Off-campus housing Web site goes platinum
Larry Burge
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
Many UA commuter students and faculty and staff members know the difficulties of looking for off-campus housing across Northwest Arkansas, and in particular, close to campus. It can be a daunting task to search through newspaper ads, make calls and visit properties to find it is not the place described in the ad.
And that's why Off Campus Connections, under the direction of Sylvia Scott and assisted by her associate Susan Stiers, worked to make finding off-campus residences much easier.
Two years ago the duo, along with a few helpers, set up an off-campus housing Web site to help about 10,000 UA commuter students find places to live. The site, http://offcampushousing.uark.edu, has not only reached a milestone, but has also received a certificate of recognition from the College Student Educators International and the Commission for Commuter Students and Adult Learners.
This semester, the site went platinum with more than 1 million hits, and the ACPA honored Off Campus Connections for outstanding service by presenting it with its Outstanding Collaboration Award.
"The university relies heavily on the local Northwest Arkansas community to help serve the needs of our students living off campus," Scott said in a Jan. 23 press release.
"These students may spend a significant amount of time on campus, but they also live, shop and often work in our community," she said. "Our staff hopes to partner with the community to help build bridges and remove obstacles that may impede students' academic and live success."
A recent e-mail received by Off Campus Connections - occ@uark.edu - asked the office staff to help find an easy-to-furnish apartment in Fayetteville, along with places to buy furniture.
Peer Assistant Leader Susan Eubanks, a freshman in the Walton College of Business, said she sent him a reply and referred him to the Off-Campus Housing Web site.
The site also provides links to other necessary items for many UA students, faculty and staff to set up house and get ready to attend classes or go to work, such as how to find a roommate and buy or sell furniture, household items and automobiles.
And that's why Off Campus Connections, under the direction of Sylvia Scott and assisted by her associate Susan Stiers, worked to make finding off-campus residences much easier.
Two years ago the duo, along with a few helpers, set up an off-campus housing Web site to help about 10,000 UA commuter students find places to live. The site, http://offcampushousing.uark.edu, has not only reached a milestone, but has also received a certificate of recognition from the College Student Educators International and the Commission for Commuter Students and Adult Learners.
This semester, the site went platinum with more than 1 million hits, and the ACPA honored Off Campus Connections for outstanding service by presenting it with its Outstanding Collaboration Award.
"The university relies heavily on the local Northwest Arkansas community to help serve the needs of our students living off campus," Scott said in a Jan. 23 press release.
"These students may spend a significant amount of time on campus, but they also live, shop and often work in our community," she said. "Our staff hopes to partner with the community to help build bridges and remove obstacles that may impede students' academic and live success."
A recent e-mail received by Off Campus Connections - occ@uark.edu - asked the office staff to help find an easy-to-furnish apartment in Fayetteville, along with places to buy furniture.
Peer Assistant Leader Susan Eubanks, a freshman in the Walton College of Business, said she sent him a reply and referred him to the Off-Campus Housing Web site.
The site also provides links to other necessary items for many UA students, faculty and staff to set up house and get ready to attend classes or go to work, such as how to find a roommate and buy or sell furniture, household items and automobiles.
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