Annual event displays student living options

Thursday’s MSU Housing Fair helped many students find next year’s living situations during this hectic season of house hunting.

The fair, which has been held yearly since 2000, ran from noon to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Union and provided students information about on- and off-campus living arrangements.

Attendees were greeted by 17 property owners and seven vendors, providing items like raffle tickets, pens, food and cups.

“We have different options on leasing and a variety of housing, apartments and co-ops for students to check out,” said Cathy Neuman, assistant director for MSU’s Department of Student Life.

According to University Housing, 15,215 MSU students live in the residence halls.

Retailing freshman Gena Gaudio, along with many other students, were receiving informational packets during the fair to help with their housing decision.

“This is a huge deal with so many students wanting housing, but we’ve been getting a lot of information, which helped a lot,” she said.

Some MSU students attending the Housing Fair said they could not believe it was happening so early this year, but organizers said the competitiveness of the student housing market in the area has caused them to hold the event sooner.

Housing Fair coordinator Jeannette Michelin said the earlier date enables students to know their options.

“Everyone has been telling me how competitive it has been this year and how you have to get everything put together so fast,” marketing freshman Emily Morgridge said.

Colleen Krause, a vendor from Cron Management, noticed the high demand of students at the fair compared to other years.

“It has been very busy this year, at least a hundred students have stopped by the fair at 12:30 already,” she said.

Michelin said the Housing Fair had 4,000 attendees in previous years, and this year they were expecting that or more. The growth, to her, signifies a high demand for off-campus housing.

Michelin and Neuman both said one of the main goals of the fair was to help students get a handle on signing a lease, knowing what to do and who to talk to.

Michelin dealt with the overwhelming amount of students by giving them the opportunity to talk to companies, since the dates to lease are approaching.

“People were lined up before the fair even opened and all the evaluations from the students came back positive,” Michelin said.