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NEWS

Students see living off-campus as appealing alternative to dorm life

By Nicole Crum
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

With campus housing in high demand and short supply at Norwich University, the off-campus housing has become even more appealing to students.

According to Martha Mathis, Norwich University Dean of Students, the school definately has a housing shortage. As a result, many upperclassmen are choosing to live off-campus rather then squeeze into packed dorms.

“We would rather have all of our students on campus,” Mathis said, adding that this is not a possibility since there is physically not enough space for all students to live in campus housing.

For many students, the housing crunch is just a contributing factor to the many benefits that living off-campus offers.

James Duhamel, 20, a freshman physical education major from Toronto, Canada, said that he chose to live off-campus this year because he believes that, “It helps you to be very independent.”

Many students just want the responsibility that living off-campus provides. Senior Julie Sledz, 21, a sports medicine and athletic training major from Stratford, Conn. said, “I’m just glad to have the added responsibility before I go out in the real world.”

Living off-campus provides students with a chance to experience what it’s like to live on their own, while still having the guidance and support of their families.

Sonia Masse, 21, a senior sports medicine and athletic training major from Readfield, Maine, agreed with Sledz. She wants to have the chance to live off-campus before she is on her own and has to get her own apartment.

“I can walk to the bathroom without shoes on.” said senior Hillary Pierce, 21, a biology major from Florida, Mass. “It’s quieter. You don’t have kids playing floor hockey upstairs.”

Cost is another factor. On-campus room and board is currently $3,545 per semester.

Pierce said that she and her housemates pay about $300 a month for rent, food, and utilities. For them, it is about $1,000 dollars cheaper per semester to live off-campus than it would be to live in a dorm.

Mathis tries to speak with students before they move off-campus to make sure that they fully understand the responsibilities the will be taking on.

Most off-campus students recommend that everyone spend at least a year or two on campus, just to get the experience and benefits of dorm life before attempting to live on their own.

Duhamel chose to spend his first year at Norwich living off-campus.

“It’s my first time living away from home, so that’s been a pretty big challenge,” Duhamel said. “You definitely have to be responsible.”

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.