When we come to college, one of the first choices we have to make is whether to live on or off campus.
As we make friends and get familiar with South Orange, we begin to explore other housing options besides the dorms. Living on campus definitely has its benefits but it’s important that you know your options.
Besides on-campus housing, there are two off-campus options: either as a commuter or in Housing and Residence Life’s (HRL) apartment complexes, Turrell and Ora Manors.
Security is a big difference.
On-campus buildings provide 24 hour desk supervision with 16 hours of student staff and 8 hours of Securitas coverage.
Turrell Manor has 24 hour swipe coverage which requires all students to swipe their Seton Hall ID in order to gain access to the building.
Ora Manor does not have the swipe coverage but only residents have keys to access the external doors to the building.
Turrell and Ora both receive Securitas coverage between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Although prices are higher for both Turrell and Ora Manor than living on campus, meal plans are not mandatory. Living on campus however, requires that you take a meal plan in addition to the cost of the room, evening out the prices.
Besides living on campus or in Turrell or Ora Manor, students can choose to move off campus entirely and commute to campus.
Although prices for off-campus living vary by location and the number of roommates, meal plans are not mandatory and students can choose instead to buy their own groceries.
Apart from groceries, laundry is a huge concern when deciding where to live. Living with HRL does conveniently provide laundry facilities with the charge of $1.25 on Pirate’s Gold or coins per load.
Off campus laundry services vary, with some places providing laundry services while at others, students must seek a local Laundromat where washing can cost $1.25 to $4.00 per load.
“Whether you live off campus or live on campus, it’s all about the experience you make for yourself,” Daniel Snyder, housing operations coordinator of HRL, said. “If you choose to live on campus, I believe that we have the resources available to make it an enjoyable experience.”
To compare prices of HRL options visit http://www.shu.edu/offices/bursar/tuition-and-fees.cfm.
Samantha Fabien can be reached at samantha.fabien@student.shu.edu.
