Residential Life:
Off Campus Living
Statement of Philosophy about
Campus Living
Kalamazoo College affirms the educational benefits inherent
in the residential undergraduate experience. Residential living
is supportive of one's academic preparation and plays an integral
role in one's experiential education, providing rich opportunities
for involvement and development. Therefore, Kalamazoo College
requires that all students, except seniors, to reside within
the College's residential system and board at the College's
dining center. Click here
for the Kalamazoo College Assignment Policy in full.
Resources for Students Living
Off Campus
Students who live off campus have a number of new responsibilities
to live successfully within the Kalamazoo Community. This
web site is designed to provide Kalamazoo College students
with basic resources to help them be successful members of
the Kalamazoo Community. What follows are the most commonly
asked questions of students who are moving off campus or who
already live off campus:
I have been approved to live off
campus. How do I begin to locate a place to live?
Rental properties in the Kalamazoo area are abundant, and
students are encouraged to view several properties to provide
comparison to find the best fit. Here are a few suggestions
to get you started:
1. www.campusrentallistings.com
is a comprehensive database for student housing in the Kalamazoo
area. This is an easy to navigate database to locate a large
number of rentals specifically for college students. Always
make sure that any property you are considering is registered
with the City of Kalamazoo, and therefore meets certain standards.
This website also provides a link to find out if the property
you are considering is a registered property.
2. Hickory Management Services owns numerous properties within
close proximity to the Kalamazoo College campus. Go to www.wmustudent.com
to access their rental database sort by "area" to
locate available rentals in the "K" College area."
3. Trident Reality offers a large number of rentals within
a two-block radius of Kalamazoo College. The company also
negotiates short term spring leases as available for students
coming back from study abroad for spring quarter. Go to www.tridentleasing.com
to access available rentals.
4. The College owns a small number of properties around campus
that are available for students to rent. Contact Marcie Weathers
(mweather@kzoo.edu
or 337-7312) to inquire about availability.
5. Opportunities are sometimes available through Kalamazoo
Collective Housing. Go to www.kzoocoop.org
for more information about the unique opportunity of local
co-op housing.
What are some things I should consider
before signing a lease?
Before you start checking out places to live, it is recommended
that you create a checklist of important criteria. Is it critical
that your housing include an internet connection? Does your
housing need to be within walking distance from campus? What
is your budget for rent? Are utilities included in the rental
price? Click here for a sample
checklist. Always read your rental agreement completely and
ask questions if you have them. A rental agreement is a legally
binding document, so it is critical that you understand what
you are signing. If the landlord agrees to any changes, make
sure you get it in writing!
What safety precautions should I
take while living off campus?
Kalamazoo College Security Director Tim Young offers students
living off campus valuable safety tips.
Click here to view safety tips.
Since I live off campus I really
shouldn't worry about what is happening on campus or get involved
anymore, right?
Wrong! Your continued engagement on campus is extremely important.
We want you to stay connected! Click
here for just a few ways you can make sure you stay connected
to campus.
When I live off campus, I can pretty
much do whatever I want, right?
That assumption could not be further from the truth. When
you live off campus you actually broaden your community responsibilities.
Now you are not only a Kalamazoo College student, but also
a member of the larger Kalamazoo community. It is your responsibility
to be informed of ordinances and laws regarding noise, trash,
parking, etc. and to utilize that knowledge to establish your
role as a good citizen of the larger Kalamazoo community.
One resource for information is the City of Kalamazoo web
site, www.kalamazoocity.org.
Kalamazoo College students living off campus have a tremendous
opportunity to make positive contributions in their neighborhoods.
Do I have any responsibilities to
the College when I live off campus?
You sure do. Just because you live off campus does not mean
that the minute you leave campus you stop being a Kalamazoo
College student. Your conduct off campus is a direct reflection
on the College, and it is critical that you conduct yourself
in a respectful manner. Click here for
a message from the President.
What do I do if I have a problem
with my landlord?
It is important that you maintain constant communication with
your landlord. If you see a problem, or potential problem,
report it to your landlord right away. Keep accurate written
records of all communication with your landlord. If you find
that your landlord is unresponsive or you are having difficulty
resolving a conflict, get help! One local resource is the
Kalamazoo Public Library Law Library (553-7920, located downtown
315 S. Rose). At the Law Library you can access specific materials
on tenant's rights and resolving conflicts, speak to an attorney,
and attend workshops.
Note: Some links available
to you through the Kalamazoo College Off Campus Living web
site allow you to leave the College's site. Please be aware
that the Internet sites available through these links, and
the material that you may find there, are not under the control
of the College. Therefore, the College can not and does not
make any representation to you about these sites or the materials
available there. The fact that the College has made these
links available to you is not an endorsement or recommendation
to you by the College of any of these sites or any material
found there. The College is providing these links only as
a resource to Kalamazoo College students.