|
Which is best for you? The answer
depends on what's important to you. We've compared residential
on-campus living to living off-campus and commuting. Living
in the residence halls costs approximately $17 - $23 per
day and includes room, meals, utilities, basic cable, campus
security, laundromat, parking and proximity to classes!
Although the College does not own any off-campus housing,
the Student Life Office maintains a list of
rooms, apartments, mobile homes and houses which are available
for students. It is updated at the landlord's request. The
following are some things to think about as you decide between
on- and off-campus living:
|
Residential
Students |
Commuter
Students |
| Location? All
residence halls are located on the North end of campus within
a 3-minute walk of food service, Gherald L. Hoopes Jr. Activities
Center, Library, computer labs, post office and within a 10-minute
walk to classes. |
Location? There
are a few apartment complexes and a mobile home park in Thatcher.
Several of the rentals are houses or parts of private residences.
Safford and Pima locations and some Thatcher addresses, including
those in Daley Estates, are not within walking distance of campus. |
| Cost? A residence
hall room for the entire year averages out to $6.96-$10.63
per night for the academic year. You do not have to worry
about coming up with the rent every month or splitting the
cost with roommates. Janitorial staff cleans the hall each
day. |
Cost? You will
need to budget to meet your monthly rent, food, cable, and utility
costs. Balance the advantages of cost vs. privacy. How many
people will you need to share your space with in order to cut
costs? Will the quality of your food and living environment
be conducive to your college success? |
| Food? If you
have purchased a meal plan, you know that you will always
have good, freshly prepared food whether you have a dime
in your pocket or not! You have the option of an all-you-can
eat meal in the dining room or a light snack in Gila Hank's
Cafe. The meal plans average from $10.04 to $12.37 per day
for the entire year. |
Food? Commuter
students are welcome to eat in campus dining facilities. They
can purchase any meal plan or eat on a cash basis. |
| Transportation?
As mentioned above, classes and food service are within
easy walking distance of the residence halls. Retail stores,
doctors' offices and banking services are 2 to 4 miles away. |
Transportation?
Most Thatcher residences are within walking or biking distance
of campus. All other locations would require a vehicle. |
| Safety? Residence
halls are staffed by adult, full-time residents trained to
monitor the security of the hall. Part-time student employees
work at the front desks of the residence halls. The Campus
Police office is located in their own building on middle
campus. Security officers are available 24 hours per day.
The Thatcher Police Department is located across the street
from the College and the parking lots are well lit. |
Safety? Is
it located in a well-lighted area? Who is responsible for repairs?
Who will the neighbors be? Are the windows and doors secure? |
| Roommates? The
Residence Life Staff at each hall will help students address
roommate issues and make reassignments if necessary. Even if
your roommate moves out, you cannot be stuck with the rent. |
Roommates? The
people you share your living space with can be very influential
on your academic habits, living habits, social life and definitely
your wallet! What is your plan in case your roommates leave
or don't pay their share of the rent or utilities, or eat your
food? Will they help with the cleaning? What if they let someone
you don't like visit or move in? What if your lifestyles are
in conflict? Choose your roommates carefully! |
| Payment? Room
and board are paid prior to move-in. There are no further payments
required during the semester except for damages. There are no
refunds for room and board unless the student completely withdraws
from school before 60% of the semester is complete. |
Payment? Rents
are paid monthly. Money management is crucial to insure that
you will have funds available late in the semester. If a lease
is required, you may be responsible for rent payments even if
you have withdrawn from school. |
| Deposits? A
$150 deposit secures your room and converts to a damage
deposit when you move in. It is refundable when you check
out of a hall after the end of late registration. |
Deposits? Typically
you will have to pay the first and last month's rent, plus a
damage deposit. |
| Utilities? All
utilities, plus free basic TV cable are included in your room
charges. Pay telephones are available on a limited basis and
typically require a calling card. Telephone hook-up is available
in each room if you wish to pay for private service. |
Utilities? Check
to see if deposits are required prior to hookup. |
| Laundry? Coin-operated
washers and dryers are available in each hall. Resident hall
laundry facilities ae not available for non-residents. |
Laundry? There
are laundromats in Thatcher and Safford if the rental does not
have facilities. |
| Parking? All
campus parking is free and close to each hall. |
Parking? Properties
vary on parking availability. There is plenty of parking on
campus for off-campus students commuting to classes. |
| Activities? Typically
residential students have easier access to campus activities
and meet a wider variety of people |
Activities? Will
your housing arrangement be conducive to your participation
in college activities? Will it be easy to meet new friends? |
| Rules? Yes,
there are more rules in the residence halls than off-campus.
They are designed for the overall protection of all the residents
and address security, safety and consideration of others. |
Rules? Some
landlords have very specific rules. Who will set the rules you
live by in your rental? It can be very hard to ask friends to
change their behavior. |
| What if you need
help? It is the full-time job of the live-in, adult Hall
Residents to manage the residence hall and to assist the students
with questions and minor or emergency problems which may arise.
They are supported by the Student Life Office, Counseling Department,
and Campus Police Office. |
What if you need
help? The Student Life and Counseling, Offices support services
are available to all students. Local police and ambulance services
are available in emergencies. |
