Happy Fall Semester, Deacs!

We hope you are well and are settling into your Fall 2024 semester. This newsletter is just one of the ways we will connect with you and share important messages to enhance your experience living off-campus.

We hope you find the information helpful as you begin your journey of living in the broader Winston-Salem community. Please remember to be a good neighbor always!

KEEP IT CLASSY, NOT TRASHY



One of the changes of living off-campus is dealing with your own trash and recycling. Here are a few key reminders related to trash and recycling:

• For most of our off-campus communities, trash pick-up is weekly on Friday and recycling is every other Friday (blue schedule).
• A printable schedule - including holiday adjustments - from the city can be found HERE. 
• Get in the habit of putting out your carts on Thursday night and returning them by Friday evening. 
• The city will not pick up trash unless it is contained appropriately in one of those carts. 
• When you place your cart at the street, make sure the wheels on your cart are facing the home. The front of your container has a metal bar that needs to face the street and be accessed by the garbage truck. If you have more than one container at the street, make sure that they are at least two feet apart for driver access.
• If you have larger items, they need to be disposed of by you or your landlord. 
• Cardboard can be taken directly to the cardboard recycling center on Reynolda Road just outside and to the north of the main WFU entrance. 
• In general, we and your neighbors expect you to keep your property clean of any trash and recycling spillovers.

DON'T GET INTO HOT WATER WHILE HOSTING

• You are responsible for managing your property and the behaviors of guests in ways that prevent harm and follow university policies and city/state laws.
• At all times, you should know who has been invited to and who is in your home. As the tenant, you may be held responsible, and perhaps liable, for the behavior of those on your property.
• Understand that you may be held accountable for what occurs in and near your home, including on “community property.”
• If there is a connection to a student organization related to your property and/or an event, there can be both group and individual accountability pursued via the University's student conduct process.
• The University is informed of problems by neighbors, the Winston-Salem Police, and/or Wake Forest Police.

“Never go to excess, but let moderation be your guide.”

Excess in social behaviors at your property are likely to attract negative attention. 

• Excessive Crowds
• Having too many people at your off-campus property will not only likely lead to the issues below, but it can also present real safety and security concerns. 
• Excessive Noise
• You should always be mindful of the noise created from your property and how it might impact your neighbors. Noise also carries distances in many of our neighborhoods, so please don’t be the reason a family can’t enjoy their Saturday on their patio because of your music. 
• The city has a noise ordinance in effect between 11 pm and 7 am, and violations can result in citations. These violations are also subject to Student Conduct proceedings. This noise ordinance does not mean that loud noise and music will be tolerated by your neighbors at other times. Stay aware of your noise level at all times of the day and night.
• Excess in Appearance
• When you have too many people and too much noise, you’re also likely to have too much trash, too many cars, etc. 
• Vehicles may not park in yards and may not block streets. 
• As noted above, trash that is not in a waste cart will NOT be picked up and is the responsibility of the residents to address. 
• Excessive Behavior
• Simply put - don’t take things too far!
• Don't allow underage individuals to drink.
• Don't allow anyone to drink in excess. 
• Don't litter or leave trash lying around
• Don't urinate or otherwise expose yourself in public
• Don't get on roofs (these aren’t balconies)

PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY

WakeSafe

If you have not yet downloaded the WakeSafe mobile app, please take a minute to do it! As an off-campus student, it’s an important way to keep up with activity on and off campus. With Wake Safe, you can use your cell phone as a personal security device that allows direct access to police, 911 emergency services, emergency, location sharing, social escape, and a peer-to-peer Friend Walk tool. Wake Alert emergency and safety messages are also shared on Wake Safe. Be sure to activate notifications. 

See Something, Say Something

The University Police Department encourages students, faculty and staff to promptly report suspicious activity they may observe on and off campus. The University Police Department can be reached at 336-758-5911 (emergency) or 336-758-5591 (non-emergency), through the Wake Safe Mobile App or online. The University Police Department is located in Alumni Hall. With immediate concerns, all are encouraged to call the emergency number.

Home Security

Along the lines of safety and locked doors, be sure to keep all windows and exit doors closed and locked when you are away from your home. That small step will prevent unwanted guests in your home while you're away.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

We're closing with a letter to you from a former WFU faculty member and longtime Oak Crest neighborhood resident:

Dear Students,

Welcome to the new academic year and welcome to the neighborhood. I appreciate that WFU Residence Life and Housing has provided the opportunity for me to share some thoughts with you. In choosing to live off campus and in proximity to the Wake Forest campus, you have the opportunity to enjoy quiet streets, beautiful trees, nice neighbors, and truly adult living.

Did you know that Oak Crest -- comprising the streets just to the north and south of Polo Road between campus and Reynolda Road -- celebrates its 100th year this year? Oak Crest is a National Historic Registry of Places neighborhood. Some of the residents of these streets actually have lived here since before the new Wake Forest campus was constructed in the 1950s!

A good many of us full-time residents have lived on our streets for thirty to forty years or more.

What can you do as a person and as a household to enjoy Oak Crest and also to be a responsible neighbor? Follow the expectations laid out in your off-campus orientation.

Your neighbors enjoy the vitality that students have brought to our neighborhood. In addition to providing the convenience of walking to classes, the neighborhood is a great place to recreate outside. Just be careful when biking or walking the streets (and walking pets on the streets) to be aware of cars. (In your own driving, note that the side street speed limit is 25 MPH. There have been injury accidents on our streets when people have driven too fast and too carelessly.)

Finally, some of you may have seen yard signs in the area urging "no new student housing in Oak Crest." Neighbors in our area enjoy the presence of students and respect your rights (and those of your landlord) to be here. Our concern has been focused on new housing developments that would not be in keeping with residential life in a National Historic Registry area.

A vast majority of neighbors in Oak Crest both like living here and are happy with, or at least understanding of, your presence here as well. We just want young adults (and all residents, owners, and renters) to understand the responsibilities of neighborhood living.

If you have issues with your landlord, questions about property maintenance, or want to learn more about Historic Oak Crest and the Oak Crest Neighborhood Association, please let us know. Write to me with any questions and I might answer at phillito@wfu.edu. Enjoy a happy, safe, successful year. Go Deacs!

Sincerely,

Tom Phillips

President, Historic Oak Crest

(retired Assoc. Dean of the College and teacher, WFU)

What can we do for you?



We're here to help. If you have a question, we can find the answer. All you have to do is ask! We want you to be happy and successful as a Wake Forest student and a Winston-Salem community member. Feel free to send me an email at mutodw@wfu.edu. As your off-campus coordinator, I'd love to hear from you!

All the Best,

Dana Muto

Off-Campus Coordinator

Partners in our students’ journey to create a home at Wake Forest University.