• Make your Move Greener

o Borrow plastic containers for packing and transporting, reducing the number of boxes and tape you need. If you do use boxes and bubble wrap, don’t buy new stuff! Collect from grocery stores or check out Craigslist or www.wemovegreen.com for people getting rid used moving supplies.

• Clean Greener

o Your local grocery stores have PLENTY of green options to choose from for cleaning supplies, and the prices are comparable to many of the noxious, harmful cleaners out there.

o Raid your kitchen for cleaning supplies- pick up our Green Housing Guide to see how to use toothpaste, vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda to make your rental ‘spic and span’.

o Plants are not only decorative; they replace carbon dioxide in the air with oxygen, all while absorbing pollutants.

• Green Energy for your Home

o Look for the Energy Star Label when shopping for electronics.

o Laptop computers use half the energy of desktop computers.

o Prevent “vampire energy!” Unplug appliances when not in use or utilize power strips to prevent electricity leaks.

• Recycling News

o We know that you use your reusable bags when you go to the grocery store, but what if you have forgotten and wish to get rid of those pesky plastic bags? Or maybe you always use your reusable bags, but don’t know what to do with the bread bag or saran wrap you’ve just finished using. RECYCLE IT! Santa Barbara County is now recycling CLEAN plastic bags (all kinds) if you put them in your blue recycle bin.

Do you and your roommates have a creative way of supporting the environment? Tips that can help others? Fun ways to go green? Post on our Facebook page (facebook.com/ucsbcho) and you and your roomies will be entered for a fabulous GREEN prize!

In case you did not know, Theft is the illegal taking of another person’s property without that person’s permission or consent. It can also be referred to for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud.

The reason theft is so widespread in Isla Vista is the perpetuating nature of loosing something and wanting to replace it cheaply and easily. When someone has their bike stolen they will often consider stealing someone else’s to justify their loss. Many times they will carry this plan out and commit the crime taking revenge and replacing their lost item. They may even get away with it!!! This mentality must change if people want to live together in a community and feel safe. It is pivotal to understand that theft is illegal, morally inept, and an utter defilement of ones sense of liberty and privacy. These are two values that we all cherish, but sadly and hypocritically, we all don’t respect these values when it comes to other people and their lawful right to them.

That’s what it is like on the other side of things. We have been affected by both sides of the epidemic that is theft. We have stolen and been stolen from and we got caught for stealing. With our teenager mentality, we assumed this could never happen to us, but now we are facing the consequences. Fortunately for us, and many other students like us who make mistakes in college, there is an alternative to the criminal justice system; the restorative justice circle was the best alternative. We were able to truly comprehend the impacts that our impulsive actions had on the individuals involved. To come face to face with those who you violate is an eye opening experience to say the very least. It has given us the tools we need to mature and truly learn from our mistakes as we progress through life. To repair someone’s sense of security once they have been violated is nearly impossible. But we are writing this article because we feel the dire need to express our indignations! Do not steal. It’s wrong. It’s illegal. You will get caught eventually.  It has happened to us, so learn from our mistakes.

To steal is unacceptable, foolish and downright stupid. This is why we want to formally apologize to one of the most kind, hardworking and understanding students in this university. We are sincerely apologetic for not only our actions, but also our utter disregard for your privacy. The outcome of someone’s life is going to depend solely on his or her own sense of individuality and responsibility. Of course, we all wish to achieve success and be happy, but anything can happen in life to stray one from that course. It is safe to say that surviving in this world is not at all easy, and the choices we make as kids can affect us all of our lives. Do not make irrational and impulsive decisions that could haunt you for the rest of your life. We are all adults now. The ability to make your own decisions is definitely easier said than done, considering we are college students in this generation. Take responsibility and stand up for what is right. Do not feel that stealing is appropriate, especially if you have been stolen from in the past. If you find lost items, turn them in; you will make someone’s day. Do not make poor decisions, thinking your actions are harmless and will never come back to bite you. Even a small mistake can cause immense anguish for you and many other people who could be involved. There are truly no positive impacts from stealing. Stop the perpetuating cycle of theft in this community and do what is right. Be a good, honest person.

Does Best Friend = Best Roommate?

You know your best friend’s heartbreaks and crushes, most embarrassing Isla Vista moments, wild career aspirations, favorite midnight munchies, and wishes of travel. What you may not know is that your best friend occasionally pays rent a few days late, doesn’t know how to use a vacuum cleaner, listens to loud music until 3am, sleeps until 3pm, and can live comfortably in what others could simply call a “pig sty.” Whether you live with your best friend or are considering it for next year, keep reading for some helpful tips from Community Housing Office.

Living together is a much different story than hanging out together a lot. It is easy to get sick of your best friend when the fun little quirks he/she possesses that drew you to them in the first place might drive you crazy after 24/7 together. Also, best friends don’t try as hard to get along since they are already comfortable with each other and may become complacent about things Your friend relationship is about wanting to do stuff together, not having to do stuff together like cleaning, bill paying, and guests.

A best friend roommate may hinder your ability to make new friends because you are always there to hang out with each other! There is less of a necessity to branch out, get to know others, and start new friendships. Sometimes when one best friend branches out and meets others, the other best friend may feel left out or jealous. Living with a stranger (or at least an acquaintance) can be a great lesson in compromise, communication, conflict resolution, and human differences. Living with a best friend means missing out on living with someone you don’t know who can certainly be a great addition to your life. If you live with your best friend and you suck at being roommates, you may lose a best friend. If you live with a stranger and you suck at being roommates, you’ll lose someone you don’t like living with and never had a deep connection with- not a loss!

Besides, whose apartment will you go to visit when your roommate is getting on your last nerve?

All hope is not lost if you have signed a lease with your best friend this year- just know that you will need to put in some effort to set boundaries and ground rules in order to make it a great experience. Here are some ways to have the best of both worlds- friendship AND roommateship (I’ve made up this word) from CHO:

1) Set ground rules and boundaries with each other. Community Housing Office has developed a Roommate Agreement form that is very helpful in creating agreements (regarding bills, cleaning guests, parking, etc.) between roommates (best friends or not) so that there are no surprises or miscommunications later. Discussing and deciding on things ahead of time will create expectations and can help prevent problems later. The Roommate Agreement form is available online in our Rental Survival Guide, as well as in the office.

2) Fight fair. Just because your best friend knows you the best of anyone, he/she may not know that the overflowing trash can is causing an overflow of stress for you. Deal with issues as they arise rather than let them simmer. Just a reminder- giving the silent treatment or arguing through text messages aren’t effective ways to solve an issue. Also, when dealing with issues, do just that- talk about the issues at hand; don’t torture each other with personality attacks.

3) Make time for yourself, each other, and others. Just because you live with your best friend doesn’t mean you don’t need a little time on your own to breathe or give yourself a little personal space. Additionally, as roommates you may not only be lax about talking about the roommate-type things that bother you, but you may also find yourself getting lax about your actual friendship. Take the time to do the things that you used to enjoy doing together before living together to keep the connection alive. Lastly, don’t forget about your other friends or forgo your need to make new friends and dating relationships just because you live with someone whom you are close.

4) Catch yourself before you feel like your roommateship is draining your friendship (or vice versa!). It breaks my heart to see two roommates who have known each other for years allow their friendship to fall apart over who should clean the toilet (okay, slight exaggeration!). Come to CHO for information about our mediation services to help you and your roommate decide what to do next before your friendship is a distant memory.

Community Housing Office (CHO) is located on the 3rd floor of the UCen, above Jamba Juice. We are open M-F, 8-12, 1-5 to help you with all your off-campus housing needs, such as finding housing/roommates in the community, security deposit videotaping service, landlord/tenant law and advising, and mediation/conflict resolution. Our phone number is 805-893-4371, you can email us at ucsbcho@housing.ucsb.edu, or check us out online at www.housing.ucsb.edu.