Students planning to move into an apartment next semester will have an opportunity to shop around during the 2001 Housing Fair today and tomorrow in HUB Alumni Hall.

The fair begins at 9 a.m. both days and will feature representatives from various apartment management corporations, including University Commons Apartments, State College Park Apartments, Associated Realty and GN Associates.

Jean Welling, the off-campus living assistant director, said the fair is an opportunity for students to speak to realtors and to find out about available housing, policies, included utilities and roommate matching services. She said at least 4,000 students have attended the fair in the past few years.

Students cannot sign leases or fill out applications at the fair, but it is an opportunity for them to compare what the different companies have available, she said. Welling also said the fair is for apartments — not houses.

"Houses seem to go on their own without much help," she said.

Some companies, such as College Park Apartments and University Commons, will offer shuttle buses from the HUB-Robeson Center to their properties to let students see their apartments firsthand.

Some also plan to offer more than just floor plans and brochures to attract students to their respective booths. College Park Apartments will decorate their booth with balloons and feature broadcasts from Beaver 103, said Vanessa Gahagan, a property manager for the company.

Darlene Dorfi, assistant manager of University Commons, said her company plans to raffle a 19-inch color television as well as Valentine's Day teddy bears. They will also have candy and chips for students to snack on as they walk around.

"We also give away plastic cups that I'm told are really good for beer pong," Dorfi said.

Dorfi also said the fair is a good opportunity for students to view everything all in one place.

"It's hard to get around to all the complexes scattered through town," she said. "It's also a good chance for people with no car to see everything. I think it's a really good idea."