Moving out can be bitter sweet.
However, with the right knowledge of different living arrangements, it can be an unforgettable experience for any college student. Residential colleges are available to apply for at the beginning of the fall for the academic year.
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a residential college and deciding if a roommate is the right decision to have or to stay in a private room. There are also apartments that can be rented month-to-month. This raises the question of which option is the best option.
When it comes to how many rooms to choose from, a residential college is usually limited to a one-room with a roommate while apartments can be up to three or four rooms. This choice will be one main factor when it comes to the price a student will pay.
Usually, on-campus rooms range from $2000-$5000 per academic year and can be paid for by student loans and financial aid, according to the Murray State financial aid website page.
One option for an apartment is at Campus Evolution Villages where John Gale, senior from Caruthersville, Mo is a staff member. Gale said that the standard apartment has a shared living room, individual rooms with their own bathrooms, a kitchen, a laundry room and each student pays between $395-$409 a month.
Students rent by the bed so they are only responsible for their part of the rent and do not need to worry about a late payment from a roommate. Financial aid and student loans do not cover these payments.
Earning money is a luxury both housing options offer to their students. Residential colleges offer the chance to become a residential advisor, a person who will be in charge of their side of the different halls and makes sure the students there are getting their needs met and are communicated with.
Another option is becoming a rover, who is someone who roams the halls and makes sure the residential college rules are being followed and everything is in place.
At Campus Evolutions North, students are also hired as staff and by paying rent by the first of every month, students will be signed up to win a free $100 Visa gift card, according to Gale.
“All of our policies are in place for the safety of the students,” said David Petrie, senior and residential advisor from Belleville, Ill. “For instance, all students must check in their guests in order to keep out intruders as well as a strict no alcohol policy for obvious reasons.”
Rules can play an important part when making a living decision. As a college student, one may think that some rules intended for safety reasons are not important. An apartment may be the option to consider if this is the case.
Usually, according to Gale, the rules are basic common courtesy while the residential colleges require a guest policy, an alcohol policy and a roommate contract to ensure the safety and well being of each student.
Accommodations can be tailored to individual needs that include health and physical reasons. Private rooms are available for students who wish to live alone in the dorms as well as the apartments.
Residential advisors are available at all times to offer assistance to any student with or without a special need.
Campus Evolutions is a stop for Racer Routes so that students have a ride to the campus whereas dorm residents can just walk anywhere they need to go.
Is living on campus a better option for first year students in order to gain the proper experience or is an apartment just what they need?
There are pros and cons with both options and the information can be given by staff members, residents of each place or the college website.
Financial matters and personal conditions play large parts in the decision-making. Both Gale and Petrie recommend living in the residential colleges for at least a semester.
“Students have their entire lives to live off campus in an apartment,” Petrie said. “The incredible opportunities (including potential friends and fun events) outweigh any minor restrictions that come from living in a residential college.”
Story by Katrina Yarbrough, Staff writer