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| Off-Campus Housing |
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| Aquinas College students who have attained junior or senior status (or who have been granted exemption from the residency requirement*) may choose to live off campus in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, with the understanding that they are to be good neighbors and positive members of their respective communities. All students residing off-campus are expected to abide by the Aquinas College Standards for Off-Campus Living, and may be subject to College action in addition to any civil, legal, or contractual action in response to inappropriate activity. |
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*First and second-year students are expected to reside on campus. Studies done at Aquinas have shown that sophomores living on campus, on average, complete more credits of classes and achieve a higher GPA than students residing off-campus. Some exemptions are occasionally granted based on marriage, medical issues, extreme financial distress, or other extenuating circumstances, but first and second year students are cautioned not to sign any lease or rental agreement before gaining exemption status from the review committee. (This may take up to four weeks after submitting a request.) Simply signing an off-campus agreement does not absolve a student from their legal commitment to campus housing.
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| The links below are designed to assist those junior and senior level students wishing to live off campus. Anyone wishing to list an apartment, house, or housing situation may do so at any or all of the sites listed, subject to each site's specific terms of use. |
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| If you know of links to off-campus housing resources that should be added to this section, please e-mail reslife@aquinas.edu. |
| Note: The organizations listed above are not affiliated with Aquinas College. No representative of the College has verified the accuracy of any listings, nor the advisibility of living in any location listed. Providing links to these listing services does not imply an endorsement. The College will not intervene in any off-campus housing disputes that may occur between tenant and landlord. |
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| In accordance with our mission commitments to serve others and promote the common good, and the Dominican Charism of Community, Aquinas College expects students living off campus and/or visiting the surrounding neighborhoods to represent the College in a positive manner at all times. |
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| Choosing to live off campus does not circumvent a student's responsibility to abide by all behavioral standards of the Aquinas College Student Conduct Code. Off-campus resident students will be held responsible, to the extent appropriate, for the actions of their guests. Students residing or visiting off campus are also expected to comply with all civil ordinances of the City of Grand Rapids (or other municipality) and the State of Michigan. |
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| Any student who violates the Student Conduct Code or of any local, state, or federal law while off campus is subject to judicial and other College action up to and including dismissal or suspension. Aquinas College will not request leniency from any external authority for any person involved in civil or criminal action based on their student status, and will not offer or provide on-campus accommodation to any student if s/he has outstanding rental or damage fees due in relation to a valid lease or rental agreement. |
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Neighbors wishing to discuss any issues involving Aquinas College students are welcome to contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (616) 632-2171, but are also encouraged to contact student neighbors directly, or to seek assistance from the appropriate local authority if necessary. |
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| You may wish to download and review the guide from the State of Michigan (pdf) prior to signing any lease or rental agreement. Other things to consider carefully before deciding to live off campus include: |
- Who is your landlord? Where does s/he live? How accessible is s/he if there is a problem? How should I contact him/her?
- When is your rent due? What happens if it is late?
- When is trash pickup? Is there a separate charge? Do I purchase city tags?
- What other utilities are covered or not covered in the monthly rent? (Electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable, Internet, etc.)
- If there is a mechanical problem in my house or apartment, whom should I contact?
- Where can I park my car? Do I need to register my car in order to park on the street?
- During breaks, who is going to watch the property? How will I secure any valuable items I leave there?
- How do I contact police, fire, or emergency medical services?
- Is the unit unfurnished, semi-furnished, or furnished? What furniture and appliances will I need to purchase, rent, or borrow and move to the unit?
- How much renter's insurance do I need?
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| Be advised that your future employers and/or graduate/professional schools or affiliations may want to contact your landlord to determine your residential history. Your actions in the community may be reflected in the information the landlord reports to your employer and others who inquire. Also, your credit history is starting to build now; late rent payments, late bill payments, and similar financial lapses can have a lasting effect beyond your college years. |
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| In order to establish good relationships in your new community, consider the following hints: |
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors when you move in.
- Let your neighbors know who to contact and how to contact that person, should they have concerns about your house or apartment.
- Talk with your landlord and ask for information about the neighborhood community before moving in. Usually a landlord can offer helpful hints about your new neighbors, as s/he is often familiar with the surrounding area.
- Keep your apartment or house in good shape and show you care about it. Make it your home!
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