Prospect of living off campus entices many undergraduates

Chicago, Ill. The end of freshman year brings an important decision for students -- whether to remain living in on-campus dormitories or to move off campus. Off-campus living is a popular decision for many students, with over 3,000 undergraduates choosing to live in University City during the 1995-96 school year. But while the promise of larger rooms, lower rents and more freedom draw students to move from on campus dormitories, security risks, maintenance problems and landlord disputes are just a few of the problems that can come along with the off-campus experience. While some students express concern with safety in areas west of campus, other students feel that their landlords take advantage of them and provide sub-standard housing conditions. Most student complaints against landlords revolve around maintenance and fire safety issues. And the number of problems in off-campus residences reported to the University has been on the rise in recent years, according to statistics compiled by Michaela Farcas, the assistant director of the Office of Off-Campus Living. With so many students choosing to live off campus, University administrators said they must take the needs of off-campus residents seriously. And although many University residential initiatives have focused on encouraging students to live on campus, administrators acknowledge that they must face the reality of students choosing to move off-campus and work to improve their living conditions. "We have at least three [classes] of undergraduates who have the potential to live in West Philadelphia," said Carol Scheman, vice president for government, community and public affairs. "The question becomes how to make sure that they are not living in sub-standard housing." To that end, Scheman said she and the Office of City and Commonwealth Relations have involved themselves in off-campus living issues in order to make demands on landlords in a friendly way and "increase expectations of landlords." All properties known to house students were inspected last summer by the Philadelphia Department of Licensing and Inspections for safety or fire violations. And Assistant Director for City and Commonwealth Relations Sid Holmes said his office has worked with students and landlords facing problems meeting city trash disposal requirements. University administrators have also worked to improve security in the area. The University introduced its "UC Brite" lighting program last fall designed to improve street lighting throughout University City's 63 block area. As part of the program, University administrators have been working with local landlords and residents to help fund and install new lighting fixtures on the city streets surrounding campus. Administrators hope the program will make University City a better-lit and safer neighborhood which will improve living conditions for off-campus students.