Housing and Information Fair for Students to Be Held March 7

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas requires first-year students to live on campus, with few exceptions. As the number of freshman students has steadily increased each year it means more higher level students will have to move off-campus into apartments and rental houses than in the past. Many of these students have never lived on their own and will be navigating the search for affordable off-campus housing for the first time.

To address their needs— the “On Your Own” Off-Campus Living Fair — will be held on Wednesday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the International Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union.

“Students need to consider carefully when choosing a new place to live. There are a lot of different factors to think about like budgeting the cost of utilities, understanding a lease agreement and knowing their rights as tenants,” said John Jones, coordinator of traditional student programs for Off Campus Connections at the University of Arkansas.

It is important for students to remain engaged academically and socially with campus life once they move off campus.

“We want to make sure students do not become isolated or miss out on enriching, educational and social experiences on campus, or students can start to feel lonely and disengage from learning,” said Susan Stiers, associate director of Off Campus Connections.

More than 14 property management representatives for over 150 living communities will participate in the fair, as will Legal Aid of Arkansas, Credit Counseling of Arkansas, University Transit and Parking and several other relevant organizations. Students can learn about transportation options and commuter tips, budgeting and credit, off-campus meal plans, good neighbor relations, and many community and campus resources.  They  will also have the opportunity to win more than $2,000 in prizes at the fair. Students can also learn about living options and related resources or search for a roommate by visiting the university’s off-campus housing website, http://offcampushousing.uark.edu. Additional resources to support students who live off-campus can be found on the Off Campus Connections website, occ.uark.edu.

For more information about the fair, please call 479-575-7351 or email occ@uark.edu. The “On Your Own” Off-Campus Living Fair is hosted by Off Campus Connections at the University of Arkansas and the city of Fayetteville.