The results of the Student Satisfaction Survey sponsored by the Association of College and University Housing Officers International last fall have been calculated, ranking UB's apartments No. 1 for overall satisfaction in comparison to six other universities.
The survey was given to university apartment residents of Indiana University, University of Florida, Iowa State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Central Washington University, all comparable in size and population to UB.
"I am proud of Buffalo's rankings and very pleased that we ranked No. 1 in overall satisfaction," said Elizabeth A. Lidano, assistant director of the University Apartments. "However, we are aware that there are areas to improve."
The association surveyed 11 main areas of university apartment life - selection, satisfaction with apartment lease, condition, ability to sleep/study, staff/policies, services/facilities, activities, personal growth areas, respect of other residents, safety/security and overall satisfaction.
The survey included questions such as "To what extent did your apartment experience fulfill your expectations?" and "How satisfied are you with the condition of the kitchen?" Students rated their satisfaction in specific areas on a scale from one to seven, one being "very dissatisfied" and seven being "very satisfied."
Out of the seven universities, UB ranked No. 1 for overall satisfaction, condition, and services/facilities, as well as No. 2 for activities, and No. 3 for safety/security and respect of other residents, according to Lidano.
In most areas, said Lidano, students stated that they were slightly to moderately satisfied. Of the 800 students requested to complete the survey, however, only 257 replied, a 32 percent response rate.
According to Roy Bachar, a first year medical student, living in the apartments has both positive and negative aspects.
"(The apartments are) on campus, and includes all furnishings, a kitchen, cable and Internet access," said Bachar.
A downside to living in the apartments, said Bachar, is that while "the price is that of a regular apartment, the administration of them is the same as of the dorms. They micromanage us, and nickel and dime us for everything." Bachar cited charging all residents for damage to common areas as an example of poor treatment of apartment residents.
"(The administration assumes) that we are too immature to live in apartments," said Bachar.
Bachar suggested a more careful screening of apartment applicants by preventing those who have a questionable history in the residence halls from obtaining placement in the apartments.
"We're a very young operation - only five years old," Lidano said. "Apartment assignment and eligibility are always being re-evaluated."
According to Lidano, the administration has no concrete plans for improvements based on the survey, but viewed issues dealing with contracts, leases and assignment procedures as areas most in need of review.
Tracie Goldman, a senior early childhood major, liked the apartments overall but complained about the poor design.
Both Bachar and Goldman said that the overall craftsmanship of the buildings is slipshod and that the walls are thin, providing little soundproofing.
Dan Fenz, a senior civil engineering major, said he enjoys the apartments.
According to the survey results, students are neutral on the price of rent, which includes utilities, cable and Internet access. The cost of rent is based on the amount borrowed to build the five apartment complexes, which is approximately $101 million, said Lidano.
