Features

On campus or off? Students evaluate housing options

By Alex Struck–Every single student must make the decision at some point in his or her college career to live on-campus or off-campus.

Students have differing viewpoints on the whole housing ordeal. There are those that would rather live on-campus, those that would rather live off-campus, and those that could go either way.

Steven Husk, a transfer from Western Iowa Tech, is a junior here at Morningside College who happens to live off-campus. He was never interested in living on-campus at Morningside. “I’m very happy with the decision I made. I don’t have to worry about being watched by my RA. I’m also not in such a small dorm room.” Steven loves have independence at his off-campus location, as well as a spacious housing arrangement.

Husk went on to say that the most important factors he considered when picking an off-campus house were making sure that you have enough money, and also making sure you get along with your roommates. He continued on about the cost issue, explaining how he spends a little less because he doesn’t buy anything that he doesn’t need. Husk found himself to be more cost-efficient by living off-campus.

Despite all the benefits off-campus brings Husk, he did note how being connected to the campus could be more difficult. “Because I’m in sports I do not struggle being connected to the campus, but if I wasn’t (in sports), it would definitely be different.”

Switching gears, next we have Josh Mohr is a Morningside College senior who has lived in both situations. He was on-campus for three years until his senior year, in which he now lives off-campus. Mohr had a rough going with the roommate paring system his freshman year. In fact, they agreed that they would not live with each other second semester. After he moved out before second semester, his on-campus housing experience became much better.

Even with a favorable experience, Mohr prefers off-campus housing, as it feels more like home and includes a sense of privacy. Being contained in one room or two rooms max, with another student can take its toll.

Aside from the benefit of your own room, Mohr considered cost, location, and size and condition of the house when looking at off-campus housing. He is ecstatic with how this year turned out for him. Mohr also explained how off-campus is a bit cheaper for him in the long run. The only drawback is the requirement of paying out of your pocket right away.

Mohr still misses some aspects that come with the dorm life. He really misses being neighbors with friends and feels a bit less connected on campus because he isn’t always around the action. He went on to express how he believes students should be required to spend at least one-year on-campus, as this is a benefit for all students getting settled in at college.

Improving on-campus housing could lead to more students being more favorable to remain there. Mohr believes that Morningside could improve its on-campus housing by getting more parking, and fixing the heating and cooling system in the dorms.

As far as advice goes, Mohr said, “Have a clear plan figured out. Make sure you can afford it. Also make sure you have a back-up plan ready in case off-campus plans fall through.” You can never be too prepared!

Coming in with a different background story, we have Megan Carlson, a Morningside sophomore who has only lived on-campus, and even turned down an off-campus housing arrangement. She has lived in Dimmit, and now in Roadman as an RA.

She strongly considered off-campus for this year, until deciding to remain on-campus. “I thought it would be more of a commitment to live off-campus. You have a lot more responsibilities. I don’t want to pay bills individually. I just want to pay Morningside.” Some students do not want to deal with the added pressure of living off-campus.

Carlson notes that she is closer to her classes, more involved with girls on her hall, and she is better informed of all the activities going on on-campus. She feels that these positives make it worthwhile to live on-campus.

Despite enjoying the on-campus life, she still notes how there is limited privacy and how she can’t control who lives next to her. She also doesn’t like how students are forced to get a meal plan, which can be quite expensive. With these in mind, however, Carlson would still choose to remain on-campus.

As far as fixing up the dorms, Carlson believes that Morningside could add more lounges for students to hang out in. Megan wrapped up her thoughts by giving this advice, “It really depends on the person (where you live). If you want to stay connected with campus groups, it would be a good idea to stay on-campus. Especially if the price is about the same.”

Julie Pitel, who is the Area Coordinator and Student Activities Coordinator in the Res Life department at Morningside College favors on-campus living. Pitel stressed how the Roadman Hall may be the best choice as it is centrally located and provides halls for all types, such as upper classmen halls, freshmen halls, air-conditioned halls, substance-free halls, and apartments. There are many alternatives that can appeal to students.

Pitel also understands that some important questions need to be asked when deciding where to live. “I think they should ask themselves how much independence they want and how social they want to be.” Pitel supports the on-campus housing, and is adamant that the answers to these questions can be found on-campus.

At the end of the day, choosing where to live will always be a big decision for college students at Morningside College. There are positives and negatives to both sides. It truly depends on what the person values and what he or she wants to get out of the experience.

January 22, 2015

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.