Your student is likely already thinking about housing next year. Off-campus properties have begun marketing to students to commit to leases for next fall. University Housing contracts will be available in January. Costs, leases, location, safety and support are important factors to take into consideration. Here are some points to help you discuss housing plans with your student.
ON CAMPUS
Students may apply to return to University Housing in a process called Housing Sign-Up. The process begins in January, shortly after students return from winter break.
Some of the on-campus highlights next year include:
- New meal plans for residents will be unlimited starting with the fall 2014 term. Students can use the dining halls for complete meals, quick bites or just a cup of coffee, without worrying about running out of meals. The plans include varying amounts of Dining Dollars which will be spendable in all the residential cafes as well as in all the eateries in the University Unions. Blue Bucks will still be around, but won't be included as part of the meal plan; your student will still want them for laundry, vending, snacks at athletic events and more.
- South Quad will reopen for next fall after renovation of the dining center, community study and social spaces, as well as student bathrooms. The building will be home once again to the Honors Program. The enlarged dining center will feature multiple serving areas with a wide range of foods and comfortable seating areas.
- With the opening of the South Quad dining center, the small dining operation in Barbour Hall will cease at the end of this school year, and the space will be repurposed for additional community living needs for Barbour and Newberry residents.
- West Quad will be closed for a year-long renovation, part of the Residential Life Initiatives to improve the campus living experience. Besides a complete upgrade of the infrastructure, the work will improve student rooms and bathrooms and create new spaces for study, relaxation and social interactions.
For more information about Sign-Up and campus living, the Housing website has a page just for parents.
OFF CAMPUS
Most U-M students live off-campus, enjoying the quiet of single apartments, or sharing a house with a few close friends. Some opt to live in their fraternity or sorority house to be more involved in Greek Life. For others, cooperative housing is an appealing and affordable option. Co-ops are owned and run by the members who live in them – not landlords or the University. More information is available through the Inter-cooperative Council at U-M.
The Off-Campus Housing website contains information to help students assess what kind of place will suit them and to understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants. One of the main features of the site is the property listing that helps students and parents identify available off-campus locations that meet their living and budget expectations.
The site also includes useful information including safety and security tips, roommate finder and sub-let service, community resources, as well as conflict resolution services for problems with a landlord, neighbor, subtenant or roommate.
Your student doesn't like to cook or shop for groceries (or clean dishes)? Campus meal plans are available to students living off-campus.
Providing support to off-campus students, Beyond the Diag (BTD) is a program within the Dean of Students Office that aims to increase the sense of community among residents in twelve neighborhoods on north and central campus. Throughout the year, Neighborhood Ambassadors hold events so students can get to know the people living in their neighborhoods. They also provide information about resources at the University that support wellness and safety off-campus.
If the conversation isn’t already taking place, now is a good time for you and your student to review and discuss information about housing next year. And there’s still plenty of time to make the right decision.
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