Off Campus Student Services Announcements
UB Off Campus Student Services Improves Recycling
Since the summer of 2010, the University at Buffalo has adopted several strategic initiatives to improve sustainability in partnership with our neighbors in the University Heights. The university's goal was to educate residents around UB's South Campus in ways to be green and to increase recycling in the area.
UB's Off-Campus Student Services, UB Green and the Honors College collaborated to first conduct a survey of recycling practices among residents of the neighborhood from Bailey Ave. and LaSalle Ave. to Kenmore Ave. and Englewood Ave. The survey sought to determine the level of participation in the city's recycling program. At that time, 488 bins were being used.
The UB offices then began an educational campaign, distributing information to all residents about the City of Buffalo recycling program and helping them understand how to better practice sustainable habits.
At the UB Neighbors Block Party & Safety Fair in September, UB made available blue recycling bins – more than 200 were distributed. In October, students from UB's Honors College went door to door to ask residents if they were in need of a recycling bin. Residents were also asked to sign a pledge to recycle, provided with recycling instructions, and reminded of the importance of participating in the city's recycling program. Another 150 bins were distributed to households throughout the neighborhood.
By October 28, 2010 the use of recycling bins had increased by nearly 50% for a total of 729 bins.
This effort to encourage participation will continue through spring 2011, with UB's Off-Campus Student Services serving as a distribution center for the blue bins. Additionally, at the end of the academic year, the office will encourage students who are leaving campus to donate furniture and appliances to area charities.
Moving Off Campus?
Your safety should be your first priority. Don't settle for less safety because it is cheaper.
Things to Know
- It is illegal and dangerous to have someone living in a basement or attic unless there are two exits. Windows are not considered exits.
- Dining rooms, living rooms and front porches converted to bedrooms are often unsafe too.
- Electric or kerosene space-heaters are not an appropriate replacement for a well functioning furnace or boiler.
- Using extension cords to plug in all of your electronics to one or two outlets is a fire hazard.
- If the windows don't lock, you and your property are not at all secure.
- A smoke detector is required by law in every bedroom of every rental property. One candle falling over can cause a bedroom to be completely filled with smoke in under two minutes and engulfed in flames in less than four minutes.
- New York State law now requires a carbon monoxide detector on every floor where there are sleeping areas.
Other important considerations
- Who is going to cut the grass, shovel the snow and take out the trash? Will your landlord take care of this or will it be your responsibility?
- If you sign a lease in April for an apartment August 1st, how will you be certain the apartment will be ready to move into on time? How will you hold the landlord accountable for any repairs needed prior to your moving in?
- How much will utilities cost? These include natural gas or home heating oil, electricity, water, sewer, garbage pick up fee, cable or satellite TV, internet, maybe even a landline telephone. Who pays for these, you and your roommates, or the landlord? What happens if one of your roommates doesn't pay his or her share?
- Planning on having many parties? Register your party in order to avoid getting into trouble.