Making the decision to live on
campus is an important one for students. Living on campus
has many social, academic and personal benefits – but
since it is not required, families and students should evaluate
all the options open to them before making a commitment.
While many discussions start with “How much will it
cost?”, there are many other, less tangible considerations
that should be factored into this decision. These considerations
might include the ease and access to becoming an active member
of the college community, the level of responsibility the
student is ready to undertake, the level of support available
to help a student transition to college life, etc.
While decisions to live at home or off-campus are not bad
decisions; the decision must be well planned and considered
to be a successful experience. Living at home and commuting
to campus may ease the transition for some, but also comes
with obstacles such as transportation access and cost, reduced
access to academic and social resources and a delay of that
first taste of independence. Alternately, for many students
there is an element of unrealistic glamour, accompanied by
poor accounting, which gives the impression that living in
an apartment off-campus is less expensive. This is usually
not the case. Here are a few areas that should be explored
and compared when making the decision whether to live on-
or off-campus.
Length of apartment leases
Lease and/or landlord concerns
Personal safety and security
Transportation
Custodial and maintenance services
Parking concerns
Utilities
Telephone service
Laundry costs and convenience
Deposits
Cable television service
Food (convenience, nutrition)
Access to College's computer network
Access to peers
For these reasons, and more, we think living on campus is
a great benefit to most students. Our student-oriented staff,
educational and social programming, readily available campus
resources and food service operations ensure that students
who are here for educational reasons can do so in a convenient,
comfortable and cost-efficient atmosphere.
