EUGENE,
Ore. -- (April 14, 2011) -- Preparing UO students to transition from residence
hall living to off-campus life is an important team effort.
The
University of Oregon and neighborhood leaders, the City of Eugene and rental
property managers will host the second annual, off-campus housing fair from 1 to
6 p.m. on Monday, April 18, in the Erb Memorial Union ballroom, 1222 E. 13th
Ave.
According
to Vanessa Vissar, the graduate student coordinating the CommUniversity
Resource Assistant Program, the event was so successful last year that the 2011
housing fair has been expanded to make it accessible to more students.
Approximately
3,800 UO students live in on-campus residence halls, typically for a year
before moving off campus into apartments, houses and other rental living
arrangements in Eugene and Springfield. Hundreds of students ready to make this
transition are expected to attend the fair, as well as students who are
currently living off campus and seeking new rental properties and resources.
According
to organizers, the goals for the event are to help students find housing
options and to become more knowledgeable, responsible and engaged neighbors and
tenants. Neighborhood, city and nonprofit partners will provide resources and
workshops to support students as they transition into off-campus community
living.
"Living
off campus is an exciting transition for students. The off campus housing fair is an opportunity
to support our students by providing them with the tools and resources they
need to become engaged and responsible neighbors, and to develop positive
relationships with their future landlords," said Vanessa Vissar.
The
free event is coordinated by the Office of the Dean of Students and the
CommUniversity Resource Assistant Program, with support from the Office of Government
and Community Relations and City of Eugene Neighborhood Services.
"We're
looking forward to this second annual event and the opportunity to be a partner
in encouraging UO students to be involved and responsible members of the larger
community," said Michael Kinnison, program manager of the City of Eugene
Neighborhood Services Program.
Fifteen
property managers will share information about rental opportunities, particularly
in areas surrounding the university. In addition, students will have the chance
to explore and weigh their various options.
The
off-campus housing fair also serves as an event for students to begin to
understand their obligations to the greater community, including their sense of
civic and social responsibility.
"Our
students are bright, engaged and have the ability to utilize their strengths
and skills from their classroom and out of class experiences to provide
leadership in transforming the neighborhoods around the university," said
Sheryl Eyster, associate dean of students. "One of our goals is to help them
understand that nexus in learning."
Contact: Julie
Brown, UO media relations, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
Source:
Vanessa
Vissar, off campus student services, Office of the Dean of Students,
541-346-1468, communiversity@uoregon.edu
###