With October fast approaching, the newly chartered University-run Off-Grounds Housing Office is working with students to prevent panic over early lease signing dates.
"In about two weeks, you are going to hear a lot of talk about having to sign a lease for off-Grounds housing," Student Council President Noah Sullivan told students in an e-mail Wednesday night. "Don't believe it because it's not true."
At least not entirely true. Even University housing officials acknowledge that leases for the most desired off-Grounds residencies -- for example, those on 17th Street and Wertland Street -- usually must be signed by the end of October for the following school year.
Delaying the lease-signing process is a long-term goal of both the Off-Grounds Housing Office and Student Council.
"Delaying this process would be a cultural change," Off-Grounds Housing Manager Vicki Hawes said. "It's not going to happen in just a year."
Many first-year students said they still plan on signing leases early this semester, even though they have qualms about the timing.
"I think that it is ridiculous that we will have to commit to housing for next year so soon," first-year Engineering student Kelly Poy said. "I feel like I just moved in. I don't know how I'm supposed to know who I want to live with next year."
Hawes said University officials understand students' concerns, but she said students should not worry because housing will be available later in the school year.
"I think it is an urban legend that it is impossible to lease convenient housing after October," Hawes said. "Ten years ago, there may have been property shortage. In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of construction, and there will be even more so in the next five years."
Still, many students compete for the hot locations. Property managers said they already have heard from students beginning off-Grounds house-hunting for next year.
"Students are already calling us and we are not even advertising our apartments yet," said Alice Fletcher, the regional property manager of Management Services Corporation.
Fletcher agreed with Hawes that there are residencies available for lease after October.
"There is housing available after second semester," she said. "We have experienced that the best housing is demanded in October, though."
The Off-Grounds Housing Office is working to aid students in locating residencies in several ways. By the end of October, Hawes said she hopes to finish a Web site with off-Grounds property listings. As the only member of her department, she is also working to establish a relationship with local landlords and leasing corporations.
"There is no established relationship yet, but we hope to have one soon," Fletcher said. "The Off-Grounds Housing Office has indicated to several landlords that they are planning to approach us."
Council and Off-Grounds Housing Office officials say they will continue working to eliminate the legend that housing must be leased by October.
Sullivan said in his e-mail that he obtained a 15th Street property just before classes began last year. Hawes said she has seen similar situations.
"Just recently, I gave leasing contacts to students, and they were able to secure housing on Shamrock Street," Hawes said.
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