Off-campus Student Services Newsletter: April 2025

The UAlbany carillon in the background, with trees blooming with cherry blossoms in the foreground.

Learn more about Off-campus Student Services.

 

On-campus Events

Visit the University Events Calendar for more on-campus events.

And make sure to check out the sports schedule for Women’s Softball and Men’s Baseball — both teams have jam-packed seasons ahead!

 

Two UAlbany baseball hats and a wooden baseball bat sitting on the grass of a baseball field.

 

Off-campus Events

 

Parker Pond on a bright spring day, with foliage in full bloom.

 

Celebrate Earth Day

With Earth Day coming up this month, here are some tips to enjoy nature and be environmentally conscious:

  • Be mindful of your water consumption. Cutting back (such as not running water while brushing your teeth) may play a huge difference in helping to conserve water.
  • Monitor your power usage. Make sure that you turn off your lights before leaving, and turn electronics that are not in use off.
  • Make use of natural light. It can be a great way to have light without using electricity.
  • Recycle. This does not only apply to trash but also to old items. Consider donating what you were planning on throwing away.
  • Keep an eye on your pets. If they make any messes in public, clean them up. This will help keep your neighborhood pristine, and help you avoid tickets.
  • Get outside. As the weather gets nicer, consider engaging in outdoor activities more, they help your mental health, and are cost effective. Explore Albany-area hikes.

 

Three graduate students smile and laugh as they walk through UAlbany's ETEC building.

 

Start Building Your Credit

Credit cards can be a great financial resource if used responsibly, but they can create serious problems if misused. Here are some tips on how to responsibly use a credit card:

  • Make sure when posting on social media that your credit card is not anywhere in the picture. Scammers can get a hold of it and use it.
  • Be mindful of your credit score. It can have serious implications down the road. Only purchase items you can afford.
  • Pay off your card every month. If you build up a balance, a large interest rate will be applied, which could lead to serious financial consequences.
  • If using your card online, only put the card information into trusted websites.
  • Turn on notifications via your credit card app. This will allow you to see when your card is used to help avoid fraud.
  • Review your purchase history regularly. Make sure you made the purchases and you're not paying for a scammer’s purchases.
  • If you can afford it, consider putting large purchases on your credit card, then immediately paying them off. This will help boost your credit score.

 

A group of students gathers around a table to play the card game Uno.

 

Managing Roommate Relationships

Living with roommates is a great way to save money, but tensions can flare up. Here are some tips on how to deal with them: 

  • Create some general household rules with your roommates. This could include how late you want people over or what items in the fridge are communal.
  • Create a chore chart. This way household tasks can be evenly distributed.
  • Set boundaries. It is important that you know your limits. This could include setting your room as off limits or other boundaries.
  • Be considerate when bringing guests over. While you may be having a good time, your roommate studying in the other room may not. Keep your roommates in mind when planning to have people over.  
  • Have a set date with your roommates to have the rent money ready. This creates a sense of security and helps avoid last-minute scrambles.
  • Communication is key. Keep your roommates informed about your whereabouts and plans. This can be as simple as putting a whiteboard on your door.
  • If things ever get really tense, take a 10-minute walk to help cool down.
  • Check out the Off-campus Student Services webpage for more resources. There you'll find information about the Off-campus Housing Marketplace, tenant tips, landlords and tenants' rights and responsibilities, local and state laws, roommate agreements, and more.