Ross university housing

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Ross UniversityBahamas Housing Office Public Meeting September 29, 2008 1

About Ross University : 

About Ross University Founded 1978, acquired by DeVry in 2004 Graduate Health Sciences division of DeVry, Inc. Offers training for medical doctors and veterinary doctors Current enrollment of about 5,000 students Campuses in Dominica, St Kitts, Miami, and Freeport Chartered and licensed to operate a health sciences university in Grand Bahama 2

Ross Grand Bahama : 

Ross Grand Bahama First phase development oriented to medical students. Campus will open in temporary quarters in Seahorse Plaza. Approx. 33,000 square feet. Initial enrollment about 250 students. Will grow to over 500 with 12-18 months. Long term growth plans for over 2,000 students First students begin classes in January 2009, additional students arrive in May 2009 and September 2009 Most student will stay 8 months. Part of initial group will stay only 4 months. After Freeport students go to Miami for 1 semester and US teaching hospitals for two years. 3

About Ross students : 

About Ross students More mature students. Already completed 4 years of undergraduate college and 2 semesters of medical school before arriving Highly motivated. Intense program of study. Students study 7 days a week Campus will operate from 6 am until midnight every day Ninety percent from United States and Canada Some married with families Must pass all classes to remain enrolled Average student borrows $50,000 a year to attend school Must comply with student Professional Conduct Honor Code to stay enrolled 4

Ross Philosophy on Housing : 

Ross Philosophy on Housing Ross University usually only provides a small number of housing units that it owns. Eventually we plan to build housing for about30% of our students in Freeport Ross does not rent housing to lease to students nor guarantee that housing will be rented We work with landlords and with our faculty staff and students to create a fair, reliable, and convenient way for them to make good choices of where to stay and who to rent to. We do this by providing a Housing Referral and Support office Participation is voluntary to both landlords and students/faculty/staff Over 90% of Ross students use our service to locate housing 5

Ross Housing Referral Service : 

Ross Housing Referral Service Requires legally binding commitment on the part of students and the landlords in order to use service Students must sign and abide by Housing Code of Conduct Landlords must do each of the following: Provide housing that is safe, meets basic standards, and in rentable condition Use standardized rental agreement Rent only to Ross students/staff through the referral service. No “outside” rentals allowed if using the referral service Agree to limit rent increases to future students to reasonable amount related to increased costs Work with Housing Office to resolve disputes Pay nominal administrative and listing fee 6

How the process works : 

How the process works Landlord makes application to Ross Housing Office Basic information gathered over the telephone On-site inspection and verification of condition, amenities, etc. If unit meets Ross standards information is posted to referral site once paperwork is completed Students/staff search website, may contact landlord for information Landlord may require application, credit information, prior references If agreement is reached Housing Office will forward lease documents to students and collect initial deposit for landlord. If necessary University will convert student dollars to Bahamian currency Housing Office will keep copy of lease document and deposit information 7

Dispute resolution : 

Dispute resolution Primary emphasis on landlord using mediation or arbitration process. Housing Office will investigate complaints and assist with dispute resolution where possible Students who violate lease terms or Tenant Code of Conduct are subject to Professional Honor Code violation review and possible expulsion Landlords who violate terms of lease or other Ross requirements will be removed from referral site and students will be provided a list of “Not Recommended” landlords 8

Next steps : 

Next steps Contact Ross Housing Office if you have not already. Review Housing Inspection Worksheet to determine if any improvements are necessary Schedule your Housing Inspection visit Housing website will “go live” approximately October 20 9

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