Talking Stick - November/December 2008 - (Page 26)

Business Not Much Is Typical Here by Susan Strobel Hogan Housing contracts are similar to other variables in housing, which are tied to the college or university’s location and mission. the typical 9-month period to a 12-month contract in order to accommodate students asking for a yearround home. At the University of Georgia in Athens, students living in undergraduate apartment residences may choose between a 9½-month contract or an 11½-month contract. Residents with an 11½-month contract who renew for the following year are permitted to stay in their apartment for the additional two weeks without charge, according to Shay Little, director of residence hall administration and operations. Ask any housing professional, and they will tell you that very little is typical about their job. Sure, they may have similar assignments or problems, but how they handle each differs depending on their institution’s geographical location, educational mission, and resources, both monetary and human. The idea of a typical housing contract, for example, is a myth. While there are some features common to all campus housing contracts, the specific terms vary widely depending on institutional makeup Housing contracts are not typical in any way; they are constantly evolving, and institutions will always be fine-tuning the process in response to changing student demands. and mission, academic calendar, and type of housing offered. In addition, landlord-tenant laws at the local, state/provincial, or even federal level can play into how a college or university writes its housing contract and even whether it’s called a contract, lease, or license. Although contracts for the traditional academic year are commonplace, many institutions also write contracts for different time periods. Many colleges and universities have expanded their contracts from Texas State University in San Marcos changed from a 12-month contract to a 9-plus-3 contract for their apartment residences. The 12-month contract had become problematic because so many students broke the contract after 9 months. This left the staff caught between the need to hold students accountable to the terms of the contract and the desire to deliver good customer service, explains Kyle Estes, associate director of facilities and operations. Using the “plus 3” for their summer contracts serves both the student and the institution. 2 Talking Stick

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2008

Talking Stick - November/December 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places The Evolving Role of the Resident Advisor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - November/December 2008

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