As the housing application/re-application process for the 2013-14 school year begins, your student may be feeling the pressure of finding the “perfect” place to live next year. Here at Missouri State University we offer a variety of community living styles for students to choose from. Here’s a primer that includes phrases you might hear your student mention and some bits of information about each type of housing so you can help him or her make the best choice.
Living-Learning Communities** – this approach to living offers unique living environments that build community among students with similar interests. Beginning in the fall of 2013, Missouri State will offer seven of these communities, which include:
- Bear Business Community
- First-Year Experience
- Deciding Students
- Sophomore-Year Experience
- Future Health Care Professionals
- Fit and Well
- Physical Science, Math, and Engineering
For more information about Living-Learning Communities (LLC) please visit the Residence Life LLC website.
Traditional Residence Halls** – Missouri State also offers several traditional residence halls which feature a variety of amenities and living styles. These residence halls include:
- Blair-Shannon House
- Freudenberger House
- Hammons House
- Hutchens House
- Kentwood Hall
- Monroe Apartments
- Scholars House
- Sunvilla Tower
- Wells House
- Woods House
*Greek Housing – students who are members of fraternities or sororities that have housing may also choose to live there. This offers students a way to connect with the fraternal brothers and sisters and build a sense of camaraderie while living together. However, this style of housing is not managed by Residence Life.
Off-Campus Housing* – this style of living is available to students who have completed the Missouri State Housing requirement (typically upper-classmen or those who have an approved housing waiver). Talk with your student about the off-campus option. You might want to help him make a list of the pros and cons and then make your decision together. Living on –campus assures parents that maintenance concerns will be addressed in a timely manner, security is in place in the form of fire alarm systems and campus security patrols, and there is a staff person available 24 hours a day in case of emergency.
- When moving off-campus your student will want to consider the following:
- Is the landlord local? If not, is there someone on-call in case of an emergency?
- What is the rent? How is that collected?
- Are there city policies that limit the number of people who can live in an apartment?
- How will the costs for rent, food, and transportation compare with those related to living on campus?
- What safety features does the apartment include? Deadbolts? Smoke detectors? Fire escapes? Audible carbon monoxide detectors?
For more details regarding campus housing and the application/re-application process, please visit the Residence Life website. Also, feel free to stop by the Off-Campus Housing information page to find some helpful resources about local housing opportunities.
*Tips taken from Parent Pages, 2007
**Taken from the Residence Life website