University works with community partners to address off-campus housing issue

Staff members from UNC Charlotte are working with community partners to soften the disruption for students whose off-campus apartments near the University will be delayed.

Several new high-end apartment complexes designed specifically for UNC Charlotte students are running behind schedule, with most of them able to accommodate only a portion of the 1,500 students who have leases. Most of those students had expected to move in around Friday, Aug. 15, but construction delays have pushed back move-in for many by up to three weeks.

Property managers have contacted all of the students and have made comprehensive plans to house those students in University City hotels. The accommodations will include on-site and/or off-site storage, shuttle services to campus, parking on or off campus and even stipends of cash to help the students cover small expenses incurred during the delay.

University City Partners, a Municipal Service District that works to enhance economic development and quality of life in University City, convened a meeting recently at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department offices near campus. Personnel from CMPD, University City Partners and property managers from four new apartment complexes met with representatives from UNC Charlotte’s business services, housing, parking, police and public relations departments.

“The meeting of community partners was very productive in briefing everyone on accommodations for the affected students and plans for move-in in August through October,” said John Bland, director of public relations. “The property managers all had very solid plans for accommodating the students, and CMPD and University Partners were very well organized. Our professionals in housing and residence life, parking and transportation services and police and public safety provided good counsel to the property managers.”

The apartments directly across from the campus front entrance – Circle University City – will be welcoming approximately 125 students on Aug. 15, which coincides with the beginning of move-in weekend on campus. Other new complexes within a mile of campus also will be admitting some of their new residents that weekend as well. Traffic around campus that Friday through Sunday may be more congested than on normal move-in weekends, so faculty and staff who come to campus are advised to allow extra time.

“UNC Charlotte works closely with University City Partners and CMPD on a regular basis, and those strong relationships make responses to this type of issue a smooth process,” said Bland.