The University of Baltimore has made arrangements with four apartment complexes in the UB Midtown to provide "UB Living" to students for a "fall start." The apartment complexes are within walking distance to campus, but there will be shuttle bus services for students at designated times.
The apartments are Henderson House, Public Arts Building (PAB), Sutton Place Apartments, and Symphony Center Apartments. UB already held one of three scheduled housing tours a few weeks ago. The other dates are slated for May 26 and July 11, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kathy Anderson, dean of students, said that although UB is not a traditional campus with its own housing, the university's arrangement with several apartments around the area will bring added value to the university in terms of more student life.
Shalonda Manuel, property manager at Henderson House, described the agreement with UB as "a fantastic idea," adding that Henderson will keep some apartments unrenovated in order to make them more affordable for UB students in the form of reduced rent.
Students will sign leasing contracts with and make payments directly to the apartment complex of their choice. Anderson said the university will provide Student Living Assistants (SLA) who will work with students to help build a UB community, address questions and give guidance.
"The more connections that are made, and the more involvement that a student has with the university, the better they tend to do well in their classes, and the better chance they have to graduate," Anderson said, adding that this development will give students, who might not consider UB because it does not have campus housing, an opportunity to come to UB.
Anderson added that students living in these apartments will be more inclined to stay at the university; and working with the SLAs, while living with their colleagues, will help them form connections and create more supportive networks.
Financial aid may be adjusted to accommodate for rent depending on how a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was completed. Anderson said UB is working with leasing agents to have "student friendly" packages. For example, students could pay their rent for the semester after they receive their financial aid.
Rent would range from around $775 to $2,214, depending on the apartment complex, type of unit requested and whether a student wished to share the unit with roommates. These apartments have a variety amenities such as secure, controlled access; fitness centers; washers and dryers; cable television; and common lounge.
UB is also helping students to find roommates through information forms (see www.ubalt.edu/housing). A Facebook page dedicated to living in UB Midtown will also enable them to share information and find roommates, while preliminary plans are under way looking into providing students Saturday shuttle trips to the grocery store.
The PAB is yet to be officially opened following extensive renovations. With at least two floors dedicated to UB students, Anderson said this is a unique opportunity to create a true sense of community to students.
"It is a beautiful historic building in the heart of Mount Vernon <ellipsis>anyone will be fortunate to live here; it's just a wonderful place," said Rosemary Carlson, leasing specialist at the PAB.
"I think it's a good opportunity, and I think it makes it feel more like a college life because you don't have to commute," said Krystall Hopkins, prospective Criminal Justice student.
After attending UB's first housing tour she said, "I like the PAB. I like it, I love it a lot."
Richard Kanter, prospective law student, said, coming from near Virginia Beach area, he did not know about UB or the area.
"When you look at apartments and stuff on your own, you don't really know what you're getting yourself into," Kanter said. " So, a program like this is very useful because you come in, you talk to students who have been here before, you talk to administrators who have been here [for] a while and they will be able to give you good advice."
Jeremy Cornitcher, Marketing, said, "It is good that UB is working with students to secure housing near campus, making the process a lot easier."
This is the first time the university is offering a housing service to students. UB has provided passive support in the past<em dash>i.e., serving as a source for area landlords to list their offerings.
"I'm getting excited because I am ready to put my deposit down and find a place and try to find a roommate," Cornitcher said.
"I think it's a great idea, especially for UB freshmen, because that's been a huge concern in the years past," said Wayne Walsh, UB-Towson MBA program. "It's been a challenge finding out where to live and you don't know which apartment complexes are the best for your dollars, and how to even go about doing it."
Nigel Rouse, Business Administration, said he has already made a deposit at the PAB.
"I think it's a really good program because it's trying to get a different type of lifestyle for the students," Rouse said.
Peter Privalov, prospective law student said of UB's housing project: "It's very new obviously, but it's a fresh and exciting experience you know, to feel and maybe to indulge and get involved basically<em dash>it's nice for kids to get out of the house and live on their own, and have their own space to think."
UB Public has now increased its "concurrent jurisdiction" with the Baltimore City Police Department (the area the university police will patrol) from 20 to 40 square blocks around campus to include all four apartment complexes. Anderson said university police will have the ability to patrol those areas, make arrests if there is an issue, and respond to problems in any of the buildings if there is an emergency.
ibrahim.dabo@ubalt.edu
UB Lands Campus Housing
Published: Friday, May 1, 2009
Updated: Saturday, September 26, 2009
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