Home sweet home: Extension students host housing fair
The thought of holding another career fair didn’t appeal to an extension education class, so they opted to host a housing fair.
The 10 students in Brent Young’s class hosted the event Tuesday, April 24 in the new Memorial Union ballroom.
“The project was part of our event planning unit,” Sara Budde, a senior in child development and family science said. “In choosing the topic of our event, everyone in our class surveyed between 10-15 students, asking them what would be a most beneficial topic.”
The class turned a 10-step event planning process into hands-on experience, offering this housing fair to everyone.
“After we decided a housing fair was a well-needed event we went through a 10-step process to plan the program,” Mandy Dunlop, a senior majoring in child development and family science said.
The students thought it might be neat to have students represent each major.
“I think the housing fair went well for the first year,” Budde said. “Construction might have caused some people to not get as much out of it since they were making loud noises right in front of the ballroom.”
Approximately 100 students wandered around the 10 tables providing information about apartments around the Fargo/Moorhead area.
Representatives from each of the businesses talked to students about low-end, high-end or average apartment costs and what they came with.
“There was a good mix of new and old apartment buildings,” Dunlop said.
The vendors with available apartments provided flyers with information, e-mail and Web addresses.
Prices for a two bedroom apartment ranged from $425 to $800 between renters.
“We tried to get renters from all over the area,” Dunlop said. “Some students like to live close to campus, but there is apartment living offered in South and West Fargo and Moorhead as well.”
The representative from Dakota View Estates said this is the first year they’ve come to the university to show students what they have to offer, and it was a great experience.
“Landlord and tenant rights is something all renters and property owners should be aware of,” said Terrace on the Green Property Manager Gail Fikle.
Fikle and several others were handing out information.
Door prizes were also provided.
The registration desk had a $50 gift certificate to the Varsity Mart.
Other tables offered their own door prize or candy.
Students were able to fill an evaluation about the housing fair out before they left to offer the extension education class feedback about their event.
“This was a great experience learning the steps to plan an event from start to finish,” Dunlop said. “I think students who came were able to find out more what they are looking for in an apartment.”
It helps when it’s all right there, Dunlop said.