BGSU Off-Campus Student Services

One of the primary goals of Off-Campus Student Services is to serve as a conduit of information to off-campus students. Whether you've lived off-campus for several years or you are just fresh out of the residence halls, you'll find the information found at the links below very helpful.

If you have suggestions for how our staff can serve you better, please let us know by sending an email to offcampus@bgsu.edu.

Please read below for a few helpful tips and pieces of information:

• Off-Campus Student Services Website
• Off-Campus Blog
• BGViews - Off-Campus Forum
• BGViews - Off-Campus Community Board
• BGViews Housing Guide
• Off-Campus Student Services on Facebook!

As you prepare to leave BG for the winter break (or for students not leaving home for the break), I want to encourage you to consider the tips and reminders listed below.

1. Don't forget to register for spring 2010 semester!

2. Security Tips: The reality is that break-ins and theft increase over extended university breaks.
o Update your contact information in MyBGSU.
o Take valuables with you over break.
o Take pictures of other valuables.
o Consider closing your window shades or blinds.
o Put lights on an automatic timer.
o Lock the doors.
o Notify the post-office to hold your mail.

3. Energy Efficiency and Safety Ideas
o Don't turn your heat off! Keep it above 55 degrees.
o Unplug non-essential electrical appliances.

4. "House" Cleaning
o Make arrangements for snow removal from sidewalks.
o Remove perishable food from your refrigerator and cabinets.
o Heavy Item Pick-up from the City begins Dec. 28.

For more tips, visit www.bgsu.edu/offcampus and click on News and Events.

There's many things to think about when finding a place to rent. It's not usually a simple decision, but requires thoughtful consideration and careful exploration.

One quick suggestion as you're thinking about this is to consider the City of Bowling Green Zoning & Occupancy ordinance.

In some rental houses in town, no more than 3 unrelated individuals may live in the house. This does not apply to all rental houses, but you need to check this out for yourself. Ask your potential landlord, call the City of Bowling Green Planning Department, and if you hear anything from your potential landlord about "you only need 3 people to sign the lease but you can split the cost any way you want", ask more questions!

For anyone thinking about renting and moving off-campus in the coming year or two (or for folks thinking about moving somewhere else next year and need a fresh "rental beginning"), there are many things to consider (or "re"-consider).

Find out more!

Is it really cheaper to live off-campus? How much will it cost?

Will I have more "freedom" without an RA around? What will I do with the additional responsibilities being placed on me?

So, what is this lease-thing, anyway? Is it really a legal document?

Can I study better without 40 other students living next door? Will I be motived enough to make it to campus for class, let alone to study?

These questions (and many, many more) need to be considered, discussed, and answered before you make any decision.

Plan to attend one of the following "OFF-CAMPUS 101" workshops. You won't be disappointed and you'll leave with valuable information and be prepared to make an informed decision.

• Tuesday, October 20th at 3:00PM in BTSU 316


• Wednesday, October 21st at 7:00PM in Offenhauer 1103


• Wednesday, October 28th at 7:00PM in Founder's Courtyard Dining Room

The 2009 BGSU Housing Fair will take place on Thursday, November 19th.

OLSCAMP 101
10 am - 2:30 pm

This is a drop-in, open-house style event. Feel free to come as much as you are able, and come back between class if possible.

Free food, give-aways, and great information from local landlords, vendors, insurance agencies, and several City and University Departments.

Check-out the Housing Fair Webpage for more information.

As you begin your Fall semester, please keep a few things in mind:

- Meet your neighbors and get to know them;
- Sign a roommate agreement;;
- Stick to your budget (or set one up!);
- Buy renter's insurance, it is worth it!
- Keep-up with your academic work!

Finally, remember that you are a resident of the City of Bowling Green as well as a student at BGSU. You have certain rights and responsibilities in both roles, and in some ways you represent all BGSU students by your words and actions.

Our staff is available to answer questions you have about life off-campus. Feel free to call or email: (419) 372-2843 / offcampus@bgsu.edu

Dear BGSU Student:

If you are a student living off-campus in Bowling Green, please continue reading the message below.

As you wrap-up your semester and possibly prepare to move-out of your house or apartment and leave BG for the summer break, please consider the helpful tips and reminders listed below.

Planning a graduation party? - Remember the City Ordinances.

The City of Bowling Green has a Nuisance Party Ordinance of which you should be familiar. As a host of a party, you can be cited with a violation if the event falls into the category of a "Nuisance Party".

Student Legal Services at BGSU also has helpful information about rights and responsibilities about hosting a party at your house or apartment.

Large Trash Items - City Pick-up begins May 11th

Furniture & mattresses. If you have furniture that is in decent condition, consider donating it to Goodwill. Otherwise, the City of Bowling Green will begin "Heavy Item Pickup" on May 11th. Please read the information online to know what will and will not be handled by the refuse trucks. (*If you cannot get it removed in time, please call 354-6227 to arrange a pick-up. *A fee may be charged.)

Forward your mail!

Notify the post-office to forward your mail. This can be done easily on-line.

Checking-Out? Know your rights and responsibilities!

Security Deposit. To improve your chances are receiving any amount of your deposit, follow the tips below:

Move out on-time!

Clean and repair the property to its condition upon you moving in.

Take pictures or video of the property for evidence of its condition.

Provide the landlord with written notice of where to send the deposit.

Know that the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit or itemize the list of deductions from your full amount.

Seek assistance with Student Legal Services if you have questions.

Review your checklist. Go back to the check-list you used when you moved-in. Be sure everything is in good condition!

Other "House" Cleaning

• Remove perishable food from your refrigerator and cabinets.
• If you have large furniture to throw-away, check details related to Heavy Item Pick-up from the City of BG. Pickup begins the week of May 11th. (*If you cannot get it removed in time, please call 354-6227 to arrange a pick-up. *A fee may be charged.)
• Move garbage containers away from the curb after it has been picked-up.
• Check your yard for trash and/or other litter, and remove before leaving.

Enjoy your summer!

--
Andy Alt
Assistant Dean of Students
Office of the Dean of Students

301 Bowen-Thompson Student Union
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403

Ph: (419) 372-2843 Fx: (419) 372-0499

Orientation & First Year Programs
Off-Campus Student Services

Most students living off-campus and students who read the BGNews with any regularity are aware of the conversations taking place across the University and City communities regarding the Housing Section of the City planning document.

Mr. Chris Ostrowski, a member of the Ad-Hoc Committe that the Mayor of Bowling Green called to review the current codes and enforcement measures, submitted a letter to the editor in the BGNews on March 24, 2009.

Take a look and consider coming to the next few meetings of this committee. The next meeting is April 2nd at 4:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

As many folks have read, a rental scam has impacted a BGSU student.

Before you engage in email dialogue with anyone inquiring about your rental unit, carefully consider the source of the inquiry and validity of the request. If the correspondence looks suspicious, proceed with caution. Report anything out of the ordinary to the local police.

Welcome to the Off-Campus Student Services Community, hosted by and through BGViews.

Maybe you've landed here through the Off-Campus Student Services website, or perhaps through the BGViews network.

In any case, we hope that this community provides you with helpful links and information related to life off-campus.

Subscribe to the RSS feeds here and in the Forum to stay up to date on things related to living off-campus. Also, from time to time you'll read information here from other students, USG senators, local landlords, and residents and officials from the City of Bowling Green.

Check-out the Forum tab for some specific topics and categories related to life off-campus.

-Andy Alt
Assistant Dean of Students