Housing Fair attracts students

Free apartment brochures, chocolate chip cookies, friendly faces anxious to answer questions and bus tours were all available to students this weekend at the 12th Annual Housing Fair.

The fair, held at the HUB Friday and Saturday, attracted many students from the University. Students from the Commonwealth Campuses also made the journey to University Park to explore their living options.

Both said they did not expect to find the type of lodging they were seeking at the fair, but still wanted to become more familiar with their options since they are not current residents of the area.

Students had the opportunity to browse the displays of real estate agents -- about 25 in all -- furniture stores and other promotions.

"One thing that's good about this place is that everybody's friendly," said Jason Barnett (senior-dairy and animal science). Barnett, who has not signed a lease yet, said he still believes there are apartments available for Fall Semester.

Jefferson Commons, 601 Vairo Blvd., a relatively new complex, still has apartments available, said Heather Harr (junior-kinesiology). Harr, who is a resident of Jefferson Commons, said she volunteered to work her booth for free because she really enjoyed living in her apartment.

"I don't think I have one complaint about the place," Harr said of her apartment.

However, things are not always so rosy. If apartment living problems arise, students can turn to the services of Off-Campus Living and Greek and Community Life. The two groups were also at the fair to let students know they are there to help them with unclear situations or legal questions.

Off-Campus Living also has information available on the process of choosing an apartment, the importance of understanding how a security deposit works, roommate matching services and services for handling problems, said Bernie Liang, coordinator of Off-Campus Living.

This is the first year Off-Campus Living and Greek Life have made a combined presence at the fair, said Jean Welling, staff assistant for Greek and Community Life. Welling said she is pleased with the team effort.

"I think it's going very well," she said. "We're not disappointed by any means."

A few civic organizations were also present to make themselves known to students. Downtown State College Inc., 131 S. Fraser St., interviews off-campus students in its annual marketing survey, Director Bob Price said.