As folks come in the room I am Sabrina Nelson from the Admissions Office. Some of you may be my student. I am the Assistant Director of Admissions and it is our pleasure to host tonight Managing Finances and Reducing Cost While Attending 黑料专区.

Our presenter is Mr Matt Cantense and he is with our other financial aid counselors Jamie Johnson and Allison. If you all have questions we’re going to ask that you ask them in the chat. We are hoping that you put yourself on mute we are recording this so if you don’t want your face on camera you can turn your camera off as well, but I’m sure you all have some great questions you know that maybe our financial aid team can answer and if we don’t know the answer right away we will look for it. With that being said I am going to mute my myself and continue to let people in the room and let Matt take it from here.

Thank you Sabrina. I am Matthew Cantense, I’m the director here at the 黑料专区 in the financial aid office. I have been with the College for five years. I and I have over 14 years experience in the financial area at various schools so I feel like myself and my team know a little bit about financial aid.

Joining us today, we have Jamie Johnson, one of our financial aid counselors. She handles students with last names starting from A through K. Then we have Allison Molesworth, also a financial aid counselor, who manages the other half of the alphabet, covering last names from L through Z.

As Sabrina mentioned, today鈥檚 session is focused on ‘Managing Finances and Reducing Costs While Attending 黑料专区.’ I want to make a quick disclaimer: we began sending out financial aid award packets as of last week. If you haven’t received one yet, please allow another week or so. If you still haven’t received it by then, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. For those who have already received theirs, feel free to ask any questions during today鈥檚 presentation.

If you have questions, I encourage you to either unmute yourself or type them in the chat, so we can answer them on the spot. This way, you’re not trying to remember your questions for the Q&A session at the end.

With that, I’m going to stop my video and get started. Here’s what we鈥檒l be covering today: direct versus indirect costs, work-study job opportunities, off-campus job opportunities, scholarship opportunities, and the requirements for maintaining your financial aid.

Let鈥檚 focus on this slide regarding accepting your financial aid package for those who have already received it in the mail. We鈥檒l also cover important dates and deadlines to be aware of, and the pros and cons of financial aid awards. We鈥檒l open it up for a Q&A session at the end.

Regarding direct and indirect costs, this year we have nine different budgets based on dependent students, independent students, and graduate students. Each has slightly different components based on their housing choice and living expenses. For a dependent student, direct costs include tuition, fees, housing, meal plans (or food), transportation, books, course materials, personal expenses, loan fees, and tuition insurance. These make up the ‘sticker price.’

Direct versus indirect costs give a complete picture, with direct costs being billable (tuition, fees, etc.) and indirect costs being non-billable (such as transportation and personal expenses). The budget varies depending on whether you’re living with parents, on campus, or off campus. For example, if you’re living with parents, the total cost of attendance is $68,825; on campus, it’s $74,168; and off campus, it’s $72,435.

To determine these budgets, your housing status is important. Previously, this was indicated on the FAFSA, but since that’s no longer the case, we now ask for this information on the admissions application. You鈥檒l also be able to update your housing status in the self-service portal if it was left blank.

Now, for financial aid purposes, we award up to the total cost of attendance, which helps us determine need-based aid like grants, scholarships, and loans. Breaking this down into realistic numbers, the direct costs include tuition, fees, the resource fee, the registration fee, accident insurance, and tuition insurance.

For the 2023-24 year, the average scholarship and grant package鈥攃omprising funds from federal, state, and 黑料专区 sources, including merit scholarships鈥攚as $31,191. This is important because it鈥檚 money that does not need to be repaid.

On the previous slide, we saw the total cost of attendance. When we break it down for a student living with parents, the estimated total cost of attendance is $53,701. Subtracting the average grant and scholarship award brings the total billable estimated cost down to $23,510. This is spread across the fall and winter semesters, based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credits).

For students living on campus, the total cost of attendance is $64,074, which includes average housing costs and a small meal plan charge of $2,900.

This is all based on full-time enrollment for the academic year, including both the fall and winter semesters. For students living on campus, the total estimated cost of attendance is $64,074. Subtracting the average grant and scholarship award brings the estimated cost down to $34,550.

For students living off-campus, the total cost of attendance is $53,710, but since you’re only being charged the direct costs, after subtracting the average grant and scholarship award from 2023-24, your estimated cost is around $23,510.

This breaks down the total cost of attendance (the ‘sticker price’) into more realistic numbers. By subtracting the average grant and scholarship award from the direct costs, the price becomes more manageable. These figures are for dependent students鈥攖hose who are required to include parent information on the FAFSA based on the dependency questions.

For independent students, the charges and budgets will be a bit different. Housing and food costs, for example, vary based on market conditions. To determine these costs, we use several Department of Education resources, along with an annual survey to capture actual student expenses. This helps us gauge the average costs from the prior year and adjust for inflation or other factors.

For dependent students, the estimated sticker price is about $63,400 if living with parents, $74,215 for on-campus students, and $72,482 for off-campus students.

Again, your ‘sticker price’ is not the actual cost you will incur. Breaking it down further, using the average grant and scholarship award, for students living with parents and off-campus, the estimated out-of-pocket cost is about $23,510. For those living on campus, it鈥檚 estimated at $34,550. This slide helps put into perspective what you can expect before taking loans into account.

As FAFSA filers, you have the option to borrow federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. For dependent students, parents can also borrow through the Parent PLUS Loan. Keep in mind, these costs are before any student loans are factored in, so this gives a clearer expectation of what you may owe as a 黑料专区 student.

A good way to offset some of these costs is by exploring work-study job opportunities. These part-time, on-campus jobs are available to all students, though we cannot guarantee a position. If a student secures a position, they can use their earnings to help cover costs. While work-study does not directly reduce tuition, students receive a paycheck every two weeks, and it鈥檚 up to them how they choose to use it鈥攚hether for educational expenses like books and supplies, or for other miscellaneous costs during the semester. Students can also choose to apply their earnings toward their balance.

The Financial Aid Office manages the allocation of federal or 黑料专区 funds for work-study but does not handle payroll. Once approved for work-study, HR and payroll handle the rest. There are approximately 300 work-study positions available on campus each year.

Students can work up to 20 hours per week, but if they hold multiple positions, they still cannot exceed 20 hours. Hourly wages range from minimum wage up to $13 per hour, depending on the position and the hiring manager. While not guaranteed 20 hours, most students work between 6 to 10 hours a week, with some positions offering more.

Work-study students are required to submit weekly timesheets for their manager鈥檚 approval and are paid bi-weekly via direct deposit.

To find work-study positions, visit the Financial Aid Office鈥檚 webpage and check the ‘Work-Study’ section in the middle of the page. Be sure to check the listings regularly since work-study positions are ongoing. Also, keep an eye on the weekly student email for new or immediate-hire postings, which usually start appearing at the beginning of the semester.

As new students, you鈥檒l be added to the all-student email list, and that鈥檚 when Student Affairs will start sending out the weekly emails. It鈥檚 best to choose work-study positions that match your skill set and interests. Hiring managers handle the applicant pool and interview process, so the Financial Aid Office does not have any influence over hiring decisions. Once a hiring manager reviews your application and decides to interview you, they will extend an offer if you’re a good fit.

After receiving an offer, the hiring manager will initiate the work-study authorization form, which requires signatures from multiple offices. HR will also require new hire paperwork, including a federal W-9 form and two forms of ID. Once all signatures are obtained, all parties involved will receive a finalized copy of the work-study authorization, and you鈥檒l be cleared to start working.

For off-campus jobs, 黑料专区 is located in a vibrant area of Midtown, with plenty of opportunities within walking distance, such as jobs as a barista, server, bank teller, or gallery assistant. There are also art supply stores, galleries, museums, music and sports venues, bakeries, coffee shops, grocery stores, and retail shops nearby. If you have a bike, scooter, or take the Q-Line, you can expand your search to a two- to three-mile radius, opening up even more opportunities. If you have a car, you can extend your search even further, which may result in less competition.

Next, let鈥檚 talk about scholarship opportunities, which are very important in helping offset the cost of attendance. Scholarships can come from 黑料专区 or third-party sources. 黑料专区 has donor-supported scholarships that can be applied for via the financial aid website. There are many endowed scholarships that students are automatically considered for, and faculty and department chairs review applicants based on specific criteria.

Additionally, 黑料专区 hosts departmental competitions that require specific submissions, such as essays, portfolio pieces, or proposals. There are also sponsored projects, where companies partner with 黑料专区 to work on real-world projects. Students who participate in these projects may receive additional funding based on their performance, and any surplus funds after tuition is paid will be refunded to the student.

For outside scholarships, I recommend reviewing these opportunities regularly. Scholarship searches take time and persistence, so don鈥檛 get discouraged if you don鈥檛 hear back immediately. Deadlines and review times vary, but even if you receive a scholarship in the middle of the semester, we can apply it to your account, which can reduce your out-of-pocket costs or loan amounts.

If you filled out the FAFSA and it wasn鈥檛 rejected, you鈥檒l find the scholarship page as part of your award offer. It should be the last page of the stapled document, but you can also visit the financial aid office website for more details. Keep in mind that while we offer some vetted resources, there are many additional scholarship opportunities available through your high school counselor, community groups, or online. Be cautious when searching for scholarships online, as some websites may be scams.

Maintaining your financial aid is also crucial. Federal, state, and need-based institutional grants and scholarships require you to complete the FAFSA every year. Starting October 1, the FAFSA for the following year will open, so I encourage you to submit it as soon as possible.

Next year, we plan to send out financial aid offers earlier, aiming for the first three weeks of January. This year, due to delays from the Department of Education and ongoing issues that needed fixing, we were set back and only recently started sending out offers. We’re hopeful that next year will be much quicker.

For Michigan students, the FAFSA filing deadline for state aid is July 1, 2024. This is a firm deadline, so if your FAFSA isn’t submitted by then, you won’t be eligible for state aid for the entire academic year. Normally, the Michigan deadline is May 1, so starting next year, it will revert back to that. But for this year, please make sure to submit your FAFSA by July 1, 2024.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the Department of Education, which applies to all degree-granting institutions, not just 黑料专区. For undergraduate students, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is required; for graduate students, it must be 3.0 or higher. Additionally, students must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted, including any withdrawals, drops, or failed classes. SAP is reviewed every semester. You have one probation period to bring your academic performance back in line. If you fail to meet the requirements after that, you will lose financial aid eligibility, including grants, scholarships, and loans.

Another SAP rule is the maximum time frame. Students can only use financial aid for up to 150% of the required credits for their degree. For example, if your program requires 126 credits to graduate, you can receive aid for up to 189 credits, but those classes must count toward your degree.

If you don’t meet SAP requirements after a probationary term, you will lose financial aid eligibility.

Another term you may encounter is ‘selected for verification.’ If this happens, don鈥檛 stress鈥攋ust respond promptly. Every year, around 20-30% of all financial aid applicants are selected for verification by the Department of Education. 黑料专区 does not control who is selected, and there is no clear pattern or reason for selection; it鈥檚 random. From what I’ve seen, if you’re selected once, it tends to happen repeatedly, though we don鈥檛 know why.

Being selected for verification doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檝e done anything wrong. It simply means the school needs to verify that the data on your FAFSA is accurate and that you’ve interpreted the questions correctly. When this happens, the Financial Aid Office will reach out with a list of required information, which might include household size, tax filing status, or income earned.

To reduce the chances of being selected for verification, it鈥檚 highly recommended to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) tool when completing your FAFSA. This tool links your prior-prior year tax information (e.g., 2022 taxes) directly to the FAFSA, automatically populating the fields. If you use this tool, it can also serve as verification if you’re selected.

Once you receive your financial aid award, review it carefully. If you’re happy with the amount provided, the next step is to log into Self-Service to accept or reject your financial aid offer.

As a student, you have control over what financial aid you accept or reject. Grants and scholarships, which don鈥檛 require repayment, are typically accepted automatically on your behalf. However, student loans (excluding Parent PLUS loans) will need your review. To do this, log into Self-Service through the Access Manager. From there, go to the Financial Aid section to review, accept, or reject your 2024-25 awards.

The Michigan Tuition Grant, Federal Pell Grant, and Michigan Achievement Scholarship are not accepted automatically because they require attendance verification. For state grants, your name must also appear on the certifying roster. However, it’s important to note that no one has been awarded the Michigan Tuition Grant yet for the upcoming year. The governor has proposed eliminating it, but efforts are being made to preserve it. The Michigan Tuition Grant could provide up to $3,000, and although there is uncertainty, it’s already calculated toward your balance in your billing statement. Once awarded, it won鈥檛 change your balance.

For questions or if you forget something, don鈥檛 hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office.

When accepting or rejecting student loans in Self-Service, you鈥檒l see both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. For dependent students, the Federal Parent PLUS Loan requires a separate application and approval by the Department of Education. If you’re ready to accept loans, you’ll log into Self-Service, select the 2024-25 financial aid year, and click “Review and Accept Your Financial Award.” From there, you can accept or decline loans, either for a single semester or the full academic year. If you decline a loan and later decide you need it, just reach out to the Financial Aid Office to have it reset, and then you can accept it in Self-Service.

For first-time borrowers of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, two federal requirements must be completed: the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling. Both of these can be done online at studentaid.gov, where you completed your FAFSA. These steps are necessary to ensure you understand loan terms and repayment expectations. Once submitted, the Financial Aid Office will be notified and can link the information to your loan record.

For parents applying for the Parent PLUS Loan, once approved by the Department of Education, they will also need to sign an MPN, promising to repay the loan.

Entrance Loan Counseling provides crucial information about loans, repayment, and what to expect. It鈥檚 important to take it seriously and not just click through the information.

Subsidized and unsubsidized loan limits are set by the Department of Education and are the same for all schools. For dependent freshman students, the maximum borrowing limit is $5,500 per year. For sophomores (30+ credits), the limit is $6,500, and for juniors and seniors, it鈥檚 $7,500 per year. The total aggregate loan limit for dependent students is $31,000.

Independent students can borrow more: $9,500 for freshman year, $10,500 for sophomore year, and $12,500 for junior and senior years. The aggregate loan limit for independent students is $57,500.

Keep in mind that these limits are set by the Department of Education, not by 黑料专区 or any other institution.

Lastly, important dates regarding tuition bills are handled by the Business Office, not the Financial Aid Office. For any questions about your billing, please direct them to the Business Office.

Tuition statements are mailed twice per semester and emailed monthly to the student’s email address, not the parent鈥檚. Parents can remind their student to check for any emails from the Business Office regarding outstanding balances. Parents also have the option to set up a proxy account, allowing them to view statements and make payments if necessary. Statements can also be reviewed by students through Self-Service under Student Finance.

Tuition due dates are listed on the academic calendar and are typically one month before the semester starts. It鈥檚 crucial to have your balance paid in full, adequate financial aid in place, or a payment plan set up before these deadlines. For Fall 2024, the bill is due on August 1, and for Winter, the due date is December 13.

Payment plans are available through ACI, opening in July for Fall and November for Winter. There is a $65 enrollment fee per semester. If you set up a payment plan later, the number of months available for payments will be reduced, but the goal is to pay off the semester balance before the next semester begins. Payment plans can be set up for 5, 4, or 3 monthly installments depending on when you enroll.

Important dates to remember include the add/drop period and financial aid eligibility. Students should review the academic calendar for deadlines regarding adding or dropping classes and tuition refund periods. If you drop or withdraw during a refund period (e.g., 80%, 60%, or 40%), all 黑料专区 aid is canceled since you鈥檙e receiving a portion of your tuition back. After the 100% tuition refund period (about three and a half weeks into the semester), 黑料专区 aid remains in place, but dropping or withdrawing may still affect your financial aid eligibility.

If you withdraw from classes and have federal financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, or a Parent PLUS Loan, your aid must be recalculated based on your last date of attendance. This could result in needing to return some of the funds, increasing the balance you owe 黑料专区. If you are considering dropping or withdrawing, it鈥檚 highly recommended that you consult with Academic Advising and Financial Aid to understand the financial impact.

Regarding financial aid refunds, remember that this is not “free money.” Refunds usually come from student loans, so it鈥檚 important to only borrow what you need. Refunds can help cover books, supplies, travel expenses, and off-campus living costs, but over-borrowing leads to more debt that needs to be repaid with interest. Federal loans, including unsubsidized student loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and private loans, begin accruing interest upon disbursement.

If you withdraw completely from your courses, you may owe money back to the Department of Education or 黑料专区. If you鈥檙e expecting a refund, it鈥檚 recommended to set up direct deposit through Self-Service for faster access. Parents receiving a refund from a Parent PLUS Loan can also opt to have the refund sent to the student via direct deposit.

The Financial Aid Office encourages students to borrow responsibly and only take out loans for direct costs, such as tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meal plans.

Finally, regarding meal plans, there are two options. The smaller plan costs $2,900 and is split between the Fall and Winter semesters, while the larger plan costs $4,350. Freshmen living in the Taubman Center are required to have a meal plan. Students living in the Art Centre Building have kitchens and the option of a meal plan, but it鈥檚 not mandatory. Meal plans are essentially Dining Dollars, which can be used at on-campus dining locations.

Meal plans are only available for students living on campus. The Department of Education requires us to estimate the cost for students to have three meals a day, seven days a week, for the academic year. This cost is estimated even if students live off campus or at home. The actual cost may vary depending on how much the student eats.

For students living in the Taubman Center, a meal plan is required since there鈥檚 no kitchen available. However, students living in the Art Center Building (ACB), which has kitchenette setups, aren鈥檛 required to have a meal plan. I hope that clears things up, Michelle.

Next, David asked if freshmen are eligible to participate in sponsored projects. Typically, freshmen are not invited to participate because they lack the necessary experience and maturity in their work. However, exceptions do exist for freshmen who have strong work ethics and exceptional skills, possibly due to dual enrollment or prior experience with 黑料专区. Most sponsored projects are designed for juniors and seniors. If you see a freshman in a sponsored project, it鈥檚 likely because they’ve been part of the 黑料专区 community since high school and have taken foundational classes.

For freshmen looking to get involved, I recommend applying for work-study positions within the departments you鈥檙e interested in. Working in those offices can help you get to know faculty and corporate sponsors, giving you early exposure to the department and potential advocacy from the faculty.

Patricia asked about financial aid for study abroad. This depends on whether 黑料专区 has a consortium agreement with the host school. If there is an agreement, you鈥檙e eligible for state and federal grants, scholarships, and external scholarships. However, if there isn鈥檛 an agreement, you would be responsible for paying the host school directly and would need to seek scholarships specific to study abroad opportunities at that school.

Maddie asked about scholarship application timelines. Scholarships can be applied for year-round, and I encourage you to keep searching and applying even after the semester starts, as scholarships can still be applied to your account mid-semester.

Natalie asked about when freshmen can access Handshake for internships and job opportunities. You need approval from your department to upload your r茅sum茅, as it must be reviewed for errors before submission. Additionally, students are required to take a business class where they鈥檒l learn how to create a r茅sum茅, CV, and website, which is part of the curriculum for all departments.

Landon asked about applying for work-study before the semester starts. You can apply once you鈥檙e registered for classes. This happens after you meet with your academic advisor to review your degree plan. If you apply before registration, we won鈥檛 be able to process your application.

Reagan asked how to set up classes. After submitting your enrollment deposit, your file, including transfer credits or dual enrollment classes, will be sent to Academic Advising. Once received, they will reach out to schedule a registration appointment. They鈥檒l ask about your class preferences (e.g., morning or evening) and work with you to create a schedule. Some classes are flexible, while others are fixed based on the department’s requirements.

Maddie also asked about AP and IB credits. These are transferred over once we receive your final transcripts. We then update your credit evaluation to ensure you don鈥檛 register for classes you鈥檝e already earned credit for. You鈥檒l need to submit official transcripts to Admissions or Registration, either through your school or using platforms like Parchment.

Finally, Reagan asked if it’s normal not to have received certain emails yet. I recommend reaching out to your admissions counselor to check if anything is missing.

If anyone has more questions, feel free to reach out to your admissions or financial aid counselors. Thanks for attending, and have a great night!

Welcome to our introduction slide. My name is Ryan Harrison, and we will be talking with Cameron a little bit later in the RA section. Thank you, Patty, for your introduction. Let鈥檚 dive right in.

First, we鈥檒l look at the Art Center building, located on our Ford campus. This facility features traditional apartment-style living. Incoming students can access two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. In a two-bedroom unit, there are four students sharing one private bathroom for the suite, as well as a living room and a kitchen.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove and a fridge. However, we do not provide microwaves, so you are welcome to bring your own. Please note that all kitchen appliances must remain in the kitchen area to comply with fire code regulations.

The pictures you see here depict four-person units. In one of the bedrooms, there are two beds for two students, and the other bedroom mirrors that layout. My apologies for the mix-up鈥攖his particular unit is actually a six-person unit. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a shared living room and kitchen.

Here, you can see another six-person unit layout. It includes Bedroom A, Bedroom B, and Bedroom C, with the bathrooms located in the hallway. This unit also offers additional living room space, making it a sizable option for residents.

The standard layout of the bedrooms in the Art Center building typically accommodates two people. Each student is provided with four drawers and hanging space, arranged in a way that allows each student to have a designated area. The hanging space is located above, with two drawers at the bottom, and there are stackable drawers that can be combined or kept separate based on your preference.

The Art Center building also includes community spaces. The gym, located on the ground floor, is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can use it at their convenience. The front entrance features a security check-in area, and as you proceed down the hallway, you will find our public space designed for socializing and watching television. To the left is our public study space, equipped with soft seating and tables, along with a long work table for collaboration.

Next, let鈥檚 transition to the Todman Center. This facility is located about a mile north of the Ford campus and comprises both housing and academic spaces. Here you can see a standard room in the Todman Center, which is about 450 to 500 square feet and accommodates three students. Each room comes with cabinets for hanging space and stackable drawers at the bottom.

The layout includes a bathroom for the three students, but please note that this space is not fire rated, so kitchen appliances are not allowed. However, there is a full cafeteria on the second floor for student dining needs, and there is no need to leave the building for meals.

The rooms feature loftable beds, allowing students to maximize their space by placing desks or other items underneath. 黑料专区 does not provide desks, as each department has different requirements. This allows students to bring the most appropriate furniture for their educational needs.

This image shows a view from the hallway into one of the rooms, showcasing large windows that overlook the Detroit city skyline. Additionally, the Todman Center has limited corner units available, which offer more square footage and a unique layout.

An exciting aspect of the Todman Center is its design. The housing area is shaped like a “U,” with residential rooms surrounding public spaces. Each floor has three main public areas. The first-floor lounge is equipped with couches and televisions for social interaction. Additionally, we have a dedicated workspace that is quiet and designed for students who want to focus on their studies.

The sixth floor features extra tables for studying, as well as a workout space exclusive to Todman residents. There are also conferencing rooms for group meetings and a movie theater room designed specifically for watching films with a projector. Lastly, there is a game room with ping pong, pool tables, and television, providing another social space for residents.

Now that we鈥檝e explored the residence halls, let鈥檚 discuss how to apply for housing. We have recently transitioned to a new software called Mercury, which you can find in your Access Manager. Please note that Mercury will only become active after you have made your $250 enrollment deposit. This process typically takes about 72 hours, but it may take a little longer during business hours.

One of the benefits of Mercury is that it allows you to provide important demographic information, including gender, which is pulled from your driver鈥檚 license. If your gender identity does not match the information on your license and you require gender-neutral housing, please email me so we can discuss your options.

You will also answer five questions regarding your living preferences, such as bedtime and guest policies. This information helps us match you with compatible roommates based on shared living habits.

If you want to live with a friend, both of you must register for housing. You can link your accounts as a roommate group in the system. However, if one of you is already registered and the other is not, please email me so I can assist with the process.

Once you have filled out your housing information and answered the questions, you will need to make your $300 first housing payment through the Mercury website. This payment is applied to your final housing cost for the semester, so it is not an additional fee.

After your payment, your application will be complete, and we will handle any unique requests discussed earlier. We will then use a system called Intell Assign to match you with roommates based on your responses and compatibility.

For more information about living on campus, please visit our on-campus housing page. It contains important documents, including our housing information packet, which covers move-in details, what to bring, and rules and policies for living on campus.

I often receive inquiries about emotional support animals (ESAs). We are required by law to allow students to bring their ESAs, but there is a strict policy regarding the documentation needed. The letter from your doctor must include specific information, so I recommend providing our policy to your doctor for reference.

Regarding gender-neutral housing, students can opt for this arrangement if they prefer not to have their placement based on the gender listed on their driver鈥檚 license. This policy allows friends of different genders to live together or for those who do not identify with the gender on their license to find suitable roommates. If you would like to explore this option further, please email me.

We also have a video on the on-campus housing page that walks you through the housing application process, providing helpful tips along the way. If you encounter any difficulties, you can reach out to me for assistance.

黑料专区 does not offer any type of off-campus housing. However, we provide resources and search tools to help you find off-campus options. These are not recommendations but rather tools for students to explore potential housing options.

Regarding meals and meal plans, a meal plan is required for residents of the Todman Center, while it is optional for those living in the Art Center building due to the kitchens available in the units. Dining Dollars can be used at various locations on campus.

The largest cafeteria on campus is located in the Todman Center, featuring diverse food options, including a daily salad and soup station, pizza station, stir-fry station, specialty sandwich station, and a grill station. There is also a wall of refrigerators offering fresh options made offsite.

The Ford campus has a smaller cafeteria mainly for commuters and Art Center students. It features rotating sandwich options and daily hot meal specials. Both buildings also have a 24-hour vending space where students can find fresh food options at any time.

It鈥檚 important to note that our meal plan sizes have changed this year to reflect inflation and rising food costs. The meal plan agreements are for the entire academic year, not per semester. If you live in the Todman Center, a small meal plan will be added to your account by default. For those in the Art Center building, if you choose to enter a meal plan agreement, it remains in effect for the academic year.

Finally, regarding campus safety, 黑料专区 has been rated one of the safest college campuses in Michigan. We have security staff on campus 24/7, as well as a shuttle service operating around the clock between both campuses. The shuttle provides safe transportation, picking up and dropping off students at the Art Center building.

Additionally, we partner with the Wayne State University Police, who are sworn officers and have a response time of approximately 90 seconds to our campus.

If we have an emergency, our security personnel are here to assist quickly. In contrast, the Detroit Police Department may not have the same response time, so we’re fortunate to collaborate closely with Wayne State in this regard.

Now, I’d like to outline the five security steps a person must follow to access a student room, as we take campus security very seriously. First, we have cameras throughout the campus monitored by a supervisor 24/7, whose job is to observe the screens and coordinate the security staff.

Next, there are patrols walking the campus, which I believe occur twice an hour, although I don鈥檛 have that confirmed. Their role is to maintain a visible presence and be aware of the campus environment. This constitutes our first security measure.

The second measure is that you need an ID badge to scan into the building. In the Art Center building, only students enrolled in that building can scan in at the front door. The Todman Center also requires an ID to access campus. After entering the building, you will find a guard present 24/7 at both housing facilities, who checks your ID badge to ensure the color matches your building and verifies your identity against your photo.

The third security step involves needing your ID badge to operate the elevators, which allows access to different floors of the building. Lastly, the fifth step requires a room key; in the Art Center, these are traditional keys, while in the Todman Center, you swipe your student ID badge to gain access.

Additionally, each floor in the Art Center building has one Resident Assistant (RA) who is trained to support students. In the Todman Center, there are two RAs per floor to maintain a ratio of about 1 RA for every 30 students. Both buildings also have a live-in professional: Anne Hawkins in the Todman Center and Rebecca Hannah in the Art Center, both of whom have master’s degrees in higher education and prior experience as RAs.

I believe a significant part of our department鈥檚 success is due to the talent and dedication of Anne and Rebecca. I鈥檓 grateful to have them on our team. I personally lived on campus with my family and felt safe, so you can rest assured your child will be safe here as well.

Thank you for your patience while I explained this. I鈥檒l now turn it over to Cameron, who will introduce himself and answer some questions about the student experience.

Cameron:

Hello everyone, I鈥檓 Cameron Sherman, a senior in illustration and the RA for the sixth floor of the Art Center building. This is my second year on staff, and I鈥檓 excited to share some insights into the student experience.

First Question: What鈥檚 your best memory as a resident?

My favorite memory is from freshman year with my diverse group of roommates. One morning, I woke up to my roommate singing “I鈥檝e Got Friends on the Other Side” from Princess and the Frog in the kitchen. It was the best alarm clock I ever had! I still keep in touch with my freshman roommates, and I鈥檇 rate that experience five stars.

Second Question: What鈥檚 it like living in an artistic community?

Living in an artistic community is fantastic. I鈥檓 always improving my work through critiques and collaborations with fellow artists. We regularly share opportunities via text, Instagram, and Facebook, creating a strong sense of community.

Third Question: What advice do you have for finding a community on campus?

Stay observant! The school sends weekly emails about events, clubs, and get-togethers. These are excellent opportunities to meet new friends.

Fourth Question: What is your role as an RA, and what are you trained to do?

I see RAs as a bridge between 黑料专区 and residents. We listen, mediate when needed, and connect students with relevant resources. We also check on residents monthly and plan events to engage them in campus life.

Fifth Question: What are two programs you鈥檙e proud of?

During my time as an RA, I鈥檝e planned many events. One of my favorites from freshman year was 鈥淒rinks Around the World,鈥� where we offered non-alcoholic beverages from various countries. Another recent event was a ski trip in collaboration with Pine, where students learned to ski for a low cost. I received great feedback from residents about both events.

Thank you for having me here! If you have questions about being an RA or a student, please feel free to ask.

Ryan:

I鈥檇 like to address a couple of questions we received in the chat. One asked if unused meal plan funds carry over to the next year. Any unused funds from the fall will roll over to winter, but unused winter funds will be forfeited at the end of the academic year.

As for adding to your meal plan if you run out, you can use debit and credit cards in the cafeteria. You can also use Flex Dollars, which can be added to your account by students or parents. These can be used in the cafeteria, bookstore, or even applied to tuition.

If anyone has additional questions, feel free to unmute and ask.

Cameron:

Another question was about emotional support animals on the housing application. You can mention it there, but it won’t suffice for bringing an animal on campus. To initiate the process for an emotional support animal, please send me your doctor鈥檚 note and vet records.

Regarding availability for the coming semester, we still have plenty of spaces. We reserved beds specifically for incoming students, so you鈥檙e only competing with other newcomers. There are currently 9 to 12 available beds in the Art Center building and many in the Todman Center.

I recommend living in the Todman Center for your freshman year, as it fosters connections among students. Most students in the Art Center don鈥檛 venture out as much due to the amenities being so convenient.

We conduct placements every 2-3 weeks, and once completed, we email students through their 黑料专区 accounts.

Thank you all for joining us! If you have any further questions, please reach out to your admissions counselor or to me directly.

Thank you again, Ryan and Cameron, for the informative presentation on housing at 黑料专区. Have a wonderful evening, everyone!