Sophomore Housing - On-Campus? Off-Campus?  What are the Options?

As students prepare for their second year of college, they face major decisions about their next home away from home.  Many students choose to explore options on their own, but there are ways parents and families can be supportive during this process.  Being knowledgeable about the Fort Collins community and the housing options and policies will help you be an additional resource to your student.

CNN's Money Magazine (2008) rated Fort Collins as the second best city in which to live.  Last year, Fort Collins was ranked first.  Fort Collins is a great community for its residents, making it an ideal place for families, corporations and college students.  Neighborhoods throughout the city offer students the option of renting apartments, condos, townhomes or single-family homes.  Fort Collins does have an ordinance that restricts the number of unrelated people who can live together.  The ordinance specifies the definition of a family and states that no more than three unrelated adults can live together in single family dwellings.

Off-Campus Student Services/Resources for Adult Learners offers a gold mine of information and resources for students who are exploring their off-campus living options related to renting and buying.  They also offer tips about finding a roommate and sponsor programs such as the Housing Fair, Roommate Round-Up, Great Sofa Round-Up and First Time Home Buyers classes.  Students can browse through rental listings and access the office's services either online or by visiting the office in person: http://www.ocssral.colostate.edu/online-rental-listings.aspx website here:

For some students, staying on campus may be the best option.  Returning students receive priority selection for many halls and rooms.  University Apartments also provides options for on campus living. The Intercultural Connections Community is a great option available for returning undergraduate students to explore living in on-campus apartments.

Creating a pros and cons list may also be a helpful tool for students as they decide where their next home will be.  Identifying all angles of living situations is also helpful.  Below is a list of items that may be considered when weighing the options of where to live:

Choosing a place to live after the first year of college does not have to be difficult, but the best advice is for students to start early to have the most options.  Many leases run through the spring or early summer and landlords often know at least 30 days in advance whether their tenant is vacating.  Rental listings can be found in the local paper or by going through a property management firm.  Off-Campus Student Services offers resources and tips for searching using both methods.

If the opportunity presents itself, take the time to review the lease agreement with your student.  Look for clauses that pertain to damages and security deposits, lease terms and sub-leasing.  If students are signing a lease with roommates, check to see how many signatures are required on the lease and who is ultimately responsible for the rent (i.e. some rentals, such as college-specific apartments, have a separate lease for each roommate). Encourage your student to get the lease reviewed by Student Legal Services or check on their website to see if the lease has already been reviewed prior to signing.

Whichever option your students chooses - whether it's on campus or off - you can support them by embracing the experience, serving as a resource and helping them roll out the welcome mat.