HOUSING GUIDE 2013 SPRING
There’s no place like home Inside you’ll find leasing vocabulary, moving tips, how to be a good neighbor and more.
The Shorthorn: Michael Minasi
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The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
inside Roommates of ‘Oz’ 4C
Have you ever had a roommate that is a wicked pain, a little cowardly or brainless? Read about different types of roommates that resemble Wizard of Oz characters.
Understand your lease agreement 6C
Don’t make the same mistake with your lease as you do every Terms of Service contract you ignore online. Experts highlight what you need to read, and we give you some vocabulary so you can speak the lingo.
Students compare on-campus to off-campus housing 9C
Figuring out whether your future home should be on campus or off campus is a challenge, so we asked students what they thought the pros and cons were of each.
Rising enrollment sparks housing increase 11C
More than 33,000 students call UTA their university and they all need a place to sleep. The university and apartments in the area answered the call to provide those beds.
What is one thing you wish you knew before you moved? 12C
Need advice? Look no further! These students share what they wish they would have known before moving.
Party hard, party safe 15C
House parties are almost synonymous with college life, but cop calls and a lack of safety don’t have to be. Students and a UTA Police officer tell you how to have fun while playing it safe.
Help the Earth and save 18C
Being green can also save you some green. Sustainability experts bullet point how you can do both.
Finding family 21C The Shorthorn: Casey Holder
Natalie Webster, editor-in-chief
Get the best bang for your buck at grocery stores 22C
Live and learn
A gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and frozen pizza: We compare prices of common college student food items at three nearby grocery stores.
Have no fear, Housing Guide 2013 is here If there’s one thing students shouldn’t have to worry about, it’s where they live. With classes, studying, family, friends, jobs and more, the details that go into making a house (or apartment, or residence hall or duplex) a home shouldn’t be stressful. That’s where The Shorthorn comes in. We’ve created a one-stop shop of the best housing tips and are presenting it to you in our Spring 2013 Housing Guide. Inside, you’ll find basics such as renter’s rights and
Changing the place you call home can be a big adjustment, but students share how they make their new housing their home.
the pros and cons of living on or off campus. You’ll also find tips about how to have the tough “roomie” conversations, how to be a good neighbor and how to throw an awesome house party that won’t have the cops knocking on your door. So, have no fear about where you’ll live or how to settle in, The Shorthorn will guide you down the yellow brick road. – Natalie Webster
Be a good neighbor 25C
Mr. Rogers and Ned Flanders are famous for being good neighbors. In the interest of boosting your celebrity status, we’ve collected tips to being a good neighbor.
Stay out of the dog house 27C
It’s one of the most commonly-avoided but important conversations: Now that you’re roommates, what are the rules? Students outline a guide for having the tough conversation that will save you in the long run.
Sweat the small stuff 30C
You never want to be without toilet paper. Before you pack everything up, check out our list of the little things students said they forgot and discovered they could not do without.
The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Roommates of
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Cowardly Lion Visual communication senior Marcy Tannahill lives in Grand Prairie with two roommates. “I’m probably the lion,” she said. “I’m always too afraid to step on people’s toes.” Tannahill said she wanted to throw a welcome party for her roommates, but the plans fell through because she did not communicate properly. Tannahill’s roommates said they did not know about Tannahill’s plans and were caught off guard when she threw the party. “We had a miscommunication, and I panicked,” Tannahill said. Tannahill said now she asks her roommates’ permission to invite friends to the apartment. “My roommates are really accommodating,” she said. “I need to step it up and stop worrying and do my own thing.” She recommends students not room with someone just because they are best friends. Living habits and money issues put stress on solid friendships, too, Tannahill said. “You have to have the courage to speak up because if you bottle it up, there’s going to be a big fight later
OZ
Students compare their roommates to characters from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ When you move out and find your first roommate or your second or third — you can encounter dif— ferent people with quirky characteristics. Chances are you might be rooming with some of the characters of The Wizard of Oz. Keeping with the theme of “There’s no place like home,” students share stories about themselves and encounters with roommates who might fit the personalities of the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Wicked Witch of the West.
on down the road,” she said. Broadcasting freshman Radney Rohde said he tries to avoid any trouble with his roommate in Vandergriff Hall. “My roommate is organized and clean,” Rohde said. “I’m less organized.” Rohde said he doesn’t make his bed every morning, but his roommate asks him to.
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“He wants me to make my bed every morning. To me, I’m going to make it and destroy it again at night,” Rohde said. Rohde said he knows his roommate means well and understands that being organized would help him. He said he is more like the Cowardly Lion because he tries to avoid confrontations.
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Wicked Witch
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Aerospace engineering junior Jeiny Gutierrez moved in with her best friend and another roommate during her freshman year. Gutierrez said she hoped to bond with her roommates and spend time together. However, one of the roommates did not want that. “She just had this attitude of ‘I’m not going to cooperate,’ ” Guti-
Education freshman Kemecia Beasley said she moved to an apartment at the end of her first semester because she felt left out. Beasley said her roommates were Scarecrows. “They were kind of oblivious to what was going on,” Beasley said. Her roommates were best friends with each other, and Beasley said she felt like an outsider. Beasley’s roommates would cook together and hang out with each other, which made Beasley feel excluded, she said. Beasley said her roommates washed their dishes in the bathroom sink and left them out to dry. “If I have guests over, they would just have dishes on the bathroom sink,” Beasley said. “So that was a little annoying.” Beasley said her roommates would leave their wet towels on the sink, and they didn’t realize that they were making conditions inconvenient for Beasley. They used to return home at 2 a.m. and their voices disturbed Beasley, she said. “I think they didn’t realize they were being loud,” she said.
errez said. “She even bought her own refrigerator in her own room.” The roommate eventually moved out of their apartment without giving a prior notice, Gutierrez said. Slowly, she started moving her things, and she left without saying goodbye. Gutierrez said, “I don’t want to be mean and say she’s a witch, but she was.”
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Understand your lease agreement
decoding your lease While it is encouraged for the tenant to read the entire lease, Keisha Ware, attorney for students, advises renters to pay close attention especially to the following areas:
Don’t let the language confuse you; make sure you know what you’re moving in to By Bianca Montes The Shorthorn content managing editor
A lease is a binding, legal contract. The problem is that most renters do not view it as one, said Maryann D’Aniello, Dallas Housing Crisis Center legal aid attorney. Renters may sign their lease, move into their apartment and live happily ever after. Then again, their washing machine may one day overflow and flood the apartment. If you think your landlord is going to be responsible for the damages to your property, think again. The average lease agreement will void a landlord from being responsible for damage to tenants’ personal property resulting from fire, storm, rain, flood, power outage, appliance
failure, theft, vandalism, leaking fixtures and natural catastrophes. “Most leases are written to limit the property owner’s liability, and often students are not adequately insured against losses to personal property,” Eric Leidlein, UTA Auxiliary Services executive director, said in an email. But that doesn’t mean renters don’t have rights. Several statutes govern the relationship between Texas landlords and their tenants. In particular, Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code outlines laws and legal information about residential leases. Per Texas law, tenants have the right to live in a dwelling that secures their health, safety and security. Tenants also have the right to quiet enjoyment, which means that a landlord cannot evict a tenant
without cause. When a landlord does not adhere to these laws, a tenant has three options: end the lease, have the problem repaired and deduct the cost from the rent, or file suit to force the landlord to make the repairs. Keisha Ware, attorney for students, said while a tenant has rights, it is imperative that he or she follows protocol. The last thing a tenant should do is make the repair him or herself and deduct the cost from the rent, Ware said. What is deemed a health, safety or security reason is subjective and if the repair is challenged, a tenant might not be reimbursed. Also, the minute a renter withholds rent, the landlord’s obligations are no longer enforced. The landlord only has a duty to make a repair if
the tenant is current on their rent. The second the tenant withholds rent, the landlord doesn’t have to make a repair. Ware recommends for renters to first seek legal help when it comes to landlord-tenant disputes. Student Legal Services, located in the lower level of the University Center, offers students advice regarding personal legal problems and concerns from a licensed attorney for free. Per the law, renters must adhere to the following steps when a problem arises: Make a request in writing, preferably to be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested; allow the landlord reasonable time — which is outlined as seven days — to make a diligent effort to repair the
Payment due date: In Texas, the only time that a landlord is required to accept rent is on the due date, meaning that the landlord does not have to accept payment during any offered grace period or after. The landlord also does not have to accept rent if it is not paid in full. In order to reduce the risk of late fees or being evicted, negotiate a due date that is optimal to your life prior to signing a lease. Utilities: The lease will lay out which utilities are paid for by the landlord and which are the renter’s responsibility. Addendum: A lot of hidden fees and obligations are often placed in the addendum section of the lease, such as pet deposits and rules for satellite television. Source: Keisha Ware, attorney for students
lease continues on page 7C
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continued from page 6C
problem; and finally, if the landlord has not make attempt to settle the problem, the tenant can get a court order for the repairs to be made or terminate the lease. However, the rental agreement is the most important source of information that outlines a tenant’s responsibilities. “Students should read their lease and any associated documents carefully to ensure they fully understand their obligations before they sign,” Leidlein said. “Disputes which arise after lease signing often have significant financial consequences. If you are not comfortable or don’t understand your lease, don’t sign it.” Criminal justice sophomore Jasmine Smith said she found out about financial consequences the hard way. After moving out of her apartment, Smith incurred a $500 fee to repair the carpet. While Smith said she had the carpet professionally cleaned before moving out, because it was not to the standards of the lease agreement, her only option was to pay the fee. “I would pay attention to the re-
The RentRhino app allows renters to store documents such as lease agreements, apartment damage, repair claims and photographs in its cloud storage. The application also guides the renter through the move-in and move-out processes by telling the renter what to look for and what to document.
FAB VOCAB Think you understand lease terminology? Visit www.theshorthorn.com/housingguide to follow the story and test your skills with your leasing vocabulary flash cards.
quirements and fees when you move out,” Smith said. @BIANCASHORTHORN bianca.montes@mavs.uta.edu
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The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Students compare on-campus to off-campus housing UTA students weigh in on the benefits and costs of apartment and resident life By Samantha cumberland The Shorthorn staff
UTA students are given a variety of options as first year students. UTA’s housing’s website compares options available no matter what a student’s classification.
Living on campus Living options for students oncampus include six residence halls, 18 apartment complexes and fraternity and sorority housing, available only to members of participating Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council fraternities and sororities. Requirements to live in some residence halls include required meal plans, monthly floor meetings and gender specific floors and halls. The benefits of residence hall life include meeting new people and
being closer to classes, according to UTA Housing’s website. Maya Shishakli, Vandergriff Hall resident and undeclared freshman, said she likes living close to classes. “It’s nice being able to wake up 15 minutes before class, roll out of bed and get there on time,” she said. According to UTA’s website, the benefits of living where one studies pays off. Students are more likely to get higher GPAs, complete degrees on time and even pursue an advanced degree, the site says. However, the space issue is big for some freshman — especially for those that share rooms. “Space is limited in dorms,” nursing freshman Emily Caves said.
Living off campus Nursing freshman Dallas Young
said she likes living off campus at home because she enjoys being able to see her family every day and likes her mom cooking for her. “It’s nice not having to worry about groceries and living expenses,” Young said. Living off campus has some down sides too, she said. “But living at home, I don’t know what’s going on at UTA,” Young said. She also wishes she had a place to crash on campus. “Also, I never have a place to rest or nap if I would like to,” she said. Young’s schedule is based around five classes she takes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Her full schedule keeps her busy and helps her save gas. Next year, Young will live closer to campus in Arlington and hopes to get more involved. Other off-campus living options close to campus include student
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living complexes Campus Edge on UTA Boulevard, Maverick Place Student Apartments and Midtown Student Apartments. “I think by living off campus, you get a little bit more freedom,” said Allison Waltzer, marketing senior and Campus Edge off-campus apartments leasing coordinator. Campus Edge hosts monthly events such as Grocery Bingo — giving away groceries to residents — Weenie Wednesday and movie nights by the pool, Waltzer said. These events make it more of a familiar and friendly environment, Waltzer said, and can make living off campus feel more like home. “Another bonus of living off campus is that you don’t have to have a meal plan. You also don’t have to share a bathroom and individual leasing options will give you peace of mind so that if your roommate doesn’t make rent, it won’t affect
you,” Waltzer said. Undeclared freshman Victor Brito currently lives in an apartment complex off campus. His apartment’s location, on Lamar Boulevard, has its pros and cons. “Having company can sometimes be better, especially because the dorms are pretty small,” said Brito, a resident of The Shores. Apartment complexes further from campus can create trouble if students are in a rush, he said. “Driving to school and back can really be annoying due to the fact that it can be hard to find parking spots if you’re late. That’s just more stress,” Brito said. Check the UTA Housing chart ‘Apartment Rates and Features’ for comparative housing features and prices on campus. @SammCumberland Samantha.Cumberland@mavs.uta.edu
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The Shorthorn Page 10C
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Shorthorn
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Rising enrollment sparks housing increase UTA, private developers have responded to more students by adding more housing nearby. By Johnathan Silver The Shorthorn staff
Along with an increase in the UTA student, faculty and staff population, demand for housing on and near campus has increased in recent years. Currently, there is campus housing available for 5,300 students, or about 16 percent of the student population, university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said. The university has no immediate plans to expand on-campus housing, she added. That hasn’t stopped students from pursuing housing on and near campus, as about 10,000 students live within 5 miles of campus, Sullivan said. During spring 2012, UTA purchased Johnson Creek Crossing apartments and renamed it
The Heights on Pecan, aka The Heights. Also last year, hundreds of students moved into the newest on-campus residences, Vandergriff Hall and the Lofts, both part of College Park District. Vandergriff Hall, named after former Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, is a residence hall. The Lofts at College Park is an apartment complex for students. Also, near campus, private developers constructed Midtown and Campus Edge apartments, which can house 775 students combined, Sullivan said. If students are not driving to campus, they have more time to focus on their academic lives and campus involvement, Sullivan added. History junior Jason Amaloo said he has no doubt living on campus improves his college experience. Amaloo said he likes the campus atmosphere and being close to on-campus destinations since moving in at the end of January.
“Being able to get to the library quite a bit has been absolutely fantastic for me,” he said. “And I know that if I lived farther off campus and I had that many more distractions, I wouldn’t be as productive.” Amaloo’s experience matches what thousands of UTA students seek. In recent years, the university and private housing companies have targeted the growing population of students looking for housing close to classes. A college environment generally draws business and residential developers, said Brian Guenzel, UTA Institute of Urban Studies director. “With any campus, especially the size of UT Arlington, it is an economic driver,” he said, adding that college campuses provide education and employment, leading to the need for housing. Overall, the growing student population and more of a commercial and residential presence near campus and in downtown di-
The Shorthorn: Cameron Garland
The Lofts provide students with outdoor areas to cook and relax. The location of the complex places students down the street from school and the College Park Center.
minishes the notion of UTA being a commuter school, Guenzel said. “It’s more than a commuter school,” he said. “Students come here and live here for years.” More business and mixed-residential properties will surround
the UTA area, Guenzel added. “In 10 years,” he said, “you’ll see what looks like a different downtown Arlington.” @JohnathanSilver olu.silver@mavs.uta.edu
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
THE SHORTHORN
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you moved? “Understanding how hard it would be to go to school and work full-time.”
“How beneficial it is to live with a roommate.” Elijah James
finance freshman
Kaycee Douglas
public relations freshman
“How to cook.”
“That commuting takes up a lot of study time.”
Adriana Ruvalcaba
civil engineering junior
Paursha Khan
biological medical engineering junior
“Taking responsibility for my own actions.”
“How hard it is to keep things tidy.”
Jonathan Goodwin
Joey Saavedra
civil engineering sophomore
PHOTOS BY DAVID REID
WHAT’S YOUR ONE THING? Tweet your “one thing” @UTAShorthorn hashtag #hf13 and share your advice with other students.
kinesiology graduate student
The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Page 15C
Party hard, party safe How to throw a house party without having to invite the cops By Gunnison Matula The Shorthorn staff
Parties are a staple of college life. However, not every party can turn out well. Undeclared freshman Jennifer Wildbergh encountered such a party in October. “It all seemed awesome until it got really busy,” she said. “They wouldn’t let us open the doors, and I got too hot and I tried to leave. The guy guarding the door wouldn’t let me out until I shoved him out of the way.” Wildbergh’s experience didn’t end with poor ventilation. “They didn’t have any nonalcoholic drinks, so if you were dying of thirst, it was either chug liquor or beer,” she said. “It sucked.” Parties don’t have to be hard on guests, though. A good host can throw a successful party that leaves guests feeling safe and good by tackling issues such as loud noise and underage drinking. Loud-noise complaints are the most common problems with police, said Rick Gomez, UTA acting police chief. To keep noise down, putting pillows in the windows and restricting the amount of noise outside is the best way to prevent noise complaints, said Rafael Martinez, an international business administration senior and the chaplain for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. “Keep the flow of the party inside,” he said. “And keep all the doors closed.” According to Arlington city law, section 15-6, restrictions on residential noise include anything above 74 decibels. Exceeding this sound limit is a punishable offense and a misdemeanor charge, with a fine of no less than $25 and no more than $2,500. Additional party-related problems include those relating to alcohol: minor in possession, minor in consumption and public intoxication, said Gomez. In order to keep minors from illegally getting alcohol, have a bouncer at the door with wristbands, said Martinez. Guests of legal age get wristbands, while minors are marked with Xs on
The Shorthorn: Richard Hoang
Having a bouncer mark minors before they come in can help keep them accountable from drinking alcohol illegally. Hosts can also write a guest list to keep track of who is invited and keep strangers out of the party.
their hands to prevent them from drinking illegally, he said. While such a system is a defense against illegal consumption of alcohol, minors can still find ways to obtain it. Hosts should be cautious, because it is still a crime to unknowingly provide alcohol to minors, Gomez said. Once it’s apparent that minors have acquired access to alcohol, a disciplinary referral as per the student code of conduct is issued not only to the violator, but the host as well, Gomez said. The most important part of the party, however, is a guest list, said Martinez. A guest list allows hosts to know exactly who is getting in
— a great way to keep people of questionable character out — which adds trust, makes the party safer for everyone and can prevent theft of belongings, Martinez said. Guest lists can help cut down on the possibility of dangerous or mischievous people in party situations, said Martinez. The hosts are in complete control of who is allowed in, allowing them to prevent the presence of unsavory guests, he said. In addition to adhering to a guest list, guests should tell others where they are going before attending the party, leave with the same groups they arrived with and watch over their drinks, Gomez said.
Don’t forget Toilet paper — toilet paper goes fast, and having plenty can prevent your towels from getting “ruined.” Cups — bulk stores like Sam’s or Costco usually have the best deals on bulk purchases for parties. Designated drivers — in order to keep each driver happy, make a switch-off system to ensure that each driver gets plenty of parties, but that there are plenty of safe rides. Ice — friends who have access to free ice, like in residence halls, are the best way to keep the budget low. Fans — fans are an easy way to keep heat under control without risking a noise violation such as with open doors.
Following this advice, hosts can create a fun, comfortable and safe environment. @gunnisonmatula gunnison.matula@gmail.com
online To hear our house party playlist, visit www.theshorthorn. com/housingguide
Page 16C
The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Finding family Students suggest how to establish a community after moving away from home By Kayla Dorr The Shorthorn staff
There’s no place like home, but when students decide to leave that home in pursuit of an education, they are forced to make a new one in the residence halls or apartments near campus, have a new family with the various organizations or fraternity and sorority life and trade Pictionary for Mavericks basketball on game night. Leaving home can be rough, but UTA has hundreds of places to find the perfect niche and connect with the school and community. Current students who have experienced the same situation offer advice about how to ease the transition from one home to the next. Nursing freshman Treslyn Holden, who lives in Arlington Hall, said that it’s wonderful to live on campus and use the opportunities the university provides. “Interact with people that are
around you in dorms and stuff, and make sure you pay attention to the signs because they post events, and they post meetings and stuff like that so you get to know people,” Holden said. Holden also said that new students should live on campus for at least freshman year. “Move on campus to get to know people who you’re going to be or who you’re going to spend your time with before you think about moving off campus,” Holden said. “It’s better to stay on campus your first year to get to know everything first.” Marketing junior Hailey Chivers, who lives in the Campus Edge apartments, said that new students are lucky to be coming to UTA right now because of all the changes to the school and the surrounding area. “There’s new stuff popping up left and right, so it’s kind of an exciting time for UT Arlington be-
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cause there’s going to be a bunch of new stuff that we can go check out as students that are accessible and nearby,” Chivers said. The 20 acre, $160 million College Park District opened at the beginning of 2012 with several restaurants and bars, an arena for sports and concerts and plenty of space for students to hang out between classes. Chivers enjoys going to the district and taking advantage of the good food and drinks. “It’s actually kind of exciting because of all the College Park bars that are opening up,” Chivers said. “Right now, I really like Digg’s for Thursday nights.”
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International business junior Alex Miller, left, lunches with marketing junior Stefan Erickson on Monday at Digg’s Taco Shop in the College Park District. The mixed-use space can provide living, dining and a sense of community to the campus experience.
Journalism sophomore Michelle Pushe, who moved to UTA from Zambia, Africa, said she made all of her friends through the organizations she joined on campus. “Most of my friends are from organizations or someone in my organizations friend becomes my friend, for the most part,” Pushe said. Because of UTA’s diversity,
Pushe said it’s hard not to make friends on campus. “Find your niche, because Arlington is so diverse,” Pushe said. “Find your group. There’s so many people on campus from so many different places that it’s impossible to say that they don’t love it here.”
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The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Help the Earth and save Recycling, reading labels and conserving utilities will lessen your carbon footprint By Kathryn Cargo The Shorthorn staff
There are several small things students can do to be greener within their living area that do not take up much time. Things such as recycling, carpooling and having reusable water bottles will help students be more sustainable, said Meghna Tare, Office of Sustainability director. “It’s good to be generally aware and educated about sustainability,� Tare said. “People turn a blind eye if it does not impact them directly. Reuse instead of recycling. If you absolutely have to buy new products, then recycle the old ones.�
Recyclables Students can recycle to make the largest impact on the environment, Tare said. UTA makes it
easy and convenient for students, she said. “In all the apartment complexes and residence halls, we have made sure to provide a blue bin,� Tare said. There are solar panel trash compactors in the University Center and several recycle stations on campus. Anyone on campus can recycle paper, plastic bottles and aluminum cans, according to the UTA sustainability website. A map for the recycling locations on campus can be found on the website as well. For Arlington residents, recyclables are collected on regular garbage collection days, according to the city of Arlington website. Students can also buy products that are safer to the environment or made out of recycled material, according to the Campus Sustainability website.
Food Students should pay attention to what is in the food they buy, how harmful it can be and the energy used to produce it, service manager Kevin Craig said. Most food companies have labels that tell the consumer if the product is supposed to be less environmentally impactive, Craig said. “There’s always the general rule of thumb: You shouldn’t buy anything with ingredients you can’t pronounce,� Craig said. Students should also watch the amount of food they buy at the store. “People will eat some and the rest will go to waste,� said Vijay Thakkar, Office of Sustainability intern. “If it’s about to go bad, then donate it so it’s not wasted. It’s better to donate it before it’s expired than just putting it in the trash.� A phone app called Fooducate
!
tells students what is in a food product and gives a score based on how beneficial it is to consume. A student just has to scan a barcode, Craig said. When preparing food, students can use a microwave, which uses up to 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens, said Rebecca Valentich, Office of Sustainability recycling coordinator. The university has a co-op partnership with Urban Acres to provide anyone with locally grown, fresh produce and farm-raised chicken or beef. The food can be picked up at Potager Cafe, a restaurant on Mesquite Street, Tare said. More about the organization can be read on the UTA sustainability website. Students and faculty can also rent one of the 78 plots at the Community Garden on campus, located at UTA Boulevard and Summit Avenue, Tare said. They can grow and collect their produce.
Water and electricity Simple tasks such as turning a water faucet off when it’s not in use can conserve water, Tare said. One aspect overlooked by many students is the bottled water they buy and use, Tare said.
“Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter, reusable bottle or just drink it from the tap,� Tare said. UTA has about 12 water-bottle filling stations around campus so students can refill their bottles with filtered water, Tare said. Students should wash their clothes on cold to save 80 to 90 percent of energy, Thakkar said. Students should also wait until they have a full load before they do laundry to save water and electricity, Thakkar said. Many of the residence halls and apartments on campus have prepaid utilities, which can lead to students wasting electricity, Thakkar said. Students should turn off the lights, all of their electronics and air conditioning when they are not in the room. Using sunlight to light up the room can also save electricity. Students who live near campus can walk to the university for classes, ride their bikes or carpool to save energy, time and gas, Thakkar said. A car’s total carbon footprint will be lessened by 2 percent if the air pressure is correct and the wheels are rotated properly, Thakkar said. @KathrynCargo kathryn.cargo@mavs.uta.edu
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
THE SHORTHORN
Get the best bang for your buck at grocery stores Students share helpful hints on how to save money while grocery shopping
SHOPPING continues on page 23C
STORES CLOSE TO CAMPUS Bowen Road
UTA Park Row Drive
Neighborhood Market by Walmart
Fiesta Supermarket
Fielder Road
r Stre
et
Park Row Drive
Cente
Cooper Street
UTA
Davis Drive
Park Row Drive
Abram Street
New York Avenue
UTA
Division Street
Aldi
Collins Street
The Shorthorn went shopping at the three grocery stores closest to campus for some staple food items. Here’s our comparison:
Fielder Road
Oftentimes students coming to college are moving away from home for the first time, which also means some haven’t ever gone grocery shopping for themselves. Students who have lived on their own gave suggestions for those who are new to the grocery shopping experience. Film sophomore Cruz Salinas Jr. has lived in campus apartments since August and attends classes full-time. He said he lives on a fairly fixed income. “I usually look for sale items when I go shopping,” Salinas said. “I don’t shop at the POD very often because things are usually more expensive there.” Nursing sophomore Tiffany Pereyra lives in a residence hall and said she tries to buy items that will last. “I buy basic items like milk
and bread,” Pereyra said. “Bread is really versatile and easy. I can make sandwiches like peanut butter and jelly or just toast.” When he first moved in, Salinas said he wished he’d remembered to buy milk and cheese. Pereyra feels that those basics are important. “I feel like milk is more filing than just water,” Pereya said. “I also buy cereal because it’s easy and I can snack on it.” Pereyra suggested going for generic store brands to save money. Salinas also tries to do that, but he will “splurge” on Mrs. Baird’s bread. “I was kind of raised on it,” Salinas said. Salinas said he typically avoids buying fresh fruits and vegetables and opts for canned options to save money and also because canned items last longer. He does
Bowen Road
BY CARLA SOLORZANO The Shorthorn senior staff
Pioneer Parkway
Pioneer Parkway Arkansas Lane
Arkansas Lane The Shorthorn: Lorraine Frajkor
Aldi Location: 2417 W. Park Row Dr., Pantego According to Aldi’s website, the grocery shopping chain passes savings on to customers by only accepting cash, debit and EBT cards. The stores also require customers to insert a quarter into the shopping cart to use it. The quarter is refunded once the cart has been returned. Customers must also bag items on their own.
Fiesta Supermarket Location: 1300 E. Pioneer Parkway Fiesta is a Texas-based company with more than 50 locations in the state. The store offers comparable prices and an array of international foods and spices. Fiesta also has many items available with their generic brand.
Neighborhood Market by Walmart Location: 2610 W. Pioneer Parkway, Pantego The Neighborhood Market format was introduced by Walmart in 1998. The store is smaller than the supercenters, with most locations filling 30 to 40,000 square feet. Only grocery, health, beauty and pharmacy items are available at Neighboorhood Market.
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The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Shopping continued from page 22C
not typically use coupons or participate in “price matching.” Walmart stores have ad matching available to give customers the best price, Joe Cano, Neighborhood Market by Walmart support manager said. “If an item is cheaper at another store, bring the ad in and we’ll match the price,” Cano said. “It has to be the exact item, of course.” Pereyra said she doesn’t clip coupons, but will take coupons if they are available in-store. Cano said his store encourages the use of coupons. “By all means, if you have them, use them,” Cano said. He has noticed college students buying items, such as ramen noodles, in large quantities. “Buying in bulk is also a good way to go to save money,” Cano said.
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Prices Frozen Pizza Fiesta: Fiesta generic brand frozen pizza - $0.88; Totino’s Party Pizza $1.39 Walmart: Totino’s Party Pizza - $1.36 Aldi: Mama Cozzi Party Classics Pizza - $0.99 Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Fiesta: 5/$1.00 ($0.20 each) Walmart: $0.22 Aldi: 12 pack for $2.19 ($0.18 each) Instant Coffee Fiesta: generic Fiesta brand (8 oz) $2.99 Walmart: Great Value Instant Coffee (8 oz) - $4.48 Aldi: Beaumont Instant Coffee (8 oz) - $5.49 Canned Mixed Vegetables Fiesta: Parade Mixed Vegetables (15 oz) - $0.63 Walmart: Great Value Mixed Vegetables (15 oz) - $0.68 Aldi: Happy Harvest Mixed Vegetables (15 oz) - $0.65
@CarlaSol_UTA carla.solorzano@mavs.uta.edu
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese Fiesta: generic Fiesta brand (7.25 oz) - $0.55 Walmart: Great Value (7.25 oz) - $0.72 Aldi: Cheese Club (7.25 oz) - $0.39 Jelly Fiesta: generic Fiesta brand concord grape jelly - $1.59 Walmart: Great Value Concord Grape Jelly - $1.68 Aldi: Berryhill Concord Grape Jelly $1.99 Peanut Butter Fiesta: generic Fiesta brand creamy peanut butter - $2.39 Walmart: Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter - $2.34 Aldi: Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter - $1.99 Hot Dogs Fiesta: generic Fiesta brand - $0.99 Walmart: Bar-S Franks - $0.98 Aldi: Parkview B-Bar Hot Dogs - $0.75 Canned Fruit Cocktail Fiesta: Fiesta brand fruit cocktail (15.25 oz) - $0.99
Walmart: Great Value Fruit Cocktail (15 oz) - $0.98 Aldi: Sweet Harvest Fruit Cocktail (15 oz) - $0.89
Gallon of Milk Fiesta: Golden Royal 2% Milk - $2.89 Walmart: Great Value 2% Milk - $2.79 Aldi: Friendly Farms 2% Milk - $1.99
Bread Fiesta: Fiesta generic brand white sandwich bread - $0.89 Walmart: Great Value White Sandwich Bread - $0.98 Aldi: L’oven Fresh White Sandwich Bread - $0.99
Toaster Pastries Fiesta: Toast‘em Brown Sugar Toaster Pastries (6 pastries) - $1.69 Walmart: Great Value Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Toaster Pastries (6 pastries) - $1.49 Aldi: Millville Frosted Toaster Tarts Brown Sugar (12 pastries) - $1.89
Cheese Fiesta: Crystal Farms Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product (16 individually wrapped slices) - $2.19 Walmart: Great Value American Cheese singles (16 individually wrapped slices) - $2.48 Aldi: Happy Farms American Cheese singles (16 slices) - $1.99 Eggs Fiesta: Fiesta generic brand 12 Grade A Large eggs - $1.69 Walmart: Great Day Farmer’s Market 12 Grade A Large eggs - $1.68 Aldi: Goldhen 12 Grade A Large eggs - $0.99
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Cereal Fiesta: Malt-o Meal Sugar Frosted Flakes (15.5 oz) - $1.99 Walmart: Great Value Sugar Frosted Flakes (23 oz) - $2.54 Aldi: Millville Sugar Frosted Flakes (17 oz) - $1.89 Oatmeal Fiesta: Quaker Original Instant Oatmeal (12 packets) - $3.49 Walmart: Great Value Original Instant Oatmeal (12 packets) - $1.68 Aldi: Millville Maple and Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal (10 packets) - $1.49 Source: Reporter observation
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The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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The Shorthorn Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Be a good neighbor
Did you know? According to an Arlington city ordinance, there are definitions of nuisance and animal noise nuisance, as well as punishment for causing a nuisance.
Learn how to live with who lives next door By Chase Williams The Shorthorn staff
They live on the other side of the walls. Some of us have them over our ceilings or below our feet. They are our neighbors. UTA students said it’s important to build a healthy relationship with the person who lives nearby. Here are three tips to being a good neighbor.
The Golden Rule “Treat others as you would like to be treated,” said Jerry Miller, retired president of the Villas-Tuscany Homeowners Association. It is easier to do something for someone when they treat you decently all the time, Miller said. “I have helped neighbors hang Christmas lights or carry in groceries. It is just the right thing to do,” said engineering junior Monica Hernandez, who lives at home with her family. If you help someone in need, they are more likely to pay the favor back, Hernandez said.
Introduce yourself “Establish contact early,” said marketing junior Jherrel Clay. Trading numbers can be one way to make a new friend, he said. “Once you get to know each other, you might find out you have the same major,” biology senior Nadia Siddiqi, who lives in a residence hall, said. Siddiqi said she sees her neighbors walking around campus, but because she doesn’t know them, it can be awkward talking. By sharing a major, you can talk about classes you both might be taking.
Be respectful There are certain times it’s OK to be a little loud, broadcast sophomore Marlene Herrera said. “During the week while I am trying to study isn’t that time,” said Herrera, who lives in an apartment. Herrera said she is fine with people being noisy during the weekends,
Nuisance: A condition that substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities attempting to use and enjoy land.
Photo Illustration: Nikki Brown | Models: Ashanti Williams and Jasmine Jenkins
The Shorthorn Housing Guide recommends following the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you and give neighbors a smile and wave when passing. Being aware of noise levels can also create a good neighborly environment.
just not when she is trying to focus during the week. Clay, who is a resident assistant for Vandergriff Hall, said trading numbers can create an easier outlet in case you have to let them know if they need to turn down the noise.
online What tips do you have for living with neighbors? Share them online at www.theshorthorn.com/ housingguide.
@ChaseBWill
Animal noise nuisance: The keeping of any animal or bird that, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the peace and quiet of persons in the neighborhood or the occupants of adjacent premises who have and possess normal nervous sensibilities. Punishment: Each day a nuisance is caused, it’s is treated as a separate offence that can result in a fine not to exceed $500. A continued nuisance or one that is not defined in article 3.02 (a) of the ordinance will result in a fine not to exceed $2000. Source: Arlington city code of ordinances
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The Shorthorn
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Shorthorn
Page 27C
The Shorthorn: David Reid
Before moving in with someone, it is a good idea to set down guidelines or rules of the home. UTA offers a Roommate Agreement for students applying to live in residence halls or apartments on campus.
Stay out of the dog house Follow these five steps to stay in good relations with your new roommate By Ryan Wagoner The Shorthorn staff
Computer science freshman Nick Garza has three rules that he has set for his two roommates in Kalpana Chawla Hall: Don’t touch his stuff, clean up your space, and most importantly, do not wake him up unless it is a dire emergency. “If something is on fire or if someone in the room just died, that would be an acceptable time,” Garza said. “Other than that, I do not want to be messed with.” For students like Garza, moving into a new place may be an intimidating experience. Biochemistry freshman Jacqueline Villanueva said that moving into
some place new without knowing someone scares her. Whether it’s living with the first roommate right out of high school, a best friend on campus in a new apartment or anything in between, here are some topics to cover with the new roommate to stay out of the dog house:
Step 1: Break the ice The first hurdle when moving in with a stranger is getting to know the person you’ll live with. Information systems junior Dustin Zimmerman said that personally he always starts with a joke, but finding time to sit down to dinner with a new roommate or inviting them for a drink is a
good way to get to know them, too. He said he is planning to rent a house in Arlington with three other prospective UTA students from Arizona and Dallas. “You want to do something that lightens up the mood and gets them talking before you get into any heavy stuff like who buys what or who pays for this,” Zimmerman said. Garza said his current roommate sent him a Facebook message just to get the ball rolling. Diane Snow, clinical nursing professor and director for a psychiatric mental health program, said that getting to know a person’s interests and talents is beneficial in both selecting and familiarizing themselves with a new
online Visit www.theshorthorn.com/housingguide for a downloadable version of the UTA roommate agreement to use.
roommate to help ease the initial tension of meeting a new person. “Even religious beliefs are good to know up front, and if similar to yours, then they would help in being compatible,” Snow said.
Step 2: Lay it all out on the table Like Garza’s three simple rules, Snow said establishing
some basic boundaries can help keep someone from stepping on toes. Garza said that working out any pet peeves was part of the roommate agreement he signed. UTA offers a Roommate Agreement for students applying to live in residence halls or apartments on campus. “One of the things we talked about was loud music or playing video games with the volume up agreement continues on page 28C
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Agreement continued from page 27C
too high,” Garza said. “I am OK with them doing it because usually they play good music, but something we agreed on before we signed was not to be loud when someone in the room is trying to focus or study.” Snow said that if there is something a person can’t tolerate, then they need to state that up front and agree to respect one another’s requests for boundaries. This applies especially for someone who uses any drugs or alcohol or brings over friends that use them. She said that it can be very difficult for a person that doesn’t use drugs or is trying to stay or get clean. “Know things like what is important to you about noise, studying in the room, how late you stay up, who may visit, any special needs,” Snow said. Zimmerman said that he and his roommates have already come to a mutual agreement about how the house will operate, including how bills will be paid. “Right now, I pull the most income, so I will pay the most, which will probably go mainly
towards rent, while my roommates cover utilities and other stuff,” Zimmerman said. “Although I think it can be done with a stranger, this kind of system may be impossible if you get a roommate who is very introverted or doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Step 3: Make regular check-ups Villanueva said that a person should keep themselves open to conversation with their roommates, even if they don’t become best friends with that person. “You can do the whole ‘you do yours and I do mine’ thing, but if you at least stay friendly with a new roommate, you never know what you might find,” Villanueva said. Zimmerman said that because of his future living arrangement, he plans to have a sit-down dinner with his roommates at least once a month to work out any details with bills and to see how they are doing. Snow said that seeing how things are going on regular basis will help them make adjustments before things get uncomfortable.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
“Like being in a family, dividing up how to keep the place clean or who cooks is an important issue that should be brought up every few weeks,” Snow said. “Doing more work one week, if a roommate has a big project due, will also help.”
Step 4: Know when you cross a line For computer science freshman Jeremy Kenney, who is looking for an apartment on campus, being respectful of his Are you a space is what is most important. roommate “I would wizard? want someone who is at least See which cleanly, who Wizard of Oz knows what costs they need character to cover to pull represents their weight and who respects me your roomenough to be mate chara good roommate,” Kenney acteristics. said. see pages 4C Snow said and 5C that the goal is learning from that person to help create an environment that
Jim Lollar & Associates, P.C.
everyone is comfortable with. “Be respectful, listen to each other, forgive often and discuss things when you both are calm,” Snow said. Keisha Ware, attorney for students, said that UTA offers free mediation services to students on campus to help work out any problems with roommates before doing something drastic, such as trying to break a lease agreement or finding another roommate. “The whole point of mediation is to give people who have continuing relationships with one another the opportunity to be able to sit down and talk with one another with a non-mutual third party,” Ware said.
Step 5: Read and re-read Students specifically looking for an apartment or house either on or off campus have the extra task of signing a lease agreement. A lease agreement is a written or oral contract between a landlord and a second party to use a rental property for a specific period of time, usually for six months to a year in Texas, according to texastenant.org, an informational website set up by the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service. Ware said
that before any student signs a lease or any document relating to renting an apartment, they should thoroughly read the document and know exactly what they are agreeing to do. For lease She said, especially with the highlights new apartment and a complexes popping up around breakdown campus, to of your know what the difference is be- rights as a tween an apartrenter ment application and a lease, see pages 6C and 7C and to know exactly what you are signing up for on each document. “A lot of times, when you are out searching for your apartment, you are really excited,” Ware said. “You think, ‘OK, I found the place I want to be,’ and then when you get the paperwork, they are kind of rushing you to sign. Get a copy of everything and take it home with you, because once you sign, it is a contract, and you are on the hook.” @r_wag22 Ryan.wagoner@mavs.uta.edu
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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Sweat the small stuff Do more with your Mav Express Card
Forgetting little things such as toilet paper can be easy — and detrimental You’ve moved into your first apartment. The heat from unpacking all of the boxes containing clothes, linens, silverware, trinkets and books is exhausting. The minute you take a break, the urge to use the restroom hits. When you go, you feel relieved, until you realize one thing is missing out of all the things you brought — toilet paper. What do you do then? There are many items that people don’t think about getting when they move for the first time. Here are some of those common items based on what UTA students said.
Towels
Toilet paper
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Mechanical engineering junior Logan McClenny said one item probably tops any other item people forget in the least convenient situation — toilet paper. “At one point, toilet paper,” McClenny said about the thing he forgot most. “I definitely didn’t realize it before it was too late.”
Laundry detergent When nursing freshman Jocelyn Ponce first moved into Lipscomb Hall at the beginning of the semester, she forgot one vital item that would help her have clean clothes. “I went downstairs to do laundry and I realized I didn’t have laundry detergent,” Ponce said. “So I had to go run to the store.”
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Issue Date: 01/01/13
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Before engineering sophomore Peter Lindberg moved into Trinity Hall, he said he was living by himself in his own apartment in Houston. There were a few vital items he said he forgot while he was at it, but forgot something important — towels. “I had been living on my own eight months prior,” Lindberg said. “I moved from the East Coast to Houston and had completely forgotten about bringing those and pillows.”
Soap
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Nursing sophomore Breona Black mentioned that when she first came to UTA, she forgot to bring hand soap for the bathroom. “I was in the shower,” Black said. “And I was like, ‘Dang, I ain’t got no soap.’ ”
STORY BY DAVID DUNN
ONLINE What else should people remember to keep handy while moving? Share with us at www. theshorthorn.com/ housingguide
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