The housing survival guide

Navigating the campus parking nightmare

Parking in Bloomington can be a pain, particularly on campus, where spots are scarce. People park wherever it is most convenient for them, IU parking manager Doug Porter said. “If they are willing to gamble, we will write them parking tickets.”

GET A PERMIT As a basic rule, students and faculty should first purchase a permit and then make sure it is displayed. Don’t park without a permit.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK Become an expert in where your particular permit can park. This information is available at www.parking.indiana.edu/parking_operations.
USE THE BUSES Know how the bus system works so you can get from your parking space to class easily and efficiently.
DO IT RIGHT Don’t improperly park. This includes parking over the yellow line, parking over the curb and parking by a fire hydrant.
WEEKEND OPTIONS If you have a valid IU permit, you can park in all non-24 hour spaces (“A” and “C” parking) between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday.
“D” and “E” parking spaces are open to the public from 5 p.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Sunday.
All IU Bloomington parking garages provide free parking all day Saturday and Sunday.
KNOW YOUR LETTERS
“D” spaces are for students living in the residence halls, but students must have a permit to park there.
VISITORS Visitors must get a permit, or risk a ticket.

Problem-free apartments

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE When searching for an apartment, ask to see the actual one you will be living in. Many places have model apartments set up, which might be nicer than the one you get.
Also, take pictures as proof of existing damage, so you won’t pay for damage you didn’t do, said Marci Bowlen, real estate broker for Bloomington Realty. 
CHECK IT OFF Do a walk of the apartment with a checklist, Bowlen said. Is it close to campus? Does it have the amenities you want?
BRING AN ID Some landlords will not show an apartment or sign a lease without a government-issued ID. 
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION  You should have your list of questions ready for when you meet with the leasing agent. Ask questions such as the amount of rent and security deposit, when rent is due and what utilities are included in the rent.
ASK ABOUT OCCUPANCY If you plan to have roommates, you should ask how many people can live in the apartment. Bloomington has an Occupancy Permit Program that limits the number of unrelated adults who can live in an apartment. 
PET POLICY If you plan to have a pet, ask about the policy. There will usually be weight or breed restrictions. Generally there will also be a pet deposit and additional rent.
SAFETY FIRST You can ask about whether the apartment community is a safe neighborhood and if the landlords have courtesy officers, but know that landlords will not guarantee a resident’s safety.  
CREDIT SCORE Most landlords use a third-party consumer reporting agency, and the amount of your security deposit may be related to your credit score. 
READ THE FINE PRINT Ask for – and read – a copy of the lease before signing.

How to live in a dorm

1. Use your meal points wisely. Students go crazy with their meal points; they run out of them and get stressed out because they are afraid to ask their parents to get them more, said Bob Weith, director of residential operations for Residential Programs and Services.

2. Get off the computer. Talk to the people on your floor to build a stronger community. Students are communicating solely online, which lends itself to preventable arguments, Weith said.

3. Don’t bring a vehicle. Take advantage of the public bus system. Parking in Bloomington can be a nuisance.

4. Get out of your room. Get involved with something you enjoy. This can happen by becoming a part of a learning community and having that interaction with other residents. There are many opportunities to get involved in the residence halls such as student government, but students can also get involved in other aspects of campus life, RPS residence manager Sara Ivey Lucas said.

How not to kill your roommate

1. Make a roommate agreement. “It is important to take the roommate agreement seriously,” said Bob Weith, director of residential operations for RPS. “And if bumps arise, the resident assistant is the resource person to bounce challenges off of.”

2. Communication is key. “Take time to listen to your roommate about what’s important to them,” RPS residence manager Sara Ivey Lucas said.

3. Discuss what is bothering you. Eighty percent of roommates have no idea that their roommate is unhappy with them, Ivey Lucas said. For instance, if your roommate is having sex while you are in the room, do not let it slide.
“There is a way you can make it work,” Ivey Lucas said. “There is a way you can enjoy your privacy while not being grossed out. You need to have those conversations.”

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. “When you are sharing a living space, you need to learn how to ignore some things while not ignoring the person,” Ivey Lucas said.