UOIT's Student Experience Centre holds first-annual Housing Day

Calling it an event that surpassed all expectations, the Student Experience Centre (SEC) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) welcomed hundreds of visitors to its first-ever Housing Fair. The January 19 event was dedicated to helping UOIT students find a suitable place to live next year and aimed at connecting students with the resources they need to succeed while living off-campus.

"We are delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response we received from our students and from the participating community partners," said Jeremy Greenberg, manager, Student and Community Outreach, SEC. "This was the first of what will become an annual event at UOIT, as we do all that we can to give students every opportunity to interact with potential landlords, as well as learn about the various on- and off-campus services that will help them with their search."

The Fair brought together a full range of groups in one venue including municipal law enforcement licensing service officials from the City of Oshawa, Oshawa Fire Services, Smart Commute leaders, various property management representatives as well as UOIT student organizations.

"While the students were able to get answers to their many questions, we also noticed community-building and networking happening in the interactions between participating groups," said Kimberley Young, co-ordinator, Community Services, SEC. "Even though they technically are in competition with each other for potential clients, the property management companies discovered that they all have common interests and concerns. Without a forum like this, they would not have such an opportunity to learn from each other, and in turn, be in a better position to help and serve students."

Following the Housing Fair, students were invited to take part in workshops at both of UOIT's campus locations (north Oshawa and downtown Oshawa) where they were offered assistance on off-campus housing search techniques and how to live positively in their new community.

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