East Wooster Street (west of campus) is undergoing heavy construction until late October. The area between the CSX railroad crossing and Prospect Street is getting a new road, curbs, and sidewalks.

The area has many hazards, including open trenches, and is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Please make sure to pay attention to street and sidewalk closure signs. Anyone in the construction zone is subject to being cited by the police for failing to obey traffic control devices, which includes posted signs.

While intermittent access to some businesses may be available from Wooster Street, you are encouraged to use alternate routes.

Thinking about living off-campus next year? Before you make the move, prepare yourself!

Off-Campus 101 is being offered 4 times in the next month - check it out!

Thursday, 2/25, 7pm, Founders Conference Room
Monday, 3/1, 4pm, 208 Bowen-Thompson Student Union
Wednesday, 3/17, 7pm, Mac North Conference Room
Monday, 3/22, 4pm, Bowen-Thompson Student Union

OC 101:

• Provides informational resources about moving and living off-campus


• Offers assistance in finding off campus housing


• Encourages responsible and safe living off campus


• Discusses healthy conflict resolution between roommates and neighbors


• Supports early resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants

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!

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