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 Plan ahead for moving day By Trey Reckling Spring is here. Along with the blossoms and beach-friendly weather comes a full schedule for many Savannah College of Art and Design students as they wrap up the academic year and make plans to depart for their summer destinations. There are only a few weeks of spring quarter left, and students should plan their departure or relocation to make things run smoothly. Moving vans, trucks, trailers and storage units go quickly. Students who haven’t already reserved these should do so as soon as possible. Residential students should fill out change-of-address cards and hand them in to the office at their residence hall. This can be done now to avoid the backlog of address changes that builds up during the last week of the quarter. First-class mail is forwarded during the first two weeks of summer. Eleanor McNeal in the Turner Express Office encourages students still awaiting special letters or packages when it is time to move to see her so she can give this mail special attention. Students receiving other mail, such as magazine subscriptions, should contact the associated companies to change mailing addresses. Off-campus students with an existing lease should make arrangements to pay utility companies and other local entities if they are planning to be away for the summer. Students should also check their lease agreements before planning to have a friend sublet their apartment for the summer. This is a violation of many agreements. A midsummer call from a landlord about this type of violation is sure to unsettle peace of mind. In addition, students should be aware that they are no longer allowed to leave cars parked in SCAD lots for the duration of the break. Students may contact the office of transportation and parking services at (912) 525-8015 with any questions. Bicycles left attached to bike racks at the end of spring quarter are considered abandoned property and donated to local charities. Students should also start collecting boxes. Many local grocery and beverage stores make empty boxes available for students. The amazing thing about moving is finding out how possessions have multiplied. Packing takes longer than expected, especially for those who end up looking through old photos or re-reading cards received throughout the year. Getting a start by packing winter clothes and other unused items will help facilitate the process. Students moving out of residence halls or apartments should do a walk-through with a representative of the residence life staff or the landlord. This helps the students know what, if any, additional charges for damages are being made. Unfortunately, pets are sometimes the big losers when it comes time to move. Many students adopt a dog or cat during the year without the foresight to consider that a pet can require a 10-15 year commitment. College towns throughout the country see a surge in homeless animals at the end of the academic year. Some students simply abandon their pets when they move. Although people can feel guilty about putting their animals up for adoption, these pets are the luckier ones, avoiding the hunger, mistreatment and accidents that often befall homeless dogs and cats. Students who have animals they would like to put up for adoption should contact the Savannah chapter of Save-A-Life at www.savealifepets.org. The program finds homes for eligible pets and does not practice euthanasia. Although this is a busy time of year, students can reduce stress by thinking ahead and not waiting until the last minute to take care of necessary details. Regardless of the situation, one fact seems to hold true when it comes to moving: It always takes longer than planned. Reckling is the college’s ombudsman. |
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