The DI Housing Guide: February 2024

SPRING HOUSING GUIDE HOUSING GUIDE

THE DAILY ILLINI

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Editor’s note

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA editor@dailyillini.com

Spring is on its way and new living arrangements are following closely. Most people already know where they will be living next year, whether it be in a Greek house, an apartment, a dorm or even abroad. But there might be a few of you who are still on the hunt for the perfect living situation for the 2024-25 school year.

No matter the situation, The Daily Illini Spring Housing Guide is here to help! With everything from tips and tricks to living on your own, helping you budget your money throughout the school year, to a sneak peek into

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Lika Lezhava editor@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Reporting: Lisa Chasanov reporting@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Visuals: Jacob Slabosz visuals@dailyillini.com

Managing Editor for Online: Rohit Chatterjee online@dailyillini.com

News Editor: Ella Narag news@dailyillini.com

Instagram @thedailyillini @thedailyillinisports

TikTok @thedailyillini @thedailyillinisports

Facebook

The Daily Illini

Features Editor: Lillie Salas features@dailyillini.com

buzz Editor: Kiran Bond buzz@dailyillini.com

Opinions Editor: Raphael Ranola opinions@dailyillini.com

Sports Editor: James Kim sports@dailyillini.com

how other people live on campus.

The DI Editorial staff has faced their fair share of problems when it comes to housing, so we’ve put together a list of questions that you should be asking your landlord before signing your lease on page 30, “Am I Smarter than a Landlord?”

After asking all of the important questions, you’re going to have to budget your money. On page 8, we have created the perfect budgeting chart for you to fill in your monthly budget after reading “How to budget in college.”

If you’re still wondering how much you’re really going to be spending, flip over to page 6 and read “Beyond the Buck: Tracking cost of living from 1974 to today.”

Have you heard of LEED certification? If you want to learn more, head on over to page 16, “UI focuses on

Housing Guide

sustainable development, LEED certifications,” to read about how apartment complexes in Campustown are moving towards sustainable living with this plan of action.

Are you living in a dorm right now? Do you want to listen to a playlist that our buzz team has specially curated for your specific residence? Head over to page 22 to find your new favorite playlist that will bring you nostalgia once you move out of your dorm.

In this edition of The DI, you can find lots of fun comics — all themed around housing — in addition to statistics and data that we have found and so much more that is the perfect way to wrap your head around the housing scene here in the Champaign-Urbana area. Plus, check out ads for some of the popular apartment options in C-U.

Photo Editor: James Hoeck photo@dailyillini.com

Graphics Editor: Amy Sanchez graphics@dailyillini.com

Design Editor: Sophia Kim design@dailyillini.com

Copy Chief: Haley Jin copy@dailyillini.com

Social Media Director: Lauren Jenkins social@dailyillini.com

COVER

Our take on the Champaign-Urbana skyline shows many of the iconic University landmarks, as well as high-rise apartment buildings behind them. The Spring Housing Guide highlights many of the living options students have, in addition to other housing-related information.

AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

ISSUE IN THIS

VOLUME 153 ISSUE 7

The DI’s Spring 2024 Housing Guide Edition explores the University community’s connection to the Champaign-Urbana streets it calls home. Featuring stories that unpack living in University housing and columns that pose important questions about student life, this edition has food for thought — and for meal swipes — on the menu.

DESIGNERS

Jacob Slabosz

Sophia Kim

Julia Chung

Cam Crowell

Priya Datt

Morgan Hooker

Lux Lin

Sophia Ma

Natalie Mora

Shannon Moser

Natalie Schneider

08 College budgeting guide

10 Apartment tips

13 UI housing crime: A conversation with police detective on prevention

16 UI focuses on sustainable development, LEED certifications

04 Church, apartment demolished, make way for Smile Student Living Complex

20

Dirtbag:

19 Popular culture sets realistic, not-so-realistic college housing expectations

16 UI focuses on sustainable development, LEED certifications

32 The truth behind leaving in a Greek house

20 Teenage Dirtbag: How each dorm gets jiggy with it

22

Soundtrack to student living: Each UI residence hall captures in a playlist

23 Scout’s guide to courteous cohabitation

37

38

year

Church, apartment demolished, make way for Smile Student Living complex

SAIDAN MILLER-HISGEN aidan5@dailyillini.com

t. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and a privately owned apartment building are being demolished following plans to construct a new seven-story apartment complex on the combined plot of land. Visible on the northwest corner of Wright and Chalmers streets, the demolition began February 5 with the intention of completing the construction of a new building by fall 2025.

The agreement between Fairlawn Capital, owners of the apartment building, and St. Andrew’s comes as the church looks to renovate its outdated building. The prospective building will contain both private apartments along with a remodeled space for St. Andrew’s, a long-standing piece of the University campus.

Built in 1956, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church has been active on campus for nearly seven decades. The organization’s mission, according to its website,

is to provide an inclusive community for University students and faculty. In recent times, however, the historic building began facing several issues with its plumbing, HVAC system and foundation. Beyond these, the building’s lack of physical accessibility made it a difcult space to use.

“All the programming was happening on the main level, and there was a large basement but there was only stair access, so there was no elevator and no way to put one in; it was just such an old building that it kinda outlived its usefulness in a lot of ways,” said Jon Fry, pastor of St. Andrew’s.

To resolve these issues, the church began considering plans to rebuild inside a larger apartment complex, which would allow it to work within a smaller budget.

“Even before the pandemic, there were conversations with diferent developers in town … The church does not have a ton of money set aside for a project like this, so we were trying to see if somebody would want to put in housing and build us some new space that we

would share,” Fry said.

This led St. Andrew’s to form a partnership with Fairlawn Capital, owners of Smile Student Living. In 2021, Fairlawn Capital acquired 608 E. Chalmers St., the apartment complex directly behind St. Andrew’s, as a part of a deal with Campus Property Management.

Fairlawn Capital and St. Andrew’s began discussing a plan to build a large property that would span both plots of land. In mid-January, the two groups formalized their agreement, and on Jan. 30, the city of Champaign approved the two parties to begin demolition. In line with the academic calendar, construction is intended to be fnished by August 2025.

This new apartment complex will be seven stories tall and will resemble an L shape. It will contain a mix of apartment sizes ranging from studio to fourbedroom units and will include underground parking.

Similar to its old location, St. Andrew’s will occupy a portion of the frst two foors and face the corner of Chalmers and Wright streets. The church will

have its own entrance and elevator and gain an increase in square footage from 6,000 to 9,200 square feet.

“I think we’ll have more parking space, we’ll have more square footage and the plan is the sanctuary and ofces will be on the main level on the frst foor, and the second foor will be a large fellowship hall for events, a large meeting room and a small boardroom,” Fry said.

This design will allow the church to still operate its own space while being part of the larger building structure. Overall, Fry is optimistic about the change in location and believes it will provide a unique opportunity to be more involved with the student body.

“If our goal is to create space for the student community — and there will be students in the same building — we can fnd ways to connect or at least invite them into the space so that they can see it and it does not feel like something out of place,” Fry said. “We’re kind of in the dreaming, visioning, hoping phase of what could be.”

STAFF WRITER

MATT STEPP THE DAILY ILLINI

An excavator sits atop the lot which previously housed Saint Andrew’s Church on the corner of Wright and Chalmers streets on Feb. 9.

BEYOND THE BUCK

Tracking cost of living from 1974 to today

MANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTING

LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

The year is 1974 — the Watergate

ing $4.33, accord ing to the United States De partment of Agriculture.

This seemingly simple comparison begs a larger question:

Just how much have the costs of everyday essentials and lifechanging investments changed

over the past 50 years? Put simply, how much more expensive is it to be alive? Factors like rising production costs, processing expenses and transportation fuel have contributed to increases in the general cost of everyday needs. Most importantly, however, inflation is a key driver in the increased prices of both everyday needs and long-term investments alike. The dollar’s purchasing power has significantly decreased, meaning $1 in 1974 would be equivalent to roughly $6.18 today, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

However, the inflation doesn’t end there. The median household income in 2023 was $74,580, while according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the equivalent statistic in 1974 was about

While this may seem like a sizable raise for the average Joe, when you ap-

milk has seen a 601% increase in price, from 72 cents to $3.50.

Similarly, a dozen large eggs cost an average of 73 cents in 1974, according to a study from the department of economics and statistics at Kansas State University. This increase is roughly proportional to the decrease in the dollar’s worth.

Today, that same carton runs you about $2.60 according to the USDA, representing a long and arduous 356% hike. This number is significant, though, because it isn’t proportional with the decrease in value of the dollar. Therefore, eggs may actually be cheaper for the modern consumer than they were fifty years ago.

In 1974, the average price of a gallon of gasoline went for about 56 cents, according to the U.S. Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Today, it is pro- jected to hover around

ministration, or a 600% increase.

Released in 1966, the Toyota Corolla was the world’s best-selling car in 1974 and has since sold over 50 million ally. As a tried-and-true commuter vehicle, the Corolla seemed like an apt playing field for comparison.

According to the New York Times, the basic-trim Toyota Corolla cost $2,199 in 1974, or around $13,589 in today’s money. The 2024 basic-trim LE Toyota Corolla has a starting MSRP of $22,050 — and you’re extremely unlikely to take one home at that price point. The financial impact of purchasing an entrylevel Toyota Corolla has effectively doubled in the past fifty years.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the median price for a

single family home in the midwestern U.S. in 1974 was $36,100 — or roughly $223,082 in today’s money.

The median price of a single family home sold in 2023 was around $449,800, effectively doubling the financial impact of purchasing a home. Low-in terest rates, increased demand and limited supply have all fueled this rapid growth, making homeownership a life long dream increasingly out of reach for much of Generation Z.

Faizi Tofighi, sophomore in LAS, said he tries not to worry about the fu ture in regards to homeownership.

“I don’t really think about these things because eventually, something has got to give,” Tofighi said. “At some point, the people in power realize they can be extracting even more wealth from people. I think slowly people are realizing that this isn’t gonna work anymore.”

For the 2023-24 school year, in-state students at the University paid an esti mated minimum of $35,926, including base rate tuition, fees, academic ex penses and room and board, according to the University’s cost of attendance calculator.

Records kept by the University’s In stitute of Govern ment and Public Affairs show that same es timate came out to $1,915 in 1974, or roughly $11,834 in to day’s mon ey. Even ad justed for inflation, an educa tion at the Uni versity is almost three times more ex

pensive today than it was 50 years ago.

Tofighi explained that, in his experience, many of the

college education in the U.S. over the last several decades.

“The proximate causes of tuition inflation are familiar: administrative bloat, overbuilding of campus amenities, a model dependent on highwage labor and the easy availability of

cost of attendance calcula-

According to a Forbes article by Preston Cooper, former Manhattan Institute economist, a variety of things have contributed to the skyrocketing cost of

extract as much wealth from people as possible?’ to ‘how can we actually make a society that’s coherent?’,” Tofighi said. “This has to happen in the hearts of individuals and then go up that chain to the intentions of large corporations.”

According to Tofighi, this could take a while.

“It’s gonna require kind of a massive change until something really happens.”

College budgeting tips

ETHAN OSKROBA FEATURES WRITER ethanro2@dailyillini.com

Making it through college isn’t easy. The cycle of constant physical, mental, emotional and psychological challenge can be excruciating, especially when the inescapable reality of financial strain enters the picture.

Here’s a few pointers on how to not only survive the pecuniary toll of college, but also to develop a holistic approach to budgeting that keeps your well-being as vivacious as your pocketbook.

To budget effectively, you need to understand exactly what you’re working with. Both resources and costs vary greatly depending on each individual’s college experience.

Before determining how to allot your resources, it’s important to first collate what you’ll be working with and against. How much does tuition cost? How much will housing run you? What other, smaller expenses will you incur?

Once you’ve made a list of the costs, curate your resources.

How much will you receive in grants, loans or financial aid? Are you working any jobs, and if so, how much will you make each cycle?

Once you list and comprehend the positive and negative factors impacting your financial state, you can start to determine how to apportion your means to not only get through college but make the most of this phase of your life.

COLLEGE BUDGETING GUIDE

UI housing crime: A conversation with police detective on prevention

STAFF WRITER

MICHAEL SWEENEY ms98@dailyillini.com

Each semester, the threat of breakins remains prevalent on the University campus. In the last two months, theft and property-related crimes have represented more than 45% of all reports to University police, according to the UIPD’s daily crime log.

Given its regular occurrence on campus, University Police Detective Tara Hurless shares some ways to prevent campus’ most common crime.

“Theft is the number one reported crime on campus, but it’s 100% preventable,” Hurless said. “It is really prevalent and we need to take measures.”

Whether it’s a residence hall, apartment or house, the easiest way to prevent a break-in is by locking your door, but it doesn’t stop there, Hurless said.

“I know at a young age we’re all taught to hold the door open for the person behind us, but you don’t know who’s not supposed to be there,” Hurless said. “So even though it may seem rude, don’t let others piggyback off of you getting into a space that has you scan your card or use your keys to get in.”

If you’re ever to lose your card or fob, it can be used to get into buildings under your name until you report it missing and the barcode can be voided, Hurless added.

“If you lose one of them, or they’re stolen, report that to the Illini Union Bookstore,” Hurless advised.

In the event that a break-in does occur, Hurless advised to contact University police immediately. They are here to serve students, just like any other service provided on campus, she said.

“Sometimes people don’t feel comfortable talking to the police, which I can understand,” Hurless said. “But we

are here because if you don’t feel safe and secure, how are you gonna be successful in getting your degree?”

Hurless noted that there are many measures of support, including over 2,500 cameras throughout campus to help support student victims.

Crime reports spike following breaks due to high amounts of burglaries while students are away.

“Folks know that we go away for a month for Christmas, a week for Thanksgiving and spring break,” Hurless said. “We need to make sure people are locking their doors.”

According to Hurless, fraternities and sororities are optimal targets compared to other student residential housing due to their lack of security and high number of residents. Over this winter break, three fraternities’ houses were broken into within just

two weeks, with at least one having been left unsecured.

“They get broken into because you’re breaking into a house that has 25-plus rooms,” Hurless said. “You’re getting a lot more stuff.”

Hurless said that theft isn’t limited to inside your apartment or residence

We are here becuase if you don’t feel safe and secure, how are you gonna be successful in getting your degree?

Tara Hurless, University police detective

hall either. There were cases of theft in other buildings, including study and laundry rooms.

“Some people will take your laundry out and push it to the side, or they may just take it,” Hurless said. “At the library, if you leave everything unattended, someone’s gonna say ‘Oh, a Mac computer, I’m gonna permanently borrow that.’”

Hurless noted that whether you’re new to your housing situation or it’s your fourth year, it’s important to practice precautionary measures. She encourages victims to reach out and remember that University police are here to serve the student population.

“We need to make sure we’re reporting things so you have the right folks trying to help you out,” Hurless said. “We can’t fix things we don’t know about.”

ISAAC PINKUS THE DAILY ILLINI

Someone picks a lock in Allen Hall. In the past two months, 45% of reports to UIPD have been thef and property crimes, according to UIPD’s daily crime log. According to Universty Police Detective Tara Hurless, this crime is ofen preventable by students and tennants.

45% OF CRIMES REPORTED TO UIPD ARE PROPERTYRELATED. According to the UIPD daily crime log.

Sex and the slumber party

FEATURES EDITOR LILLIE SALAS lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

At the start of every academic year, thousands of students step foot onto the University’s campus anticipating fruitful semesters flled with friends, deadlines and many a trip to the campus haunts.

Whether you’re re-entering the bustling cities of Champaign and Urbana or arriving for the very frst time, the start of the year reminds many of the endless possibilities that come with newfound freedom.

Something I did not fully realize until my frst night on campus was that I could do whatever I want, and that included having sleepovers.

In college, everyone seems to be having sleepovers whenever they want. Without adult supervision, most of my friends invited over their friends and romantic conquests to spend a memorable night in their living quarters.

I am here to tell you, read-

er, that the sleepover has to be met with caution and meticulous planning. Friendly sleepovers are always casual and tend to not cause a person stress. Being at university opens the possibility of having a suitor or partner be able to stay the night instead of a guardian kicking them out when the sun sets.

The concept might seem straightforward: Have your partner sleep over, fall asleep, get up in the morning and send them on their way. No, unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

The dynamics of a sleepover completely change depending on the environment. The dorm setup can be a tricky situation to navigate. I think the twin XL bed is designed to squander any hope of a successful two-person sleeping arrangement.

Even if I had someone sleep over in my dorm freshman year, I know it would have been messy and uncomfortable. The presence of a roommate also limits opportunity.

If you have a roommate and

share one room with them, do not bring your prospect over for sleepovers.

That may be a hot take, but unless you have some special agreement or feel extremely comfortable with one another, just don’t burden the other person with it.

I am now a proud apartment owner. My trash hut sits on a populated corner of campus and often houses weary travelers voyaging from one watering hole to the next. Apartment sleepovers are fun and often annoy your roommate to a lesser extreme.

The frst time I carefully rolled out of my bed to brush my teeth, put on a little makeup and re-do my hair before my sleeping mate woke up was exhilarating. I was living on the edge in a lawless land.

During your frst sleepover, be ready to not sleep at all. It seems each person included in the joint slumber worries they breathe too loudly and stay overly aware of what they are doing while trying to fall asleep.

While I sleep alone, I tend to rotate around like a gas station hot dog. I soon realized this style of sleep would not be ideal for the other person.

I also learned that being a good host included feeding your guest. Be prepared to make a hearty meal for the next morning’s breakfast. With this in mind, if you have a frequent visitor, you have to limit their meals or else they will eat all of your bagels.

Consider a system of tracking meals that’s dining-hall-adjacent. Your partner gets three meals per week and nothing more. It sounds mean, tyrannical even, but it’s your food.

With almost anything in life, establishing boundaries is always a great idea. You’re not being mean or rude for telling a person no.

With all of this said, be careful. Dear reader, know who you are inviting to your abode and if they tend to steal the blanket during a deep REM sleep.

As we all are becoming or have become independent adults, the choices you make are yours completely.

If you decide to participate in sleepover culture, good for you. If you don’t participate in sleepover culture, it is also good for you.

Use protection.

sex CU and the

UI focuses on sustainable devel

opment, LEED certifica tions

STAFF WRITER

MARY PIACENTE marypp2@dailyillini.com

Under the guidance of the Illinois Climate Action Plan and recent state sustainability legislation, the University has awarded over 30 buildings with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifcation.

LEED certifcations, pioneered by the U.S. Green Building Council, are given on a voluntary basis to buildings that undergo assessment for sustainability criteria. The certifcations aim to exemplify the University’s commitment to environmentally-friendly performance.

As of 2023, the University features 32 certifed projects, with more awaiting evaluation. Townsend, Nugent and Lincoln halls are just a few of the student housing locations that boast a LEED certifcations.

Steven Breitwieser, manager of communications and external relations for Facilities & Services, said that obtaining a LEED certifcation requires extensive inspection and preparation.

“Each project striving to achieve LEED certifcation applies to the U.S. Green Building Council and undergoes a comprehensive design and technical review to acquire points and credits,” Breitwieser stated in an email statement.

LEED evaluations on campus are completed by a team of engineers, architects and designers who examine the buildings’ constructions and performances as a local space. The team also evaluates how the buildings’ operations are performing in waste disposal and reducing emissions.

The four levels of LEED certifcations are given based on point totals, with certifed being the lowest when the building has earned 40 to 49 points. The highest ranking, platinum, means that the building has earned more than

Illinois is a national leader in sustainable building design by requiring that new buildings and major renovations constructed on campus meet strong performance standards and are LEED Silver certified at a minimum.

Steven Breitwieser, manager of communications and external relations for Facilities & Services

80 points.

Excluding sustainable eforts on campus, the state of Illinois continues to focus eforts on expanding the accessibility of environmentally friendly power to every community. For example, the Illinois Solar for All Program, frst established in 2017, provides individuals who make an income 80% or less of the area median income with no-cost solar panel installation. The program also extends, with diferent qualifcations, to public facilities and nonproft organizations.

Solar panels are meant to both cut costs for homeowners and make a positive impact on the environment. Illinois now ranks eighth nationally in terms of the use of solar energy and, as of 2023, has installed enough panels to over 375,000 homes.

Breitwieser said Illinois continues

to be a trailblazer in sustainable construction by requiring LEED Silver certifcations for new construction.

“Illinois is a national leader in sustainable building design by requiring that new buildings and major renovations constructed on campus meet strong performance standards and are LEED Silver certifed at a minimum,” Breitwieser said.

The requirement stems from the Illinois Climate Action Plan, which Breitwieser says is how the University hopes to achieve carbon neutrality and combat climate change.

“The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) is the university’s strategic plan to meet the Climate Leadership Commitments, including being carbon neutral as soon as possible and building resilience to climate change in the local community,” Breitwieser said.

LEED certification embossed on the window of the HERE Champaign on Green Street. Though not University owned or afliated, HERE is a LEED certified buildig near campus. The University itself operates 32 buildings that boast the certification, from the certified to platinum levels.

ANIKA KHANDAVALLI

THE DAILY ILLINI

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Popular culture sets

realistic, not-so-realistic

college housing expectations

students at Illinois aren’t even allowed to have candles due to fre hazards and regulations.

College housing is commonly portrayed in popular coming-of-age flms and TV shows. However, these depictions are often wildly inaccurate. Despite some realistic elements, most flms don’t seem to fully grasp the experience of living on a college campus.

The TV show “Gilmore Girls” follows Rory Gilmore and her mother Lorelai as Rory grows up. In Season 1, Episode 2, titled “The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale,” Rory moves into her freshman residence hall at Yale University.

The most realistic part of the episode was Lorelai taking photos of every small event during move-in day. As the day is a large milestone for students and families, people often want to remember it through pictures.

However, that’s where the realism ends. The Gilmores’ chaotic move-in begins with them bringing their own mattress. Regulations for this depend on the school, but the University of Illinois does not allow students to bring their own mattresses.

Additionally, when Rory arrives in her residence hall, she has no idea what her suitemates’ names are. If getting a random roommate is terrifying, having no clue who you’re living with until movein day is even worse.

Realistically, incoming students at the University are able to view their roommates’ names in the University Housing portal and even have the option to message their roommate through the website to coordinate furniture.

When it comes to the room itself, the suite has not one but two freplaces —

The suite is quite large, ftted with an open common room that stems of into a bathroom and three bedrooms. This luxury of living space would be found more commonly in apartments as opposed to freshman residence halls.

“Pitch Perfect” also attempts to illustrate what campus living is like but comes up short.

Beca is a freshman at Barden University, and the movie opens on her move-in day.

At Barden, there is somehow an endless supply of university-employed movers because every incoming student has their bags carried by an employee. An accurate representation of Illinois students lugging sled-like carts in and out of elevators at Ikenberry Commons is nowhere to be found.

One of the most iconic scenes from the movie is when Beca is singing in the communal showers and Chloe, the leader of an on-campus a capella group, pulls open the curtain dividing the two showers and makes Beca sing for her.

For starters, most showers at the University have more than just a curtain dividing them from other showers. Nugent, Wassaja, Wardall and Townsend halls’ bathrooms are for individual use, and most halls with communal showers have walls separating them.

Secondly, even with only curtains dividing showers, it’s safe to say that most college students would not open the curtain to force another student to sing to them.

A realistic aspect of “Pitch Perfect” is Beca’s relationship with her roommate, Kimmy Jin. Movies often show room-

mates as becoming best friends, but as anyone who has experienced college knows, this is not always the case.

Beca and Kimmy have a somewhat strained relationship and are rarely seen communicating with each other. Many college students can relate to this, since living in tight quarters with someone you might not have much in common with is not always benefcial to the relationship.

“Accepted” is a movie that follows Bartleby Gaines, who creates a fake college after being rejected from the other schools he applied to.

Naturally, the movie isn’t the most realistic depiction of college life. However, despite the college being transformed from a psychiatric hospital into a college by a handful of 18-year-olds, the school is meant to look like a traditional building for college students as portrayed by movies.

With this in mind, the rooms are much larger than your typical college residence hall. Bartleby’s room comfortably fts a bed, a table with three chairs and a desk.

Most University residence halls can barely accommodate a bed and a desk, let alone reasonable living space for two or more people.

One of the scenes in the movie shows two “students” breaking through a wall with a sledgehammer to increase the size of their room. Despite students’ frustrations with small living spaces, most don’t take to the sledgehammer to solve the problem.

If students lived in residence halls according to popular culture expectations, they would be enjoying large rooms complete with freplaces and plentiful furniture — and living in fear of being forced to sing in the communal showers.

STAFF WRITER FELICITY ABBOTT fabbott2@dailyillini.com

TEENAGE DIRTBAG:

How each dorm gets jiggy with it

LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

ALILLIE SALAS lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

n integral part of the college experience is socialization. As we find the people who will define our four years in Champaign-Urbana, this crucial aspect is often influenced by where we live.

As you may be aware, each residence hall at the University has a specific aura, a niche personality and a differ ent vibe. Today, we will present to you each dorm’s personality at a party.

Florida Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Halls

Man, there’s really not one type of person who lives at Urbana South.

The late-dorm-registration-to-FAR/ PAR pipeline is mighty in strength and volume, contributing to a characteris tic “island of misfit toys” vibe that per meates the stinky 1960s infrastructure.

You could pluck one person from ei ther building and they could be anyone from a Southern Illinois-born crop science major to a quirky, alterna tive DJ-type. Next door neighbors often have nothing in common, harboring bitter resentment to ward one another’s lifestyles.

If everyone who was shoved into this corner of campus were to attend one party, it would embody an incomprehensible and unpredictable vibe. Morgan Wallen is intermixed with Kanye West, Iron Maiden and Weezer on THIS dorm’s pre-

game mix.

To be completely realistic, dollars to donuts, these residents are each attending completely different functions. There is a deep camaraderie between those who have been thrust into the southeast corner of campus against their will, despite the pointed lack of

Allen Hall

Allen Hall has been continuously recognized as an alternative and sexually ambiguous safe haven for many students on campus.

Allen Hall would show up late to the party — having already gotten their refreshments for the night. Leaning against the wall in their Doc Martens and thrifted flannel, they would rather be listening to music they deemed

Headrest blasts through their wired headphones as they travel outside to smoke a cigarette and look mysterious. If you do get the opportunity to talk to them, you won’t regret it.

Allen Hall always has interesting stories to tell and their life is seemingly never boring.

Ikenberry North

Ike North pulled up to the party

will insist on taking control of the nearest auxiliary cord and thrusting their fraternity-esque tunes upon on everyone there. Be prepared, if Ike North is at the primarhy location, “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame is going to be played at least six times before the night is over.

As the hours dwindle into the early morning, Ike North will become increasingly more rowdy. It’s a mixture of the creatine and inexpensive beer that makes Ikenberry North get kicked out of the party for punching the DJ after the refusal to play “Doses & Mimosas” by Cherub.

Lincoln Avenue

Residence Hall

LAR is a perfectly adequate friend who everyone seems to forget about. LAR did not receive an invitation to the party by accident, as the host simply forgot they existed.

LAR found their way to the party anyway and nobody really blinked an eye when they walked through the door with their platter of storebought vegetables and ranch.

A bright-eyed LAR walks around the room trying to become familiar with all the groups and suggests the party play a board game of some sort.

Are they nervous? Do they lack confidence? Or are they overly confi dent with a lack of social awareness? It’s a mystery.

Bromley Hall

The scene: a frat basement tinged with the harmonious odors of ethanol and fear. The cast of char acters: virtuous beer pong knights and demure SHEINclad maidens.

Doe-eyed pledges — both frat and srat — steep in the sexual tension. The connections built here will set the stage for four years of booze-fueled tomfoolery, halted only by the occasional midterm exam.

The dress code, which is enforced through judgmen-

tal glances and political deliberation, includes spray tans, backwards hats, crop tops and basketball jerseys.

If you encounter a Bromley at a party, you’re almost certainly going to witness some major-league rallying, sloppy drunk behavior and potentially a masterclass in Rizzics.

Whatever your opinion of current or former Bromley resident, it’s undeniable they are personally and largely responsible for the financial survival of campus institutions such as Joe’s Brewery and Conrad’s Grill. For that public service, we salute them.

Although Bromley is not part of the University Housing cinematic universe, it is an all-too-familiar part of the lore. The private certified housing option known to house budding members of the University’s Greek community,

character is often painfully pungent in the minds of many students.

Illinois Street Residence Halls

ISR told everyone they were not going to the party. They had a six-hour lab the next day and a seemingly impossible project due in the next 12 hours.

To everyone’s surprise, they walked into the party equipped with their backpack and adorned with their high school mathlete t-shirt. They pop a prescribed Lexapro and tell everyone they haven’t slept in over 48 hours.

This guy will approach you in public and explain exactly why you will never possess the intelligence to completely understand the hit American adult cartoon program, Rick and Morty.

When no

one finds their banter about the hit American adult cartoon program Rick and Morty amusing, they find a comfortable sofa to code at the function.

This action seems logical to them, so they will proceed to give half-hearted responses to everyone who tries to strike a conversation. They’re too invested in their work.

People will try to flirt with them, but ISR would never know what to say in a romantic context, much less even understand they had a romantic encounter. Horrified of women and dumbfounded by social interaction of any kind, ISR will keep the discourse online.

ISR does not know any of the songs being played at the party because they’re not classic rock circa 1980. Still, there is a slight charm to ISR that keeps earning them an invitation.

Ikenberry South

Ike South showed up to the party with their good friend Ike North, but they soon went their separate ways. Ike South is much more relaxed than Ike North. While they love the gym, they don’t let it become their personality. Ike South gets okay grades and they know how to have a good time. They will start the pong tournaments, bring the hype and then disappear for weeks to never be seen again.

Overall, this is a fairly normal guy who enjoys the occasional four-day bender. They successfully keep the fraternities full, the bars bumping and the classes empty.

Soundtrack to student living:

Each UI residence hall captured in a playlist

Residence hall life is an iconic part of the college experience. Each University residence hall brings with it a set vibe determined by location, LLCs, residents and more.

Wherever you choose to live on campus, The Daily Illini has curated a playlist to perfectly fit your residence hall’s vibe. Whether you’re a current dorm resident or want a nostalgia trip back to your freshman year, sit back and take a listen to our song picks for each residence hall.

Allen/LAR

Welcome to Allen Hall and Lincoln Avenue Residence Halls, the residence halls notorious for not having any A/C during annual heat waves.

Despite the poor ventilation and always broken laundry machines, Allen and LAR are the perfect living spaces if you’re looking for a quiet environment and flourishing living community. Allen is reputable for its large LGBTQ+ community and those who identify themselves as artists with creative minds.

Both residence halls are conveniently connected by a “secret tunnel” that’s always fun to explore. There is also a shared dining hall that is notorious for its “Breakfast for Dinner” meals every Tuesday night. Listen to the Allen/LAR playlist for a sneak peek at what residence hall life could be like in two of campus’ hottest — literally — and oldest buildings!

Illinois Street Residence Halls

With newly renovated rooms, individual-use bathrooms, proximity to the Bardeen Quadrangle and direct access to the Illinois Street Dining Center, the rooms at ISR are highly sought after.

Despite these amenities, ISR double rooms are relatively small and hallways are fooded with bright fuorescent lights at all hours of the day, which can make the residences feel sterile and uncomfortable.

Additionally, ISR holds both the Honors and Innovation LLCs, which means many residents are high achieving and enrolled in advanced coursework which often leads to many assignments, lots of studying and stress.

ISR’s chaotic playlist matches the inner soundtrack of residents as they make their way through the school year.

FAR/PAR

Given their status as the most isolated and introverted residence halls on campus, FAR and PAR are admittedly not the most coveted housing options at the University of Illinois.

Yet, the humble pair still have plenty to offer. Residents get convenient first access to bus routes and the close-knit community of the cultural and STEM LLCs, as well as views of tranquil nature spots such as Illini Grove and the Arboretum.

Just like the aroma of delectable stir-

fry from the PAR dining hall masks any lingering smells wafting out of FAR’s communal bathrooms, let this playlist soothe the pain of having all of your classes be a 20-plus minute walk away.

Ikenberry North (Barton,

Lundgren, Hopkins, Nugent, Wassaja, Weston)

While not boasting extensive amenities, the residence halls of Ikenberry North undeniably shape one’s college experience. Situated conveniently close to Ikenberry Dining Hall, students enjoy easy access to pasta bars, pizza, sandwiches and a variety of other options on a daily basis.

Ikenberry North offers a blend of spirited social hubs and silent study environments. When a residence hall falls silent, you can bet students are out immersing themselves in the University’s lively party culture or hitting the books with unwavering focus.

Whether you’re wrapping up your Friday with a cozy night in or venturing out into the vibrant Greek life scene,

this playlist is guaranteed to kickstart the weekend just as an Ike North resident would.

Ikenberry South (Bousfield, Scott, Snyder, Taft-Van Doren)

The Ikenberry South region, containing the residence halls of Bousfeld, Scott, Snyder and Taft-Van Doren, is a calmer alternative to the hustle and bustle of the northern area where the halls echo sounds of nightlife and social antics all throughout the week.

Ikenberry South provides its residents with an opportunity to fll their lives with sports, whether through utilizing the various facilities of the ARC and the Six Pack or in the stands cheering on the Illini at Memorial Stadium or the State Farm Center.

The following playlist embodies the soundscape of Ike South from the excitement of the fall semester to the calmer and seemingly more difcult spring semester. Sounds of sports, calmness and excitement are enclosed within.

AMY SANCHEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Scout’s guide to courteous cohabitation

CAMPUS SCOUT scout@dailyillini.com

Raccoon extermination had to be the most tedious of all the professions, Campus Scout decided.

There was no other explanation — he had been out of his sweet sweet steam tunnels for too long. A tent pitched under the Illini Union in the old Einstein Bros. was simply not enough for a refned man of wealth and taste like Scout.

They had promised that the little masked critters would be removed within the month, and the only reason Scout did not continue putting up with them was that their beady eyes in the middle of the night gave him fashbacks to his eventful backpacking trip across Wyoming back in 2022.

Whatever the case, now as he stared up at an actual ceiling for a change, he didn’t care. He could swallow down his furry trauma — he missed his home too much. This supposedly “cozy” apartment on Green Street was anything but.

No thrice-daily violent outbursting of intense heat along the concrete walls. No mystifying tongues of fames sent straight from Hades himself to provide heat to nearby Gregory Hall. No nothing.

Scout was suddenly gripped by a ft of rage and sprinted of his quilt and straight at his oak-tarnished door. He slipped on a misplaced antique DI biweekly edition and went fying. He sailed downward, through the doggy door cut out at the bottom, and straight into the living room.

His roommate, Hollingsworth, shook his head in disapproval.

“You need to take care of yourself better, my son.”

Scout shook his head, rattled. Hollingsworth kept calling him his son, but Hollingsworth wasn’t blue, diminutive and born in the early 1700s, so he fgured the man was simply mistaken.

“You must take up your mantle and prove yourself.”

“Huh?”

Scout luckily was saved from continuing this ominous conversation by the arrival of his third roommate through the

front door, marked by the sound of the three separate locks being undone.

“Kenny!”

Kenny entered with his baseball cap hung low over his eyes, accentuating his slim relaxed frame.

“How you doin’, Scout? You get a solid writing gig yet?”

Scout shrugged, playing with the frills on the Arabian carpet.

Kenny’s eyes narrowed. He was dead serious.

“You got this.”

Scout nodded.

“I know.”

Kenny continued.

“Like, you really need to get it. Like, now.”

Kenny pulled the cap lower over his eyes and slipped through his bedroom door without a sound. It was like he was never there.

Hollingsworth stretched lazily on the couch. He muttered to himself in reminiscence.

“Man, I do miss that Kenny guy. Too bad what happened to him.”

Scout nodded, fguring Kenny must’ve just had a long day, and that Hollingsworth had not noticed him enter the place.

He then noticed the front door had not opened yet. Now, it swung all the way

open and Scout’s fourth roommate entered.

“Harvey! Hey!”

Harvey was the true leader of the living space. He had a sort of magnetic charisma that drove others to fall over forwards for him. Scout looked up at him like a sort of father fgure, minus the cerulean visage and extensive collection of vintage British coins.

Harvey set his wide-brimmed Panama hat on the kitchen table, Hollingsworth scrambling like any good roommate, setting a dinner place for him.

“You missed a spot, Hollingsworth.”

Sweat dripping from his brow, Hollingsworth rubbed the smudge of of the kitchen table with his own elbow. Scout simply sat and marveled at Hollingsworth’s kindness.

Harvey stufed a napkin into his collar as Hollingsworth sprinkled golden trufe over his gourmet baked potato.

“Better shave that trufe faster, kid. You’ve still got 11 months to repay your debt.”

Scout fgured the two had maintained that friendly banter for a long time before Scout had moved in — they’d narrowed it down to comedic perfection.

Harvey dug into his dinner, and Hollingsworth politely scampered away as quickly as possible so that his thoroughly

blinged roommate could enjoy his meal.

As Hollingsworth passed on the way to his little nook by the television, Scout heard him say with a cheeky sparkle in his eyes, “Flee, my child! Before your soul befalls the same fate!”

A loud thumping came from the wall outside Kenny’s room, and Scout fgured he was hungry too. Scout grabbed a plate from the cupboard and opened Kenny’s door. He looked around the tight space, but all he could fnd was a heating unit and a regiment of dust bunnies marching across the concrete foor.

Scout appreciated the hustle, being a gentleman who could ft into tight spaces as well. He pulled out his Tracfone and checked his messages — nothing from Kirby’s Raccoon Removal.

Sighing, Scout looked around his newfound home and friends. There was no place he’d rather be, scrubbing the foors for rent and rappelling down the side of the building instead of using the stairs due to Harvey’s insistence that if he stepped out into the hallway, it’d be “no good” for him.

However, there was no place like home, and despite his best eforts to live peacefully with his three roommates, Scout couldn’t help but feel that he’d never be truly comfortable. He always had to be some kind of person who wasn’t himself.

As Harvey fnished of his plate, Scout strolled over to the rope and harness fastened to the outside balcony. He waved, but Harvey was licking his plate with such a fervor that he did not notice.

Scout called, “Farewell, Hollingsworth! Farewell, Kenny!”

Harvey waved of-handedly as Hollingsworth shouted his regards from the next room. Kenny must’ve been fast asleep.

Scout took one last look at the place and put on the harness, making his way down the side of the building. Little trash pandas aside, the steam tunnels were Scout’s home, and no roommate would ever rival his greatest roommate — he, himself and him.

*Campus Scout writes opinion-based, satirical stories and uses fctional sourcing.*

ANNA FEDCZUK THE DAILY ILLINI

How to have a roommate: Tips and Tricks

FEATURES EDITOR LILLIE SALAS lmsalas2@dailyillini.com

Picking a roommate can be a daunting task for many incoming students to the University. Perhaps the most difcult aspects of the shared living environment are keeping the roommate and not getting into visceral fghts day after day.

As students who have experienced the trials and tribulations of freshman living, we present various unspoken guidelines to ensure you are being a good roommate.

Be open to trying new things with your roommate

There’s nothing worse than trying to have fun with your new roommate and not having them match your energy. As an individual enters the new world that is college life, they should be available to

explore new places and opportunities on campus.

Try new restaurants, go to house shows, visit the Illini Union or simply walk around campus. Having frst-time experiences with your roommate will bond you with them forever.

Communication is key

Living with someone, especially a stranger, is no easy task. Before living with this person for an extended period, establish a manner in which you will hash out any problems in a nonaggressive way. If something is bothering you, letting it fester won’t do any good. If they bring up an issue with you, have an open mind and put on your problem-management hat.

Be respectful to each other’s space

College is hectic and time is a fnite resource. Keeping your space clean and

organized is not always in the cards for every week.

However, be wary of how much your mess is impacting others. Don’t bring your chaos into their space and do your best to keep the space from smelling like hot garbage.

Start your own traditions together

It can be easy to be distant from your roommate between seeing your other friends, juggling classes and taking time for yourself. Beginning a recurring activity will keep you both in each other’s lives and create memories for just the two of you.

Whether it’s a weekly debrief over food, watching a television show or playing a game of some sort, it can be benefcial to do so.

Utilize headphones

We all love to scroll and enjoy some

media brain rot. However, many people forget their roommate can also hear their replay of the same TikTok for the sixth consecutive time.

If you’re having your iPad-baby enrichment time and falling into the time loop that is watching Instagram reels — wear headphones. No one wants to hear what you’re listening to.

With everything said, living with people requires setting boundaries. Try your best to prioritize mature conversations and a healthy environment.

AMY

Sweet Home Chambana:

NEWS EDITOR

ELLA NARAG mnarag2@dailyillini.com

ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR

JACK LARSON jacobrl5@dailyillini.com

MANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTING

LISA CHASANOV lisamc3@dailyillini.com

Of 35,467 undergraduate students, 14,550 — or about 40% — live in University or private certifed housing, including residence halls and approved of-campus housing like fraternity and sorority houses. Considering that nearly all University students must live in this housing at some point throughout

their college experience, many students can often bond over their shared impressions of residence hall living, dining halls and other aspects of the freshman year experience at the University.

The Daily Illini talked to three students, all of whom lived in residence halls in their freshman year, about their experiences living in University housing.

Bryan Wong, freshman in ACES, Blaisdell at PAR

“I think my foor is really social,” Wong said. “Everyone gets along together really

well. I wouldn’t say there’s any drama. It’s just like everyone’s chill with each other.”

The social aspect of the residence hall, Wong said, is one of his favorite parts.

WONG: We just come and go, we study together. It’s like a nice little friend group that you could just come back and, like, lean on when you feel tired.

His room in PAR is bigger than his room at home, Wong said, though he’d rather have his own room. He takes pride in keeping the foors clean, noting that he sweeps to hold a standard.

Kate Gronlund, freshman in ACES, LAR

Gronlund sees both advantages and disadvantages to living at LAR, one of seven residence halls without air conditioning.

GRONLUND: The air conditioning situation isn’t great, but the people are, and the location’s not too bad.

LAR is roughly a 10-minute walk to the Main Quad, which, when compared to Illini Tower’s four-minute travel by foot, could be strenuous.

UI students open up about their first campus pad

According to Gronlund, the bathrooms at LAR are not a particular draw of the building, but they adequately serve their purpose.

GRONLUND: I think they’re just like any other dorm; they’re not super new or nice like Hopkins or Wassaja. They’re like any other normal college dorm.

Gabriel Graus, Graduate student (2023), Engineering, Carr Hall in PAR

GRAUS: I lived in Carr Hall at PAR. I was there during COVID, so there were a couple weeks where the main areas were either locked down or restricted to a few people at a time. Over the semester, the school year, it opened up more and ... that’s when I got to meet new people.

Graus noted that during the pandemic, the living experience wasn’t a standard. He shared ways on dealing with the social aspect, or lack thereof, of residence hall life.

GRAUS: It was definitely different for sure. All of my classes were online as well, so I kind of felt locked up in there. I did go on walks and stuff, and that

helped. It was pretty strange. Graus wasn’t disappointed by the bathroom situation. Privacy in both the restroom and making the best of a small space allowed Graus to have a better time.

GRAUS: I thought it was pretty good. The bathrooms were like single-person bathrooms, they’re kind of private, so we didn’t have to share showers or anything like that at the same time. The beds — so I was in a double — there wasn’t too much space, but my roommate and I kind of ... moved the furniture around to give us more room. We weren’t allowed to loft our beds but we kinda flipflopped; we had one bed in one corner, and the other in the opposite corner and then we staggered our desks too.

Familiar with the social aspect of it all, and having lived in both an apartment and residence hall, Graus identifies himself as pro-roommate.

GRAUS: I think it’s definitely better to stay in a dorm with two or three people, especially during COVID. I know there were a couple of people in a single and kind of felt isolated even more than normal. So yeah, I thought it was a great way to meet friends.

ISAAC PINKUS THE DAILY ILLINI

Brian Wong, Freshman in ACES, answers questions about his residence hall on the Main Quad on Feb. 11.

ISAAC PINKUS THE DAILY ILLINI

Kate Gronlund, Freshman in AHS, talks about her residence hall on the Main Quad on Feb. 11.

Am I Smarter than a Landlord?

Questions to ask your landlord prior to signing a lease

The truth behind living in a Greek house

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIKA LEZHAVA lezhava3@dailyillini.com

In 1872, fve years after the University was founded, Delta Tau Delta was established as the campus’ frst Greek organization.

Since its inception, the University’s Greek community has become a mainstay in the area. Today, the University recognizes 49 fraternities and 38 sororities with 6,366 undergraduate members.

Many Greek-afliated students pledge a fraternity or sorority in their frst year and go on to live in the house for the duration required in their housing contract.

Noah Olivero, sophomore in AHS, is president of the Illinois chapter of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.

“We have a requirement that every member must spend at least one year in the house,” Olivero said. “Unless they have some other circumstances that they can’t.”

there and you get to know everyone a lot faster.”

Isabella Felman, sophomore in LAS and internal social chair of Delta Zeta, currently lives in her sorority house. Felman expressed similar feelings about the topic.

“Living in, I know everyone in the house, so it’s a more comfortable atmosphere,” she said.

Like Alpha Chi Rho, Delta Zeta also requires members to live in the house for a year. Depending on the organization, one may have to live in the house for more than one year if they have an executive position.

Many of the Greek houses, including Alpha Chi Rho and Delta Zeta, are west of campus and closer to the hustle and bustle of Green Street.

“Everything’s in a very close circle,” Felman said about the location of her sorority house. “It’s hard to get out of that circle.”

Living in Greek houses is something that has always been a part of the culture, and some of those houses haven’t been renovated for many years.

Alpha Chi Rho was built in 1921 and has remained in the same house since, whereas the Delta Zeta house was relocated and rebuilt in 2019.

Living in, I know everyone in the house, so it’s a more comfortable atmosphere.

Isabella Felman, sophomore in LAS

Residents in Greek houses live exclusively alongside members of their organization. According to Olivero, this level of closeness contributes to a more comfortable living experience.

“In a dorm, there’s so many people on your foor that, some of them, you don’t even know,” Olivero said. “In a Greek house, you already spend enough time

When rebuilding the house, the building got additional wheelchair-accessible features. The new house includes entrance ramps and an elevator.

According to Olivero, there are some drawbacks to living in an older house. “During the winter … heaters in some of the rooms don’t work,” he said. “But we have space heaters that we got to solve that.”

The few drawbacks that might come with living in a Greek house tend to be overlooked when all of the benefts are laid out.

“I have enjoyed having the experience of truly living on my own and having to make my own decisions,” Olivero said. “It’s just more comfortable, like just being around people (living in your) Greek house.”

CU’s house-show network platforms small musicians

ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR JACK LARSON jacoblr5@dailyillini.com

Whether it’s playing in the headphones of students as they walk to classes, bouncing out of concert venues like The Canopy Club or even blaring from the horns of the Marching Illini, music is everywhere around Champaign-Urbana.

“The music scene here is pretty spectacular,” said Nick Riley, guitarist with local band Manifest West. “I like to call it ‘Little Nashville.’ You got people coming through here; it’s a hub for music.”

However, one of the reasons that the University stands out for music is because of its large house-show scene.

The Barn, House of Sol, The Mirror, Concordia and Red’s House are just a few of many houses that put on concerts nearly every weekend for indie artists to perform their music and grow their audience in an intimate setting.

Coggan Ban, drummer with Manifest West, thinks that house shows gigs are less anxiety-provoking for performers than sets at professional venues.

“When you’re at a house show, you’re on the same level as everyone,” Ban said. “You’re not up on a stage … There’s a lot less pressure.”

Claimed by local musicians as “the birthplace of Midwest emo,” the music community surrounding the University is known to be one of the largest in the state, which can be attributed to house shows.

One local house in particular, known as “The American Football House,” is famous in its own right for being the album cover of emo band American Football’s self-titled album.

But what is a house show anyway, and what is the point? Why go to a house show when you can go to one of C-U’s professional venues?

Musicians and concertgoers in the community have a variety of answers

to these questions. However, a pair of seniors at the University have a unique perspective.

“DIY scenes really allow for a lot of these musicians, who would never have the opportunity to perform profes sionally, to get started and get a feel for what’s going on,” said Aidan Gardner, co-founder of The Barn.

Gardner, along with his roommate Jesse McKenzie, started putting on shows in early 2023 when the pair moved into a new house and saw it ft for hosting.

“The frst month we lived in this house, we didn’t have a single show,” McKenzie said. “I mean, we used that time to A) convince our roommates we could have the show, and then B) actu ally fgure out what the show would be. There’s a lot of work that goes into a house show … It takes some dedication if you’re looking to throw it.”

Driven by a passion for giving smaller artists a platform, the pair have hosted two shows since the beginning of the spring semester and are preparing for a third on Feb. 16.

Artists and bands like Mani fest West, Daisy Chain, Bum Rush and Haunted X Humans are frequent performers across the community and can all attribute some degree of growth to passiondriven venues like The Barn or Concordia.

House shows tend to be a friendlier environment than that of concerts. The artists and those in attendance are treated to a far more laid-back, kinder environ ment.

“Our scene is just people who want to come together and have a good time,” said Roan O’Brien of Mani fest West. “There’s absolutely zero judgment I feel from the crowd every time we play live … It’s just ‘Let’s all be in the same small, sweaty basement and just rock out together.’”

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol

BY JOHN LIEB

ACROSS

1 “Doctor Who” airer

4 Comedian Wong

7 North African expanse

13 Flying disc game

19 Traffic regulator in a construction zone

21 Chemical cousin

22 First-string units

23 Periodical for prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges?

25 Xterra maker

26 Yalies

27 Promo

28 Altercations

29 Commoner

30 Paint brand sold at Home Depot

31 Canoe material

34 Foreign policy gp.

36 Support

37 Rooney of “Women Talking”

38 Guitar accessories

40 880 square feet, for a pickleball court

41 ... for con artists?

44 ... for kitchen remodelers?

46 Drift

47 Captain Nemo creator

49 Geek

50 Org. created two years before the 1896 Athens games

53 Major work

54 Cape __, Massachusetts

55 Actor Vigoda

58 “Monday Night Football” channel

61 Pod members

63 Everyone

65 Missed the mark

67 ... for aspiring entertainers?

71 Physicist Mach

72 Squeeze (out)

73 Gaming tile

84 Shel Silverstein’s “A Light in the __”

88 ... for potato chip aficionados?

91 ... for scuba divers?

95 Granola bar bits

96 Sag

97 Private aid gps.

98 “Insecure” star Issa

99 Sample on a swab

100 Soul singer Baker

102 Gear parts

103 Cross products

104 Like hot yoga

108 Venus flytrap snack

110 Sandy sediment

111 Margaret Atwood’s homeland

112 ... for clockmakers?

116 Spring river phenomenon

117 Amp toter

118 Takes the plunge

119 Talks to online

120 Bays, e.g.

121 Sigma follower

122 Show with an early a.m. afterparty

DOWN

1 Fave pal

2 Offside boundary in hockey

3 Picked in class

4 Gremlins, or where some saw “Gremlins”

5 Southeast Asian language

6 Yet to be delivered

7 Instrument that dates to the Mughal Empire

8 Nile vipers

9 Biblical peak

10 Alaskans, Hawaiians, etc.

11 Hi or low follower

12 “__ longa, vita brevis”

13 “Citizen __”

14 Bickering

15 Jay’s home

16 “All the President’s Men” Oscar winner

17 Stockpiles

18 Yahoo! rival

20 Smooth-talking

24 Post-injury regimen

28 “Grey’s Anatomy” production company

29 Bygone

30 The Orioles, in box scores

32 Broccoli __

33 Cost-of-living fig.

35 Purr-former

37 Baseball VIPs

39 In stitches

40 Mimic

42 Hurts

43 Increase in complexity, perhaps

44 Passionate activists

45 Moral principle

48 Fencing sword

51 Yelps of pain

52 Charcuterie board accompanier

56 Tuckered out

57 Ice cream brand

58 Peepers

59 Vexed

60 “Groundhog Day” town

62 “Raiders of the Lost __”

63 Actor Assante

64 Wearable wreath

66 Met, as a challenge

68 Set of principles

69 Enticing sales acronym

70 Showy carp

77 With sharp resolution

78 Having doubts

80 Cleveland NBAers, for short

82 Nav. rank

83 Mine, in Marseille

85 Indefatigable

86 “Things never go my way!”

87 Copyright symbols

88 Cape __, Massachusetts

89 Rifle

90 Cyclotron particle

92 Pre-flood Biblical patriarch

93 Custardy dessert

94 Like a negative number squared: Abbr.

101 Battery terminal

102 Hands over

103 Flamingo hue

105 Wyatt of the Old West

106 Together, in music

107 Souvenirs from an island vacation?

109 Bit of pique

110 California sch. of Padres legend Tony Gwynn

111 Prefix with gender

112 __ Lanka

113 Geological stretch

114 “Candyman” director DaCosta

115 Gateway Arch city, for short

Level 1 2 3 4

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79 Gaming cubes

81 Paris river

83

What TV/film character are you?

Based on your cleaning habits

As you work through the quiz, keep track of your points.

Choosing option A earns 1 point, option B earns 2 points and option C earns 3 points.

1. What’s your laundry routine

A: Hey, I do laundry sometimes! Once a month, I shove my entire wardrobe into the washing machine and hope it doesn’t explode. In between, my favorite laundry detergent is my perfume/cologne.

B: I do my laundry when I realize I’m running out of clothes. I engage in the occasional sniff test when I’m down on my luck.

C: Everything gets washed at least once a week. I set aside a full calendar day to wash, dry, fold, starch and hang my clothes. This is no laughing matter.

3. You made dinner. Now what?

A: Mount Everest — keep on adding dishes to the sink until there’s literally no more room. It’s not a problem until I don’t have any more clean dishes.

B: All at once, maybe we’ll wait a little — everything soaks in the sink until my dinner time, movie or TV show is over. If I’m feeling a little lazy, it might sit there until the next morning.

C: Wash the dishes as I go — the pots and pans are already clean by the time I start to eat, and the plates get cleaned right afer I finish eating.

2. What’s your floor cleaning routine

A: Maybe I’ll pick up food if it falls on the floor.

B: I give my house the ol’ go-over with the vacuum and Swiffer when I notice dust.

C: I sweep, vacuum, mop and disinfect at least once a week.

4. How do you organize your fridge?

A: If it’s supposed to be cold, it’ll go in the fridge. Maybe, if it’s lucky, I’ll remember I have it before it is stinky and covered in mold.

B: I try to keep my fridge organized, but it ends up being a bit cluttered. There are general spaces in the fridge for certain things, but afer a while, everything piles on top of itself.

C: Everything has its own place in the fridge. Cheese and meat go in one drawer, vegetables in the other, and each shelf has its own purpose. The inside of the fridge gets a spray-down with bleach regularly, and I keep a box of baking soda on the door to absorb any unsightly smells.

Dirty underwear is hanging from every corner. Empty pizza boxes and chip bags scatter the floor. There’s a faint smell of something spoiled coming from under the bed. You’re messy and you really don’t care. You do a deep clean once a semester and it lasts for maybe a week until it turns into a post-natural disaster scene once more.

Your room just has a lot of stuff in it. No matter how much you clean it, it still looks messy. The trinkets and knick-knacks fill the shelves and get covered with other miscellaneous items. There’s a pile of clothes that sits on your desk chair and gets moved to the bed when you need to use it. You tell yourself that you’ll clean but it usually gets pushed off.

It’s always spotless in this house. The smell of Febreze and cleaning chemicals fills the air when you walk in. When your living area is messy, the stress starts to build and none of your schoolwork will get done until everything is clean.

Monica Geller Ferris Bueller

Cristina Yang 4-6 pts. 7-9 pts. 10-12 pts.

Grey’s Anatomy

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Friends

Represent your hometown in this crucial election year

COLUMNIST

GEORGE ALEXANDRAKIS gca3@dailyillini.com

Among the maze that is college life, where our living situations have fnally become a constant, one question lingers during election season: From where should you cast your vote? As we grapple with logistics like addresses, one pragmatic assertion emerges — don’t forget your hometown.

Every time I go home for breaks, I’ve grown to realize how easy it is to notice differences in my neighborhood. From a new hotel being built in that one empty lot, to a Sweetgreen replacing my go-to pizza place as a kid, that bittersweet feeling that my hometown was growing without me made me realize how much I still wanted a say in the happenings of it.

Despite the physical distance that college life may create, the relevance of our hometowns remains undiminished, especially in a year where the stakes of an election have never felt higher, regardless of one’s political stance. In a time like this, participation in politics and voting in our elections is paramount.

An important fact to note is that college students’ participation in voting has only increased throughout the years, with a study from the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education fnding that 66% of college students voted in the 2020 election as opposed to only 52% voting in 2016. While this is great news and certainly a positive trend, we need to stay resilient and keep that momentum going.

Another thing to keep in mind that might be rather obvious is that college and our current living situations, in gen-

eral, are not permanent. One study in 2019 even found that 56% of college students planned on moving back home for at least one year after graduation. Not only don’t we stay in our college towns for more than one presidential election, but the majority of college students go right back home for at least a little while after college.

Initially, it may seem like a chore or even a misjudgment to bother going the extra mile — or in some cases the extra hundred miles — just to tick a box representing your hometown. And sure, the ability to change your voting address to your school address and vote from Champaign may be the easier thing to do.

It’s important to understand it’s much deeper than that.

Our hometowns are where we grew up. The political discussions our parents used to have at the dinner table are in many cas-

es what shaped our political beliefs today. Maybe we didn’t understand exactly what they were talking about back then, but with the stakes today, their stress and passion appear to not have been misplaced.

Just like how our living spaces have changed around us since we started our collegiate lives, they will change again. Nothing in our lives is permanent right now, except for the place we grew up in and will always seem to have a lasting tie to.

With a general election only once every four years, it’s an opportunity we can’t pass up. Go out and vote in your hometown, or mail in a ballot addressed to it. With presidential elections coming only once every four years, a lot can happen in that amount of time — trust me, I’d know. After all, I still miss that pizza place.

George is a junior in LAS.

Change your voting address to CU

COLUMNIST AMARTYA NALLURI nalluri4@dailyillini.com

As an out-of-state student, my college experience often di greatly from those who call Illi nois their home. Often, my friends can choose to go home on a given weekend if they need something from their parents, have family events or just feel homesick.

I don’t have that same luxury. Instead, I, and the countless other out-of-state students on campus, try to make the best out of what we have here on campus. And this certainly isn’t hard; the unique envi ronment that Campustown, Urbana and Champaign provide makes the Univer sity a great place to live, work and play.

Yet, when we consider the concept of where our home is, many students still think of where they were before college. Their allegiance to their hometown stops them from experiencing the community to its fullest, and they fail to see the ben efts the towns have to o

All students should change their voting addresses to their homes here because it’s where we spend most of our time during the year. It’s where we learn, where we work and where we discover things bigger than ourselves. It only makes sense that if we were going to make policy changes that afect our livelihoods, we do it for places where most of our present lives are taking place.

And even more important than ourselves are the connections we make

SPRING HOUSING FAIR

11am-2pm

It takes an expert in clinical nutrition to know that the right food can be medicine