April 12 | The Columbia Chronicle

APR

12

2021

editor’s note

Editor’s Note: Things I’ve learned as a novice renter that you should know about apartment living » MARI DEVEREAUX CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ONCE YOU STEP outside of staying with

family at home and roommates in residence halls, city living is on a whole other level.

I have been living in an off-campus apartment for nearly two years now, and I have learned lots of things— mostly through trial by fire. The whole process of apartment searching, from finding available spaces in certain neighborhoods within your price range to figuring out roommates and keeping track of bills, is tedious.

That is why, as someone who has been there before, I’ve compiled some bits of advice I wish people had given me when I was first moving into an apartment.

First on the list is ensuring that right away you build a good relationship with your landlord or your building’s manager—or whomever you go to when you need help fixing things in your apartment. They are going to be your lifeline for as long as you are there.

Make sure you know their name and number and that you build a rapport with them so it is less awkward when you call on them for maintenance. Shout out to my building manager who once helped my roommate and me rid our apartment of an infestation of baby spiders.

Next, the thing that everyone hates: figuring out their bills. Between rent, Wi-Fi, gas and electricity, sorting all your expenses can be stressful. The number one thing I can recommend is setting up an autopay system online so your bills are paid automatically each month. Also, find someone you know who has rented before to help you decipher contracts and establish your payment plans.

You should always keep track of how much you are being charged each month through a Google Doc or a spreadsheet, and you should make sure your payment goes through, in case there is an issue with your card or your bank.

In terms of cleaning, there are a few essential items to purchase. You’re going to need more than one toilet brush—just trust me on this one. You will also want some sort of essential oil diffuser for when the smells are more rancid than the vibes.

2 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

For scratches on the wall, it might be worthwhile to invest in some plaster and paint that matches the current color.

A tennis ball or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser both work like a charm to get black scuff marks off a hardwood floor.

Whatever pet you get, expect something of a mess. If you have a cat, expect things to get scratched up—yes, even if you have a scratching post. If you have a cat or dog and you live in a small apartment, hold on to your breakables when they get bursts of energy and run around at high speeds. Also, annual or monthly pet fees are indeed a thing in many apartments, so check into that before purchasing a furry friend.

For plants, make sure you buy ones that can survive in your chosen apartment. Be aware that you may not get direct sunlight with the way your apartment is facing and that in the winter the plants might get cold by the windows. A large plant in a small space may also not be a smart idea.

The friendliness of your upstairs, downstairs and next-door neighbors can be a toss-up. The best you can do to keep the peace is to try and keep your noise levels to a minimum.

If you have wooden floors and thin walls, try not to blast the TV, jump around a lot or yell, because, trust me, your neighbors can hear EVERYTHING. If they do get upset at you for one reason or another, respond calmly and respectfully. Do not, under any circumstances, escalate the situation.

Once you address the behavior that upset them, if your neighbor’s anger persists, know that you don’t have to keep opening the door to their angry knocks.

Instead, you can tell them to direct their complaints to the landlord.

Remember with interior decorating that anything you bring into the apartment, you will eventually have to move out one day. I know it looks pretty now, but that record player, those hardcover books and those mirrors you found on Etsy are not your friends when it comes to putting everything in a U-Haul.

Most importantly, enjoy your freedom and your first taste of adult life on your own. Someday you’ll be looking upon this period of your life fondly— mistakes and all.

MDEVEREAUX@COLUMBIACHRONICLE.COM

»staff MANAGEMENT

Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor Director of Photography Audience Engagement Editor Sales Manager

Opinions Editor Senior Reporter Multimedia Reporter Staff Reporters

Copy Chief Copy Editors

Mari Devereaux Brooklyn Kiosow Dyana Daniels Kaylie Slack Paige Barnes Cale Holder

REPORTERS

Isaiah Colbert Mateusz Janik Shane Verkest Anna Busalacchi Camryn Cutinello Amaris Edwards Noah Jennings Rachel Patel Amina Sergazina Erin Threlkeld

COPY

Summer Hoagland-Abernathy Justice Lewis Ella Watylyk

Multimedia Editor Deputy Director of Photography Photojournalists

MULTIMEDIA

Jonah Ocuto Abby McFarland Zac Clingenpeel Sophia Felino K’Von Jackson Mengshin Lin Valentina Pucarelli

GRAPHICS

Lead Graphic Designer Lead Page Designer Graphic Designers

Savanna Steffens Vicki Lei Ryan Brumback Chloe McMullen

Faculty Adviser General Manager

Curtis Lawrence Travis Truitt

ADVISERS

VOL. 56, ISSUE 13

The Columbia Chronicle is a student-produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of college administrators, faculty or students.

All text, photos and graphics are the property of The Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission.

Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The Columbia Chronicle.

Columns are the opinions of the author(s).

Views expressed in this publication are those of the writer and are not the opinions of The Columbia Chronicle, Columbia’s Communication Department or Columbia College Chicago. Letters to the editor must include full name, year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff should include their job title. Alumni should include year of graduation, or attendance, and major.

Other readers should note their city of residence and occupation or employer, if related to the letter’s subject matter.

All letters are edited for grammar and may be cut due to a limit of space.

The Columbia Chronicle holds the right to limit any one person’s submissions to three per semester.

APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 3

campus A Chronicle guide to what first-time renters should know Columbia vloggers showcase dorm life for prospective students » ColumbiaChronicle.com

» MATEUSZ JANIK SENIOR STAFF REPORTER AS THE SCHOOL year comes to a close,

FINDING AN APARTMENT

Choosing the right apartment to live in can be a balancing act between finding a place near one of the Chicago Transit Authority’s train lines or being close to newer developments in trendier neighborhoods like Logan Square, Koziarz said.

First-time renters can check online reviews of the apartments on Google and Yelp, but Koziarz said no amount of reviews can give people the same feeling as experiencing the unit and neighborhood in person.

“I recommend walking around the block ... and getting a feel of what the area is like, especially if you’re new to the neighborhood,” Koziarz said.

He also said another factor to consider

» ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE

leases for apartments are ending and first-time renters have a chance to find a place that is both accommodating and affordable.

“The pandemic has turned a lot of things upside down and has kind of shaken the market right now,” said Jay Koziarz, editor at Urbanize Chicago. “For someone who wants to take the time to search, you could probably find a deal.”

According to data reported by Apartment List, Chicago rent prices are down 10.2% from where they were the same time

last year and are more affordable than rent in other large cities such as San Francisco and New York.

The median rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,131 per month and $1,247 for a two-bedroom.

Whether you have thought about it before or not, renting an apartment in the city can be intimidating, with factors to consider like finding roommates, picking a neighborhood and sifting through a list of units, while also figuring out your rights as a renter.

The Chronicle talked with experts around the city to compile a list of advice to help first-time renters find a new home before next semester.

COURTYARD STYLE APARTMENT COMPLEXES, LIKE THIS ONE IN WEST GARFIELD PARK, CAN BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO HIGH-RISE APARTMENTS DOWNTOWN. 4 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

is for people to find an apartment comfortable enough to work from since this last year has evolved the home space into an extended workplace.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Outside of finding an apartment, another issue first-time renters run into is figuring out their rights and knowing what to research before committing to a lease agreement.

“If there’s some really great unit and somebody says, ‘I’m gonna rent it to you for $800,’ … pay attention to your inner sense of these things,” said Michelle Gilbert, legal and policy director at Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, a Chicago non-profit law firm that focuses primarily on low- and

campus moderate-income renters. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Gilbert, who has spent 35 years as an attorney fighting for tenant rights, said, for the most part, Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance is good because it prohibits landlords from having leases that require tenants to give up certain contractual agreements.

Some of these agreements can include giving up any notice of termination or a confession of judgment, otherwise known as a written agreement where the tenant agrees to any judgment against them and would allow a landlord to file a court order against the tenant without them knowing.

However, an issue with the ordinance is that it does not cover owner-occupied properties where there are six or fewer

units, which Gilbert said first-time renters should keep in mind when making their final decision.

Gilbert said another factor to consider is making sure everyone living in the apartment is on the lease agreement, because if someone decides to leave, the other roommate who stays will be liable for everything including rent.

“You want to be on the actual lease because ... you don’t want to be in a situation where a person can try to put you out,” she said. “You want to know who the landlord is and [ensure] that the landlord knows who you are.”

Gilbert also said to look out for landlords who charge more than $25 to $35 for a credit check since some can charge upwards of $100 for a credit report.

RESOURCES TO USE

Once people have an apartment in mind, Gilbert said it is useful to look up the building’s address on the City of Chicago’s Department of Building Permit and Inspection Records website and find out what repairs and inspections the building has had in the last 10 years or so.

She said the Cook County Property Tax Portal is a good tool to learn if the landlord’s taxes are paid in full and whether or not the building is being foreclosed. Any lawsuits against the property owner are also noted as “lis pendens,” and information on who owns the property is listed under “Documents, Deeds & Liens” on the tax portal site.

While searching for an apartment can sometimes be as easy as finding a “for rent”

sign in a window, more times than not, it becomes a challenge of finding a unit that is both fairly priced and has ample space.

Koziarz said websites like Domu can help lighten the load by automatically narrowing preferences for certain types of apartments or policies, and other sites like HotPads verify landlords before they list apartments and offer users the ability to get alerts on specific listings, especially newer ones.

“We’re coming out of the pandemic, and we’re starting to reopen and do things outside of our homes, but I think this past year we’ve all had to be in our spaces,” Koziarz said. “It’s that much more important that you get a space where you are spending your time there and also doing your work.”

MJANIK@COLUMBIACHRONICLE.COM » ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE

THIS BUNGALOW STYLE APARTMENT, FOUND IN WEST GARFIELD PARK, IS ONE OF THE MANY AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO RENT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING. APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 5

campus

Columbia sees rise in students moving off campus amid COVID-19 concerns » OLIVIA COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER RUBY LEVIN wakes up in the morning, she does not see the ceilings of the University Center, where she lived when she first came to Columbia. Instead, she looks out the window in her apartment in the Bowmanville neighborhood, on Edgewater’s north side.

Levin, a freshman dance major, broke her housing contract with Columbia’s Residence Life in November 2020 and has not looked back.

After moving out of the University Center, Levin moved into the apartment unit above her mother’s in Bowmanville.

Her mother runs an in-home daycare center out of the apartment building, which Levin helps out with from time-to-time.

Levin said going into the first semester of college, her initial on-campus housing group she planned to live with fell through due her friends getting their housing assignments before she did. As a result, she was placed with students she hadn’t talked to before.

WHEN

6 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

“In the pandemic, it’s hard living with a stranger, … especially when you don’t know how careful they’re being,” Levin said.

In addition to Levin’s personal concerns regarding on-campus housing, her mother had concerns of her own. “[My mom] was getting worried and thought it was a good idea to come home because I was working at her daycare,” Levin said. “If I were to get COVID and not know it, I would have brought it to the daycare, and it would have been horrible.”

During the 2020-2021 school year, fewer students opted into Columbia housing than in years prior. According to Columbia’s Fall 2020 Fact Book, between the Fall 2018 semester and the Fall 2020 semester, the college saw a 21% drop in students living in oncampus buildings.

Freshman film and television major Emiliano Flores said COVID-19 “definitely played a role” in his decision to live off campus, although he likely would have moved off campus eventually, anyway.

“Being more surrounded in an atmosphere of that many people worried me just given the state of the world right now,” Flores said.

Before moving into his Wicker Park apartment, Flores stayed in the Dwight Lofts his first semester.

“Being able to have your own apartment, in my opinion, gives you your own little source of happiness,” Flores said. “To say that you have your own place ... feels nice.”

According to Kelli Collins, director of residence education, this year has brought more housing cancellation requests than most.

“This year we probably have about 50% more residents requesting to break contracts than in the past,” Collins said.

Collins said roughly 90% of the contracts Residence Life has been requested to break are due to COVID-19 concerns.

There are around 1,300 students currently living on campus in Columbia housing, while during typical school years, there are about 2,300 students on campus, Collins said.

“It has affected [Columbia] financially

in that we do not own the buildings that our students live in,” Collins said. “We lease the space that the students live in, so we have to still pay for the leases that we [initially] made.”

According to a September 2020 NPR article, colleges across the country have faced financial pressures in some capacity due to having fewer students than usual in

campus campus housing. The article said having students living on campus is a big financial boost for colleges.

Anna Lee Ackermann, a 2020 interdisciplinary documentary graduate and a former resident assistant, said every year there are students who want to break their housing contracts for various reasons.

“A number of our students have wanted to leave the residence halls in the middle of the academic year because a lot of the classes or all of them were online, so the investment in staying on campus is a little bit more expensive,” Ackermann said.

During her time as an RA, Ackermann said most of the students she spoke with who broke their leases moved back home, rather than elsewhere in Chicago.

For prospective fine arts major Nathan Doty, deciding to live off campus when he starts at Columbia next fall is only partly due to the expenses.

“I have [considered living on campus], but I’m 100% set on moving somewhere off campus,” Doty said. “When I move to Chicago, it’s just going to be my permanent home.”

When Doty moves to Chicago for college, he hopes to be living in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park or in the Lakeview area.

“Living off campus would look a little bit better on my savings account,” Doty said.

“I think it’ll be a lot more personal than it would be if I lived on campus.”

CHRONICLE@COLUM.EDU » RYAN BRUMBACK /CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 7

metro

The Chronicle highlights noteworthy cannabis shops in Chicago » ColumbiaChronicle.com

Many Columbia students, business owners to be impacted by the CTA’s new modernization program » ANNA BUSALACCHI STAFF REPORTER

8

THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

Chase described the demolition as “heavy” and said although it will cause alley and street closures for weeks or months at a time in some communities, the CTA promises to provide alternate parking.

Bailey Bossert, a junior fine arts major, lives at home in Evanston with her family, right next to the Purple Line train that goes straight to Howard.

Bossert said the preparation for construction is already inconvenient and there are “cones everywhere” on a central street of shops, bars, restaurants, a golf course, a hospital and a fire station.

Currently, Phase One of the RPM project is funded by both federal and local funding, costing $2.1 billion.

Broken down, $957 million of the funding comes from federal Core Capacity funds from the Federal Transit Administration; $125 million is from a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement federal grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency

for Planning; and $622 million comes from Transit Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds from the City of Chicago and CTA financing bonds.

In an effort to support businesses that have endured difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chase said the RPM team launched RPM Open for Business, a program that offers small businesses an opportunity to apply and register for a chance to be featured on the CTA’s website or social media platforms.

Chase said normally during construction projects the CTA posts signs saying “open for business,” but they wanted to do more.

“We wanted to do more than just putting signs on a construction fence because the project [will go] on for so many years, and the impacts are pretty profound,” Chase said.

Melissa Wongkamalasai, owner of pHLour Bakery & Cafe, 1138 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., said her business has been » ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE

ZOE MADDIX LIVES near the Sheridan Red Line stop and uses the Red Line to get to her hybrid classes and her job at Panera Bread in the Old Town neighborhood.

However, due to construction, her commute has been made more difficult.

“Lately, [the trains] have been running on the same track sometimes, so they are delayed,” said Maddix, a junior game design major. “I found myself, for work especially, having to leave a half-hour earlier just in case I miss the train.”

The Red and Purple Modernization Program is a plan created by the Chicago Transit Authority to improve the Red and Purple lines by providing more reliable service, larger train stations and new elevators and escalators. The two main goals of the RPM Program are to build a structure that will increase train capacity and allow passengers to ride faster and with fewer delays.

The impact of the modernization program is already being felt by some businesses and commuters.

The Red Line is the CTA’s busiest line, running 24/7 and carrying around 70 million passengers per year before the pandemic, said Tammy Chase, director of communication for the RPM Program. Certain parts of the Red Line are 100 years old or older and are in various stages of deterioration.

According to the CTA website, the vision for the RPM Program began back in 2009, and Phase One of construction includes the bypass bridge and the reconstruction of the stations and tracks at the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stops.

The bypass bridge, on which the CTA broke ground in fall 2019, will lead Kimball-bound Brown Line trains northwest of the Belmont station, traveling over the Red and Purple line tracks, and will allow more trains to run on all three lines. It is expected to be completed by winter 2021.

Reconstruction from Lawrence through Bryn Mawr began in spring 2021 and is expected to finish in 2024.

The CTA will run trains on two of the

four tracks during this time, while the other two tracks are being worked on.

According to Chase, the modernization is broken into phases—although the CTA is still planning what the future phases and funding will look like.

Chase said the modernization, in total, includes reconstructing everything from Belmont through the Linden stop for the Red and Purple lines.

“Red Line customer trips won’t be significantly changed,” Chase said. “If you are riding the Purple Line from up in Evanston or Wilmette, those trips could be several minutes longer depending on the kind of construction we have going.”

The Lawrence and Berwyn stations will completely close for three to four years starting this year, and temporary stations are being built at Argyle and Bryn Mawr. Each station is connected by the #36 Broadway bus, which is accessible to those with mobility issues. Riders will be directed to nearby stations through signage.

A LARGE PORTION OF THE ARGYLE RED LINE STATION IS RESTRICTED TO COMMUTERS, BOARDED AND FENCED OFF AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN THE AREA.

metro » ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE

slightly impacted so far when its alley was closed for RPM construction, but it was still able to get its deliveries.

“Hopefully it will improve and kind of liven up Bryn Mawr because right now it’s a little bit of a sad scene— there’s a lot of empty storefronts,” Wongkamalasai said.

Ellen Duong, an employee of her family’s shop Q Ideas, an indoor and outdoor plant supplier located at 1134 W. Argyle St., questioned why the Argyle station is only now being improved.

“Now [that] we have these new buildings where the rent is insane, now we get an elevator. ... Now we have value—now we matter,” Duong said. “But that’s the thing with urban planning— the government only starts to invest in neighborhoods that have value.”

Duong said the construction will likely impact her family’s business in a big way, and they might have to begin doing delivery services again as they did earlier in the pandemic. However, she said this takes a lot of time and energy for a small business.

The RPM team will hold virtual public meetings this spring to answer community members’ questions and get feedback. It will also offer customized construction alerts that passengers can sign up for.

“We know that this is a challenging project for the community right now with construction and impacts to service. However, once we are finished, it will be worth it,” Chase said.

Duong said she did not find the RPM small business package helpful because the promotions and meetings are “white-centered” and not accessible to those who do not speak English.

“If you are somebody that values this neighborhood and this community, recognize when you make these requests for these infrastructural changes that these small businesses will disappear, and [then] you will have a very generic experience,” Duong said.

Tigist Reda is the owner of Demera restaurant, located at 4801 N. Broadway, near the Lawrence stop, which will not reopen until 2024 due to the construction.

“I don’t know what the impact will be ... when the Wilson station [construction] was happening, just looking at it from across the street, it was a lot for the neighborhood, so ... I’m hoping [RPM construction] doesn’t have the same impact for the small businesses,” Reda said.

ABUSALACCHI@COLUMBIACHRONICLE.COM

THE ARGYLE RED LINE STOP WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST OF SEVERAL STOPS TO BE DECONSTRUCTED AS A PART OF THE RED AND PURPLE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM. » ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE

DEMOLITION OF THE LAWRENCE RED LINE STATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN, WITH WORK VEHICLES BEGINNING THE EARLY STAGES OF PREPARATION. TRAINS ARE STILL ACCESSIBLE FROM THE STOP. APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE

9

opinions

Celebrities shouldn’t be responsible for raising your children by setting “good examples” » ColumbiaChronicle.com

Awkward: ‘And they were roommates’—what to do if feelings develop between you and your roomie » SUMMER HOAGLAND-ABERNATHY COPY CHIEF

Y

if you are craving a longer, deeper relationship. And think about how your relationship would function if you never told them—is it difficult to coexist without your roommate knowing how you feel?

Sometimes letting someone know how you feel about them can be “freeing and affirming and helpful,” Litner said. But it can also be scary and challenging if those feelings are unrequited, so before you tell them, make sure you have somewhere else to live if you need to.

IF IT’S BOTH OF YOU:

If both of you know you have mutual feelings for each other, that’s wonderful because you’re already friends, said IF IT’S JUST YOU: Catalina Lawsin, Ph.D., a clin“When it comes to disclosure of ical health psychologist, spefeelings in a roommate situation, there cializing in sex and relationare so many things that come into play, ships at her private practice. but I think the first thing is safety—psy- What you need to do now is chologically, emotionally and physical- lean into the foundation you’ve ly,” said Jennifer Litner, sexologist and already built together and have founder of Embrace Sexual Wellness. conversations about what your IF IT’S JUST THEM: If you suspect your feelings for your relationship means now.

If the feelings only go one way—from roommate might be one-sided, processShe said you should still your roommate to you—be sure you devel- ing your feelings before you disclose discuss boundaries and think op boundaries that make you comfortable, them is important, she said. Ask yourself about how you can protect your said Hollie Schmid, marriage and family if your feelings are fleeting and lustful or friendship and expand upon it

SHOAGLANDABERNATHY@COLUMBIACHRONICLE.COM

WAYS TO DE-STRESS DURING THE MID-SEMESTER SLUMP

» SUMMER HOAGLAND-ABERNATHY COPY CHIEF

» RACHEL PATEL STAFF REPORTER

»PAIGE BARNES AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

1

1

1

2

2

Do some exercising. - Getting out and walking helps with clearing my mind. I don’t know what it is about nature or moving around, but I always feel more centered and focused.

2

3

3

3

4

4

4

5

5

5

Schedule times to do things you like. - Unless I mark off my Saturday, I don’t get any relaxation time, so I plan time to hang out with my partner or play video games.

Eat something you really want to eat. - Getting a blended matcha from my local coffee shop always makes my day better.

Mask up and go dog-watching. - I love sitting in a park and watching the dogs on walks run by. It’s my dopamine fix some days.

Play an open-world RPG. - Nothing is better than playing “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” or “Zelda: Breath of the Wild.”

Write letters to friends. - Filling out a card with questions for far-away pals and sealing it with a sticker takes my mind off school.

10 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

Putting my phone on “do not disturb.” - Giving myself an hour block of time to do whatever I want without the constant notifications is a big help.

Try painting. - Painting is a way to be creative and play with different colors and textures, and you can set the mood with a relaxing playlist.

Play games on my Switch. - Games have an escapism aspect to them, and it’s so easy to get immersed in these different worlds.

Create a skincare routine. - Recently, I’ve gotten into self care, and it’s so rewarding! I feel happy that I took this time to make myself feel refreshed.

Drink warm tea. - I drink tea to help me relax because it smells great and makes my body feel the warm-andcozies. Many teas contain antioxidants that help one’s digestive system.

Go to Costco. - I love shopping at Costco because you can find great deals on bulk items, and their food court is a well-priced lunch.

Take a nap. - Sometimes when I’m overwhelmed, I snuggle up with my cat. Napping allows me to clear my mind; bonus points if I remember my dreams.

Watch cute animal videos. - Sometimes I wish I were a cat with no cares in the world. They don’t have to do anything for love from their owners and it’s really cute.

Make lists. - This helps me compile my thoughts into one place. Sometimes I make lists about all the things I’m grateful for.

»SAVANNA STEFFENS/CHRONICLE

...ou and your roommate have been a little off around each other lately.

They get more clumsy when you’re in the room, and you can’t speak in full sentences when they’re nearby.

This morning, you see their face is flushed, and you wonder if yours looks the same because you feel a little sweaty.

You catch yourself wondering, “Do they have a crush on me?”

At first, you feel conceited, but when you put the clues together, you think it’s definitely a possibility. After all, spending a year in quarantine with another person will do that to you.

The question is whether you feel the same way, but you’re not quite sure yet.

How do you handle a situation wherein feelings develop between roommates?

The Chronicle spoke with mental health, sex and relationship experts to find out.

therapist at Relationship Reality 312.

She said you could say something along the lines of: “I think it’s important that we draw a line in terms of what’s OK and what’s not OK, considering the fact that we’re roommates. Feelings are not necessarily mutual, and I want us to remain cordial roommates.”

The goal is to find what will make you most comfortable in this situation.

Give your roommate the opportunity to respect your boundaries, but if flirtation or advancements continue in a way that makes you uncomfortable, Schmid said, it may be time to move out and look for someone else with whom to live.

as you enter this relationship with a different level of intimacy.

Similarly, Lawsin said to talk about what living together might look like if the relationship doesn’t work out. You are, after all, bound together in a financial contract.

The answer might be that you won’t be OK to live together, and that’s fine, but it’s something you have to work out before going into the relationship, she said.

Trying new relationships with people you already know is completely normal, she said, and preparing for possible outcomes is just one way to make them function more smoothly.

“The number one thing our bodies want is acceptance and connection,” Lawsin said. “I always say if you don’t take the chances, then you never really know.”

312.312.RENT | 3LLIVING.COM NOW LEASING | UP TO 3 MONTHS FREE*

3 great locations across the South Loop 3L Living offers a variety of apartments from studio to 3 bedroom layouts across 3 different locations in the South Loop. Modern amenities like roof top terraces, business centers and fitness centers are available at an approachable price! Take a tour today! *3 Month free promotion available on select units with a 12-month lease. Available while supplies last.

@3LlivingCHI

APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 11

12 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE APRIL 12, 2021

APRIL 12, 2021 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 13