Office of Off-Campus Living guides students

While scrambling for a place to live next semester may be a hassle, the University has an option to answer all of your questions. The Office of Off-Campus Living, located at 4046 Walnut Street, simplifies the arduous process of looking for a home. "We provide assistance at all stages of the off-campus living experience," said OCL Director Mihaela Farcas. While the majority of visitors are undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and other community members may use the office as well. Among the many services the OCL offers is a thorough database listing housing in University City, Center City and other surrounding areas. The Philadelphia Minimum Housing Codes are also made available so that clients know exactly what must be provided by their landlords. Included in the database -- which can be accessed in the office or by visiting its World Wide Web site -- is all of the essential information about any available home. The information is provided by landlords. The Web site, which has already received over 2,000 hits this year, also offers fact sheets which give step-by-step assistance on every possible aspect of off-campus living, even after move-in, to ensure a rewarding living experience. "We have a positive relationship with many landlords and we'd like to continue to build on that," Farcas said. "But we also need to protect the interest of the tenants." People routinely come in during the year to discuss problems related to housing, leading Farcas to refer to the OCL as a "support system." According to Farcas, a little over 600 students used the OCL for counseling matters last year, a decrease of over 100 students from two years ago -- a change she said is probably caused by a mix of "informed consumers and good landlords." Another helpful tool in supporting those who live off campus is the Undergraduate Assembly's Comprehensive Guide to Living Off-Campus, released on Monday and completed by the UA's West Philadelphia Committee in conjunction with the OCL. While the majority of clients to the OCL choose to live in University City, many others prefer to live in Center City or the suburbs, decisions that the OCL supports. But, as Farcas pointed out, "there are many wonderful housing options in West Philadelphia." The OCL is now focusing on organizing tours of homes and neighborhoods as well as preparing the Housing Fair in April. Although this time of year can be hectic, Farcas noted that the summer is the busiest time of the year. "We want to make sure the buyers get a good deal and that they themselves are good tenants," said Farcas.