Apartments aren’t too much apart

Leaving CAs and cleaning ladies behind, many students are trading the dorms for EMU-owned apartments.

Upperclassmen as well as graduate and seminary students are experiencing both the benefits and drawbacks of EMU’s on- and off-campus apartments. One of the drawbacks is the distance from the main buildings on campus. A disgruntled feeling about the Parkwoods’ location at the southern perimeter of campus remains a minor, but legitimate concern.

"The walk is entirely uphill, but I got made fun of for driving," lamented Parkwoods resident senior Nikki Rutter, "so now I walk to class." Senior Jena Nafziger agrees that at 8 a.m., it’s a longer trek than one may realize.

But when the rent is affordable and coming home between classes is convenient, the apartments offer their own appeal to many juniors and seniors. The paradox of the EMU-owned Parkwoods apartments, located just beyond the Oakwood parking lot, is their unique distinction of being both off and on campus.

The powder blue dwellings with the beach-esque deck steps sit reasonably close to campus while maintaining a buffer between them and the physical plant.

For most people living in Parkwoods, leaving the dorms isn’t a decision they regret. "It’s more affordable than Hillside, and I like having my own full kitchen," Nafziger said.

An apartment complete with all utilities, basic furnishings, two bedrooms,and high speed internet goes for the price of $650 a month rent split between four people.

It is also required that students living in these apartments still sign the "Community Lifestyle Commitment.” This makes some feel like they’re still living in a dorm room, but according to Greg Becker, Director of Conferences and Events, "By signing a lease, one pledges their agreement and compliance to the Community Lifestyle Commitment."

This enforcement encourages the same standard as on-campus living for the nearby underclassmen residing in the Woods. "When we become aware of violations, we hold tenants accountable through various means not dissimilar to what happens in the residence halls. In worse cases, tenants are evicted," stated Becker.

There has been 100 percent occupancy two years in a row in the Parkwoods, Village, and Mount Clinton Apartments due to the word spreading that apartments are available to students age 21 and over.

This year, Parkwoods has one married couple, but is predominantly composed of undergraduate residents. Mount Clinton and Village apartments are a mixture of seminary, graduate students, and married couples.

New brochures will come out in December announcing to the campus when applications are being accepted for the 2004-2005 school year. Ultimately, it is left up to the student to choose his or her preferred place of residence from the many options offered at EMU, but for many, EMU-owned apartments are the preferred way to go.