Off-Campus Living Guide

The Off-Campus Living Guide supports students as they navigate living off-campus, evolving wellness needs and their unique student experience. For additional information or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Off-Campus Student Living team.

Woven into the Barnes Center at The Arch Wellness Philosophy and similar to a personalized guiding compass, the Barnes Center Wellness Wheel is a visual representation of holistic wellness.

Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness

The Barnes Center Wellness Philosophy webpage shares more about the Barnes Center Wellness Wheel, descriptions, examples, available Syracuse University resources and experiences for each Dimension of Wellness.

Students are encouraged to grow their budgeting knowledge prior to and during their time living off-campus. Highlighted Syracuse University resources to help build personalized budgets are available below.

Consider the following when creating an off-campus living budget. It is important to understand the unique terms and financial expectations of each lease signed.

  • Upfront Costs: Specific expenses due upon signing a lease and may include some or all of the following: first month’s rent, last month’s rent and security deposit.
  • Lease Duration: Most leases are based on a calendar year, not a nine or 10-month academic term.
  • Rent: May include some or all utilities (e.g. heat, hot water, electricity). If not included in rent, tenants are responsible for paying utilities separately. Cost of rent may also be impacted by distance to campus, size, furnishings, amenities, age and more.
  • Monthly Expenses: In addition to rent, other monthly expenses often include utilities, food, recreation and more.

Students are invited to explore the Independent Living Checklist to help prepare for living off-campus.

Learn more and discover resources on the Off-Campus Safety webpage.

Learn more about move-in, move-out, break periods, and other topics on Seasonal Information.

Housemate/Roommate Discussion Guide

This guide is designed to assist in engaging housemates/roommates in important conversations about living together. Early and as needed discussions surrounding these topics and living experiences are encouraged. For guidance on how to start these conversations or for questions, please contact the Off-Campus Student Living team.

  1. Who will take trash and recyclables to the appropriate dumpsters? (e.g., all roommates, certain roommates [if so, identify by name])
  2. How often will trash and recyclables be taken to the appropriate dumpsters? (e.g., daily, every couple days, weekly)
  3. Who will clean the floors (i.e., vacuum, sweep, mop) in the apartment (e.g., all roommates, certain roommates [if so, identify by name])?
  4. How often will we clean the floors? (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly)
  5. Who will clean the refrigerator and stove/oven (e.g., all roommates, certain roommates [if so, identify by name])?
  6. How often will we clean the refrigerator and stove/oven? (e.g., weekly, monthly)

  1. When will we lock our apartment front door? (e.g., at all times; when leaving the apartment; when going to sleep) Note: it is recommended that you keep your door locked at all times.
  2. When will we lock our apartment front door? (e.g., at all times; when leaving the apartment; when going to sleep; when there are guests/visitors in the apartment) Note: it is recommended that you keep your door locked at all times.

    1. What items are we willing to share? (e.g., clothing, computer/laptop, food, gaming system [Xbox, Playstation, etc.], other)
    2. Are we comfortable allowing each other to go into each other's individual bedrooms?
    3. How do we feel about having guests/visitors in the apartment? Do we prefer to have guests/visitors only at certain times of the day?

    1. How will we primarily communicate with each other? (e.g., talk, leave notes, text, Snapchat, Instagram, other)
    2. Which social media platforms are we comfortable with information being shared/posted about each other? (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, other)
    3. If we have a concern or a problem with each other, how will we work to resolve it?
    4. How will we work to benefit as we learn about our differences? When we experience different values, beliefs, customs, cultures, religion, behaviors, and/or practices amongst each other, how can use it to learn and grow from each other?

    1. How will we pay for our monthly bills? (e.g., individually, separately)
    2. How will we pay each other? (e.g., cash, app [Venmo], other)

    Helpful Resources and Reminders

    • On designated days, take trash/recyclables out and back from the curb.
    • Shovel snow on sidewalks, porches and driveways.
    • Park vehicles only in designated spaces.
    • Families and children also live off-campus. Please be considerate and respectful.
    • Introduce yourself to neighbors.
    • Set alarms early enough to account for a shuttle ride to class.
    • Be responsible — know and follow the Code of Student Conduct.
    • Explore the Stay Safe website, Syracuse University’s official source of public health information.