apartment

guide
The University Daily Kansan
2006
apartment guide
2C The UniversiTy Daily Kansan weDnesDay, april 26, 2006
From luxuries such as free
tanning and basketball courts,
to basics like location and cost,
a variety of factors come into
play when choosing a place to
live. For many students, dis-
tance from campus and whether
or not utilities are included be-
come the deciding factors, but
for other students the small
things end up holding the
answer.
They like that our apart-
ments are furnished, said Jackie
Ferraro, leasing professional for
The Reserve apartments, 2511
W. 31st Street. Our apartments
are also pretty cheap, and leases
are individual so you dont have
to worry about your roommates
rent. And for some reason, the
free tanning seems to catch stu-
dents attention.
Ferraro also said that at The
Reserve most utilities are paid.
The Reserve also offers free
HBO, which tends to draw stu-
dents in, she said.
Billy Garrett, Kansas City,
Kan., freshman, and his friends
plan to move out of the dorms
after this semester and are in the
market for a place to live, specif-
cally a townhome.
There are limitations at the
dorms, like having to check in at
night, Garrett said. I also want
more space.
Garrett and his potential
roommate have toured a variety
of properties around Lawrence,
including Leanna Mar town-
homes, 4410 Clinton Parkway,
Peppertree apartments and
townhomes, 3100 W. 22nd St.,
The Reserve and South Pointe,
2166 W. 26th
St.
I want to
feel at home
and be com-
f o r t a b l e ,
Garrett said.
We want a place with a basket-
ball court, and a yard would be
nice.
At this point in the search, Gar-
rett is leaning toward Peppertree,
partially because of its basketball
court. He said that cost and loca-
tion are important, but not deter-
mining factors.
Cost isnt that big of an is-
sue, as long as its reasonable,
Garrett said. Peppertree isnt
that close to campus, but I dont
mind riding the bus everyday.
Garrett said that there are
both pros and cons to having
utilities included.
If utilities arent included,
you can converse, Garrett said.
But at the same time, you have
to pay bills to all those different
places. There are both ups and
downs.
For Lawrence sophomore
Courtney Hutchison, location
was key in choosing an apart-
ment. Hutchison has been living
atHighpointe apartments, 2001 W.
6th St., for about six months.
Its close to campus,
Hutchison said. Its a bike ride
or a long walk, which can be
nice some-
times. I also
looked at
some other
apartments,
i n c l u d i n g
the Legends,
but it was too far away.
Hutchison likes where he
lives for a variety of reasons.
For the price, its not bad,
Hutchison said. Theres enough
room to move around, and the
landlords work well with you.
They are not going to cheat you
just because you are a student.
In addition to living in the
dorms or in an apartment, town-
home, or house, fraternities and
sororities are another opportu-
nity for student residence that
can sometimes save money.
Nick Black, Tillamook Ore.,
senior, lives in Theta Chi frater-
nity.
The rent is pretty cheap.
Cost was a big factor in deciding
where to live, Black said.
Black also likes the conve-
nient location.
Its close to campus and
food, Black said.
Lawrence offers a variety of
living opportunities, both on
and off of campus, as for which
one is the right choice, it is a
matter of personal opinion.
Looking for a little
place to call home
By AndreA ChAo
editor@kAnsAn.Com n kAnsAn Correspondent
illustrAtion By seth Bundy
L
awrence offers a variety of living opportunities, both
on and off of campus, as for which one is the right
choice, it is a matter of personal opinion.
Rent is not the only factor
to look at before moving in
The end of the year
is a lot of things for a
lot of people. If youre
not a senior, the end
of the year can be a
scramble to fnd in-
ternships, plan a quick
getaway and fnd out
where you are going to
live and who are going
to live with.
This is also the time
when making friends
with the guy with the
pickup truck is really
going to pay off.
Finding a new place
and moving into it
can be a real hassle.
This apartment guide
is designed to relieve
some of the stress
that comes with that
yearly tradition. It also
has some helpful info
on how to keep your
stress levels low dur-
ing your lease.
Or you can just take
the shortcuts like me
and probably end up
with a box or two you
havent fully unpacked
sitting in some closet
somewhere.
n Garcia is a Lenexa se-
nior in journalism.
nCover photos by
Amanda Sellers
nDesigned by Erin Baker
Lorimar & Courtside
Townhomes
By estuArdo GArCiA
Special SectionS editor
eGArCiA@kAnsAn.Com
wednesday, april 26, 2006 The UniversiTy daily Kansan 3C apartment guide
T
he responsibilities that come along with
living in an apartment or house can be
overwhelming. However, each has its
own set of positives and negatives.
A lack of hot water for the frst three
weeks of their apartment lease was just
the beginning of a string of unfxed
maintenance problems for roommates
T.J. Williams, Hutchinson graduate and Jeff Lam-
mert, Norman, Okla., junior.
Our management company didnt fx a sink that
was broken the whole time, we had no hot water
and the temperature gradient on the oven was bro-
ken, Lammert said.
Williams and Lammert decided to fnd a house
the next year, but they stayed with the same man-
agement company.
Now we reserve maintenance requests for some-
thing serious we dont want to fx, Lammert said.
Their to-do list in the house has been much
shorter however, with the main complaint is that
they lose a lot of heat through the poorly-insulated
windows.
They said, a spacious, comfortable living arrange-
ment with a yard was worth it for them, even if their
utilities were more expensive.
The only reason we lived in the apartment was
because it was cheap, but I think the student ghetto
is more expensive over all, Williams said.
Moving outside of what many call the student
ghetto; 10th through 14th Streets from Tennessee
to Missouri, and into a family neighborhood was a
surprise for the two.
Even though they have more space, Williams
said partying in the house was worse because of the
older neighbors.
For Jacob Viets, Independence junior, his eight
months in a house brought
a sense of privacy and re-
laxation not found in the
apartment he previously oc-
cupied.
It feels more private, I
can go on the back porch
and drink a beer if I want,
he said. In the apartment, your
neighbors are just a wall away.
You can hear their music and ar-
guments.
With more space and privacy
come extra responsibilities, howev-
er. Tenants are often responsible for
mowing their own lawn and a mower
doesnt come with the house. A yard is vital
for some people with dogs like Viets room-
mate and brother.
Its hard to fnd a place that allows pets,
and you have to pay a pet deposit. Its a has-
sle, Viets said.
A house gives tenants more liberties in
decorating. Melissa Hughes, Wichita junior,
and her two roommates painted every room
a different color from light orange to burgun-
dy. Hughes found that it was easier to work
with a private owner than dealing with a big
company. But she said she appreciated the
cheaper utilities and prompt response to main-
tenance requests in her apartment complex.
Ana Lisa Swinehart, Overland Park sopho-
more, said an apartment was a good transition
after living in the residence halls.
Apartments are small so there isnt much to
clean up and utilities are cheap. I think it helps
teach responsibility before living in a house.
house aparTmenT
vs
The ongoing debate between space and convenience
By Erin CastanEda
Editor@kansan.Com n kansan CorrEspondEnt
illustration By sEth Bundy
apartment guide 4C The UniversiTy Daily Kansan weDnesDay, april 26, 2006
M
ilestones. A ba-
bys frst steps,
the frst time be-
hind the wheel of
a car, high school
graduation, fnding a job after
earning a degree, and later, re-
tirement from that job all are
some of lifes biggest events.
Somewhere between all that,
however, is a situation almost
everyone must face at one point
during his or her time as a col-
lege student.
Leaving home or the dorms
and moving into an apartment
for the frst time is one of the
major changes college students
must confront. The event signi-
fes a time of independence and
a step toward adulthood.
There are many differences
between apartment living and
life at home or in the dorms.
Alissa Shull, Great Bend senior
said, these differences are some-
times overlooked.
A lot of times people dont
really consider everything that
living in an apartment entails,
Shull said. People need to rec-
ognize the major differences be-
tween the dorms and apartments
well before they move in.
Shull works as a leasing agent
for Property Management Ser-
vices, Inc., in Lawrence. She
helps people with any questions
they have about living in an
apartment. She offered
several tips to make a
smooth transition into
apartment living.
Know that you will
have to be responsible
and motivate yourself
to look for a place,
Shull said. The frst
and most important
thing you have to do is
plan ahead.
Some students fnd
it hard to begin looking
for an apartment, espe-
cially if they are already
facing other stresses.
Sometimes its hard to fnd
time to look for a place since I
have class and work all week,
Adam Varner, Belle Plaine fresh-
man said. Its all kind of over-
whelming and hard to fgure out
where to even begin.
Shull recommended begin-
ning the search by deciding
what part of town and which
amenities (garage, washer and
drier, central air conditioning,
etc.) were most desirable.
Calling to set up
appointments to see
apartments that ft an
attainable price range,
along with planning
out a budget to include
bills and other expens-
es can also make sure
there will be adequate
money on hand each
month.
One of the major
adjustments for me
when moving from a
dorm to an apartment
was paying bills, Shull
said. Organize all your
bills, remember to pay them on
time, and budget your money
very carefully.
Roommate choice is another
issue that comes into play when
moving into an apartment. Shull
suggested analyzing roommate
prospects to be sure they would
be reliable with paying rent and
bills each month. Also, discuss
situations that may cause prob-
lems in advance, such as clean-
ing or paying for groceries. Do
not choose people who could
be possible risks for damaging
property or even more serious
offenses.
Choose your roommates
wisely because the things they
do could come back to haunt
you, Shull said.
Although the idea of facing
such a big decision may seem in-
timidating to some, at least one
student thought moving into an
apartment for the frst time was
something to be embraced, not
feared.
I guess Im a little nervous to
move out of the dorms, but Im
mostly just excited, Varner said.
Im ready to be out on my own
and take care of my responsibili-
ties in my own place.
By Brian Schneweis
editor@kansan.com n kansan correspondent
illustration by brian Holland
The long
lonely road
to home
Living of campus for the frst time
S
ome
students
fnd it hard
to begin
looking for
an apart-
ment, espe-
cially if they
are already
facing other
stresses.
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Our new apartments Our new apartments Our new apartments
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wednesday, april 26, 2006 The UniversiTy daily Kansan 5C apartment guide
M
ark Israel,
foor super-
visor at Acme
Ha r dwa r e ,
has fxed a lot
of fst-sized holes in walls. Its
not as hard as it may seem.
First, draw a square around
the hole with a pencil.
Second, with a jab saw a
$6 hand saw that is designed to
punch through surfaces cut
the square. This will be used
as your tem-
plate to cut a
new piece of
sheetrock. Is-
real said to
be careful not
to break the
piece you cut
from the wall.
Third, if
the space be-
hind the hole
d o e s n t
have a
stud, you need to put in
a support. This will serve
as a brace behind the
hole.
Fourth, use sheet-
rock screws to attach
a piece of sheetrock, also
known as drywall, in the hole.
Screw above and below the
square cut out. Israel said you
can get sheetrock from a lum-
beryard. The sheetrock may be
cheaper and you are more likely
to fnd the size you need, or you
can buy a full 4-foot-by-8-foot
sheet for about $9. Then, screw
a new piece of wood onto the
sheetrock. Use sheetrock tape,
a small can of sheetrock mud
and a fat putty knife to put a
layer all around the seam. Tear
off tape to go over seams,
paint another layer. Is-
rael said not to put it
on too thick because
it will take too long
to dry and it could
also crack. After it is
dry, sand it fne sand
paper to smooth it
out as much as pos-
sible.
Finally, paint over
the new sheetrock.
For smaller holes, most hard-
ware and do-it-yourself stores sell
self-adhesive patches that can be
placed over the hole. Once the
patch is applied, you need to put
on a layer of sheetrock mud, sand
it fat and paint it.
Another common problem is
nasty looking carpet. Whether
the mess is from pets or just that
one crazy party, its a good
idea to get the
rugs cleaned.
Urine-Off is a
spray product that
can be used
on old urine
stains and fresh
deposits. Enzymes in the
product work on urine crystals
to neutralize the odor or stain.
It can also be used on hardwood
foors.
Carpet One, 2851 Iowa St., has
these suggestions for general spot
removal:
Detergent solution: Mix 1/2
teaspoon of clear non-bleach, non-
lanolin, dishwashing liquid with 1
cup of warm water. Allow the deter-
gent to remain on the stain for 8 to
10 minutes. It may be neces-
sary to rinse the solution
off with warm water.
1. Blot liquids with a dry,
white, absorbent cloth
or white paper towels
until dry. Gently scrape
up semisolids and
vacuum.
2. Apply a spot removal product.
Do not saturate area.
3. Rinse affected area with
cold water after the stain has
been removed.
For beer, mud, blood, coffee, choco-
late, glue, urine or paint spills:
1. Scrape or blot excess spill
2. Apply detergent solution onto a
damp towel
3. Blot, dont rub
4. Apply undiluted white vinegar
onto a damp towel and blot
5. Apply water with a damp
sponge
6. Blot and fnish with wad-
ded pad of paper towels
For vomit, dirt, pet food,
fruit/soft drinks, cooking oil
or ketchup and mustard:
1. Scrape or blot up excess
spill
2. Apply dry baking soda
3. Scrape and vacuum
4. Use damp sponge to rinse remain-
ing baking soda
5. Apply detergent solution onto a
damp towel
6. Rinse, dry. Apply a dry powder
cleaner and then vacuum
DIY
By Erin CastanEda
Editor@kansan.Com n kansan CorrEspondEnt
illustrations By Brain Holland
why wait and have someone else do it?
mOre
OnlIne
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upgrades
Small repairs around the house are cheap and easy to do
1 & 2 Bedrooms
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From KU Edwards Campus:
Take I-435 West to Exit 6B on Shawnee Mission Pkwy.
Shawnee Mission Pkwy becomes 67th St. Turn right
on Hedge Lane Terrace and take rst entrance on the
left to the Clubhouse.
From KU Medical Center:
Take I-35 South and exit on #228B/US-56/US-69 N
onto Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Shawnee Mission Pkwy
becomes W 67th St. Turn right on Hedge Lane Terrace
and take rst entrance on the left to the Clubhouse.
913-422-8295 | 6626 Hedge Lane Terrace | Shawnee, KS 66266
professionally managed by Lindsey Management Co., Inc.
Nest
Where
the
True
Hawks
Parkway Commons
3601 Clinton Pkwy. 842-3280
Chase Court
19th & Iowa 842-8220
Highpointe
6th & Iowa 841-8468
www.firstmanagementinc.com
Canyon Court
700 Comet Lane 832-8805
Seeing multiples
Seeing multiples
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apartment guide 6C The UniversiTy Daily Kansan weDnesDay, april 26, 2006
C
ongratulations
on master-
ing the art
of the ramen
noodles! But
youre in college now
and regardless of
how easy it is to
make, big kids eat
big-kid food. Dont fret,
there are many different recipes
that are tasty and good for you too.
Lets begin with the basics.
Safety issues
First, you need to make sure that all of your
machinery is clean and in proper working
order. Improperly cleaned tools will add
unwelcome favors to the meal you are
about to prepare.
Make sure that your knives are prop-
erly sharpened if you will be cutting any-
thing. If you happen to cut yourself, al-
ways try to keep blood away from the
food.
Keep a close eye on the food youre
cooking when using hot surfaces.
Carelessness can lead to disaster in the
kitchen and the destruction of your
meal, your cooking tools and, some-
times, your home.
For example, do not put a plastic
plate on a hot stove it will melt or
leave noodles cooking without stirring
they will stick to the bottom. Also,
if you are using less expensive plastic
cooking wear, do not leave them on
hot surfaces for any long period of time
they also may melt.
Meat preparation can be easy as
long as you cook the meat thor-
oughly and wash your hands af-
ter handling raw meat or eggs.
Washing your hands will help prevent diseases like
salmonella.
The microwave is your friend
When my roommate and I moved in together this
year, she learned that there are some things that are
okay to be cooked in the microwave. Potatoes are
fairly inexpensive and can be popped in the micro-
wave, instead of being cooked in the oven. Poke
the potato with a fork all over and wrap it in a
dampened paper towel. Put it in the microwave for
three minutes, fip it over for another four minutes
and its done.
Make sure you keep the fork out of the micro-
wave, though. Metal and microwaves dont mix.
Frozen chicken is another food that can be
cooked in the microwave. The best type is a bone-
less skinless chicken breast. Put fve pieces from the
freezer on a regular-sized plate, add some seasoning
and put them in the microwave for four minutes.
Turn them over and cook them for three minutes
and then cook for two more minutes. Dont forget
to sprinkle some seasoning or pour marinade onto
the chicken to add some favor.

When youre done
If you arent the type of person that likes doing
anything right after eating, thats fne. On the other
hand, you absolutely must soak your dishes in or-
der to have an easy clean-up. This rule applies even
if you plan to use the dishwasher. Food will come
loose of a plate or dish easily if it has been soaking
in water and two drops of dish soap. Make it easy
on yourself, or your dishwasher, and dont skip this
step after youre done enjoying your meal.
A general tip
Taking care of your kitchen equipment will make
it last longer. This rule includes recipes too. Clip or
print all of the recipes you use and put them into
a binder. This way, it will be easy to refer back to
them. Bon Appetit!
By Ashley PAte
editor@kAnsAn.com nkAnsAn corresPondent n Photo illustrAtion By nicolettA niosi
HAve proper ToolS
These are some items that you
need or will probably use in
your day-to-day cooking and
baking:
n Wooden spoon
nSlotted spoon
nSpaghetti spoon
nWhisk
nAt least one spatula
nLarge, medium and small
pots
nLarge, medium and small
bowls
nAluminum foil
nParchment paper to put
on the cookie sheet, instead
of cooking spray
nCookie sheet
nScissors
nKnives
nRubber scraper
nCan opener
nBottle/wine bottle opener
nVegetable peeler
nCooling rack
nTwo cake pans
nElectric mixer
nBlender
These are some items that
would be useful, but are not
necessary:
nThe Magic Bullet
Great for making smooth-
ies
nGeorge Foreman grill
Good for meats, vegeta-
bles or grilled cheese
nThe Pasta Express
The upright tube would
be ideal for those who want
to cook quickly and have
easy clean up
The right foods
at the right time
B
l
a
n
c
i
n
g
a
More online
n Check out on Kansan.com for more
recipies for cooking at home.
A
c
t
wednesday, april 26, 2006 The UniversiTy daily Kansan 7C
apartment guide
Neighbors want quiet
Students adjust to noise ordinance
L
egal Services for Students is
one place that frustrated ten-
ants can turn to when facing
landlord and rental problems.
The attorneys at the service
offer advice and representation, which is
already paid for by student fees.
Bill Larzalere, staff attorney, said that
many problems could be avoided if ten-
ants read their leases.
Students can exercise their right to
choose. If they dont like terms in a lease,
just walk away, he said.
Larzalere said he didnt think landlords
took advantage of college-aged renters
because of their inexperience with rent-
ing. But he said he did think landlords
took advantage by including terms such
as automatic renewal and liquidation
damages that were not found in leases
outside of a college town. He said land-
lords justifed the use of these terms be-
cause of the quick turnaround of tenants
in the fall and spring.
Automatic renewals, which require
tenants to stay another year, may be un-
clear on a lease. Liquidation damages are
pre-determined costs based on an item-
ized list of maintenance problems.
Landlords could charge $3 to change
a light bulb and $15 to wipe off a stove,
Larzalere said.
The Student Legislative Awareness
Board introduced a bill in the state sen-
ate that would have put a standard on au-
tomatic renewals and would have elimi-
nated liquidation damages. It passed the
senate but not the house.
Josh Bender, Sterling senior and for-
mer Student Senate legislative director,
said, the goal of the bill was to put stan-
dards on automatic renewals. He said
there was a case law that said liquidation
damages shouldnt be allowed.
Legal Services also sees a smaller, but
continuing problem with roommates
skipping out on leases but the service
cannot advise students against other stu-
dents.
Most renters who end up in small
claims court are there because they
havent received their deposit Larzalere
said.
After the lease ends, the landlord has
30 days to return the deposit and if it is
wrongfully withheld he or she is pun-
ished. The landlord must also have an
itemized list of repairs to the property.
If they fail to comply with regulations,
landlords must pay damages equal to
one and half times the amount withheld,
which Larzalere said was favorable for
tenants.
If landlords are neglecting to correct
maintenance issues then tenants are
advised to visit the citys Neighborhood
Resources Department. The department
can send an inspector to verify a problem
and notify the landlord. Larzalere said
the third party verifcation gave renters
more leverage instead of it simply being
their word against the landlords. Photo-
graphs are also are a good way to prove
the condition of a rental.
more online
n Student Legislative Awareness Board
www.ku.edu/~slab/index.shtml
Keep an eye on landlord/tenant issues
nLegal Services
www.legalservices.ku.edu/
Make an appointment and speak with
an attorney about your rights or to review
a lease before a problem begins
nNeighborhood Resources
www.lawrenceneighres.org/
If your landlord is neglecting to make
repairs have a third party verify the
problem
nSmall Claims Court
www.douglas-county.com/
If you dont receive your deposit in 30
days take it up in court
Lessees
legal woes
By Erin CastanEda
Editor@kansan.Com
kansan CorrEspondEnt
Service helps with students leases
Before signing your lease
n See the actual residence, not just the model
housing. You have a right to see the condi-
tion of the residence. If the residence is
currently occupied, the landlord only needs
to notify the current tenants before being
able to show it to you.
nMake sure applications fees are refundable
if you dont end up signing a lease with the
place in question. If you do sign the lease,
see that the application fee applies to the
frst months rent.
nBefore signing a lease, take a copy of it,
and ask for the rules and regulations,
usually a 10-page document in addition to
the lease. Often when you sign a lease, you
are agreeing to these rules and regulations,
but the document is not always included.
nReally do the check-in routine. Photograph
or videotape any damages in the residence
prior to moving in. By documenting these
damages, you can prevent being charged
for them when you move out.
Source: Jo Hardesty, Director of KU Legal Services for Students
J
oe Delaney said his social life
was killed by a nuisance ordi-
nance.
Delaney, Des Moines, Iowa,
senior threw a party in his
apartment at 17th and Kentucky
streets in October. It was a big par-
ty in a tiny apartment, he said. The
Lawrence police department showed
up at Delaneys apartment because of
a noise complaint. He has not had a
party since then.
The Lawrence City Commission
began revising the Disorderly House
Nuisance in January. Currently, the
Commission is looking at the types of
offenses that are considered nuisanc-
es. The ordinance will not just include
convictions, but diversions as well.
The ordinance says a dwelling is a
Disorderly House Nuisance when it
is associated with: two or more trig-
gering events arising out of separate
and distinct facts and circumstances,
or three or more triggering events by
separate individuals arising from the
same general facts and circumstances
within a 365-day period.
The ordinance still states that, upon
conviction for a violation, the offend-
er can be fned up to $1,000, serve jail
time not exceeding 180 days or both.
When the police arrived at Delaneys
apartment, the offcers informed him
of the violations consequences. Liv-
ing near the University of Kansas,
Delaney was surprised police showed
up. He said noise complaints should
depend on where the noise occurred.
Here on Kentucky or Tennessee
Street, its a student ghetto, and if you
dont like noise, then dont live here,
Delaney said. I understand there are
people who have to get up early, but if
youre living in the student ghetto, you
should expect noise next door.
For misconduct on property, the
ordinance also stated that the City of
Lawrence would send a written no-
tice to the property owner. Residents
would then be cited for a violation,
and their utilities would be discon-
nected.
I dont think thats fair, said
Shelly Axcell, Lawrence senior. Fin-
ing is one thing, but turning off your
power is another. Thats your personal
property.
Axcell lives in a house at 17th and
Indiana streets. She said there were a
lot more families that lived near her
than there were students. She said
parties didnt really occur in that area
and she had never thrown one either
but might think twice if she did.
The consequences seem pretty
steep to me, she said. Its a little
harsh after only two occurrences.
City Commissioner David Schaun-
er said there were a lot of complaints
from the Oread Neighborhood resi-
dents, which was one of the reasons
the commission started to look at the
ordinance. He said that, under old or-
dinance, the process of fling a com-
plaint took so long that it practically
wouldnt happen.
EditedbyTimonVeach
Editors Note: This story previously
ranonFebruary16,2006.
By kristEn JarBoE
kJarBoE@kansan.Com n kansan staff writEr
illustration By andrEw HadlE
apartment guide 8C The UniversiTy Daily Kansan weDnesDay, april 26, 2006
W
hen the sirens
went off during
the microburst
in early March,
Sarah Lathrop
and her roommates didnt go to
their basement.
They didnt have one.
Instead, they huddled in the
downstairs closet of their Sun-
rise Village townhouse.
I wish we did have a base-
ment, said Lathrop, Phoenix
senior. But its an apartment so
I understand thats something
that we cant always have.
More often than not, when
severe weather strikes, apart-
ment tenants in Lawrence fnd
themselves in a similar situation.
Most apartments in the city do
not have storm shelters or base-
ments that tenants can go for
shelter and city codes do not
require them to build any.
This means prospective and
current tenants have to take re-
sponsibility for planning for se-
vere weather, said Jane Blocher,
Douglas County Red Cross
director. Students should not
rely on other people to take care
of them, Blocher said. They
should take the responsibility to
plan ahead.
During the hunt
When visiting prospective
apartments, ask apartment man-
agers or landlords what shelter
is available for tenants in case of
severe weather.
Prospective tenants should look
at the dwelling they may move into
with an eye toward storm safety,
said Barry Walthall, City of Law-
rence code enforcement manager.
Whether theres a basement or
other fortifed area where residents
can take shelter.
Also, ask current tenants
where they go for shelter.
If the apartment complex has
a place that can serve as shelter,
such as the main offce, ask what
hours it is open. Offces, utility
rooms and laundry rooms may
not be available late at night or
on weekends.
The most important thing,
Blocher said, is to not assume
before the event that shelter will
be available.
If there is no storm shelter
on the premises, check out the
buildings around the complex for
ones that can serve as shelters.
Churches and stores are possible
options, as are neighbors homes.
After moving in
Once youve signed the lease
and moved into your new apart-
ment, or even if youve been liv-
ing there for a while, there are
steps you can take to ensure your
safety during severe weather.
Introduce yourself to your
neighbors, especially if you live
on an upper foor. You may be
able to go to an apartment on the
ground foor for shelter. But dont
rely on that as your sole shelter
neighbors may not be home to let
you in when the sirens go off.
You can also fnd homeown-
ers who live nearby and may be
willing to let you take shelter in
their basements. Again, ask be-
forehand,
Gather some basic supplies
and put them where you can get
to them easily.
Invest in a battery-powered
NOAA weather radio, said Joy
Moser, spokesperson for Kan-
sas Emergency Management
department. The radio can serve
you well if you lose power in
your apartment.
A severe weather kit should
also include some water, food, a
frst-aid kit and a fashlight with
extra batteries.
Caught off-guard
With the right preparation
tenants can avoid putting them-
selves in a situation like what
happened to Kristen Howard,
Plain Oak, Texas, junior. How-
ard woke up during the micro-
burst, grabbed a fashlight and
fed to the utility room in her
apartment complex, The Hawk-
er, 1011 Missouri St. There, she
used her cell phone to call her
mother back home in Texas to
fnd out what was going on.
If your only warning is an
outside siren and you havent
made any advance preparations,
there are still things you can do
to protect yourself.
Dont go outside if the siren
has already gone off. At this
point, you wont have time to
reach a shelter.
Get as close to ground level
as you can within the building.
Head to the interior and stay
away from windows. In most
buildings, the bathroom is an
ideal place. Specifcally, the
bathtub.
If none of these options
are available, take shelter un-
der a sturdy piece of furniture,
Blocher said. Cover your head
with your arms and if you have a
thick blanket or comforter, wrap
yourself in it to minimize inju-
ries from fying debris or glass.
Try not to put yourself in this
situation, though. An adequate
storm shelter can guarantee
your safety better than a kitchen
table.
Blocher said tenants should
always have a Plan B, She said
they needed to take responsibil-
ity for themselves and prepare
ahead of time.
More
online
n For more
informa-
tion on
tornadoes
and tornado
safety, visit
the FEMA
Web site at
www.fema.
gov/haz-
ards/torna-
does.
n For what to
do before,
during and
after a tor-
nado, visit
NOAA at
www.noaa.
gov.
n To get
weather up-
dates, check
out the
American
Red Cross
at www.red-
cross.org.
Photo illustration By Jared Gab
Basements provide some of the best protection during severe weather
You sure are in Kansas
Surviving severe weather in of-campus housing
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kansan.com
Now.
Red Lyon Tavern
A touch of Irish in
downtown Lawrence
944 Mass. 832-8228
T
housands of KU stu-
dents have already
begun thinking about
where they are going
to live next year and
with whom. These are diffcult,
but important questions to pon-
der because the decisions will
effect at least nine months of the
next academic year. Some things
to consider if your plan is to live
with others.
Pick people with whom you
are able to communicate.
Dont be afraid to talk to
your roommate, said Torie Kim,
Leawood sophomore. Com-
munication is muy importante.
There should be one priority
when you move into your new
place.
Make a roommate contract,
said Annie Harrigan, Prairie
Village sophomore. Harrigan, a
resident advisor in Jayhawker
Towers, said that the contract
could help fgure out comfort
levels between roommates.
If you are able to communicate
your feelings to others, then mak-
ing a roommate contract should
be easy. Some topics that should
be thoroughly discussed include
quiet hours, members of the op-
posite sex, substance use, and us-
ing one anothers belongings.
Kim said she wished that there
would have been a more effective
roommate contract for her and a
former roommate of hers. Besides
dealing with a roommate who ate
her food and drank her alcohol,
Kim also dealt with unwelcome
guests.
She brought creepy guys
home who would pretend to be
asleep and look at me when I
was changing in the morning,
Kim said. Another time she let
some guy sleep in my bed when
I went home and there was some
weird white stain on my pillow
case and dirt in my bed.
Another issue that should be a
concern is respect for other peoples
property. If this issue is addressed
in your roommate contract, then
future incidents can be prevented.
We agreed at the beginning
of the year that she could use
condiments and take drinks
from my fridge and anything
else she had to ask, Kim said.
But she would always take my
food without asking.
Kim said that the dorm con-
tract that she used with her room-
mate was ineffective because no
one was there to enforce it.
Our RA was never there to talk
to about anything, Kim said.
Problems can be avoided by
agreeing on how the contract
will be enforced and by whom.
Designate community and
individual spaces and make the
boundaries clear. Kim and her
roommate had prob-
lems with possessions
migrating across their
dorm room, especially
when Kim went home
for the weekend.
Besides being a slob,
she left her crusty, mesh,
neon green underwear
on my desk chair and
when she moved out at
semester, I found socks
in my closet, Kim said.
Once boundaries are
set and agreed upon,
you should bring up
any personal habits that
you might have, includ-
ing drinking. Although
alcohol-induced es-
capades are often the
source of funny stories,
cleaning up the mess especially
if its not your mess is not funny.
Aaron Landis, Oskaloosa ju-
nior, said he had a roommate
who came home drunk, telling
stories that Landis said obvi-
ously didnt happen.
When he got back he fell
down the stairs and banged him-
self up pretty bad, said Landis.
Landis said the roommate fell
asleep on the couch and Landis
went to his room to go to bed.
I woke up to the sound of him
walking around. I stuck my head
out of the door and saw him pee-
ing in front of my room. As soon
as he was done, he tucked it back
in, spit where he peed and went
back to sleep on the couch, said
Landis.
Instead of cleaning
up the mess, the room-
mate covered it with
newspaper and sprayed
it with Febreeze. To
avoid a similar situa-
tion, bring up the topic
of drinking with your
roommates.
Other personal
habits should be ad-
dressed as well, includ-
ing health problems
or other issues. Laura
Edgar, Leawood soph-
omore, said she had a
roommate who sleep-
walked sometimes.
She got out of bed
and said, I have to get
my purse theyre com-
ing and I told her to go to bed
because its 3 a.m., Edgar said.
The more you know about your
future roommates and their habits,
the better you will be able to ad-
dress problems that may arise. Talk
to your roommates and make a
thorough roommate contract and
stick to it.
n Ashley Pate is a Tucson,
Ariz., junior in journalism.
wednesday, april 26, 2006 The UniversiTy daily Kansan 9C apartment guide
Peace at home, just sign and initial
By Ashley PAte
editor@kAnsAn.com
kAnsAn corresPondent
Photo Illustration By Nicoletta Niosi
Roommate conficts can start with something as minor as dirty dishes and escalate into a major feud.
But making up is not hard to do. Simple things like open communication and
a roommate contracts can help ease the tension and bring peace and order
back into the home.
I
f you are able
to communi-
cate your feelings
to others, then
making a room-
mate contract
should be easy.
Some topics that
should be thor-
oughly discussed
include quiet
hours, members
of the opposite
sex, substance
use, and using
one anothers
belongings.
Contracts can prevent major
roommate conficts
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apartment guide 10C The UniversiTy Daily Kansan weDnesDay, april 26, 2006
F
eng Shui has been
characterized as ex-
otic and mysterious,
but it can be more ac-
curately described as a
way of living.
Every culture, from Native
American to Japanese, practices
some form of it.
Feng Shui literally means
wind and water and accord-
ing to Laurie Bornstein, a Feng
Shui practitioner and founder
of Harmony Life, water sym-
bolizes the energy you can see,
while the wind the energy that is
unseen but that you can feel.
Feng Shui is about simplify-
ing your lifestyle and environ-
ment, and making both of them
more pleasing. she said.
Contrary to what many people
believe, Feng Shui is not only a
form of design. Sure, it involves
decoration, but to someone like
Bornstein, it is much deeper.
Feng Shui involves understand-
ing how the energy in an environ-
ment moves, Bornstein said.
Everything around you af-
fects you, she said, whether it is
the color of your walls or how
a certain rug is positioned, by
applying Feng Shui principles
you can make it affect you posi-
tively.
You dont have to decorate
your house with fountains, rock
gardens and bonsais to success-
fully integrate Feng Shui into
your lifestyle. Feng Shui is adapt-
able to your personal style. The
main objective of Feng Shui is to
make you feel good and to make
your house a welcoming place.
People should practice Feng
Shui because it provides a sense
of comfort and helps you achieve
a life of balance. It provides you
with a welcoming environment
so that you feel that you belong
there, and that cant help but
look good, she said.
When you go home, whether
to your dorm room or your off-
campus apartment,
Feng Shui is supposed
to help.
College students live
under a lot of stress.
The environment that
you live in shouldnt
put you under more
stress, it should be a re-
laxing space.
Not to mention that
you need an organized
and welcoming study
environment where you
can concentrate and
not feel bothered by the
things around you.
A common miscon-
ception is that applying
Feng Shui principles
to your living environ-
ment is expensive. The truth is
that Feng Shui can be as expen-
sive or cheap as you want it to
be.
Most people have the things
they need, but in the wrong
places. Rearrange the things you
have. Can the things you have
be supplemented? Yes. Do you
have to? Most of the time, no,
Bornstein said.
In theory, just by rearranging
your furniture you can feel the
benefts. But one basic concept
people need to grasp before re-
decorating is themselves. There
is no use in reorganizing, rear-
ranging and even buying new
things to make your life easier if
you do not understand your liv-
ing patterns. Those are the little
things that add up.
Color is an inexpensive way of
improving the environment you
live in, because it changes your re-
lationship with space, Bornstein
said. Have you ever noticed that
a white room feels bigger than a
black room? Color is
multisensory. One thing
to pay attention to is
that you should never
use colors you dont feel
comfortable with. If you
fnd blue to be a sooth-
ing color, use it, but if
you patently dislike it,
dont use it. Another
point to focus on is clut-
ter.
Clutter wastes time,
money and is stressful,
Bornstein said.
How many times
have you found yourself
going through clothes
you never wear just to
fnd that one piece you
adore? Clutter occupies
space that could be taken up for
useful purposes.
In the end, what really mat-
ters is how you feel about your
house, Bornstein said. Dont go
with the newest decorating trends;
do things that make you feel like
your house is a warm and embrac-
ing environment. You should look
forward to getting back home after
a long day on campus, not unex-
cited about all the mess you need
to organize.
Remember, make your house
feel like a home.
Five inexpensive
ways to use Feng
shui in your home
1
Your bed should have
a full view of the room
and not be directly
aligned with the door. If thats
impossible put something
between your bed and the
door, it can even be a small
rug. The reason behind that
is because there is a constant
fow of energy coming in
through your door and you
do not want to be distracted
by that while you are in bed.
The bed is supposed to be a
spot for relaxation.
2
Incorporate color. It is al-
ways nice to be surround-
ed by colors that you like.
That can really change the
feeling of a room. The prob-
lem is that most leases have
restrictions regarding painting
walls. If that is the case cur-
tains or bedspreads can make
some difference.
3
Pay attention to your
artwork. Posters, paint-
ings and sculptures are
valuable assets, but dont
surround yourself with aggres-
sive artwork. That can make
the environment unwelcoming
and stressful.
4
Plants are good as long
as you take care of them.
Plants are a great source
of positive energy, but there is
nothing positive about a dead
shrub.
5
All you need is love.
Surround yourself with
things you love, need and
fnd useful.
By Patrick Luiz SuLLivan De OLiveira
editor@kansan.com
kansan correspondent
C
ollege
students
live under a
lot of stress
and the envi-
ronment that
you live in
shouldnt put
you under
more stress,
it should be
a relaxing
space.
Bringing peace and positive energy through decoration
t
he
W
a
y
F
eng
to
hui
Kansan Classifieds...
20% discount for students