Miami Student

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Campus

Heritage Commons, located on Chestnut Street, has received mixed reviews after its 2005 completion.

Miami University's on-campus apartment complex, Heritage Commons, has seen its share of ups and downs during its two-year history.

In the fall of 2005, a delay in construction forced students who arrived on campus earlier than Aug. 18 to temporarily live in Anderson Hall before moving into
the complex.

And now some residents are now complaining about the quality of amenities and overall state of the apartments.

Senior Devika Malhorta explained how her air conditioning is typically 10 degrees off the current temperature, that her walls are crooked in the apartment and the university provided couches are uncomfortable.

"Everything is cheap - it may look nice but it is all cheap," Malhorta said.

In regards to signing to live in Heritage Commons for a second year, Malhorta regrets
her decision.

"I wish I had moved to College Suites," she said.

Junior Erica Mayfield and her roommates have also experienced some problems in their Heritage Commons apartment.

"We've noticed that the walls are really thin and we can hear everything that our neighbors are saying," Mayfield said.

She also explained an incident that occurred in her apartment last year while her current roommates were living in the complex, in which a fire extinguisher was leaking and sent water trickling down the walls, pooling on the floor.

It was a huge inconvenience, she said, but added that the university has been generally receptive with responding to complaints.

"(The university does) their best to stay on top of everything they can," Mayfield said.

Due to the construction delay, one junior explained that the quality of the apartments has suffered.

"At first, the stove didn't work and we had no counter space with our microwave," said Ryan Meyer, a junior who resides in the
apartment complex.

Although Meyer experienced problems with his apartment, he said he did not regret living at Heritage Commons.

"I (feel it was worth it) because I cook every day," he said. "It's worth it for that."

Another reason Meyer said he continues to live there is that Heritage Commons provides many of the same amenities as other apartment complexes in Oxford, but has a location with an inherent edge over its competition.

Continued...

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