The Housing Thread 2014

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>Here are some links that may be helpful to first time Bama parents. Feel free to ask questions about housing or move in. Parents who have been there already may be happy to share their experience and knowledge about the process and post additional links, tips, or tricks they found helpful along the way.</p>

<p>Residence Halls</p>

<p><a href=“Halls - Housing and Residential Communities”>Halls - Housing and Residential Communities</a></p>

<p>Rates</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/new_students/rates.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/new_students/rates.cfm</a></p>

<p>Residential Calendar (lcurrent year only)</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/calendar.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/calendar.cfm</a></p>

<p>General FAQs about Freshman Residency</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/new_students/general_faq.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/new_students/general_faq.cfm</a></p>

<p>Move in schedule</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/schedule.cfm?CFID=6491283&CFTOKEN=26328306”>http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/schedule.cfm?CFID=6491283&CFTOKEN=26328306</a></p>

<p>How do I sign up for a move in time?</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/signup.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/signup.cfm</a></p>

<p>Packing Tips</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/movein/arrival/pack_tips.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/movein/arrival/pack_tips.cfm</a></p>

<p>Arrival Information/Procedures</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/movein/arrival/policies.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/movein/arrival/policies.cfm</a></p>

<p>Community Living Standards</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/com_living_standards.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/com_living_standards.cfm</a></p>

<p>Resident Rights and Responsibilities</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/rights_and_responsibilities.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/rights_and_responsibilities.cfm</a></p>

<p>How to file a work order</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/work_order.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/work_order.cfm</a></p>

<p>Receiving Packages</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/package.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/package.cfm</a></p>

<p>Transportation</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/off_campus/transportation.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/off_campus/transportation.cfm</a></p>

<p>Airport Shuttle</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/shuttle.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/shuttle.cfm</a></p>

<p>Things to do once you arrive</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/todo.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/movein/checkin/todo.cfm</a></p>

<p>Week of Welcome activities</p>

<p><a href=“http://wow.ua.edu”>http://wow.ua.edu</a></p>

<p>Student Safety</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/parents_and_family/student_safety.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/parents_and_family/student_safety.cfm</a></p>

<p>If you need assistance while living in the dorm use On Call response</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/on_call.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/on_call.cfm</a></p>

<p>Emergency Preparedness</p>

<p><a href=“http://prepare.ua.edu”>http://prepare.ua.edu</a></p>

<p>University Police</p>

<p><a href=“http://police.ua.edu”>http://police.ua.edu</a></p>

<p>Leadership Opportunities</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/leadership_opps.cfm”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/leadership_opps.cfm</a></p>

<p>Some tips on navigating a successful off campus housing search for those who like to plan ahead or for those who may be still looking:</p>

<p>Attend off campus housing fairs on campus. Oh look, here’s one! Free tee shirts!</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/event_calendar.cfm?p=2#2637”>http://housing.ua.edu/on_campus/event_calendar.cfm?p=2#2637</a></p>

<p>Here are some things we learned while searching for off campus housing:</p>

<p>Begin by determining a budget for off campus housing and the number of potential roommates.</p>

<p>Make a list of your needs and wants. Note anything you must have or do not want/need.</p>

<p>Location: Walking /Biking distance Shuttle – private or UA
(will the location be convenient/inconvenient on a regular basis? gamedays?)</p>

<p>Furnished/Unfurnished
Utility allowance
Washer/Dryer provided or only hookups?
Internet provided
Cable provided
Pets allowed
Number of occupants in the complex? Per unit?
Roommate matching
Individual leases? Separate leases?
Subleases allowed?
Amenities (pool, computer lab, gym, etc.)
Parking availability
Gated or security (if gated, is the gate actually closed when you visit?)
Move in date for new residents? Fee for early move in?
Term of lease agreement - how long? procedures for paying rent while away? Fees?
Student only complex? Any restrictions?
Will you see the actual unit you will rent?
How/when will you select the location of your unit? Are they assigned or selected?
Are all layouts identical? Baths? Bedrooms? floor coverings? furniture?
How are maintenance issues reported and how are they resolved?
What is 24 hour maintenance? Emergency?
What is the resident’s responsibility?
Pest control?</p>

<p>Consider your personal preferences and what you need and want from a property. Prioritize the most important factors on your list of needs and wants.</p>

<p>Use the off campus housing website, the Apartments Alabama app, and other sources to identify apartments that may meet your needs and criteria (cost, location, etc.). You may also consider properties recommended by word of mouth. See link:</p>

<p><a href=“http://offcampushousing.ua.edu”>http://offcampushousing.ua.edu</a></p>

<p>It is never too soon to begin scoping out potential complexes. If you want to get a true picture of what a property is like, you will need to make a few unscheduled visits on your own. Consider word of mouth, but do your own leg work. Be aware of special incentives, but do not let that be the determining factor of when you sign a lease. Do NOT rely on a scheduled visit or written material provided by a property. Visit any property you are considering at different times of the day and week. Plan to visit on a Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If the property has a pool, visit while it is warm. It is also a good idea to check the FB page regarding a property. Temper any complaints or glowing reviews, but look for consistent complaints. Note that some complexes will remove unflattering comments by residents. Conduct an internet search on the property.</p>

<p>Consider your personal preferences, but also look at any of the following that would concern you:</p>

<p>Lighting around the property – parking, trash receptacle, stairwells, entryways
Cleanliness of the property – Look for trash, signs of bugs or other pests, landscaping, building conditions. Is the trash receptacle convenient? Does it appear to be maintained or overflowing?
Availability of parking for residents? Guests? What about during special events/game days?
Does the complex appear to be quiet, rowdy, deserted, crowded?
What amenities are available? Do they appear to be in use by residents?
Is there a property manager or community director on site? When?
Read local news and campus news articles about what is/has been going on in a complex.</p>

<p>Consider the venues around any property you are considering. Will they impact your living experience daily or on a regular basis? Noise? Parking? Traffic? Lights? Safety/Security?</p>

<p>While crime can occur anywhere, each of us should be concerned about personal safety and the potential for serious crime in the area where our student is considering living. I found it helpful to perform an online search and also search the local newspaper during our off campus housing search.</p>

<p>Good luck and happy hunting!</p>

<p>Here are some helpful links:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.universityparent.com/university-of-alabama/articles/newsletter-only/what-you-should-know-when-selecting-off-campus-housing/”>http://www.universityparent.com/university-of-alabama/articles/newsletter-only/what-you-should-know-when-selecting-off-campus-housing/</a></p>

<p><a href=“http://offcampushousing.ua.edu”>http://offcampushousing.ua.edu</a></p>

2

<p>Where can I find the rules on hanging things on the walls in the dorms? I saw something about 4 nails but are Command hooks allowed? I recall seeing some mention on an older thread about rule changes. What are the fines for wall repair?</p>

3

<p>I believe you may find that here:</p>

<p><a href=“Halls - Housing and Residential Communities”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Select the dorm in which you are planning to live. Then click the link on the right “Preparing to live in…”</p>

<p>It will open something like this:</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/halls/Info/NB-ridgecrest-south.pdf”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/Info/NB-ridgecrest-south.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In the past HRC has prohibited Command Strips in dorms with sheetrock, but has allowed nails. Residents living in dorms with block walls have been allowed to use Command Strips in the past since nails were prohibited.</p>

<p>I hope this link will work for the Community Living Standards.</p>

<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/pdfs/Community%20Living%20Standards%202013.pdf”>http://housing.ua.edu/pdfs/Community%20Living%20Standards%202013.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Thanks. So Ridgecrest allows nails and push pins. 4 isn’t very many. How much do they charge for exceeding that number?</p>

5

<p>^^^ None of the posters on CC except UA Housing could answer that for you, LuvLABS, since we are all just parents or students and not employees of the UA. UA Housing does respond here from time to time. You might send them a message or give them a call or send an email.</p>

6

<p>Thanks. I wanted to make sure we don’t have any surprises at check out! </p>

7

<p>Bumping this thread since it’s that time of year!</p>

8

<p>There are also creative ways to hang items without too many holes. Even if technically you are allowed four nail holes, make those four “count”. Find a multi hook rack, the longer the better, that has only two holes. Use this rack to hang necklaces, hats, scarves multiple light items.
There is also a creative way to use four or more push pins, (which barely leaves perceptible holes) and string stretched between those pins to hang photos with clips or clothes pins. CC won’t let me post examples I found on Pinterest.</p>

<p>You can see tons of these ideas if you google dorm ideas or creative hanging ideas. You get the idea.</p>

9

<p>excellent ideas from robotbldmom! some of the doors will accommodate over-the-door hooks, too. </p>

10

<p>^^^thanks, and if I might say over the door hooks are great but over the door clear pocket hangers were even better for us. One hanger organizer will fit on each of the inside closet doors in Ridgecrest South, as the doors open out into the bedroom. These doors do not slide.</p>

<p>The pocket hangers that are made of plastic or vinyl are getting harder to find but I did find them at the Lowes in Northport. ( I had tried BB&B and several other stores with no luck.) These organizers are a great way to store all OTC medications, toiletries, hair brushes, hair combs, hair products, cosmetics, toothpastes, razors, nail polish, emeory boards, etc. And since these are plastic, you can wipe them dry if they get wet, and clean them easily if they get messy.</p>

<p>Also, If you have the bed lofted high, you can attach another one at the end of the bed by just bending the hooks to fit and for more security or heavier items, secure with electrical ties over the wooden railing. Use this one for all manner of school supplies, pens, pencils, stapler, binder clips, rubber bands, printer ink etc. or use it as a place for winter scaves, gloves, socks, stockings, sunglasses, etc. I can think of so many uses.</p>

<p>Remember, to make organizing easier, just group like things together. This will give you lots of storage and organization without any nails at all.</p>