MANIOBRAS EN PUERTO

Living off-campus offers the opportunity to belong to an even larger, more diverse, local community. Ithaca has much to offer it’s residents and living off-campus will al- low you to take advantage of these opportunities. As with any other town or city, there are many neighbor- hoods to choose from if you want to live off-campus. Depending on your needs, likes and dislikes, you may find that some neighborhoods appeal to you more than others.

L i v i n g i n I t h a c a

While it is not possible to obtain a thorough appreciation of the dynamics of neighborhoods without visiting/living in Ithaca, a brief description of some of the major residential areas is provided below.

Collegetown: Collegetown is within walking distance of Cornell. Due to their proximity to campus, apartments in this area are highly sought after by undergraduates in par- ticular. Due to their high demand rental prices in Colleg- etown are quite high. The area has numerous bars, restau- rants and shops and is noisy and congested as a result.

East Hill and Belle Sherman: This is a quiet residential neighborhood and some areas are within a comfortable walking distance to the college of Veterinary Medicine. The neighborhood is about a mile from East Hill Plaza, a strip mall that houses a 24 hour grocery store, a couple of banks and a couple of restaurants including a bagel and sandwich store and a Chinese take-out.

Downtown: Living downtown allows students to feel more a part of the non-university world. The area is a 5- 10 minute drive from the college of Veterinary Medicine but is within walking distance to many downtown shops, restaurants and bars. Apartments in this area vary in price and quality and are generally in large houses. TCAT goes through the downtown area fairly frequently should you choose to ride the bus.

Varna and Dryden: These areas are a particularly attrac- tive option for vet students due to easy access to the vet college, rural setting and relatively low rent. The rental op- portunities here are appartment complexes and individual houses. Some housing is on the TCAT bus route.

South Hill: This area, which is close to Ithaca College is less convenient to Cornell students. However it is only a 15 minute drive to the college should you choose to live here.

West Hill and Cayuga Lake: These areas are inconve- nient residential areas for Cornell students. For that reason rents are lower and you can find small houses for under $600 a month. Lake houses are especially attractive in anticipation of the summer months. However winter heat- ing bills can be astronomical depending on whether or how well the place is insulated.

Cayuga Heights: This area consists mainly of upscale private houses. Rental possibilities consist largely of apart- ments within private homes. Some apartment complexes are also located in this area. While the neighborhood is within walking distance to some parts of campus it is a long walk to the college. However it is a relatively level path should you choose to ride your bicycle. It is also pos- sible to take the TCAT or campus bus from the different areas of Cayuga Heights. Cayuga Heights is a beautiful but expensive neighborhood to rent in.

Northeast and Lansing: This area contains many shop- ping facilities and apartment complexes. Apartment com- plexes in this area are on the TCAT bus routes; however bus services are limited. Therefore you should probably have a car if you choose to live in this area.

If you choose to live off-campus, you could go about locat- ing a place in a number of ways:

DVM listserv: ask other incoming 1st years or 2nd, 3rd years if they are looking for roommates, advertise for roommates or take over leases of graduating seniors, In looking for places off campus keep in mind the kind of geographical area you would like to live in and the distance from campus. Most vet school students live within a 10-15 minute driving distance from the vet school. Some neigh- borhoods are more popular with vet students than are oth- ers because they are quiet and allow pets.

Cornell’s Off-Campus Life Program: located in 201 Robert Purcell Community Center (607 255-5368) main- tains up-to-date computerized listings of apartments, houses, places to share, rooms and sublets. They also offer you advise on a wide variety of housing matters including what to look for in a lease. Their services are free. For up-to-date information on off-campus housing listings visit www.campuslife.cornell.edu

Local newspapers: You may also want to check housing listing in local newspapers. There are three newspapers that list rental housing-the Ithaca Journal (published Mon- day-Saturday), the Ithaca Times (published weekly every Thursday) and the Cornell Daily Sun (published Monday- Friday when classes are in session).

Fraternities

In addition to the various housing options listed above, there is one veterinary fraternity at the College of Veteri- nary Medicine that some DVM students call home.

Omega Tau Sigma (OTS)

The Omega Tau Sigma veterinary fraternity house is located at 200 Willard Way, Ithaca. Each year it becomes home to about 12 OTS members from all four classes. Small rooms (single occupancy) are $775 per semester and large rooms (also single occupancy) are $1075 per semester. Most rooms come with some furnishings (usually a bed, always a desk). Residents share a large living room (with cable TV) kitchen and basement. Pets are welcome at OTS where they enjoy a large fenced-in back yard.

Transportation

While there are a variety of commuting options avail- able to you, the majority of veterinary students have their own transportation. If you choose to bring your vehicle to Ithaca, you must register it with the Commuter and Parking Services whether or not you purchase a parking permit. Registration is free. If you plan on driving your vehicle to campus on a regular basis Monday-Friday between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm you will need to purchase a parking permit. Students are offered an opportunity each spring to pre-register their vehicles and to request parking permits for the following academic year. Those who have pre-reg- istered may pick up their permits in the College in the fall. Other students may register vehicles and purchase permits either at the Field House during general registration period or at Commuter and Parking Services between 7:45 and 5:00pm (116 Maple Avenue Phone 607-255-PARK). You will need to have your state vehicle registration with you when you request a parking permit.

Those students who brave the hills and the weather to

Carpooling

Commuting graduate and professional students can share the ride and permit cost with their peers. Commuter per- mits are owned and paid for by one person and may have up to four license plates listed. The permit can be switched among listed vehicles. For additional flexibility, eligible carpools can request one free one-day parking permit valid in A lot and B lot. Carpool members can also join the Oc- casional Parker Program.

Occasional Parker

This program allows flexibility for graduate and profes- sional students who normally cycle or walk to campus. These students can purchase books of ten one-day parking permits for $50. The permits are valid in A and B lots (B lot is the lot closest to the Vet school).

Night-Weekend Parking

Parking restrictions in place on campus is lifted during nights and weekends. Parking is free on campus from 5 pm to 7:30 am during the week and from 5 pm Friday to 7:30 am Monday morning.

Public Transportation

Bus service: Local bus service is available to areas in and around Ithaca. Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit serves the Cornell Campus, the city of Ithaca and the rural areas of Tompkins county. Bus passes are available. Students can choose from among several bus pass options. Passes can be purchased at Cornell’s transportation office at 116 Maple Avenue. Current information on bus passes and schedules can be found on the web at www.tcatbus.com.

Taxi Service: There are two cab companies in Ithaca-Blue Light Cab Company (277-CABS) and Cayuga Taxi(277- TAXI). Ithaca cabs work on the zone system within the city so when you call a cab the dispatcher can tell you how much the trip will cost. There is an additional charge for excess baggage. Cabs in Ithaca take several passengers at once. If a group is travelling to a single destination, an ad- ditional charge per person is added to the fare.