London Pre-Arranged Housing Plan

Syracuse University Abroad (SU Abroad) is happy to once again offer a pre-arranged housing option for students participating in the London program. The majority of the flats are for five people. There are a limited number of spaces available in the pre-arranged building. If there is more demand than space, we will have a lottery to assign spots. In previous semesters, we have been able to accommodate most students interested in pre-arranged housing. Students not interested in pre-arranged housing will find their own apartments in London with a briefing, listings, and guidance and support from the London staff.

Pre-Arranged Housing Documents

Prearranged Housing Packet

Benefits

Our pre-arranged housing is located in the heart of the University district, the Bloomsbury neighborhood of London, near the Russell Square tube station and a within a five minute walk to Faraday House. While the cost of these flats is higher than the amount contained in the program fee (there is a $1295 surcharge), the two main advantages to students are that they will not have to look for housing upon their arrival in London, and this is a ready-made solution for students preferring dorm-type living arrangements.

Availability

SU Abroad has negotiated an agreement with a London-based company, Acorn Management Group, to provide this housing. The agreement provides for the availability of 30 - 50 spaces in the fall and 50 - 70 spaces in the spring for our students (SU and non-SU).

Student Liaisons

Two of the spaces are reserved for student liaisons. The liaisons serve as important links in the communication network between fellow residents and the London Program staff. The liaisons are selected based on past resident advisor or camp-counselor experience, maturity and the ability to handle responsibility. In exchange for this position, Syracuse University waives the additional $1295 housing fee. If you are interested in applying to be a liaison, please mark the box on the housing preference form, complete the liaison application and send it to or drop it off at 106 Walnut Place, or e-mail it to Gail Rich at gnrich@syr.edu. Please include a resume.

Living Arrangements

The flats are not all the same, but the room size is British, and smaller than American student housing might be. Bedrooms have between 2 and 3 occupants. Each apartment is furnished, including 2 sets of bed linens and 3 towels per student, and a television in each apartment lounge. There will be 1 or 2 bathrooms (depending on the size of the flat), and a kitchen equipped to British standards. Students will be assigned to flats based on information provided on the Housing Preference Form.

Click here for photos of a typical pre-arranged flat.

Each flat will be equipped with one telephone line for incoming and outgoing phone calls. Students will not be able to charge outgoing phone calls to the phone in the apartment. For that purpose, students will need to use a long-distance calling card.

There are laundry facilities in the building available to the students at no additional charge.

Utilities (i.e. gas, electricity and water) are included as part of the rent.

Cleaning/Maintenance

Acorn Management Group will provide weekly cleaning of the apartment, emptying of trash and vacuuming. Students are responsible to wash linens and towels. Please note that some individuals may be allergic to cleaning solutions or to pest control sprays used in the flats.

Maintenance for the apartments will be provided (including but not limited to plumbing, heating, appliances and fixtures) and there will be a 24-hour housing emergency contact.

Rules/Regulations

Smoking within the flats is not permitted, and overnight guests are not permitted due to fire regulations.

Please consult the Rules document for additional information.

Security/Insurance

A patrolling guard will be on site at Bedford Place Monday through Friday from 5:30pm to 8:30am and Saturdays and Sundays for 24 hours. The guard will patrol inner public spaces and the exterior of the building.

Please note that neither Syracuse University nor Acorn Management Group carries insurance on students’ personal items. We strongly urge all students to obtain the appropriate insurance coverage for personal items that may be lost due to theft or damage while abroad.

Fees

Beyond the normal tuition and program fee, students selecting the pre-arranged housing option must pay an additional $1295 fee. In addition, students will also be required to pay a $600 security deposit. This security deposit will be held to ensure against damage to the apartment and/or unpaid telephone bills. The deposit will be returned only after the apartments are cleared and deemed undamaged by Acorn Management Group. This may take four to six weeks or more from the end of the semester. Note: Students finding their own housing also have to pay a security deposit, typically equal to one month's rent.

To Apply

The Pre-Arranged Housing Preference form and Housing Accommodation Agreement form will be mailed to all pending and accepted students and their parents. Receipt of these materials does not mean the student is accepted into the program. However, to be considered for the pre-arranged housing, all interested, accepted and pending students must submit the forms and deposit check by the due date (mid April for the fall and the beginning of November for the spring).

Interested students must:

Complete and return a Pre-Arranged Housing Preference Application form.
Provide a check made payable to Syracuse University in the amount of $600, to cover the security deposit. The $1295 housing supplement will be added to your bill.
Complete and return a Housing Accommodation Agreement form, which must be signed by the student and each parent or legal guardian. We will accept faxed copies of the page with the parent/guardian signature. Fax to the attention of Gail at 315-443-4593.

Students will be assigned to a bedroom and flat based on information provided on the Pre-Arranged Housing Preference form.

As part of the application process, be sure to include names of students with whom you would like to share a flat if you know others going on the program. All students involved must list all of the same names in order to be eligible for being housed together.

Students filing an application after the due date will be considered on a space available basis. Contact Gail Rich to check on availability.

Placement Lottery

If more students apply than can be accommodated in pre-arranged housing, assignments will be made through a lottery drawing for all students who have filed the necessary papers by the due date. The lottery will be held the week after the due date

We will confirm by email who was selected for the pre-arranged housing and what the flat assignments are in one to two weeks after the due date. If we are unable to provide housing due to lack of space, the security deposit check will be returned.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Gail Rich at SU Abroad: 1-800-235-3472 or 315-443-3471.