[NewIntlStudents] Where should I live while studying at Texas A&M University-Commerce?

Tue Nov 30 16:00:59 CST 2010

Where should I live is one of the questions you may be considering right
now as you prepare for your studies at A&M-Commerce?  The two basics
housing options students have at A&M-Commerce are on-campus or
off-campus but within these two choices are many things to consider.  

Living on-campus at A&M-Commerce

Students will often chose to live on-campus because of the easy
accessibility to on-campus services, classes, library, professors, other
students, and recreational activities.  Living on-campus can be a very
fulfilling experience for any student as they truly get to experience
"college life."  In many cases we recommend that international students
who are studying at A&M-Commerce strongly consider living on-campus
their first year so they may become more familiar with the area and
American culture.  Please visit Residence Life at
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing.  International student
will need to take the following into consideration when choosing
on-campus housing.    

*         Some residence halls on-campus do not have kitchens in each
room but will have a kitchen on each floor of the hall for students who
chose to cook their own meals.  There is an option to purchase a meal
plan for on-campus food service and there has been a concerted effort
with food service to provide more options for international students and
students with special dietary needs.  Students who are awarded a housing
scholarship will be required to purchase an on-campus meal plan.     

*         Some residence hall rooms and bathrooms provide some privacy
but they are generally communal in nature and they may not be as private
as you are used to in your home country.  Less expensive housing will
most likely include no kitchen and communal bathrooms. For more
information on room layouts for each residence halls please visit
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/aboutUs/residenceHallLi
sting.aspx.  

*         You may chose a preference of where you would like to live
on-campus but there is no guarantee that you will be assigned to one of
those preferences.  The later you apply for on-campus housing the less
likely you will be assigned to your preferred residence hall.  

*         You may give preference for someone as a roommate but there is
no guarantee that you will be assigned to a room with the person you
have listed as a preference.

*         Students who live on-campus are required to sign a one-year
lease agreement (fall/spring) and it is very difficult to be released
once you have signed the contract and moved in on-campus.  

Living off-campus in Commerce or in the close to campus

Students will often chose to live off-campus in the area around campus
as they may be able to find cheaper housing or chose their roommates
more easily.  When deciding to live off-campus students need to take
some of the following questions and considerations into account.

*         Will you have reliable transportation?  You may be able to
find a house or apartment close to campus but this is not always a
guarantee.  There is no public transportation in Commerce.

*         Some apartments/homes that you rent may include some utility
expenses such as water, gas, and electricity but others may not.  You
may be required to sign up for an account with a utility company (water,
electric, gas) and if you do not have a social security number (which
most new international students will not be eligible for one until they
have found eligible employment) then you may be required to pay a large
deposit (specific amount of cash...example $100, $500, or more) to the
utility company before you can set-up their service.    

*         Once you find a place to live the rental company/owner will
also require you to pay a deposit (usually one and/or two months of
rent) before you can move in.  This money may be refunded at the end of
your lease agreement minus any charges for cleaning or damages.

*         As with on-campus housing, you will be required to sign a
contract for a specific amount of time with any rental company and there
may be financial penalties if you chose to end the contract early.

*         While Commerce is generally a very safe community, personal
security may be a consideration depending upon where you live in the
area.  For more information on off-campus housing please visit
http://www.commerce-chamber.com/real_estate.htm.  

Living off-campus in the Greenville, Rockwall, Denton, McKinney, and
Dallas/Fort Worth area

Students who chose to live in a town or city other than Commerce need to
keep in mind the following issues.

*         What is your major? Where and when will your classes be
offered?  Students in certain majors may find many classes available at
our DFW sites but there is never a guarantee all of your classes will be
in the DFW area.  At any given semester you may be required to travel to
the main campus in Commerce for class(es).  Also, the university has
very limited services and university department/offices for students in
the DFW area and it may be necessary for you to travel to the main
campus for certain services or to meet with certain university
department/offices.  

*         Do you have or will you be able to secure transportation in a
timely manner? There is no consistent/inexpensive public transportation
between Commerce and other towns and cities. 

 New international students may have to wait up to a month after the
start of the spring semester before they can secure a drivers license
due to I-20 report time lines with immigration. 

*         The closer you get to Dallas/Fort Worth the more housing will
costs and the cost of living may be more expensive as well.

*         Current traffic between Rockwall, Denton, McKinney, and
Dallas/Fort Worth areas is very heavy and inconsistent due to current
road repair and development on many of the majors highways and
interstates.  Most constructions projects will last for the next few
years and a 45 minute trip to Commerce can become a 2 hour or more trip
at anytime due to rush hour traffic and construction. 

John Mark Jones, Director

International Student Services

Texas A&M University-Commerce

PO Box 3011

Commerce TX 75429

(P) 903-886-5097

(F) 903-468-3200

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