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May Husky Tracks

Your Source for Off Campus News

Vol. 4, Issue 8

In This Issue
Trash 2 Treasure
Grill Safety
Bike Safety
Volunteer Opportunities
Summester
These Things Happen
Boston Bike Share

Those with a will to ride but lack a bike, stay tuned for the Boston Bike Share program, set to take off this summer! The city is installing 61 "bike kiosks" around Boston where you can rent a bike for $5 a day.

You can rent the bike out and ride it where you need to, as long as you return it to a kiosk. Click

here for the full scoop. 

Dear Roaming Husky
 

I'm subletting my room to a random person this summer. She seems friendly and neat, but I'm concerned about my security deposit. What if she breaks something, does it come out of my security deposit?
      --Not So Secure

Dear Secure,

All original tenants are liable for the security deposit, so you would be responsible for damages. But that's not to say you're helpless! First line of defense is to find someone you trust! If you're still worried, create a written agreement with your subletter saying they will take financial responsibility for damages they cause. Take pictures of your room after you move out. This pact will help your subletter understand they must be careful and if anything happens they will be held accountable. Dealing with this isn't any fun, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

--Your Roaming Husky

 

Campus Events

 

Undergraduate Commencement

May 6, 10:30 a.m.

TD Garden

Click here for more.

 

Fair Play - Documentary Screening

May 11, 6:00 p.m.

Boston Public Library, Copley Branch

Click here for more.

 

Interviewing Strategies

May 16, 6:00 p.m.

Raytheon Ampitheater

Click here for more

 

Keepin' it Cool

Every Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Library Quad 

Free Ice Cream, Music,

and Novelties. Click here for more.

 

 Martha's Vineyard Trip

May 27, 7:00 a.m.

Departs from NU

Part of the Summester Program. Click here for more.



Check out the Huntington News Article on our realtor survey HERE 

And stop by our office to see the real thing!

 

City Events

Giant Ant Eater Exhibit DebutAnteater
May 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Franklin Park Zoo
Come see Jockamo, rumored to be nearly 6 feet long.

Cirque Eloize
May 10, 8:00 p.m.
Wang Theater
Acrobats, break dancers, contortionists and other fun. Click here for more.

Bike Week Festival 
May 20, 7:00 a.m.
A guided bike convoy takes you to City Hall, where there will be free food, bike demos and showings, music and giveaways. Click here for more.

 

Urban Dare Boston

May 21, 12:00 p.m.

Boston Common

A day-long Amazing Race styled competition. Click here for more information.

 

Let us know about your realtor experience!


Did you have a realtor that was spot-on? One that was atrocious? One that seemed a little odd?
Let us know!

 

Send an e-mail to offcampus@neu.edu with a brief description of your experience! Every anecdote we get helps us get a better sense of who the good and bad realtors are -- information we then share with you! 

Be Careful With Your Trash!
trash can
We implore all of you, especially those moving out for summer, to be responsible with your trash.  Know your trash days! Police issue "green tickets" for trash left out on non-trash days. Plus, it's your neighborhood, take some pride in it!

 

Off Campus Student Services
 
226 Student Center  
offcampus@neu.edu
617-373-8480 

 

Helpful Links 

Web site

 

Apartment Database

 

Facebook Page





Warm Weather Boston Attractions                                  

We've been cooped up all winter and now summertime weather is finally in sight. Once you're done studying and wrapping up projects, check out all the awesome events that Boston has to offer.

Ever been to the Franklin Park Zoo? A short bus ride away, this 72-acre zoo is sure to make you forget how close you are to the hustle and bustle of the city! And see the new Giant Ant Eater exhibit, opening soon.

Looking for an outdoor concert this summer? Bank of America Pavilion in the seaport district is just the place, with performers from Kesha to Earth, Wind, and Fire there is definitely a show for everyone. Click here.

And don't forget about the classics, like walking the Freedom Trail. This historical staple is ranked the #2 Boston attraction by Tripadvisor.com, only falling behind a game at Fenway Park. This walking tour is something Bostonians and tourists can enjoy alike, and best of all its free!

 

 

 

Trash2Treasure Collection

 

Lighten your move out burden by donating unwanted items, such as electronics, kitchenware and pantry items -- all of which will be resold at a campus garage sale in the fall. All proceeds go to charity!

 

Drop items off today through May 6, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Dav B, West Village A North and Speare Hall, and 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. May 7. Drop items off May 8, noon to 9:00 p.m. at the Columbus and North parking lots, and West Village E.

Boston Police Safety Message

Last week BPD sent a message warning those in common student neighborhoods to secure their belongings and 

BPDLOGO

apartments. BPD has seen a "growing crime trend around some of the local colleges and universities," including street robberies and assaults. 

 

Click here to read the full message. And take strides to be safe! Keep your doors locked and travel in groups when you can, especially at night!

Grill Safety

As summer approaches thoughts wander to BBQ and grilling! And we get it, grilling is great. Just keep these tips in mind to keep your apartment and neighbors safe.

· Grills are not permitted inside or on balconies above the first floor of any building or structure used for habitation.

· Always position a grill away from combustible walls.

· Set the grill in an open area away from buildings, dry leaves or brush.

· Be aware of the wind blowing sparks.

· Place grill on a level surface away from low hanging trees, deck railings, siding or any combustible materials.

· It's a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher within handy reach.

· Use long handled barbecue tools and flame retardant mitts.

· Do not wear loose clothing and watch for dangling shirttails.

· NEVER leave pets unattended near a hot grill.

· Never ignite a gas grill with the lid closed. Propane will accumulate inside and when ignited, the lid could blow off.

Remember to keep your grill clean and up to date with wear and tear maintenance.

Lastly, check your lease to ensure your landlord allows grills. For more information about grilling in Boston, click here.

 

Bike Safety!

For many of us, the recent upswing in temperature means bike season! Bikes are a great asset for off campus students (especially those of us who have can't seem to grasp the concept of punctuality), and Boston's size makes it an ideal biker town; there aren't many places a quick bike ride can't get you. However, Boston is also a dangerous city to bike in with its narrow, busy streets and, uh, lets just say 'reputation garnering' drivers. Be careful:

-ALWAYS wear a helmet. Always.

-Abide by all traffic laws. Just because you're not in a car doesn't mean they don't apply to you. If the light is red, don't go through it. If there's a 'no turn on red' sign, wait until the light changes.

-Don't push your luck. Legally, drivers do have to share the road with you but that doesn't mean they want to. Don't ever assume a driver will stop for you or make room as you pull around stopped cars or buses.

-Buses: my next point. Just last year a bicyclist died at the hands of a bus on South Huntington Ave. When a bus stops to pick up passengers, it's a bad idea to go around it; they have large blind spots!

-Use GOOD lock when storing your bike. NUPD suggests UBolt locks and strongly discourages chain locks. According to police records, chained-up bikes are stolen frequently whereas Ubolted bikes have no reported theft. Be safe, get a Ubolt.


- When riding at night (if you have to ride at night) buy a reflector light to attach to your bike or backpack. For just $20, you ensure a car will see you.

Wrap up the school year and show you CARE!

For those of you spending the summer in Boston, here are some great opportunities to stay involved with your community!

Check out Volunteer Boston and Boston Cares. These websites are kept current with volunteer opportunities throughout the city and contact information for different organizations looking for volunteers. You can search by keyword or type of work to find a way to give back that works for you!

Moving out of Boston for the summer and have some extra stuff to get rid of? Think about donating! The Boston Public Library will accept book donations at the administration desk of the Copley Square Branch. Furniture can be donated to Habitat for Humanity or call The Salvation Army at 1-800-728-7825. Extra food lying around? Stop by the Greater Boston Food Bank and donating your non-perishables. What you might see as trash could be beneficial to others!

 






These Things Happen - Student v.s. Landlord
Recently an off campus student came to us saying he was having a hard time getting his security deposit back from the landlord of his apartment is San Diego. We advised him on how to go about doing that, and in turn he took the time to write out the full account, shown bellow. This is good literature for any off campus student!

 

Last winter I moved to San Diego, CA to work at the Turbo Tax headquarters on co-op. My roommates were two Northeastern students as well. Everything went well until we moved out. California law gives the landlord 21 calendar days to mail a move-out accounting, with the remainder of the security deposit, to the tenants. After three weeks we received nothing in the mail. I called the landlord. He said he was sending something.

 

When I got the accounting in the mail, I was shocked to see that he claimed we stole property from the furnished apartment -- including a TV. He not only kept the whole deposit, but he said we owed him extra money. I read the California tenants law and sent him a long letter detailing all of our rights as tenants, and demanded the deposit back. He dropped the extra charges, but did not return the deposit.

 

 We filed for small claims court in San Diego and they let my roommates and I appear telephonically. The court quickly ruled that the landlord had no proof and ordered our deposit be returned. All was well and good again.

 

But, one more twist: The landlord then filed for an appeal to the superior court. Thinking we were out of luck this time, the court again agreed to let us appear by telephone. Even better, the case was scheduled for our spring break when we would be in San Diego.

 

When the court date came, we showed up to find that the landlord had sent the property manager in his place. The judge ruled in our favor, stating that only an attorney can come in the landlord's place. Know your rights, do your homework!

 

    Greg Kerr, Computer Science '13

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