Housing - Incoming and Current Students

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia School of General Studies
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I thought I'd start a housing-specific thread where new students could post their questions about moving to and living in New York. For those of you planning on moving here in January, you haven't got much time. You should be doing your due diligence now. In the meantime, here's some things that I wish I'd have known:</p>

<ol>
<li>University Apartment Housing is pretty much a one time deal.</li>
</ol>

<p>Apparently students who are coming from outside the city, and I forget the exact mile-count they offer as a metric, are given priority in the housing lottery. Add to that those students who are applying for the first time and you'll see how, for example, a second or third semester student might be behind the eight ball. Consider this carefully.</p>

<ol>
<li>UAH is not limited to apartments.</li>
</ol>

<p>UAH maintains rooms, and therefore UAH-style leases, in a few alternative housing settings. For example, International House on Riverside Drive has dozens of rooms for GS people. The application process is a bit different but so is the quality of living.</p>

<ol>
<li>Living off campus! </li>
</ol>

<p>There have been periods in Columbia's history where students couldn't wait to move off campus into affordable housing that offered the freedom of living away from classmates, RAs, etc. This isn't one of those times. If you're looking to live off-campus, HIRE a real estate broker. Hunting is a time consuming and a frustrating affair. New York real estate is unlike any other's and having professional help to navigate it will make life much easier.</p>

<ol>
<li>Monthly or Per Term Billing?</li>
</ol>

<p>There are two types of UAH billing cycles. In the one, as suggested above, you'll receive a monthly bill from the housing office. Your roomies get their own - DON'T look at theirs, it's pandora's box. A typical deposit for a room like this is one month's rent. </p>

<p>The per term billing cycle option puts the total of your January through May rent in your e-bill. There's a lot to be said for not having to cut a check for rent every month. I won't be saying it. Pay it per month, if you can. Otherwise, almost without fail, you'll end up borrowing money to cover your living expenses. </p>

<p>All this aside, MOST units won't give you the option. You'll be assigned one or the other based on the unit, not your convenience.</p>

<ol>
<li>Who'll be sharing my apartment or suite?</li>
</ol>

<p>GS students have the privilege of sharing living spaces with some cool people. I've known students to be housed with PhD candidates from a whole bunch of GSAS programs, business school students, law school students, post-bacc pre-meds, and, of course, other GSers. When you pay your room deposit you'll be offered the email addresses of your new roomies. Reach out right away and get to know them!</p>

<p>In the event that you're housed in traditional undergraduate housing, you'll end up on a GS-only floor. Though, as the class sizes for CC/SEAS grow, these floors are quickly vanishing.</p>

<ol>
<li>Can I get out of a room I don't like?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, there's a housing transfer period every term. In the spring, I think, it's in February. You can apply to move into a friend's place - if you know a room will be vacant at the end of the term - or you can apply to move into specialty housing like I-House. In the event that your roommates are sociopaths, you're unable to pay, etc., you can apply to be reassigned to a more suitable space. </p>

<p>All right, that's all I've got right now. Maybe some current and past GSers can add their thoughts. Of course, feel free to ask more specific questions about your situations. We'll do our best to answer.</p>

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<p>Thank you for posting this. This should be a sticky, seriously.</p>

3

<p>Oh, and a couple of cost-structure issues:</p>

<p>Lease terms are designed to protect Columbia, not you. That is to say, IF YOU FALL BELOW FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT (anything <12 credits) YOU WILL BE GIVEN A FEW DAYS TO VACATE THE PROPERTY. I’ve seen it happen. Seriously, one afternoon you decide to withdraw from a course and then BANG! you get an email, a letter, and a phone call telling you that you have a few days to get your stuff together and get out. They’re not kidding. Somebody else will be living in your room this time next week. Be careful about your credit load.</p>

<p>The exception to this? Summer. You’ll be asked to re-sign your lease at the spring term. If you do, your monthly rent will go up - and though the percentage will be outlined in your paperwork, it probably won’t be mentioned in your first meeting with UAH. Also, when you re-sign your lease, you’ll be signing THROUGH the summer. That means that, whether or not you take any classes, the June/July/August rent is your problem. </p>

<p>Not staying in New York over the summer? Oh well, it’s on YOU to find a sub-tenant. And, remember, it’s the primary tenant’s responsibility to pay the rent. So if some other student moves into your room, doesn’t pay the rent, they’ll eventually get thrown out and SO WILL YOU. </p>

<p>Welcome to New York living! </p>

<p>Here’s another issue: access.</p>

<p>If you’re a GS student, and you need to get into a dorm, you’ll need to be signed in. Because you live in university apartment housing, separate from CC/SEAS kids, you’re not technically a campus housing resident. And anyone, regardless of affiliation, needs to be signed in if they live off-campus.</p>

<p>This’ll undoubtedly come up. It’s easy enough to navigate once you’re established and have friends in the dorms. But, it can be frustrating. For example, there were two events/try-outs in my first term that were held in common rooms in Hartley and Wallach - two undergraduate dorms right on the Van Am quad. Add to the normal audition stresses something like “How the hell do I even get in the building?” and you’ll get what I mean.</p>

<p>From what I understand, there is a way that one can apply for housing access. It’s done through public safety and housing and, unless you’re CC/SEAS, it isn’t easy to get.</p>

<p>Next, there’s the issue of Greek life. Now, I’m not sure how many, if any, of you want to get involved in the fraternity/sorority scene. But, be warned that living in a house on Frat Row is out of the question. GS students, as far as I know, are barred from residing in Greek houses.</p>

<p>In the event that your fraternity or sorority has alternative housing, like an EC townhouse maybe (and you’ll learn what this is), you can be put on an access list. This means that you can simply swipe in and go chill with your bros and/or hos.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the info hellojan. Did anyone here receive updates on their housing application? When I check my status online it still shows my housing application as In Process/Under Review. I am wondering how long this typically takes, I applied for housing the day I received my decision and am waiting to see if I receive approval so I can submit my deposit and enroll.</p>

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<p>Mine took about two weeks to process. They’ll email you with a housing offer if you’re approved for housing.</p>

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<p>It varies. GREATLY. Mine took less than 48 hours. Though, I’ve heard it go as long as three weeks.</p>

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<p>Does the rent still go up every year if you’re paying on a term basis rather than monthly basis?</p>

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<p>Yes, you can expect it to go up regardless of arrangement. Mine went up about $20 per month. I imagine that, in a per term situation, that’d just be extrapolated over a few months.</p>

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<p>Do the efficiencies typically have any kind of closet or am I going to have to improvise something?</p>

<p>I’m told I’ll have a dresser, bed, and a desk, but I’m wondering if there’s any kind of actual closet in my closet-sized studio.</p>

<p>Also, what’s the deal with rugs and NY floor covering law? Where might I obtain a rug (or rugs) in Morningside Heights to meet compliance?</p>

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<p>oh. 20 dollars a month is nothing. it’s whatever. if you’re a decent student, your scholarship should be going up by 2-4k per academic school year anyways.</p>

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<p>i am dying to get into this school… problem is, i worry it would be difficult to get housing since i have 2 school aged children. We are currently in Pennsylvania. What do GS students with families do for housing?</p>

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<p>Ummzeez, you should speak to someone at GS and/or University Housing ([CU</a> Facilities - Housing](<a href=“Columbia Residential”>Columbia Residential)) for specifics but AFAIK, there is family housing available (1- and 2-bedroom apartments).</p>

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<p>BoolaBoola: I’ve never seen a closet in any kind of housing. Honestly, I’m really thinking here and, as far back as I can remember, I’ve never seen one. Remember, this is student housing in New York City. You will probably be able to flush the toilet and do the dishes from your bed. Do you really want to sacrifice any more floor space?</p>

<p>Also, I’m not sure that the rug rule is strictly enforced. I’ve never seen my super in my place and, to be perfectly honest, I never had a rug until this term. There are two IKEAs in the NYC metro area where you’ll find an inexpensive variety of new ones. DO NOT BUY USED RUGS. This is the age of the bedbug, people.</p>

<p>umzeez: All sort of non-traditional housing is administered through Facilities and University Apartment Housing. The exception to this would be if you were applying to a joint program between JTS/GS. In that case, JTS would be the people to talk to.</p>

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<p>Great thread. Does anybody here currently live at the Fairholm on 121st? I’ve got an assignment there and was wondering what it was like.</p>

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<p>121st is a great place. You can walk out your door and be on campus in a couple of minutes. Though, I’m not sure that I know that building specifically.</p>

16

<p>does financial aid pay for these residences? i am coming from out of town… thats a pretty hefty amount of rent!</p>

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<p>Typically, only a few students will get enough money to cover all of their expenses. Unless you can afford to pay out of pocket for housing, you should plan on taking out private loans.</p>