On-campus Housing vs. Off-campus Housing

Proximity to class, awareness of what’s going on and all utilities included are some advantages to living on campus.

So why do some students prefer to live off-campus?

Candice Reid, a VCU junior, agrees there are many advantages to living on campus, but would rather live on her own.

“I prefer to live off-campus,” says Reid. “I have my own space and my own freedom to do whatever I want.”

Reid says most students view college as a time for fewer restrictions, something they didn’t always have while in high school and living at home.

“You can have all the visitation you want, don’t have to worry about signing people in, and people being in your business,” says Reid.

Fawn Nolan, the housing manager for Broad Street Properties, believes that all students should live on campus.

“They [VCU’s officials] make the effort to take care of the students,” says Nolan. “When you live on private property, owners [only care about] colleting rent. There is more focus on the student here.”

Living in residential housing can make housing responsibilities easier for students. Students do not have to pay separate bills and worry about their electricity or cable being disconnected. In a dorm, everything is included in the room and board fee.

“I’ve never seen so many amenities,” says Nolan. “You can live in an apartment [off-campus] for up to five years and never see a coat of paint unless you pay for it yourself. However, the university does come in and paint as necessary; and change our carpet and furniture.”

According to VCU’s residential life and housing Web site, the mission of Residence Education is to support students’ academic, personal and extracurricular pursuits.

Nolan also says that students also have more time to study and think about why they are in college instead of worrying about where they are going to get money to pay for their bill each month.

The housing rates vary depending on which dorm a student chooses to live in. The prices range from $1,800 to $3,500 a semester. The communications fee, which covers the basic telephone, Internet and cable TV connections, is between $320 and $400 for the year. Students can pay these amounts in full or by a payment plan.

Virginia Totaro, a VCU professor, says that students should ask themselves if they are ready to add more stress to their lives before moving off campus.

“If [you] are already struggling to pay bills and make good grades, moving off campus might make problems worse, not better,” she says.

Students not only have to worry about paying bills monthly, but they also have to deal with roommates. Totaro says the best thing to do is to set standards with your roommates about things you find acceptable and unacceptable.

“Talk and communicate openly and it will save many headaches and heartaches in the future,” she says.