By: Patrick Preudhomme, with Matt Bertram
Hi everyone—and welcome to Carolina!
I’m Patrick Preudhomme, and I serve as the Program Director for Off-Campus Student Life here at UNC-Chapel Hill. While you’ll be starting your journey on campus as part of the first-year live-on requirement (which we strongly believe is a valuable part of the Tar Heel experience), I want to talk with you today about what comes next—because sooner or later, many students consider the move off campus.
That’s where my office comes in.
We’re your go-to resource for everything off-campus living. Whether it’s your second year or later, and whether you're simply curious or actively planning, we’re here to guide and support you through that transition. We want it to be smooth, empowering, and informed—not stressful or rushed.
What We Do
Throughout the fall semester, you’ll start seeing us around—maybe in your residence hall or at campus tabling events—offering workshops and guidance to help you understand what off-campus life really entails. We work closely with local apartment properties and housing communities to give you insight into your options, including what amenities are offered, how pricing works, and what’s realistic for your budget.
We also partner with amazing resources like Carolina Student Legal Services, who can help review your lease before you sign it, so you don’t get caught off guard by something in the fine print. And of course, we collaborate with Carolina Housing to ensure you’re fully aware of all your on-campus options as well.
Our job isn’t to tell you where to live—it’s to give you the tools and knowledge you need to make the decision that’s right for you.
The Transition Off Campus
Leaving campus doesn’t mean leaving Carolina. You’ll still be part of our vibrant university community—you’ll go to classes, attend games, and participate in all the events and traditions that make this place special. But you’ll also have the opportunity to engage with the town of Chapel Hill, Franklin Street, and downtown Carrboro in a new way. It’s a different kind of experience, and we want to make sure it’s a great one.
For many students, moving off campus is their first time navigating things like roommate agreements, utility bills, landlord relationships, and cleaning schedules. That can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.
Our office provides ongoing support and guidance on all of these topics. We’re just an email or visit away, and we’re always ready to help however we can.
Real Talk: What You Should Know
We also help you plan ahead and avoid common pitfalls. For example, did you know Chapel Hill has something called the “four-person rule”? It means no more than four unrelated individuals can live in the same house unless it’s a specialty property. That’s an important detail that could impact your lease—so we make sure you know things like that upfront.
We also produce an annual Off-Campus Living Guide, maintain roommate finder tools, and share apartment comparison resources to help you make smart, informed choices.
One of my favorite parts of this role is connecting directly with students—hearing what you're excited about and helping you find housing that aligns with your goals. Whether it’s living with friends, finding a pet-friendly space, or balancing budget and amenities, we want to support what matters most to you.
Stay Connected
You might be surprised by how connected you’ll still feel once you leave the residence halls. We send out a newsletter called the Tar Heel Citizen to keep you in the loop on everything happening on and off campus. And if you're ever unsure about anything—from what utilities are included in your rent to how to talk with a roommate—we’re here.
Even though you won’t have an RA or community director anymore, you’re not alone. My office fills in some of those gaps, helping you take this big step with confidence—and preparing you for life after college, too.
Final Thoughts
The biggest piece of advice I can give you? Don’t rush into anything. The students who feel the most pressure and stress are usually the ones who felt forced into making a decision before they were ready. You’ll hear pitches from landlords, see ads, and field questions from your friends—but you’ve got time. We’ll help you navigate all of it.
So whenever you’re ready, come see us. Visit our office in the Student Union, explore our website, or just shoot us an email. We’ll even have coffee waiting.
Again, welcome to Carolina—and remember, when the time comes to move off campus, you’ve got a whole team here to help.
—Patrick