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APARTMENT GUIDE 1
SEMESTER OPTIONS
Studying abroad limits students' leasing options
BY NATALIE BROWN
nbrown@kansan.com
These days, being economically savvy is far from overrated, especially when apartment shopping for somewhere to live for only half the year.
Setting up somewhere to live after studying abroad or finding someone who can sublease while studying abroad can be pretty frustrating, unless students know how to barter with their landlords. Some students have discovered methods that allow them to leave for their semester abroad without lease troubles.
"Finding a replacement sublease person for that person between semesters can become an issue, but thankfully there are always people just arriving or returning to Lawrence," said Peter Lyrene, Fairhope, Ala., senior.
Lyrene's roommate, Jacob Muselmann,
is currently studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When Muselmann, Tulsa senior, was mapping out his plans for housing, knowing he would be gone the spring semester, he was hesitant to sign a lease. Fortunately for him, his three-bedroom house was contracted by a landlord who could relate.
Peter Lyrene, Fairhope, Ala. senior, had to find a replacement roommate because his roommate, Jacob Muselmann, Tulsa senior, studied abroad this semester. Lyrene said he wished there were easier options for semester leases.
"The landlord was encouraging after he explained that his daughter had studied abroad for a full year in the UK while she was in college," Lyrene said.
Allison Richardson/KANSAN
The housing dilemma causes the same problem every year. According to the Institute of International Education, 27.5 percent of the University's undergraduate students study abroad.
Students who don't have an understanding landlord can plan ahead with their roommates.
Kelsey Hutchinson, Woodland Park, Colo., junior, is studying abroad in England
this semester.
"I'm not subleasing my room back in Kansas, but my roommate and I split up rent throughout this year so it works out," Hutchinson said. "I'm not paying rent there anymore because we worked it out at the beginning of the year, and she knew I would be leaving for the spring. We kind of evened out the rent for the year."
With Kansas ranked 11th in the nation among public universities for the number of students who study abroad, students wish that making housing arrangements around study abroad trips could be more convenient.
"I wish there was a way, or a system, to connect with other students studying abroad to make housing arrangements, especially semester exchanges. I was shocked when I found none at KU," Muselmann said in an e-mail.
The KU Office of Study Abroad does not assist students with leasing options; however, the department recommends the Jayhawker Towers.
Instead of worrying about finding another roommate to take the place of the person studying abroad or paying out to a roommate, students can lease by semester at either the Jayhawker Towers, part of the Department of Student Housing, or Naismith Hall, a privately owned residence hall located at 1800 Naismith Drive.
Sam Sankoeich, Naismith Hall general manager, said the building allowed between six and 10 people to lease for only a semester.
"We don't advertise that we allow it, but if a person asks while we're talking about it, then we mention it," said Sankoeich.
Naismith does, however, charge a fee of $50 or $100 per month if a lease is only for a semester. Sankoeich said.
That cost is an addition to the semester pricing averaging $4600 depending on the
room being standard, renovated or deluxe. Naismith does not have a deadline for leasing, making it easier to find last-minute housing. However, Naismith fills a majority of its rooms for the fall semester by June with a first come,first serve basis.
Jayhawker Towers also subleases for a semester depending on the availability during a particular semester. A four-person apartment costs an average of $1600 per semester. For a two-person apartment, the average is $2800. The Jayhawker Towers, unlike Naismith, do not charge extra for only leasing a semester.
According to the housing department, only students who intend to study abroad can take advantage of these options. There is already a waiting list of at least 20 people for leasing next fall at the Jayhawker Towers.
Students living in fraternities or sorories can find housing for a single semester much easier than other students, Sarah Mahn, Overland Park senior, said.
"I lived in Sigma Delta Tau first semester last year because we have a live-in policy for two years," Mahn said. "But I got to pay a study abroad fee to remain a member and be in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, last spring semester."
Mahn said the number of greek students who study abroad seems to differ each year. She noticed that only about half of her group during her program had a greek affiliation.
Even with difficulties finding housing, students still manage to bite the bullet and find a leasing option that works best for them.
"It's a great experience and it shouldn't be given up just because of trouble with the living situation here," Mahn said.
Edited by Sam Speer
FEBRUARY 26,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN