F.A.T.S. Knows!
The Housing Mediation Service, in the Student Success Centre (F2010), provides information to help students, landlords and neighbours who have issues around living in the London community. Here are some issues that students face when approaching December exams and holidays.
Protect your home
Thieves are aware that students leave London after their exams and that students own stereos, laptops, TVs, etc. — all good items for the illicit resale market. Don't be a victim! Here are tips to keep criminals away while you're away:
- Ask a neighbour who's staying through the holiday break to park their car on your driveway.
- Have your driveway snow shoveled.
- Use automatic timers to turn lights, television, and radios on and off.
- Ask your neighbour or landlord to pick up your mail, newspapers and flyers.
- Leave a radio playing, preferably on a talk station, set to a low volume.
- Hide valuable goods, or take them with you.
Protect your relationships
When you move in with friends, you assume things will naturally be OK. After awhile, annoying habits can lead to arguments and roommate problems. This escalates during exams when everybody is stressed. Common problems with roommates include cleanliness (or not), garbage, hogging amenities (TV, phone, etc.), theft, chores, pets, schedule conflicts, pranks, guests, noise, paying bills and lifestyle choices.
Even small and unimportant issues, when ignored, may escalate. Keep in mind that fights usually arise from multi-faceted problems, such as: lack of sleep, exam stress, family or relationship problems, illness, homesickness, and a feeling of lacking control. Here are some solutions to ease tension and solve problems:
- Most important: sign a Roommate Accord! It's available outside the Student Success Centre (F2010).
- Create a cleaning schedule showing when and who is responsible for a specific task.
- Assign a utility bill to each roommate, so that no one person is responsible for all the bills.
- Create a joint bank account for the household, making it easier to combine funds.
- Lock up valuable items, such as laptops, jewelry, money, etc.
- Put your name on food items so there's no misunderstanding of who owns what.
- Wear headphones, turn down the bass, shut your door, or, play your music when your roommates are out.
- Be mindful of your roommates' schedules, and post schedules in a common area.
If the situation gets rough, roommate mediation is offered through the Housing Mediation Service in Room F2010.
Protect yourself
If you are facing actual physical violence, or threats of violence, mediation won't necessarily be the right option, although you may still call the Housing Mediation Service to talk about options. If you are facing threats or violence, or if you have faced them, you should consider calling:
London City Police: 519-661-5670
Fanshawe College Police: 519-452-4400 (if it involves Fanshawe College students)
And tell your landlord! Under the Residential Tenancies Act, your landlord has an obligation to provide you with “reasonable enjoyment.” This includes actions from other tenants, neighbours, or a visitor to the property.
If the person who is threatening you or harming you is on the same lease as the one you signed, or is a visitor you invited, the landlord's obligation is somewhat reduced. Try to avoid situations that could put you in harm's way, such as:
- Don't openly invite people back to your place from the bar.
- Don't go to a party where you don't know the hosts or many of the people involved.
- Don't get so intoxicated you can't make good decisions in an unknown environment.
Do you have questions, or need more information? Come see us in the Housing Mediation Office, in room F2010 or telephone 519.452.4138. Or, you can talk to the helpful people in Counselling and Student Life. They're also in Room F2010 or telephone 519.452.4282.
By Glenn Matthews, Housing Mediation Officer
Important Dates
Note! Fanshawe College programs each fall under one of three academic calendars — 15-week, 16-week, and 18-week semesters. Make sure you know where your program fits! If you aren't sure, talk to the helpful folks in your Academic Office.
Last date to withdraw from most courses without academic penalty (automatically getting F) for Fall 2008 (15-wk, 16-wk, or 18-wk semesters) — Nov 11, Nov 17, Dec 1. But check your student verification form for specific dates because there are exceptions. And remember! This withdrawal deadline has nothing to do with fees. You are responsible to pay your full fees for the whole term, even if you withdraw from all your courses by the withdrawal date.
Last date to apply for a Student Assistance bursary for Fall 2008 (15-wk, 16-wk, or 18-wk semesters) — Nov 14, Nov 21, Nov 28.
… We're working for you.
This column is a Student Success Initiative sponsored by Counselling and Student Life Services, Financial Aid and the Office of the Registrar.
