Living Guide 2016

presents

Living Guide 2016

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Staff Sooner Yearbook @sooneryb sooneryearbook.com

Editor

Rachel Schaub

Design Editor Keenan Betz

Writers

Photo Editor Dakota Arther

Samantha Bechtold Rachel Campbell Kaitlynn Maddox Torri Sperry Maleah Willis

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PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd Whether flying solo or living with five people, finding the right amount of roommates is the perfect way to kick off the housing search.

By Rachel Campbell

Selecting how many roommates to live with may seem trivial. However, digging past the surface reveals a host of preferences, personality types and price variations to consider. Some apartment options may be off-limits depending on the number of roommates, so settling on a number of people to live with is one of the first steps to securing housing.

The Reserve on Stinson’s leasing and marketing manager, Mario Brown, says students tend to select two or three person housing. Regardless of how many roommates students have, Mario recommends they get to know each other before making any judgments.

“Just give people a chance. Start out with some things you have in common with them and go from there,” Brown said.

1-2 Person Housing

Socially introverted students with a bigger budget will thrive living alone or with only one other roommate. For these students, nothing sounds better after a long day of school than walking into a quiet house with the space and freedom to unwind.

Jadon Woods, mechanical engineering junior, experienced firsthand the difference between living with one person as opposed to three.

“I had three roommates for two years of school and it was very crowded. I never had any room in the kitchen for food. I just felt like I never really got my own space and I wanted more privacy, so I decided to only live with one roommate this year,” Woods said.

More people can also mean more clutter and conflict. Living with fewer people minimizes the risks of arguments, clashing schedules and different cleanliness standards.

“The common areas stay much cleaner with one roommate, and it’s a lot easier to tell whose food is whose. Also, it’s a better environment for studying and sleep as there’s not three girls down the hall talking to each other or watching television. And it’s easier to host parties on the weekends, as only one roommate needs advance notice. I honestly love living with one person. I just wish I would’ve had one roommate for the previous years,” Woods said.

3-5 Person Housing

Bountiful quality time and cheaper prices await those who live with more roommates.

For some, finding a place to live is nothing more than a question of which places can house students and their closest friends.

“We were just three friends who needed to move off campus and wanted to live together. So I never really considered having more or fewer roommates,” said Paige Hartsfield, public relations junior. “Next year, there will be five of us. We just had two more friends who needed a place to live so we added them.”

Extroverted students or people who enjoy the communal living style of the dorms or Greek houses will appreciate more roommates. Hartsfield looks forward to having more roommates because she will be able to interact with her friends more often.

The more roommates a student has, the less expensive rent becomes.

“The biggest thing we see students factor in when choosing how many roommates to live with is price. The more roommates you have, the more economical it will be,” Brown said.

Each roommate brings something to the table, whether it is furniture, appliances or skills. Having more roommates can make for a more balanced house when it comes to material items and skillsets as opposed to living alone.

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It’s Time to Have the Talk

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

Talking about common issues with your roommates before you move in can prevent issues during the lease.

By Maleah Willis

Moving into your own place with old friends or new acquaintances may sound exciting, but things do not always go as planned. Sitting down with your roommates before moving in can solve many issues that may arise.

Cleaning

Money

Money is an important issue for roommates, especially when living in an apartment or house for the first time. If you or one of your roommates are not able to pay rent, find an alternate living situation. You can choose new roommates or find a different apartment.

A place with by-the-bed leasing can serve as insurance for everyone if someone is worried about paying rent.

Set up a plan to help with finances before moving in to prevent future problems.

You and your roommates should talk about cleanliness in the apartment. Roommates sometimes have problems with how often and in what ways the apartSleep habits ment or house should be cleaned. It’s important to When living with other people, it’s only polite to establish some kind of cleaning schedule that states who will clean and when. This will eliminate arguments respect their schedule. Before moving in with someone, talk about your sleep and homework schedules. If your when it comes time to wash the dishes or take out the sleep habits don’t line up perfectly, there are solutions. trash.

Avoid playing loud music or entertaining friends when Groceries others are trying to rest.

What is being stored in the fridge can cause issues.

When shopping for groceries, always make sure that you and your roommates agree on the food being purchased. Decide with your roommates if you will share groceries and how you will pay for them. Sharing essentials like milk and eggs is usually a safe bet, but make sure that you all have the same expectations.

Privacy

Privacy is an important consideration for many people, especially those who are living away from home for the first time. Make time to talk to your roommates about which people may visit and when, when you need time to yourself and the appropriate times to come

in unannounced. This will limit embarrassing and uncomfortable situations, which all roommates will appreciate.

Schedules and Emergencies

Let your roommate know what your school and work schedules are and keep them updated if your schedule changes. If an emergency occurs, it’s important that someone knows where you are, especially if you live far from home. Make sure your roommate knows about your allergies or any special medical situations. Also, give them your emergency contact information if you’re comfortable doing so.

Having a roommate can be both a curse and a blessing. Living with a close friend can have mixed results.

Alex Meador, biochemistry/pre-med senior, believes there are benefits and disadvantages when living with friends. “[One] of the cons [is] being around that person nonstop. Even though you may have known a person for years, living together is a whole new deal. Sometimes friendships are pushed and tested. A pro would be not being alone. It’s also nice to share the load of responsibility on household chores and such,” Meador said.

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NOW HIRING! studentmedia.ou.edu/jobs

Student Media is a department within OU’s division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

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Thing$ to Know Before You $ign

By Torri Sperry

Before you sign a lease or contract, here’s a list of questions you should ask the landlord or management.

Lease Questions 1 How much does rent cost?

2 When and how is rent paid each month?

3 Is the lease shortterm or long-term?

4 Is the safety deposit

refundable? Under what conditions?

5 Is renter’s insurance required? Do I have to purchase it from the apartment complex?

8 Can I document any current damage in the apartment? Who do I contact about this?

6 What happens if I have

9 Is one roommate

to move out early? Will I have to pay any additional fees?

7 What is the late rent policy? Is there a grace period?

held responsible if another doesn’t pay their portion of rent?

Living Questions 1 Are utilities included?

If not, what utilities do I need to take care of?

5 Does the apartment

2 What is the guest

6 Am I responsible for

laundry? How much does it cost to do laundry and what hours is the facility open?

7 Is there parking avail-

9 What additional amenities are included in my rent?

policy?

3 Are pets allowed? If so, how much are pet fees?

4 Can I make changes

or personalize the apartment?

come furnished? What appliances are included? any maintenance work in the apartment? able at the complex? Do I have to purchase a permit, and if so, how much does it cost?

8 Where can I do my

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

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When to Sign the Dotted Line The best time to sign a lease changes depending on what is most important to students.

By Kaitlynn Maddox

Many apartment complexes offer deals and promotions for the upcoming lease period. These can save money and time, but can also force students to make decisions before they are ready. Managers and staff at different apartment complexes in Norman offered their advice on when is the best time to look at apartments and sign a lease.

Signing Early: An early lease is signed between the end of November and the beginning of February.

PROS Most apartment complexes in Norman offer their best deals first to renewing leaseholders, then to early bird signers.

Desirable floor plans, such as studio or two bedroom apartments, are usually only available early.

Signing early gives you the opportunity to speak with current tenants about management, utilities, transportation and other pertinent information.

If you plan on living with roommates that you already know, there is an advantage to signing early and choosing a unit with them.

CONS Once you sign, you are committed to that apartment unless you choose to break your lease, usually resulting in inflated rates and extra fees.

Lease agreements, complex amenities or your personal plans (such as studying abroad and needing to sublet) could change in the time between signing and moving in.

Prices may be better at another complex or later in the year due to special sales.

Signing early, especially if this is your first apartment lease, could leave you not knowing how to negotiate or ask all of the appropriate questions.

Signing Late: A late lease is signed from four months to just days before you plan to move in.

PROS Signing at a later date gives you more time to research existing complexes, management and communities to choose the right housing for your needs.

Leasing later typically means that you have solidified your plans, and will certainly need an apartment for the duration of the lease.

Some complexes will run last minute specials to lease any remaining units, resulting in lower prices.

If you don’t have roommate plans, you can sign a lease later without worrying about being matched with specific people.

CONS Many apartments, especially popular complexes, will be completely filled by the middle of March at the latest.

Waiting until the last minute to sign a lease can leave you with the most undesirable floor plans in an unfavored section of the complex.

Typically, apartment complexes raise their rates toward the end of the signing season, leaving you paying more money out of pocket.

Signing late could leave you rushed, meaning you do not pay attention to the fine print and special rates or rules of the lease.

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$ZHVRPH $PHQLWLHV Pool and Sundeck

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

The Assurance of Insurance

Getaway Atmosphere Fitness Center BBQ Grills Great Outdoor Space Pet Friendly

Every student buying a house needs to think about home insurance.

By Torri Sperry, with consultation from Steve Copeland, Shelter Insurance

1 If you have a loan on your home, the mortgage company will require you

to insure the property. They want to make sure their collateral is covered.

2 The right time to buy home insurance is before you have a loss.

3 Make sure the company you buy insurance from is reputable.

4 Get quotes from several companies. Have the company email the quote so you can compare coverage options, and make sure you compare apples to apples on coverage and deductible options.

5 You should at least cover the structure of the home in case of fire or tornadoes.

6 With insurance, students benefit from having the peace of mind that if something happens, they will have resources available to rebuild their property and replace their contents. Homeowners insurance also provides living expenses to pay for a hotel and meals immediately after a loss.

Rent starts at

$599/mo. $SSO\ 1RZ Forest Pointe 1100 Oak Tree Ave Norman, OK 73072

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A Market on the Move Construction of new luxury apartments in Norman is changing the way students think about leases.

By Samantha Bechtold

The local student housing market is constantly growing, with new complexes being built and older ones being left in the dust.

In a college town such as Norman, the number of student housing complexes has been increasing at an alarming rate.

Student housing complexes promote community by offering amenities appealing to student life. These complexes typically lease per bedroom rather than per unit, unlike more traditional apartment complexes. This community mentality caters toward students because it allows them to live on their own lease and on their own terms, according to Addison Suson, Millennium assistant manager.

Thirteen student housing complexes currently stand in Norman, three of which have been built within the past year.

Some of these new luxury apartments are marketed as modern, featuring updated amenities. These are often the same amenities found in non-luxury apartments, with a few exceptions.

Dillan Savage, political science senior, has lived in University Greens since his freshman year. When choosing where to live, affordability was one of his biggest concerns.

“Luxury apartments are nice but the pricing can get high,” Savage said.

Other students felt the accommodations of the luxury apartments were worth the higher price tag when signing a lease.

“My top priority was what I am getting for price,” said Margaret Codispoti, psychology pre-med sophomore and Aspen Heights resident. “I know the newer apartments can be quite a bit more expensive, but I think you get more in regards to your apartment and accommodations by the complex as well.”

The price gap between the luxury and non-luxury apartment complexes is significant. The VUE is exclusive, with only 24 units. Their lowest rates start at $785.

Other luxury apartments such as Millennium and Aspen

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

Heights have lower rates, ranging from $509 to $897.

On the other hand, complexes such as Crimson Park, Campus Lodge and University Greens have some apartments available for under $430 per month. This affordable price appealed to Sehrish Shahabuddin, elementary education sophomore and Crimson Park resident.

“College is not a time of luxury,” Shahabuddin said. “It is a time to live averagely and get by.”

With thirteen student housing complexes, along with non-student housing options, there is a concern that Norman is becoming overbuilt with student-specific apartments.

Macey Flowers, The VUE general manager, feels that OU’s student body is growing at a fast rate and that newer complexes are keeping up with the growth.

The number of students enrolled at OU has declined since 2012. In fall of 2014, the total enrollment of students was 27,278 — the lowest number since 2011, which was at 27,149, according to OU Fact Book.

In fall of 2015, there were 27,445 students enrolled — a 0.6 percent increase from the year before, according to OU Fact Book.

Shahabuddin feels that Norman’s surplus of student housing apartment complexes creates a lack of community among students.

“There are a plethora of complexes and the competition is increasing with each new one built,” Shahabuddin said. “I wish there were less so most students lived in one concentrated area to be together as a community.”

Construction wrapped up for these newer complexes last year, and there are now more complexes competing with each other to fill their units.

“As these newer apartments sprout up, older apartments will have to do some updating and renovations,” Flowers said. “If they want to compete, they will have to invest more.”

The competition stems from various apartment options now available in Norman, Flowers said.

“We are all competing for the same students,” Flowers said.

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

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Buses, Shuttles and Automobiles

Best Apartments for Walkers and Bikers Emerald Greens 6.25%

Others 6.25%

Distance from OU is an important consideration for many students living off-campus.

By Maleah Willis

Students face many important questions when deciding where to live after their freshman year.

Transportation to and from campus is an aspect of housing that can be overlooked by many students.

There is an enormous variety of apartment choices in Norman. There are also many ways to get from Norman’s apartment complexes to campus. Some students choose to walk or bike, others may drive and some may decide to take the bus. The ways that students plan to get to campus can influence where they choose to live. Living Guide conducted

a poll asking students which complexes were best for different kinds of transportation. The responses show that marketability also factors into where students live. Some apartment complexes near campus are not marketed exclusively to students, which can factor into student decisions.

When deciding where to live, students should consider their daily schedule. Thinking about campus responsibilities and how students want to spend their free time can help them determine how far away from OU they should live.

Millennium 18.75% Traditions West 12.50%

Traditions East 56.25%

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On the Road Again Students shared their opinions about apartments that are close to campus.

Compiled by Maleah Willis

Best Apartments for Drivers

Campus and Apartment Map

Millennium 12.50%

Crimson Park 18.75%

Other 18.75%

Commons 6.25%

University Greens 12.50%

Campus Lodge 31.25%

Best Apartments for Bus Takers Other 6.25%

Crimson Park 12.50%

Kraettli/Traditions 12.50%

Millennium 25%

Campus Lodge 43.75%

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START HERE WHO ARE YOU?

My name is Baxter Holmes. I’m 28 and I cover the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA for ESPN. I live in downtown Los Angeles.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

I graduated in 2009 and began my post-graduate journalism career at the Los Angeles Times, where I worked for 3 1/2 years as a sports reporter before being hired by The Boston Globe to cover the Boston Celtics. I spent two years at the Globe before being hired by ESPN in the fall of 2014, at which time I was relocated back to LA.

WHO WERE YOU IN COLLEGE?

I majored in journalism and worked as a sports reporter at the OU Daily for three years and then at the yearbook during my final year. I also spent one semester as a sports editor for the Daily.

HOW DID WORKING FOR US HELP SHAPE YOU?

baxter holmes

There’s no better way to become a journalist than to practice journalism on a daily basis, and working at the Daily helped me tremendously in that regard. I was lucky to work along some fine students who carried themselves in an extremely professional manner, which helped elevate all of us to that level. I was also lucky enough to learn from our editorial adviser at the time, Jack Willis, a longtime newspaperman and an outstanding professor who groomed many OU alumni who are working as professional journalists to this day. He fostered an an environment that led so many of us to love and truly believe in the mission of journalism. Lastly, there are numerous journalism professors at OU who provided wisdom and daily encouragement that is invaluable.

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WRITERS, DESIGNERS, EDITORS, AND AD SALES STAFF

END HERE

VISIT STUDENTMEDIA.OU.EDU/JOBS TO APPLY OU

force OU Student Media is a department within OU’s division of Student Affairs. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

For accommodations on the basis of a disability, call 325-2521

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Traditions Square is OU’s premier upperclass apartment complex dedicated to providing high-quality living for students.

Enjoy all the conveniences of living on campus, while having your own fully furnished bedroom and apartment with a full kitchen.

24-Hour Visitation

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AMENITIES All bills and utilities included Charge to your Bursar CART pickups Fully furnished Graduate student building Walking distance to class Free parking at the complex TV/DVD player in each unit Full-size washer and dryer in each unit Wireless Internet Pool and hot tub Expanded basic cable TV service Sand volleyball court Putting green Basketball court Outdoor barbecue grills Fully-equipped clubhouse 24-hour fitness facility 24-hour maintenance Computer lab with printer Free DVD, game and equipment check out

/OUTRADITIONSSQUARE OU.EDU/HOUSINGANDFOOD (405) 325-2511 OU Traditions Square is owned and operated by Housing and Food Services, a department in OU’s division of Student Affairs.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. ou.edu/eoo.

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ou.edu/housingandfood · 405.325.2511 · housinginfo@ou.edu Housing and Food Services is a department in OU’s division of Student Affairs.

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Temporary Fix

PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

Students have many choices to make when it comes to summer housing.

By Torri Sperry

Whether you’re staying in Norman to take classes or leaving for the summer, apartment complexes offer multiple options for summer leasing. Alex Harbach, community assistant at The Avenue at Norman, highlighted the importance of looking at signing several months in advance.

Leaving for the summer Relet — If a student wants to relet another stu-

dent’s apartment for the summer, they have to find a candidate to take over their lease. Appropriate paperwork has to be filled out and the original tenant must pay the fees specified by the apartment complex. The

new tenant will take over the lease and apartment as is. The previous tenant will not have to worry about paying any rent for the remainder of the lease, since the new tenant will be covering it.

Sublease — If a student subleases, they are required to pay a fee specified by the apartment complex. The new tenant will then be added onto the lease with the previous tenant. The new tenant will be responsible for the rent during the months they are staying at the apartment. However, the previous tenant will be able to come back and live at the apartment after the new tenant leaves, because the sublease is more temporary.

Staying for the summer

Students can sign a 12-month, 10-month or 6-month lease with landlord approval. When signing a lease for the school year, students should think about their summer plans as well. If a student needs temporary summer housing, they can look into reletting or subleasing an apartment. Many students leave for the summer and can accommodate someone living in their apartment during that time.

Students who are looking for a place to stay have many options. Facebook and Craigslist are great places to search for people who are interested in subleasing or reletting.

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PHOTO BY DAKOTA ARTHER

10 Things to do on Move-In Day Taking care of these things during move-in helps students start the lease off right.

By Rachel Schaub Moving into a new apartment or house can be overwhelming. Between unpacking and organizing everything and filling out paperwork, it’s easy to forget everything that needs to be done. Here’s a list of things to do the day of move-in that will help you for the entire lease period.

1 Fill out a room inventory form. Make sure to check everything listed on the form in order to avoid extra fees at the end of your lease period.

2 Take pictures of any damage. Save these and send them to management if you need to do so.

3 Take inventory of all your belongings, especially if living with roommates. Know how many plates, sets of silverware and kitchen utensils you brought to prevent

issues when moving out.

4 Submit maintenance requests for anything that needs to be fixed immediately. It’s important to get these requests in quickly, because many people will likely send in work orders within the first few weeks of the lease period.

5 Check your rent rate and pay the first month’s rent.

Make sure the rate is what you previously agreed on with the owner or manager, and then work out your payment plan for the rest of the lease period.

6 Figure out parking. You should already know if you have a parking spot at your apartment or house, but some places require you to register your car or pick up a gate key or permit. Take care of this as quickly as possible in order to avoid issues later.

7 Make a run to the grocery store. Fill up your fridge now, and make sure to get all the essentials. Don’t forget necessities for the rest of the house, too, like toilet paper, hand soap and storage bins.

8 Do some cleaning. It’s helpful to get this done before you unpack everything. Your living space will then be ready for you to move in all of your belongings.

9 Forward your address. Since you’re moving to a new place, you will want to change your mailing address. This is especially important if any bills or paychecks are delivered to you regularly.

10 Start unpacking. Don’t wait to organize everything, especially if you move in right before the semester starts. Get organized as soon as possible so you can use everything without worrying about where to find items.

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