The uncertainty of classes resuming in person in Fall 2020 has USC students expressing concerns over off-campus housing contracts. California is currently at stage one of reopening, and schools are not allowed to resume in-person classes until it reaches stage two.
Students who have signed or are considering signing their leases for the upcoming academic year are beginning to reconsider their options if the school does not resume in-person classes.
“It’s a little nerve wracking considering we are most likely not going to be able to get out of the lease and how strict these companies are,” said Chadd Alciati, a sophomore studying cinema and media studies.
Alciati said he has already signed his lease with SC Student Housing. He said he plans to go back to LA even if classes are online. Whether or not he stays with his current lease depends on his roommates.
“Personally, I really want to go back, so I will go no matter what, but let’s say my roommates are considering not living there anymore, then they probably would want to wait until USC makes a decision [about fall classes],” Alciati said.
Evan Ostrowski, a sophomore majoring in business administration and accounting, said he will be coming to LA regardless.
“My roommate says he will most likely be living in the apartment, too,” Ostrowski, who signed his lease with Element apartments, said. “I know people are still talking about wanting to go back to their university towns or somewhere else to do something to live on their own for a little bit if their colleges are online.”
Stephanie Lund, a sophomore business administration and accounting major, said her original plans have changed due to the uncertainty regarding the fall semester. She originally had a verbal commitment to sublease at the Shrine Apartments from a friend who was studying abroad, but her friend is no longer going on her trip.
“It’s kind of hard to be thrown into a situation where you suddenly have a roommate that I don’t know very well and it’s kind of like freshman year all over again,” Lund said.
If classes are online in the fall, Lund doesn’t plan on attending the university for the semester. She hasn’t officially signed her lease yet, since she’s unsure what her plans will be.
Lund said the situation regarding housing is complicated, as students need to have the flexibility to make decisions based on the university, while apartment owners also need to earn money to sustain their business.
For other students, trying to find a subleaser to take over their contracts in the event that students cannot return to campus will be their first step if USC announces an extension of online-classes.
“I already know the chances are going to be really slim, but I will try anyways” said Nicole Srisutham, a sophomore cognitive science major who signed a lease with 37th Place.
Srisutham has already signed a lease with First Choice Housing on 37th Street, but is not satisfied.
“It's such a waste of money,” she said” “It makes me feel so uneasy because there is no way of knowing what will truly happen in the fall. It’s a full year lease and I can’t even get out of it.”
Another option for students if the school continues online for Fall 2020 is to terminate their leases. Ryan Cantrell, a sophomore environmental studies major who signed a lease in Icon Plaza, said he does not see a possibility in receiving a refund.
“Signing a lease without knowing what the future is going to be is kind of scary because we don’t know whether or not you are going to use the money on the apartment or whether or not we will be able to go back to school,” Cantrell said.
Students planning to live in greek housing are also experiencing complications. Jordan Evans, a sophomore narrative studies major, said social distancing is not an option for 40-50 girls living in a sorority house.
“There is no real backup for that,” Evans said. “We all signed up to [live in the house] and it’s difficult to navigate because we have a housing board populated by adults who really deal with that.”
Dacia Nunes, one of the chapter advisors for Delta Delta Delta, said nothing has changed yet regarding living in the sorority house.
“We’ll have to wait to see if anything happens at university level, then we’ll follow accordingly,” Dacia said.
Depending on the housing company, the lease may have specific restrictions regarding lease termination. Residents of University Gateway, for example, can not terminate their lease early, according to their lease agreement.
“Resident acknowledges there is no right to early termination of the Lease Contract and Resident will not be released from this lease contract for any reason, including, but not limited to, voluntary or involuntary school withdrawal or transfer, job transfer, marriage, separation, divorce, reconciliation, loss of Permitted occupants, loss of employment, bad health, or property purchase,” the contract reads.
A spokesperson for the Lorenzo, who declined to give their name, said any decisions regarding leases and refunds will be based on the decision the university makes regarding fall classes.
“Once we hear back from USC, we’re going to make adjustments, but we haven’t crossed that bridge yet,” the spokesperson said.