Check out some info on the 2015-2016 off-campus housing application process!

1. Off-Campus
Housing
Information
2015-2016

2. Living Off-Campus
#gacrl
• Gustavus is a residential college – all students
are required to live on-campus.
• The COLLEGE is residential.
Residential Life simply manages the process.
• Residential Life is mandated to have up to 98%
occupancy (about 2095 of 2140 total beds)

3. The Process
#gacrl
 Groups for off-campus applications
 Size of groups: 1 to 8
 Average Room Draw number taken
 Order of consideration: groups of SENIORS, then
groups of SENIORS/JUNIORS, then groups of JUNIORS

4. The Process
#gacrl
Translation…
 SENIORS should not finalize plans quite yet, but
there’s a good shot at getting permission.
 JUNIORS should NOT make off-campus a realistic top
option.

5. The Application
#gacrl
Important stuff…
• EACH person in the group MUST fill out an
application.
• List everyone you want to apply with…
• People currently off campus should NOT be listed
on application (they won’t influence your status).
• Gusties in your group who qualify for automatic
permission will NOT be factored into your group’s
average number

6. Residency Exemptions
#gacrl
• Married
• A veteran of military service
• 23 years old by the first day of class of fall
semester 2015.
• Have custodial responsibility for dependent
children
• Live with your custodial parents/guardians in
the St.Peter area (w/in 15 miles)
• Be home owner (100% of home – sole name on mortgage)

7. Crunching Numbers
#gacrl
For 2014-2015
About 50 people retained permission
296 people in total are off-campus to start year
61 people left on wait list (49 were seniors)
No mixed groups of seniors/juniors got permission
For 2015-2016
Factors:
• Size of incoming first-year class
• Number of Gusties who transfer OUT or withdraw
• Number of incoming transfer students

8. Living Off-Campus
Things to consider…
#gacrl

9. Living Off-Campus
What people think….
•Saving Money
•Cool Roommates
•No college rules
•No meal plan
•Parties
#gacrl

10. Living Off-Campus
What people may miss considering when
thinking of moving off-campus:
•Parking
•Utilities
•Convenience & connection to campus
•City regulations & enforcement
•Cooking for yourself
•Roommates change
•Property Maintenance (like snow removal)
#gacrl

11. It’s cheaper to live off-campus
It’s easy to get out of a lease
Landlords are screened/professional
Being off-campus equals freedom
Living Off-Campus:
Myths
#gacrl

12.  Things to Consider:
 Price Range
 What’s included, what’s not?
 Utilities
 Maintenance
 Internet
 Lawn/Snow
 Parking
 Distance from campus
 Number of Roommates
 Over-occupancy ordinance: in St.
Peter: no more than 4 unrelated
individuals can share a single unit
(single family home, half of a duplex,
etc.)
 Research the Property
 Inquire about the landlord
 Inquire about the
neighborhood
 Inquire about the neighbors
 Check the property out
 Inspect the property
thoroughly
The Search:
Finding an off-campus property
#gacrl

13.  Remember, a lease is a legally-binding document.
 Read the lease thoroughly before signing
 You can negotiate the lease with the landlord
 For example: If your inspections revealed
something you want fixed before you move in,
have that written into the lease
 Understand all expectations
 Sub-leasing,
 Refund of Security Deposit
 How/when rent is due
The Lease
#gacrl

14.  Document condition of property before you
move anything in
 Use photos, with date stamp
 Have landlord present! Request it…
 Meet your neighbors
 Make the awkward first move as soon as
possible… (cookies help)
 Exchange contact info
 Set up utilities
 Renters Insurance
Moving In…
#gacrl

15. Neighbors
 Who are they?
 Mutual respect
 Communication
 Noise
 Ideas to introduce yourself?
 55.3% of Gusties say they have
tried to get to know neighbor
Safety
 Lock it up!
 Fire plan
 Emergency weather plan
 Of those who have had
contact with SPPD, 75% say
it was positive
Neighbors & Safety
#gacrl

16.  The line between “having a few people over” and a “party” is VERY thin.
 Know the people at your party
 Only let people in who you know
 Only 46.4% of respondents to our off-campus survey said they strongly agree that they are
comfortable controlling gatherings at their off-campus house
 Remember: THE LAW MATTERS!
 You’re STILL a Gustie, even off campus…
Parties
#gacrl

17. Resources/Updates
Res Life website
Res Life Facebook Page
Twitter: @Gustie_ResLife
Email Charlie at
cpotts@Gustavus.edu
#gacrl