Fitchburg State University - Saxifrage Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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So you ' re sick of the dorms and want to live in an apartment? For those students who live in the surrounding area of FSC, off-campus housing is an attractive alternative to the prison of the dormitories. The beginning of the fall semester starts off well. Even the people you meet are warm as they are pleased to see your friendly face after the long hot summer. Then as the sun strains to bring life to each shortening day, the harsh reality of winter whistles under the door. Energy bills go up, the thermometer goes down and thoughts of a trouble free, comfortable lifestyle go out the window. You have to cook your meals. You have to pay bills. The watchful eye of the R.A. is replaced by the even more demanding landlord. Instead of skipping across North Street between classes you have to walk an extra mile sometimes to make it back to warmth and security, and often there isn ' t even that to come home to. For five days, the girls of 110 Myrtle Avenue battled out a total lack of power. Their oil burner did not work and they were trapped in a frozen coffin of darkness. They lived on a diet of Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, peanut butter and crackers and milk. We couldn ' t even make a cup of tea to keep us warm, said Margarite, former resident of Aubuchon Hall. Apparently the landlord offered little help. After taking their $600 up front for the semester, which is unlawful, he continued

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■ ■.; ■ I A MBkv li ' .. 2 - ■. ■• •• • I n . • £ : . £ 4f 9j jgjBi L [ H ' Jr ' - A h fk not to heed their frantic cries for help on the phone. He ' s broken our contract more times then he ' ll care to remember, said Margarite, gritting her teeth at the injustice. On the fifth day, there was light and heat. The Starving Icecubes (their chosen nickname) made it through the ordeal alive, and gave thanks to the God of Electricity by settling into normality with a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a nice chat in their heat-filled home. So if you ' re considering moving off campus, maybe you ' ll think again knowing what you now know, the Saga of the Starving Icecubes is but one example of unexpected difficulties and hardships beyond dorm life. It ' s not all a cup of tea and slice of cake. — Graeme Pearson V ' • • ' • , - A . L