Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Some San Jose State University students living off campus are under the assumption that the University Housing Services department was designed to only assist students living on campus.

But Housing Services has had an Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center for the past two years, aimed specifically at students who do not live on campus and are in need of service, said Trisha Wells, the interim assistant director for organization and planning for Off-Campus Housing.

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"The bulk of what we help with is finding housing for students," Wells said.

In November 2002, Off-Campus Housing implemented a database for SJSU students in search housing or roommates.

The database allows students to search through listings of rooms and apartments for rent, and provides a list of people searching for roommates. Students are also free to post their own listings at no cost, Wells said.

"All information students post on the Web site is confidential," said Mary Garcia, the administrative assistant coordinator for the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center.

Diana Tran, the interim community relations coordinator, said even though the database is fairly new, it is "really user-friendly" and she expects to start getting more hits on the Web site this semester.

"Our main objective is to get students connected with resources they need to find a place to live," Wells said.

Some SJSU students were excited at the thought of having somewhere to turn for help when in search of a roommate and a place to live.

Fernando Cabiles Jr., a freshman majoring in computer science, is currently in search of a roommate. He said his main resources for his search were Internet based.

"I would have never thought about using the campus to help find a place to live or a roommate," Cabiles said.

Ronald Delin, a freshman majoring in computer science, said he is interested in moving from Hayward to San Jose, and was unaware of the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center.

"The Web site would be a good way to help find roommates from San Jose State," Delin said. "I might go to ( the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center) for help."

Some SJSU students live with their families in San Jose, but living on their own is something they ponder.

"I eventually want to move out with some friends," said Gianni Guerriero, a sophomore majoring in advertising who lives with his family.

Guerriero said he thinks it is helpful that SJSU has an Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center.

"Knowing you have the option to go to (the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center) and have them help you out is good," Guerriero said.

Although some students were enthusiastic about having the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Center, the same students didn't know it existed.

Cabiles and Delin said they think it is important for the center to let its presence be known to students, especially freshman.

"It's important to tell freshman because we don't really know what's going on until we get here and by then it's too late," Delin said.

"I didn't know we had that kind of stuff available to us," Cabiles said.

Cabiles said the center should set-up a section where they can speak to freshman during orientation time.

Guerriero said he thinks the center should let students know they are available by posting an online advertisement on SJSU's homepage or by tabling near the Student Union.

Last spring, the center had an off-campus housing fair. It brought apartment complex managers to provide information and applications for students interested in their facilities, and as a way to let students know that they had resources available to them. Another fair is scheduled for sometime in April, Wells said.

"We really do see ourselves as a service for the campus community," Tran said.

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