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<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:red;background:
yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>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?</span></u></b> 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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Living
on-campus at A&M-Commerce<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Students will often chose to
live on-campus because of the easy accessibility to on-campus services,
classes, library, professors</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>, </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>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. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>Please
visit Residence Life at <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing</a>.
I</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>nternational student </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>will need to take the following into consideration when
choosing on-campus housing. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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.</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'> Less expensive housing will most likely include no
kitchen and communal bathrooms</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>. For more
information on room layouts for each residence halls please visit</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'> </span> <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/aboutUs/residenceHallListing.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/aboutUs/residenceHallListing.aspx</a>.
<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Living
off-campus in Commerce or in the close to campus<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>, or more</span><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>) to the utility company before you can
set-up their service. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:#1F497D'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>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 <a
href="http://www.commerce-chamber.com/real_estate.htm">http://www.commerce-chamber.com/real_estate.htm</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Living
off-campus in the Greenville, Rockwall, Denton, McKinney, and Dallas/Fort Worth
area<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Students who
chose to live in a town or city other than Commerce need to keep in mind the
following issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>What is your major?
Where and when will your classes be offered?</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>
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. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>New</span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>international s</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>tudents
</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>may have to wait </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>up to a month </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>after
the start of the spring semester </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>before they
can secure a drivers license due to I-20 report time lines</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'> with immigration</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>The closer you get
to Dallas/Fort Worth the more housing </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>will </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>costs</span><span style='color:#1F497D'> and the cost of
living may be more expensive as well</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol;color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='color:#1F497D'>Current traffic
between Rockwall, Denton, McKinney,</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>and Dallas/Fort Worth areas
is very heavy and inconsistent due to current road repair and development</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'> on many of the majors highways and interstates</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'> Most constructions
projects will last for the next few years and a</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>
45 minute trip to Commerce can become a 2 hour</span><span style='color:#1F497D'>
or more</span><span style='color:#1F497D'> trip at anytime</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'> due to rush hour traffic and construction</span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>John Mark Jones, Director<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>International Student Services<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Texas A&M University-Commerce<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 3011<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Commerce TX 75429<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(P) 903-886-5097<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(F) 903-468-3200<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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