Palisades addressing off-campus issues

The Palisades will now have stiff completion now that the University is offering on-campus apartment style living beginning in the spring 2008 semester.
The Palisades, located on 7801 Scenic Hwy., is a student dominated housing complex which provides a residential community for students, faculty, staff and affiliates of Southern University, according to The Palisades community policies handout.
The on-campus apartments, which cost $24 million to construct the 196 units have the same amenities as the Palisades, with full kitchens, and it is fully furnished. Also, by living on campus, students do not have a potential power bill (stipend) if they go over the allotted usage like at the Palisades. The cost is a per semester rate instead of a monthly rate like the Palisades.
The Palisades and the new on-campus apartments both offer three different units available to future residents. There are one-bedroom, two-bedroom and four-bedroom units available.
At the Palisades, a one bedroom unit costs an occupant $740 a month, two bedroom units cost each occupant $570 a month, and four bedroom units cost each occupant $470 a month.
Included in the Palisades’ monthly payment is a fully furnished unit, complete with a washer and dryer, payments (not to exceed the stipend) of basic utilities and cable television, the use of the pool and spa area and access to the fitness room.
“The Palisades is convenient because it is close to school. It is co-ed and a nice living environment,” said Brian Cain, a fine arts major from New Orleans. Brian has been a resident of The Palisades since August of this year.
“The criminal element is everywhere you go,” Cain added about the environment at the Palisades.
“It shouldn’t cost $470 plus per person in a four bedroom; the cost is too high. If the area were more developed economically, it would be supported by the university,” Cain mentioned while speaking of the lack of entertainment and restaurants in the area.
Cain was not completely satisfied with the services provided saying that the service is not bad; it just could be ran smoother. The management treats people good, but it could be run better.
Allen Briggs, a business management Major from Kentwood had been a resident of The Palisades since July 2007. Allen believes that “The Palisades is a nice place to live, its already furnished, with a washer and dryer” and that “it is close to campus.”
Allen added that “more parking should be available,” and that “college is already expensive, the rent should be lowered.”
Allen also was not completely satisfied with the surrounding Palisades environment saying “every store you go to, there is somebody begging outside the property. Allen added “students want to eat healthy, we are tired of jack in the crack (Jack in the Box) and McDonalds.”
The Director of The Palisades since August 2007 has been Andrea Jenkins.
Jenkins stated that she “came to Southern to make a change. “It was a shock to me the stereotype placed on Southern,” she added.
“The main purpose is to change the stereotype placed on The Palisades, and help the students,” Jenkins said while expressing her reasons for becoming the director.
“The trash in the community is absolutely horrible,” Jenkins explained. “Holding everybody accountable is my biggest thing. Also loud music, we have to consider everybody. There are students who are really driven to improve their education that are taking time out to study.”
In the future, security at the Palisades will be addressed as well.
“I am placing more police officers on the property. I have been working on the gates tremendously. I am going to make one (gate) and entrance and one an exit,” Jenkins added.
“I can’t tell you where I see it (The Palisades) in the future, only where I want it to be. I want it to have such a repore that it will be a word of mouth type thing. I want it to be known for the social and educational programs (at least five per month). I want it to be known for the safety that we provide. I have an open door policy, we are here for the students and their education,” Jenkins stated. “I want students to understand that The Palisades issues didn’t happen overnight, so they won’t be fixed overnight.”
“They (the Palisades management) didn’t have structure before; the things they (the residents) were doing were not ok. There are fines that need to be paid and I am implementing them all.”