and step away from hoarding territory. A good place to start is your wardrobe. But instead of tossing your old sweaters and vintage hand-me-downs into a garbage bag and forgetting about it, try donating for reuse instead. According to an article by BBC, only “13.6% of clothes and shoes thrown away in the U.S. end up being recycled — while the average American throws away (81.57 lbs) of clothes every year.” Unfortunately, only 12% of the materials recycled end up being used. They are made up of complex substances like natural yarns, artificial filaments, plastics and metals that are difficult to separate in a factory; the process is time consuming and costly even with mechanical aid. “(By donating) you are essentially giving a second life to the item you are thrifting, and the environmental cost of making that item is extended out,” MSU alum Maddie Sprenger said. However, Sprenger prefers reusing the clothing item over donating. “I will wear a shirt until it is no longer wearable or repairable; then I turn the shirt into cloth rags that I use to clean with,” Sprenger said. Still, if you tire of the clothing long before it reaches its breaking point, there are a wide array of Springfi ld secondhand clothing shops eager to take items off your hands. Ann Compton, manager of thrift boutique Next To New, will take any clothing item you bring by. “I know a lot of larger agencies have donation bins that are in parking lots,” Compton said. “And I know a lot of people kind of use that to absentmindedly get rid of clothes in their closets, and they don’t think about them. But here as people come and donate to us, we are creating greater bonds with our donors and we trust that they will bring us gently loved items.” If the store can’t sell a donated item, Compton and her team pass it on to various non-profit organizations. “Less than 1% of (donated) clothing goes unused — it would have to be in complete shreds for us to toss it,” Compton said. Most of what they don’t use at the store may get forwarded on to places like the Grand Oaks ministry, Harmony House or Isabel’s House. They also forward some things over to Springfield s Little Theatre to be used as costumes.
Photo by Sloane Galindo Q@slee.createsthings Next to New Shop is a thrift store is just north of the Missouri State University campus. Located at 416 S. Kimbrough Ave., the shop is walking distance for students interested in thrifting or donating used textiles. Overall, Compton stresses the importance of making sure textiles are kept out of landfill as much as possible. “In South America, there’s a desert that is a dumping ground for a million tons of clothing that have never been worn,” Compton said. Compton describes this as “fast fashion,” cheap to make and even cheaper to buy. The clothing deteriorates quickly and leaves a consumer’s closet after only a few wears. The increased clothing production leads to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of natural resources. “The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with textile production alone estimated to release 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere every year,” according to the BBC. “The industry is also responsible for 20% of global water waste.” The public is growing more conscious about environmental degradation that fast fashion causes. “There is a huge trend in the fashion industry, where people are starting to look twice at how many resources it takes to even create the garments, and how many new raw materials are being used versus recycled material,” Compton said. ThredUp, an online resale boutique, has been collecting data on this trend. During the start of the 2020 lockdown, 33 million people purchased second hand clothing for the first time.
76% of these buyers plan to continue shopping like this for the next five years. This could lead to an estimated $77 billion going into various resale markets in the same five year time frame. Thrift stores like Next to New are able to keep up with the influx of new customers by paying close attention to the latest clothing trends and expanding what they allow in the store. They also make a point of utilizing every donated item, even if it isn’t a clothing item. “Sometimes people will hand us bags of clothing and sneak in some decorative knickknacks or cookbooks, and usually we’ll put it out in the store,” Compton said. When Compton isn’t working at Next to New she enjoys checking out other thrifting hotspots like Inspired Boutique on Lone Pine and Battlefield that supports the non-profit organization Abilities First. They help individuals with disabilities find jobs When Sprenger was asked which shops she prefers, she threw out Red Racks and Thrift Haven. If you are hesitant about donating your clothing to a local shop, a great start would be to plan clothing swapping events, Compton suggested. This can be a campus-wide event or just a few friends swapping clothing. “Don’t underestimate your sense of style or see it as too outdated,” Compton said. “Someone else will come along and make it work for them.”
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Making meals with a Bear’s baking basics TINSLEY MERRIMAN Editor D@merrimantinsley One of the stereotypes of being a college student is living off nothing but ramen noodles and tap water. However, students may want more variety and need more nutrition. For students who are looking to improve their at-home cooking, building a shopping list might feel like a daunting task. However, there are certain staples that help fill a student’s pantry and stomach. According to Jaime Gnau, Missouri State University clinical instructor of biomedical sciences, students should stock their pantries with a balance of nutritional foods. These include proteins, vegetables, grains, dairy and any fruit that isn’t packed in syrup. Gnau said while “all foods can fit, there are steps students can take to improve their energy and leave them feeling better. These include limiting their fat intake and cutting down on sugary drinks. They can also seek out healthier options while eating out. “Many fast food places have more balanced choices now than ever before,” Gnau said. “Love Taco Bell? Try ordering ‘Fresco Style’ to up your veggie intake and decrease your calories. Love pizza? Order thin crust with lots of veggies, rather than thick crust with extra meat and cheese.” Natalie Allen, MSU clinical assistant professor of biomedical sciences, said other must-have items include “grab-and-go” items such as granola bars, string cheese and beef jerky. Allen agreed with the “all foods can fit” rule, suggesting students find a healthy ratio in their daily schedule. “Eighty percent of the time, eat healthy foods,” Allen said. “Twenty percent of the time, indulge. Foods that might need to be limited include fried foods, alcohol, sugary snacks and foods that don’t have a lot of nutrition.” Allen said students choosing to mostly eat microwavable meals should make sure to check the nutritional facts on the side of the box. Each meal has a variation, so students should read up and “choose wisely.” She also said the most important aspects of a meal include carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Ilianthe Curie, a senior hospitality leadership major, said her basic grocery
“Eighty percent of the time, eat healthy foods,” MSU professor and dietitian Natalie Allen said. “Twenty percent of the time, indulge.”
Illustration by Dorottya Faa Q@disaaky list consists of a wide variety of food. She also stressed seasoning is a “must have” when cooking. Curie’s usual list includes cereal, milk, eggs, bread, bagels and cream cheese and meat. Possible proteins include sausage, pork, steak and chicken. Her usual vegetables are broccoli, green peppers, onions and carrots. Curie is originally from Curaçao, an island in the Caribbean, and regularly makes food from her home coun-
try. These include cheesy biscuits called Jonny Cakes and Snijbonchi Stoba – green beans in a creole sauce. Currie also said she only eats fewer than five times out a month to save money. Trinity Garza, a senior elementary education major, said her grocery lists start with protein and pasta. “An average list is chicken and ground turkey,” Garza said. “I use those as my main ingredients and then base
everything else off of that, like veggies and other sides.” Garza said pasta allows those cooking to be “creative,” since there is a wide variety of sauces and sides that can pair with a pasta. Garza recommended a must-have for cooking is an air fryer as it makes cooking “easy and fast.” Though for students living in a dorm, MSU Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services does not allow the machine.
Both Gnau and Allen recommend students looking to do meal prep check into the website MyPlate. The online service allows users to formulate healthy grocery lists and meal plans. This provides students the option of pre-planning their meals, cutting down on the cost of eating out. Despite the stereotypes, eating healthy is not impossible during college. It just takes insight and preparation both mentally and in the kitchen!
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Satisfy your sniffers: Six ways to keep your house smelling fresh ALLIE FREE Reporter D@free_allie Despite how small of a task it might seem to be, keeping a house smelling like a home can be a continually challenging task. While many people just reach for a bottle of air freshener to spray across a room to mask an unpleasant odor, a new generation is starting to prioritize health over convenience. So what are the best options for products to replace common household air fresheners?
Essential oil diffusers
Grab a small glass jar and four other ingredients to make a small essential oil diffuser. Fill the jar with ¼ cup of safflo er oil, which you can pick up on Amazon for about $10, or 1/3 cup of distilled water, 1-2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and any essential oil of your choosing – usually around 20-25 drops. After this, place trimmed bamboo skewers sticking out a few inches above the rim into the jar, fl pping them after a few hours to soak up the mixture fully. Homemade essential oil diffusers are most effective at improving the smell of smaller, more enclosed spaces in a household setting. The scented mixture and skewers will likely need to be replaced after about a month in the jar. Jessica Clay, a freshman majoring in pre-nursing, said she loves using her essential oil diffusers whenever they can. “It helps keep the room fresh,” Clay said, “(and I like) avoiding anything that could create especially bad smells in the house, like moldy food.”
Scented cloth pouches
With even smaller areas, like a car, scented pouches are the way to go. Buy small, drawstring sachet bags and fill them with herbs, dried fruits or non-ground spices — like star anise or cinnamon sticks — to scent the space to your liking. Place the bags under your driver’s seat or tuck them into the seat pockets to keep a car smelling fresh. Replace the herbs when their scent starts to taper off. Sachet bags are reusable and are often sold in bulk.
Graphic by Chloe Gramelspacher Q@chloe.gramelspacher Simmer pots are often used as a more natural stand-in for scented candles. Simply fill a small pot or pan with simmering water and fill with whatever fragrant ingredients you’d like to scent the space. Cinnamon sticks, fruit peels — like apple, orange and lemon— cloves and bay leaves are popular solid ingredients. Vanilla extract and other essential oils are also common additions to a simmer pot. This option is best when the stove is less likely to be used, but be careful about letting the heat increase too much or leaving the mixture unattended.
holding a scented puck or cube of wax to melt it and release the scent. Most stores that sell candles also sell wax melt containers with the same scents, but beware – not all melts are created equal. As mentioned with plug-in air fresheners, research the ingredients provided in a brand’s wax melt to make sure they’re free of carcinogens and other risky inclusions. Popular companies built around selling exclusively wax melts include Scentsy, HappyWax and ScentChips.
Natural plug-in/clip-on air fresheners
Finally, if all else fails, or you’re in a hurry to improve a space with no time to go to the store, look no further than just opening up your windows. A good breeze and cross-ventilation through a room can help to blow away remaining odors and help to remove built-up air pollution in your home. Furthermore, according to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, opening windows for fresh air can improve your health and wellbeing!
For a more commercially available option that requires less at-home assembly, natural air fresheners are on the market. Brands Airomé and Aura Cacia make plug-in essential oil diffusers for about $15 each, alongside more well-known companies like Air Wick. However, be cautious about the ingredients included in commercial air fresheners, even if they do include essential oils. According to MADE-SAFE, a nonprofit that screens for hazardous ingredients, air fresheners can release toxic chemicals like the carcinogen formaldehyde, acetone and other volatile organic compounds that may pose a danger to one’s health.
Open your windows
Disclaimer:
When it comes to essential oils and other scented materials, please exercise caution with what you use if you have pets in your home. According to the Pet Poison helpline, wintergreen oil, sweet birch oil, citrus oil, pine oils, ylang-ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, pennyroyal oil, clove oil, eucalypWax melts tus oil, thyme, oregano, lavender oil and tea tree oil can be Simmer pots A flameless alternative to candles, wax melts have become toxic to cats. Anise, clove, thyme, juniper, yarrow and garlic To scent larger spaces, especially kitchens, simmering in- a very common household item in recent years. A small heat- can also be toxic to dogs. gredients with strong scents can make a world of difference. ing element, normally in a ceramic container, heats up a tray
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Cleaning may always be a chore But with the right attitude, it doesn’t have to be agony the presence of three key elements, Kane explained. One is competence: feeling successful in what one does. Two is autonomy: possessing the control and freedom of discretion in an activity, given things are rarely fun when we are forced to do them. Three is relatedness: sharing the household chores with a roommate, for instance, may generate sense of Graphic by Noah Huettenmeyer Q@nhuett.21 obligation and responsibility to carry one’s weight. In turn, self-confidence gets a DIANA DUDENHOEFFER boost. Editor-in-Chief American game designer Ian Bogost says there is another element to finding enjoyment D@kisstein in work: taking the chore seriously. Can cleaning be fun? In his book “Play Anything,” Bogost tells Imagining a stack of dirty dishes in the sink, his readers that fun “is a process of treating the a tower of laundry in the hamper or an over- situation as exactly what it is rather than atflowing trash can, most people would be in- tempting to reject it in favor of a distracting or clined to say no. entertaining alternative.” Abby McGrath, a Missouri State UniversiThose looking to make fun out of a boring ty junior studying sociology, said when she’s situation should treat the task with dignity and busy with work and school, it’s often not a top respect, Bogost tells his readers. In other words, priority to clean the Springfield apartment that finding fun in cleaning an apartment might she shares with her therapy cat Jumpers and mean experimenting with different dish soaps her roommate. and sponges to find your favorites, designing When laundry and dishes pile up and she is and testing an optimal path for the vacuum to struggling to find motivation, McGrath said she efficiently cover the square footage of the livstarts small. ing room or finding the best method of T-shirt “If there’s a clothing item you trip over … folding so all the clothes fit snugly in the dresspick it up and start a load of laundry,” she sug- er drawers. Instead of distancing oneself from the chore gested. Thomas Kane is an MSU psychology pro- and refusing to engage with it, we can find fun fessor. He echoed McGrath’s advice, recom- in any task by drawing it close, Bogost claimed. mending that students looking for motivation Another way to find enjoyment in cleaning to clean their spaces avoid getting overwhelmed is to pair it with something that is more fun to by starting small, making a checklist to iden- form a positive association, Kane said. Listentify goals and dividing the task into manageable ing to music while cleaning or rewarding a hard chunks. day’s work can help reframe a perspective and He said a big reason why some people enjoy make cleaning feel less like a chore. cleaning is because they connect cleaning with When McGrath knows the housework must their success and competency as a person. get done, she often turns to music. She said the Some people relate having a clean space to tunes can help ease her into the process so she their personal view of success. If you feel sim- can begin strategizing which chores to do first. ilarly, cleaning may come easily, Kane said. “Taking care of your space is enormous for But of course, not everybody feels this way. self-care, even if I have a hard time doing it,” When cleaning doesn’t come easily, Kane McGrath said. “I know that even if my whole said to integrate a cleaning task into existing apartment is messy, my desk and usually my habits. Load the dishwasher in the time it takes room are clean. It helps me stay on track and to brew a cup of coffee, for instance. get the motivation to finish everything else.” One’s enjoyment of a task is contingent upon
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Kelley: The most convenient tech gadgets all college students should own GIANNA KELLEY Columnist D@gianna_kelleyyy Most college students have a lot on their plate –– multiple classes, homework, a job, maybe an internship or some extracurricular activities, etc. –– all while trying to care for their mental health and keep their social life alive. Many live with roommates to save money on rent, which can result in having to share multiple apartment appliances. These easy-touse gadgets can help you survive the hectic college experience and make life a bit simpler.
Amazon Smart Plug - $25 on Amazon
Amazon’s smart plug adds the ease of the virtual assistant Alexa to any outlet. You can schedule lights, fans and0 appliances to turn on or off with voice control, and you can also control them when you’re away through the Alexa app. Its compact design leaves the second outlet free, the setup is extremely easy and it’s a great gadget for saving energy. The Alexa energy dashboard also estimates your light consumption, which is handy if you’re trying to save on the electric bill.
a.m. for class and realizing it’s time to go out- ing people feel less tired and wake up in a betside in the dead of winter is the most dreadful ter mood. The alarm clock even doubles as a part of the day. I’m most likely not going to bedside lamp and night light! Living in an apartment full of roommates class if I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, occupying different devices at the same time but early mornings don’t have to be such a fight. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Noise can result in slow Wi-Fi. Amazon’s new router Canceling Headphones - $70 on Amazon features the best wireless standards of speeds Sometimes living with roommates can make that reach 500 Mbps and suit over 75 devices. it hard to focus on homework. A house of mulThe two-pack router can cover up to 3,000 square feet, but Amazon also sells a single routtiple college students can contain a lot of noise er for smaller floor plans The device can stream — which is great when you’re feeling sociable in 4K, which is amazing for the abundance of but not when an assignment deadline is right Zoom calls college students have to partake in. around the corner. The Anker headphones do a great job of blocking out such distractions so Ring Video Doorbell - $100 on you can grind out your homework faster.
Amazon eero 6 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router - $90 on Amazon
Amazon
Ring doorbells are very popular due to their quality video surveillance – 1080p HD and night vision – and clear audio. If you live in an apartment building that has had a few break-ins or snatched packages, $100 for a Ring Video Doorbell is definitely worth it. With the Ring app, you can speak to anyone at the door, get notifications when someone uses your doorbell, view automatic recordings of surveillance and pair it with Alexa-enabled devices.
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Amazon Echo Dot - $50 on Amazon Air Fryers The Amazon Echo Dot makes life a lot easier. The smart home device is fast at answering your requests and features a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, which means it can be used to control home gadgets and appliances that are connected. You can manage your lights, locks, add items to your grocery list and connect to any music streaming service with voice control. The Echo also serves as an intercom and can tell you the weather, news or traffic report anywhere. It’s great for college students’ busy schedules because you can simply ask Alexa to add an event to your calendar or set a reminder for a certain time. My Amazon Echo helps me out the most in the kitchen when I need to set up multiple timers for different things I’m cooking up. It’s also helpful when I have a pondering question but am too lazy to type it into Google.
Luke Westerheide, Missouri State University sophomore accounting major, said the gadget he couldn’t live without is an air fryer. An air fryer works like a conventional oven: it doesn’t deep fry food like hot oil does, but it creates the same crispy result using hot air. Air fryers cook faster than ovens and cut down the calories from hot oil. Ninja and COSORI are the top-rated air fryer brands on Amazon –– both are around $100 and are very user-friendly for anyone who doesn’t have much experience in the kitchen. Most recipes that are typically cooked in the oven or fried in hot oil will be amazing meals to try in the air fryer.
Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector - $180 on Amazon
This 100” display projector with a built-in speaker fits in the palm of your hand and connects through HDMI, USB and Micro SD so you can watch anything, anytime on a big screen. You can appreciate the movie theater experience outside on a camping trip, in the car on a road trip with friends or even in the comfort of your own room when your annoying Screenshot of Amazon Basics 3.2 roommate hogs the TV. The projector is com- Quart Compact Multi-Functional patible with most of today’s entertainment Digital Air Fryer On Amazon. devices. Simply connect your smartphone, PC, Mac, cable box, gaming console or HDMI video player without the hassle of confusing but- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50) and the Amazon Fire TV Cube ($120) tons and menu screens. Senior entertainment management major iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Madison Allen said the most convenient piece Vacuum - $200 on Amazon of technology she has is the Amazon Fire TV This robot vacuum is such a time-saver. Stick 4K, which allows you to enjoy content Instead of fighting for the time to vacuum your from all major streaming services for a very apartment or with your roommate on who’s inexpensive price. It’s basically like upgrading turn it is to do so, simply tell your Roomba to to a smart TV without having to pay hundreds do the dirty work. The robot vacuum can be of dollars. controlled using the iRobot HOME app and is The device is powered by Amazon’s Alexa, voice-activated. This pricier appliance is a per- so you can find entertainment simply by speakfect gift to ask your family for Christmas or ing right into the remote. It has a very easy-toyour birthday. There are cheaper knock-off use menu and the Fire TV Stick lets you turn brands, but I can tell you from personal expe- your TV on and off and adjust the volume so rience, none of them are worth the investment everything can be done from one remote. or operate as successfully as a Roomba does. Additionally, if you’re tired of scrambling Other robot vacuums seem to get stuck ev- for the Fire Stick remote, then you can ditch it erywhere around the house and can only vac- for good with a Fire TV Cube. This smart uum hard floors. The Roomba has great suction streaming device has several built-in microand is ideal for homes with pets. The rubber phones and a speaker that can pick up your brushes don’t get tangled with pet hair and can commands from another room so not only can effectively clean carpet –– which was one of you ask Alexa to pause, increase the volume my biggest issues with the knock-off brands. or turn off the TV, but you can even ask it to You can create an everyday cleaning schedule order pizza, change channels and switch inputs. and can even connect it to smart home devices Somehow streaming whatever you want just like Google Home or Alexa. Roomba’s built-in became even easier. sensor allows it to find its way around and unLife as a college student can be stressful der furniture and prevents it from falling down- and we can use all the help we can get. These stairs. The sensors also alert the robot about gadgets are worth the investment if you can dirtier areas in your house that need more at- afford them. Anything that makes your life a tention. little bit more enjoyable is a win in my book.
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Meet Mary Garrett and her four-legged friend KATE LUHMANN Reporter D@kateeluhmann Mary Garrett, sophomore global studies major at Missouri State University, has an emotional support animal named Kenny. She became a resident assistant at Hutchens House in fall 2021 and started living in a private room; Garret said the transition was a hard one. Garrett found herself unable to maintain a schedule because she felt down constantly, so she set up an appointment at Magers to talk about mental health. Her doctor suggested the idea of an emotional support animal, and Garrett decided this would be the right fit for her. Even though Garrett had a prior diagnosis with mental health conditions, other students don’t need an official diagnosis for an ESA. Garrett was looking to improve her schedule by prioritizing going outside, exercising and waking up and at the same time every morning. These are things that “having a dog does,” she said. “When you have to take care of an animal, you also have to take care of yourself,” Garrett said.
Photo by Kate Luhmann, Q@katelumann Mary Garrett, sophomore global studies major, poses with her ESA Kenny. The two live together in a private room in Hutchens House. Before getting a dog, Garrett had to go through an approval process. Because she was an RA, an ESA is considered a “workplace accommodation,” as her dorm room is technically her workspace.
For a regular resident, however, an ESA would be considered a “home accommodation.” Students looking to register and would go through the Disability Resource Center, located in the Duane G. Meyer Library. Garrett had to submit a form that stated her reasoning for getting an ESA, documentation of what she was dealing with mentally and a letter of documentation from her doctor recommending an ESA. Once Garrett turned in all the necessary paperwork, she was approved on a “legal standpoint” but still had to speak with someone from MSU about their rules of having an ESA, so she met with Matthew McGhee, the housing policy coordinator at MSU who went over the rules with her. Kenny follows specific rules set by the university to keep Kenny and others safe. For instance, Kenny is allowed to roam free only in Garrett’s room, he must be crated when Garrett is away and he must be on a leash when exiting and entering the building. After the meeting with McGhee, Garrett was officially allowed to bring Kenny to campus. She adopted him from the Kansas City Pet Project on October 19, 2021, and is about one or two years old. Kenny’s spe-
cific breed is unknown, but Garrett believes he is part chihuahua. Kenny has a playful and loving personality; he especially loves to give kisses and will curl up in anyone’s lap if they let him. He has a lot of energy, too, and continuously puts a smile on Garrett’s face with his goofy personality. Anyone who sees Kenny and Garrett together can tell they have a special bond through the way they respond to each other, especially the way Kenny happily runs to Garrett when she calls his name. Garrett said she believes having ESAs are becoming “less stigmatized” since ESAs are becoming more common. It is important to note that ESAs and therapy animals are different. One important distinction is that ESAs do not go through extensive training and do not travel to hospitals and schools like therapy animals do. Since having Kenny for a little over three months, Garrett has been able to maintain a steady schedule and has found that having an ESA has made a positive impact on her well-being, especially her mental health. “He helped get my life back in order,” Garrett said.
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There’s never a dull moment in fraternity and sorority houses JENNA MURRAY Reporter D@Jenna_Murray5 As a college student, deciding where to live can be a difficult decision that requires careful consideration. For students involved in Greek life, living in a sorority or fraternity house is one option. Each Missouri State University sorority and fraternity is different in policies and procedures, but many require their members to live in the house their second year. Many students choose to live in their chapter house as a way to make new friends and become more involved in their sorority or fraternity. “It always seems like there’s something going on at the house,” sophomore Jake Boaz, Theta Chi’s community involvement chair, said. “I’m living with 35 guys that I really enjoy hanging out with, so it’s a different experience.” For some, living in their sorority or fraternity house means not worrying about cooking or cleaning. Sigma Kappa members, for example, have hired personnel that work at the house. “We have a house mom; she’s literally amazing and does a lot for us,” sophomore Carly Kiesling, Sigma Kappa’s new member educator, said. “We also have a person that comes in and cleans the house, and we have two chefs.” Living in the house is often a big change from living at home or in a dorm. Despite the advantages, there are also drawbacks that go along with living in a chapter house. “It is sometimes very chaotic; you have 52 other girls living with you so; at times it can just be a lot,” Kiesling said. While some sorority and fraternity houses have hired personnel, others such as Theta Chi are responsible for feeding themselves and keeping their house clean. “I grew up as an only child, so it’s a very different experience,” Boaz said. “The house tends to get dirty sometimes. I like to keep the house clean, but guys sometimes don’t do their part in keeping it clean, which can be frustrating.” Other challenges include finding quiet study areas in the house and being farther from campus compared to dorm living. “There’s always something going on at the house, so when I have to study or do homework it’s difficult to do that,” Boaz said. “It’s kind of frustrating to have to walk to the PSU or library just to do homework or study.” The cost of living in a sorority or fraternity house is comparable to living in campus
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housing, averaging around the $5,500-$6,500 per year. Many chapters also offer payment plans, such as paying monthly or in full for a discounted price. The experience of living at a sorority or fraternity house is different for everyone. There are both advantages and disadvantages, making the decision difficult for some. Despite this, Kiesling and Boaz both recommend others to live in their respective Greek house.
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It’s almost here! Submitted by Carly Kiesling Sophomores Alison Yunger (left) and Jessica Engholm (right) are both part of the Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Yunger is an Administrative Management Major, while Engholm is an Elementary Education Major. “I would say the pros outweigh the cons,” Boaz said. “There’s constantly something going on at the house, you’re always with your brothers having a good time and it makes you talk to those you may not talk to much.” For those feeling disconnected and not as involved with their sorority or fraternity as they would like, moving into their Greek house may be a solution. “I know a lot of girls that have said that they’ve felt away from the chapter in a sense if they didn’t spend at least one year in the house,” Kiesling said. “Living in house is so important for you to feel connected in a sorority.”
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Houseplants in the home:
how to start your journey as a plant parent
THE-STANDARD.ORG Plant Room in Springfield, said that there are plenty of plants that suit this environment. “Since dorm rooms don’t always have the same amount of light, I would definit ly recommend a ZZ plant or snake plant for a beginner plant if it’s for someone who doesn’t like to water much and doesn’t have much light,” Fear said. These plants only have to be watered about once a month and do well in low light environments, making them perfect for people who forget to water their plants frequently and have limited natural lighting. “If you are a hover plant parent, I would recommend something like a nerve plant and then pothos are another good starter plant that does well in low light,” Fear said. “They need to be watered about once a week.”
Advice for new plant owners
For new plant owners, learning how to take care of plants can often be overwhelming. Fear said her number one piece of advice for new plant owners is how to water their plants. “Even if you have a plant that’s very succulent … you’re going to want to flood the plant to where the water is coming out of the holes in the bottom of the plot,” Fear said. Fear clarifi d that this goes for both plants that need to be watered frequently and for those that can go longer between waterings. “Everytime you water something, you need to water it thoroughly and let it have a good soak,” she said.
Local plant shops
LILLIAN DURR Editor D@lillian_durr House plants make a lively visual addition to any home; however, houseplants are good for more than just aesthetics. According to Healthline’s article “A Hobby for All Seasons: 7 Science-Backed
Graphic by Chloe Gramelspacher Q@chloe.gramelspacher Benefits of Indoor Plants,” indoor plants plants are best for your lifestyle. can reduce stress, boost productivity and attention and also improve air quality. What plant is right for you? These qualities make them great for stuMany dorm rooms and apartments have dents, but it’s important to consider what limited lighting. Emma Fear, owner of the
If you are looking to get started on your houseplant journey, there are many nurseries and greenhouses in the Springfield area. Here is a list of some local shops: • The Plant Room: @theplantroomsgf on Facebook and Instagram, shoptheplantroom.com online Wickman’s Garden Village: @wick• mans on Facebook, @wickmansgardenvillage on Instagram, wickmans.com online Schaffitzel s Flowers and Green• house: @Schaffitzels on Facebook, @ schaffitzelsflower on Instagram, schaffitzelsflowers.com onli Carson’s Nurseries: @carsonsnursery • on Facebook, carsonsnurseries.net online C & H Plants: C & H Plants on Face• book, candhplants.wixsite.com online Garden Adventures Nursery: @gar• denadventures on Facebook, @gardenadventuresnursery on Instagram, gardenadventuresnursery.com online
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