The
Advocates for Student Renters Group is a group of WCU student renters who are actively meeting to discuss renting housing
in the greater West Chester area. They have advocated for greater flexibility with
lease terms, a lower cost for rent, rent relief, and other concerns related to the
student rental process. If you are interested in discussing renting off campus with
other students, visit their
Facebook group.
1. Start by searching offcampushousing.wcupa.edu. In addition to viewing available rentals, this website allows students to search/post
for sublets and make a roommate profile to search for roommates. Note! *If you are
renting with other students in the Borough of West Chester or in West Goshen Township,
you must rent in a student-zoned rental.* You can find out if the rental you are considering
is student-zoned by asking the property owner.
2. Email commuters@wcupa.edu and/or Kelsey Matukas at kmatukas@wcupa.edu with any questions about renting in the local area.
You will learn more information about your life as an off campus and commuter student
during orientation this summer. Off Campus and Commuter Services (OCCS) offers specific
programs for first-year students. Additionally, OCCS Commuter Assistants are student
mentors who are specifically trained to assist with your transition from home to campus.
Email
commuters@wcupa.edu if you would like to speak with a Commuter Assistant.
WCU’s Department of
Off Campus and Commuter Services (OCCS) offers one-on-one appointments to assist students with any questions. Email
commuters@wcupa.edu with questions and/or to set up a one-on-one appointment. OCCS
also manages Free Student Legal Aid where students can meet with a lawyer. Students
can schedule an appointment with Free Student Legal Aid on MyWCU. In addition, OCCS
has
offcampushousing.wcupa.edu where students can view available rentals, search/post for sublets, and make roommate
connections. Other University resources include
Counseling Services,
Health Services, the
Campus Library,
Sykes Student Union,
Campus Rec Center. Please contact each of the departments for modifications of services and hours.
West Chester University offers free legal services to currently enrolled students.
Schedule an appointment with
Free Student Legal Aid on MyWCU.
The Student Code of Conduct and expectations of being a responsible citizen to protect
our community still apply. Please visit the
Student Conduct page for all university regulations and guidelines. In addition, please visit the
Student Community Agreement
Good healthy adult communication begins with being honest about sharing space. Consider
sharing your concerns about the health risks. If your concern is not respected, please
take care of your own health and exercise caution by distancing yourself. Control
the controllables!
Stay informed and share resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
(CDC) FAQ to help keep yourself and others healthy.
Roommates who are unvaccinated will need to quarantine for 14 days if they have been
in close contact within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total
of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Roommates who are fully vaccinated do
NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have
symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people are encouraged to get tested 3-5 days after
their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public
for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
Please see the
Student Health Services for more information.
Whether you are away for a quick trip and/or for parts of the semester, it is always
recommended that you inform your neighbors and/or property owner/manager if you will
not be returning to your rental property.
Yes, two face masks are provided for each student and available at the Sykes Student
Union Information Desk. Please bring your student ID for verification.
We want to empower you to make the best decision for you and your family. Visit
offcampushousing.wcupa.edu to find off campus housing. In addition to viewing available rentals, this website
allows students to search/post for sublets and make roommate connections. The availability
for housing and the period for which you can obtain a lease will be managed by individual
property owners. Most leases will not provide prorated refunds if students leave mid-lease.
An option to consider is trying to negotiate with the landlord for a month-to-month
lease. This option may give you more flexibility and, given the circumstances, some
landlords may be more willing to negotiate. OCCS will offer information and resources
throughout the fall semester to aid in your housing search process.
We want to empower you to make the best decision for you and your family. We encourage
you to begin researching your options early as we know housing becomes increasingly
competitive as the academic year progresses. Researching early does not mean you should
sign early. Students should pay close attention to the terms of the lease. Schedule
an appointment with Free Student Legal Aid to have them review the terms of your lease.
OCCS partners with
offcampushousing.wcupa.edu. In addition to viewing available rentals, this website allows students to search/post
for sublets and make roommate connections. OCCS will offer information and resources
throughout the fall semester to aid in your housing search process.
Off Campus and Commuter Services (OCCS) is offers one-on-one appointments to assist
students with any questions. Students have scheduled individual appointments to discuss
renting, finding roommates, leases, life off campus, how to find friends, how to access
public transportation, etc. Email
commuters@wcupa.edu with questions and/or to set up a one on one appointment.
Yes, as long as you follow current CDC considerations and WCU guidelines. The Commuter
Center is located on the top floor of Sykes Student Union and is a great place to
meet other students.
