By: Grace Gross, Lead Editor
Photos collected from EDUrain & McKendree University Off-Campus Living Community
It’s required that all full-time, undergraduate McKendree University students live in university housing. Research shows that living on a university campus will bring a student’s learning, growth, and development rates up. Generally, students who live on campus are more satisfied with their college experience. By living on campus and being active within the community, students build stronger ties to the University, typically earn better grades, and are more likely to graduate according to Off-Campus Housing Market | McKendree University (n.d.).
McKendree Residence Life gives 3 reasons why living on campus “just makes sense…”
- It is convenient to be near the campus buildings
- It is generally more safe and secure with building checks and camp sweeps done nightly by Residence Life staff and Public Safety
- Living on campus helps students develop valuable life and leadership skills by becoming more involved. Living on campus provides many opportunities to meet new people
However, if that still does not sound appealing to you, students who wish to live off-campus can apply to have this campus policy waived. This application will be reviewed by the Office of Residence Life and can be waived for students meeting certain criteria. “To be eligible for a waiver, the student must, at the beginning of the term for which the application is being submitted, meet at least one of the criteria listed on the form.” (Off-Campus Housing Market | McKendree University, n.d.).
A student cannot consider themselves exempt from campus residency before receiving written approval from the Office of Residence Life. Waiver applications and all necessary supporting documents must be turned in to the Office of Residence Life on or before July 1 for exemption from housing for the fall semester, or on or before January 1st for exemption from housing for the spring semester.
Here is the Application to Waive the Residency Requirement. After your waiver is approved, the Off-Campus Living Community – Housing Marketplace will be made available to you.Now you may start finding the perfect place to live. You now have the resources you need to make your first renting experience smooth and enjoyable! If you are a student interested in off-campus housing, check out the McKendree University Off-Campus Housing page https://offcampus.mckendree.edu/.
EDUrain has made finding off-campus housing much easier for students. EDUrain says, “We connect students with landlords and property management groups in a closed software ecosystem in partnership with colleges, creating a transparent process for landlords and students.”
EDUrain was co-founded by Bryon Pierson, the current CEO of EDUrain. Like many other college students, Bryon graduated with thousands of dollars in student debt, moved several times, and had a total of 22 different roommates throughout college.
EDUrain’s mission is to simplify the processes of living off-campus by providing all of the essential tools. Some of these are roommate search and a partnership with renters’ insurance services.
All of the services that EDUrain provides are completely free to students. McKendree has partnered with EDUrain to allow students to find an affordable and comfortable place to live while they pursue an education. Because of their Security Deposit Alternative Program, students can save money on security deposits. This program allows those who are looking for roommates to easily connect with other students looking for off-campus housing.
EDUrain. (n.d.). EDUrain. www.edurain.org. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.edurain.org/aboutOff-Campus Housing Market | McKendree University. (n.d.). www.mckendree.edu. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.mckendree.edu/student-life/res-life/life/off-campushousingmarket.php
