The University can help me look for off-campus housing?

I’m pretty sure that if the university had its way all college students would live in the dorms, university owned apartment complexes, or at home safe with parents. College students would play water pong and go to the midnight movie at Baker every Friday and Saturday. Court Street would be empty on weekend nights and Halloween would be sober. Sounds kind of lame, right? That’s how most college students see the university, though; as a big, fat fun-sucker that takes all the enjoyment out of the college experience. However, the university really has our best interests (and perhaps some legal butt covering, too) at heart. The university wants us to leave college educated, well-rounded, and in one piece. As mushy as it sounds, they are just there to help. The Off-Campus Living division of Student Affairs is ready to help students make the move off campus, and they have a great website with tons of information.

What OCL can offer you:

• A video camera service: they will come document your rental unit (preferably before you move in) with a video camera and give you a DVD. This is an important tool when it comes to security deposit disputes.
• Community Assistants- students who help link off-campus students to the university and the community. AKA: they are there to make your life easier and there is even a map on the website so you can find out who your CA is.
• Rental listings: Lists of rental properties to help you get started with your search.
• Group programs: a few programs offered by the university to help with off campus living.
• Links to city offices and Information: knowing about the city you live in (especially its codes and how they are enforced ) is important.
• A plethora of “getting started” links: look under “leasing, landlords, renting, and roommates” on the left hand side of the home page. So much great stuff! They give information on everything from what to consider when looking for a place to live, how to pick a good roommate, how to set up utilities and how to deal with landlords.
• Pick a Property: take a look at what past tenants of your potential apartment/house really think about it. You will need your OAK Id for this.
• Tips on living in Athens: living down here can be like a foreign country.
• Special Events: community cookouts= free food and information (the video below explains more about the community cookouts)

I strongly suggest you check this site out when looking for a place to live. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of what the university can offer, these people know what they are talking about (I don’t work for OU, I swear!). Off-Campus Living is like a one stop shop when it comes to information. If you really want to be old school you could even call them for more information. As in on the phone, like people used to do before the Internet. I hear they even welcome visitors.