Off-Campus Living Fair Helps Students Navigate Options

Students will have the chance to see what living options they have when moving off campus at the Spring Off-Campus Living Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the International Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union. 

Property management representatives from 25 local property management companies and apartment complexes will participate in the fair, along with city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Fire Department, Legal Aid of Arkansas, and several other community agencies. Campus entities, such as Chartwells, Parking and Transit, and University Housing will be on hand as well to educate and answer questions about campus resources. 

Students will have an opportunity to win more than $500 in gift cards, Yeti coolers, an Ellie Goulding concert package, Apple TV, gift baskets, ENO hammocks, a Beats Pill, tickets for a cruise, and more just for attending.

The University of Arkansas requires first-year students to live on campus, with few exceptions. As students advance in their collegiate career, they tend to move off campus into apartments and other rental properties in the local community. In order to secure housing within a student's desired budget and location, now is the time to view options and make a decision.

"While the off-campus housing market in Fayetteville has been growing rapidly, we are still seeing very high occupancy rates. We want to make sure students sign a lease at a residence that is the right choice for them, but the choices are starting to dwindle as the semester progresses," said Samantha Higgins, assistant director of Off Campus Connections. "This fair is a great one-stop shop to drop-in and learn about many different communities all in one place, as well as receive information about how to be a good neighbor in the community."

Students who are interested in continuing to reside on campus, or are looking to move on campus, have the opportunity to talk with University Housing at the fair as well. Properties present at the fair are listed on the University's official housing search website, offcampushousing.uark.edu. Resources and education about making the transition to off-campus life will take place at an Off-Campus Living Workshop on Wednesday, April 13, at 4 p.m. in the Union Theater.

For more information about the fair, please contact Samantha Higgins at 479-575-7351 or email sfehr@uark.edu. The Off-Campus Living Fair is a partnership of Off Campus Connections at the University of Arkansas and the City of Fayetteville Community Services Division. 

The University of Arkansas' official off-campus housing website can be found at offcampushousing.uark.edu.