Housing Guide

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Page 4 Housing Guide

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Page 5 Housing Guide

Students weigh pros and cons of living alone Story by David Harris It is the conundrum faced by all college students the minute they move away from home: to live alone or not to live alone, that is the question.

Have you been woken up one too many times by your roommate’s dog’s incessant nighttime yapping? Or are you fed up with constantly having to do the dishes?

“Living with a roommate definitely can present some challenges,” said senior industrial distribution major Steve Brock.

Have you walked out into the living room and found only a wall to converse with? Or have you found yourself staring at the same television screen for hours on end?

“I can’t live alone,” said junior biology major Matt Hoffman. “There’s something to be said for being able to go out into the living room and hang with your boys.”

As freshmen, many students living in dorms end up rooming with a random per-

son bestowed upon them by the University. Brock said that first-year experience could be what decides whether or not they live with roommates in the future.

“I ended up rooming with a guy who kept his space and minded his own business,” Brock said. “However, I can see where a traumatic roommate experience could end up shaping what you do for the rest of college.”

There are pros and cons to both situations. Hoffman, who has lived with a roommate since he began college, listed the ability to mingle at random times of the day as the biggest asset of rooming with people but said that, sometimes, pets can be a bit of a hampering.

“When you get multiple dogs, it can become a problem,” Hoffman said. “Trash cans will be tipped over, food will be missing and there can be an overriding stench if the owner isn’t doing his job.”

Katie White, a senior history major, has seen both sides – in one semester. White,

who roomed with the same four girls for two years, moved into a one-bedroom flat midway through the semester and is already noticing differences – and positive ones at that.

“After living with four other girls for two years, it’s been really refreshing living on my own because I can go on my own pace and I don’t have to depend on anybody else,” White said. “Having been afraid I was going to be lonely, I’ve realized that it’s nice to have my own space.”

White added that being able to keep track of her own messes and clean at her own pace are more advantages to living alone. But she also said that there is a negative stereotype associated with living alone.

“I don’t want people to think of me as being some weird, old cat lady,” White said.

Brock doesn’t know what he’d do if he came home every night and had nobody but himself to keep him entertained.

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“I couldn’t do it,” Brock said. “Thinking is fun and all, but at a point, it becomes boring. I like to talk. And I like it even more when there is somebody else there to listen.”

Brock has had his fair share of issues, however. He’s lived with messy roommates, lazy roommates and currently lives with a compilation of five dogs — none of which are his. Regardless, he said he’s happy with his decision.

“Some of the best times I’ve had with my roommates have been unplanned and spontaneous,” Brock said. “And they wouldn’t have happened had I lived alone.”

It is a big decision — whether to live alone or with roommates — or all college students; one that will ultimately affect the quality of their semesters.

“The worst semester of my life was such because of the tension between me and my roommate,” Hoffman said. “But the best semester of my life had a lot to do with the people I was living with.”

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Page 6 Housing Guide

Decorating on a budget Story by Clarissa Orth You’re finally off to college and excited to be living on your own. But you’re leaving behind the room you’ve grown up in and grown to love. You may have outgrown your ’NSync posters, high school trophies, and display dolls or racecars, but you still want your new home to feel like … well, home. As a college student, you’re not exactly rolling in the dough, but you don’t have to order high-dollar furniture to create that “humble abode.” Whether it’s a dorm or house, boy’s or girl’s room, there are multiple ways to decorate on a meager budget.

Walk into your dorm room and you don’t have to look far to see what you’re working with — it’s small. But there are still easy ways to spice it up. To avoid staring

at the white walls, you have the option of painting them — it just has to be approved by your hall director. If you’d rather skip the work, buy your necessities like storage crates, trashcan and bedding in your favorite colors and patterns. Ashley Takacs, freshman meteorology major, lives on campus in Briggs Hall.

“Christmas lights and color! Target and Wal-Mart both had a lot of great items in their college lines to make our bare room more colorful, and it was all very affordable,” Takacs said.

If you are moving into an apartment, duplex or house, you will have a little more space to work with, but a lot more necessities, so you have to be cautious of your See Decorating on page 16

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Page 8 Housing Guide

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When it comes to commuting to class many students say that nothing beats the convenience of living on campus, but there is a difference of opinion when it comes to finding transportation for those living off campus.

With Texas A&M University so large there are more students in attendance than there is available housing on campus. Because of this the university is a commuter school. Whether it be riding the bus, driving, walking or riding a bike, off campus students have many options of how to get to school.

Allison Davis, a junior international marketing major, drives herself to school every day.

“I do it because it’s faster,” Davis said.

“I’m more in control of my speed and getting to where I want in a certain amount of time.”

Davis said there are also other benefits to driving herself to school.

“I get to listen to my own music and I don’t have to sit next to smelly people,” she said.

Lindsey Trcka, a junior communication major who lives in the Kappa Delta sorority house, has similar feelings.

“I prefer to drive my car, because the buses take up to three times as long, drop See Transportation on page 9

Page 9 Housing Guide

Transportation Continued from page 8 me off in an inconvenient location and frankly, they smell,� she said.

Although living on campus eliminates the need to commute, there is still a need to get around. “I live on campus, but I ride my bike to class,� said Lincoln Crowder, freshman aerospace engineering major. “I take the bus, because I have a night pass,� said Nick Panayi, a sophomore biomedical science major. “I prefer the bus, because it saves gas and is more efficient,� he said. “For my stop it comes every seven minutes during the day, and it’s usually on time.�

Matt Ortega, sophomore general studies major, is also in support of the bus. “I take the bus to school for convenience.

It goes directly to the area of school where I need to be in the morning,� Ortega said. “[Even] though I have a car and a parking pass, I choose to take the bus because of the fact that my parking pass does not correlate with my needs.�

Ortega, however, has different views on the efficiency of the bus. “I feel like in the mornings they fail,�

Ortega said. “I feel people don’t anticipate how busy the system is actually going to be.�

Meghan O’Rourke, a sophomore communication major, said, “I walk to school, because the bus does not come at a convenient time, and it has too many stops so I get to class faster if I just walk.� “My preferred method of transportation is my car,� she said. “But I do not have an on-campus parking pass and therefore do not want to pay to park on campus when I can walk since it is so close.�

Aside from the convenience in time, O’Rourke mentioned other benefits of walking. “It is good exercise,� she said. “I live at Gateway Villas. I drive because it is far as heck and there is no bus,� said Sarah Moerbe, a sophomore civil engineering major.

Moerbe expressed a desire to live closer to campus to be able to skip to class. “Because it’s so fun!� she said.

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Page 10 Housing Guide

Read the lease before you sign Story by Alexandria Randolph

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As spring semester comes to a close, many students are looking for a new home in the fall. Due to paperwork and foreign terminology, the prospect of renting can seem overwhelming.

However, leasing agent Niquitta Rout said, “It’s fairly simple. Usually a prospective leaser will come visit the property ‌ they will go through a credit check, and the person’s income must be at least three times the monthly rate.â€?

Rout said renting with roommates is fairly straightforward. “Everyone’s name should be on the lease,� she said.

Sometimes the situation might be simpler than that.

James Wise, a sophomore, is not involved with the lease on his apartment. “I paid four months’ rent directly to my roommate,� Wise said. “I didn’t have to do any contracts or anything since we’re friends. I just started living there, it wasn’t really an official thing.�

Senior Rebekah Turmel had a similar situation after returning from a semester abroad in China. “My roommate and another girl had picked out the place,� Turmel said. “She was going to graduate in the fall, and I basically just moved in.�

Turmel’s complex managers were flexible and created a new lease agreement for her. “They knew I was living with my roommate long before anything was signed, and it took about a month to finalize everything,� she said.

Wise, who was employed with an apartment complex in College Station, said that the greatest disadvantage for student leasers is ignorance of their lease agreements. “There are lots of things in the contracts that the complex employees are supposed to be responsible for,� he said.

Many leasers don’t understand work orders and the responsibilities of complex employees. “They try to do it themselves instead of calling the front desk and having us do it for free,� he said.

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Page 13 Housing Guide

Don’t let your home be an easy target Story by Mallory Roberts

Safety tips:

When the holidays and school breaks come around, students do not hesitate to get out of that last class and go as far as possible to the nearest point of relaxation.

Relaxation is a concept that a couple of individuals did not encounter over their winter break. On New Year’s Eve, Andrew Ainsworth, a senior recreation, parks and tourism science major, was in his hometown when he got the phone call. Someone had broken into his house near Villa Maria and FM 2818.

Leaving his family and girlfriend behind, Ainsworth drove back to College Station for the investigation. The burglars got away with a 32” flat screen television, an XBOX360, a 42” plasma television and a Nintendo DS. “I’ve always taken my valuables home with me,” said Ainsworth “but this time we were making such a long haul that there wasn’t any room in the car for them.”

Double check that all doors and windows are locked and secure. Make your home look as if someone is still home. Know your neighbors and their vehicles Use the “Operation ID” system Tucker Swearengen, a junior international business major at Sam Houston State, had a similar story over the winter break. Swearengen and his three roommates live on the north side of Wellborn.

They received a not-so-pleasant gift from Santa when they came back from Christmas Break. The thieves grabbed two televisions, an XBOX, all their video games an iPod, an iHome, a legendary Nintendo64, and a printer.

Ainsworth said he never got anything

replaced, nor did the police department find any of their things. As for Swearengen, having renter’s insurance got almost everything replaced.

Sgt. Janice Kemp from the College Station Police Department’s Special Service Division offered some tips for students to take advantage of before they go on their next break.

First, Kemp stresses that students need to double-check the locks on every door and window in the house. To keep your doors even more secure, Kemp says that it never hurts to have more than one locking device on a door or window, but to never leave a spare key outside your house.

Second, Kemp says it is extremely important to make your home look like someone is there. This can include leaving your lights and televisions on timers or keeping a porch light on.

Third, keep your shrubs and bushes trimmed so they are not covering your win-

dows. Kemp says that shrubs and bushes are just another hideout for criminals.

Fourth, Kemp says it is important to know your neighbors and their vehicles.

Kemp jokes, “This doesn’t mean you have to invite them to dinner every afternoon.” It is best that you know your neighbors so that you both can help each other.

If you see someone or a car that looks suspicious, it never hurts to call the police.

Kemp says that when crimes or break-ins occur, the neighbors usually end up telling police they saw something that looked fishy, but never thought to call.

Last, Sgt. Kemp encourages that students use College Station’s “Operation ID” system. The system asks that students and families write down serial numbers and take pictures of all valuables in the house.

“Crime can happen anywhere and they look for the easiest targets,” Kemp says, “the more time it takes them to get in your house, the more effort they will have to put in.”

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Page 16 Housing Guide

Decorating Continued from page 6

The Battalion Classified Advertising • Easy • Affordable • Effective Call for more information 845-0569

spending. As much as we want nice, new things, it doesn’t always agree with our bank accounts. For items like living room and dining room furniture, classified advertisements can serve as a useful resource.

Rebecca Harry, senior kinesiology major, said that an online classifieds site helped her find a cute dining room table that was not only affordable, but still in good-as-new condition. “Toward the end of the school year, a lot of graduating Aggies post their furniture for sale, which can benefit both the graduate and yourself. You can look at pictures and see what suits your taste, needs and budget,” Harry said.

When moving into a home away from home, you may need couches, a washer and dryer, bedroom furniture, etc. The list can be endless but the funds are not, so don’t be afraid of garage sales and family handme-downs, in addition to classifieds. They are all great sources for finding cheap used items that are still in really good condition.

Talk to your relatives and friends, because you never know when they are looking to

ALLSIZE STORAGE

get rid of things that you could put to use.

That just covers the floor — don’t forget about the walls. If you’re feeling particularly creative or artsy, you can create your own original wall art. Harry said she bought blank canvases and some paint and made her own paintings to match her house.

“The living room paintings incorporate the two colors of my couches and the one in my bathroom matches my shower curtain. I also painted letters that spell ‘Texas Aggies’ to personalize my house even more.”

Sometimes, you don’t even have to look beyond the selection of your personal belongings.

Clayton Laskowski, a senior agricultural economics major, said “I just hung things up that I already had and liked — wall art from Jamaica, a signed drumstick and my old high school basketball jersey. I’ve even seen a tabletop that my friend made out of a bunch of bottle caps – that was pretty awesome. It’s pretty easy to make your own decorations once you start looking around your house.”

Whatever it is you choose to don your home with, whether it’s purchased or made, new or used, make sure it expresses who you are, and you’ll feel right at home in no time.

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Page 24 Housing Guide

XFMDPNF IPNF UP

Pontalba Apartments Living with a pet Great Living Starts Here!

Welcome Parents and Students to Pontalba Apartments!

Pontalba offers small community apartments in one of the best locations in town. We have two bedroom apartments that range from $625 to $695 for over 1000 sq. ft. of living space!

Pontalba Offers... * Washer/Dryer Conn. * Large Walk-in Closets * Pet Friendly

* Spacious Kitchens * Plenty of Storage * On Texas A&M Bus Route 31

* Front and Back Patio * Designer Paint * Locally Owned and Operated

Come in and mention this ad and pay

NO DEPOSIT, NO APPLICATION FEES, and NO ADMINISTRATION FEES!!!

528 Southwest Parkway College Station, TX

979-693-6102 Visit www.pontalbaapartmenthomes.com or come in Monday thru Saturday 9-5 & Sunday 12-4.

Story by Megan Ryan The furry canines and felines of the Brazos Valley have a way of captivating the hearts of college students at Texas A&M. However, owning an animal while leasing a property can cause a few headaches.

If a landlord or apartment complex does allow pets, there are usually restrictions.

According to various College Station apartments’ information, pet deposits can cost around $200 to $350 in College Station, and some areas charge a monthly pet rent fee as well. Weight limits and number of pets are also typically listed in the lease.

Bringing pets into a rented space can be a risk. Some pets can cause damage to rented properties and cost the pet owner extra money.

“My dog has torn up the blinds like three times, and I have replaced them myself so that it is cheaper than whatever the landlord would charge me,” said Carol Finney, senior special education major.

Pets can also get nervous or angry when

their owners are gone during the day and can damage furniture.

“At the apartment, Kyle got sick all over the couch while I was gone one day,” Finney said. “I had to take all the stuffing out and wash the cushions, and he got it on some of the stuffing as well, cause it soaked through, and I had to go to the fabric store and buy new stuffing.”

Vet bills and other expenses can add more pressure to a college student already on a tight budget.

“I take him to the Small Animal Clinic so we get 20 percent student discount, which is why I go there, and if I take him in for a checkup with shots and everything, it’s probably a little over $100,” Finney said.

Many dogs and cats can live 18 years or longer, so choosing to own one is a commitment. However, some college students find they can’t take care of their pet after graduation and end up leaving their furry friend behind.

Krystle Gervais, community enhanceSee Pets on page 25

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Page 25 Housing Guide

Willowick Apartments 502 Southwest Parkway College Station, TX 77840

Only 1 Mile From Texas A&M University!

Community Features - Shaded Sand Vollyball Courts

Amenities - Studio, 1 & 2 bdrm apartments

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Pets Continued from page 24 ment coordinator for Brazos Valley Animal Shelter, said the shelter picks up pets college students leave behind.

Gervais said college students make great pet owners, but that scheduling has to be a priority.

“From experience, it’s trying to figure out the time, because you’re in class all day,” she said. “Especially when you have a new puppy, finding time to let it out and let it get its exercise.”

Choosing a pet should have more to do with the student’s lifestyle than how cute the pet is, Gervais said. The cutest

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puppies can sometimes turn into dogs that need much more attention than a college student has time for.

“We recommend students to adopt not a teeny puppy but maybe a little older puppy, because they don’t require as much potty training,” she said.

One pet that requires a lot of exercise and even more pampering is Reveille, but mascot handler Cody Guffey said she brings him a great sense of happiness.

“Having a pet is pretty awesome especially ‘cause it’s something there to be your friend,” said Guffey, a senior political science major. “You can’t always go out every night with your friends, so it could get lonely. But if you have a pet, you’re not by yourself, you feel more secure.”

- 3 Updated Onsite Clothing Care Facilities

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Page 29 Housing Guide

Linda Castoria Roedel, Realtor

Who you gonna call?

Story by Jill Beathard When Hannah Trochta’s air conditioning went out last summer, she called her landlord and asked him to fix it. He promptly made an appointment with the repair company he always used, who came out and got the air conditioning running again but didn’t have a replacement part to fix it for good. They waited on the part all summer.

“Pretty much we did not have air conditioning. I would say at least two-thirds of the summer,” Trochta said. “It kept breaking. I guess it was the same problem and he didn’t feel like it needed to be replaced until the end of the summer, and then instead of just fixing the problem they actually did replace the air conditioner.”

Living in a rental property is full of confrontations like this. Understanding what your landlord is responsible for and what you are responsible for as a tenant can help ease these situations.

Realtor Brandon Schielack said landlords are responsible for all repairs. However, tenants are responsible for repairs from negligence, such as broken windows, clogged drains, garbage disposals and toilets.

“Typically tenants pay for all utilities, including electricity, cable, Internet, water/ sewer,” Schielack said. “[The] owner pays all taxes, insurance, HOA [Homeowner’s Association fees].”

Schielack said when they move into a new place, students should ask their landlord if they pay rent to them or to the property manager, and who they should call for repairs.

“Typically it’s the tenants’ responsibility for a house,” he said. “Anything else is typically [the] owner’s.”

Adult, Graduate & Off Campus Student Services also offers resources and advice for students living off-campus, including legal advice for problems with landlords or roommates.

According to the Off Campus Survival Manual, tenants cannot withhold rent because repairs have not been completed.

However, the law implies a warranty by the owner that the property will be habitable, so the owner must repair any conditions that affect the safety or health of a tenant.

Residents should also make an inventory of the condition of the property when they move in.

Schielack said it’s important to notify someone in writing when there is a need for a repair.

“The main thing is to have documentation

of everything,” Schielack said.

That wasn’t enough for Trochta though. At the end of the summer, she and her roommates emailed their landlord requesting compensation for the high electricity bills they had had to pay because their air conditioning wasn’t working properly. He ignored the email.

“You have to be really proactive; you have to be on top of them,” Trochta said.

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Offering desirable, affordable, upscale condos Perfect for students Best location in town and close to TAMU and BLINN 4 different floor plans at GREAT prices FABULOUS investment, easy and high resale value Call a number below for your showing appointment

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From Kyle Field go south on Wellborn Rd to Holleman Dr W cross over railroad tracks and Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S to Holleman Dr S. At Dowling Rd “T” turn right go 1.1 miles to Walnut Rd on the left. Look for Aggie Acres signs and banners on the right.

FOR SUMMER 2011 SALES AND OCCUPANCY INFORMATION CONTACT Jim Jones 979-220-4486 OR Lance Browne 979-777-8320

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979.691.0100 | 4151 WELLBORN ROAD | BRYAN, TX 77801

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