Student Housing
The Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network partners with health profession educational programs to provide support for students completing community-based clinical training rotations away from their home campus. This support includes free-of-charge housing in most Georgia AHEC regions (housing is not provided in SPCC-Atlanta AHEC region). It is important for all students to understand that AHEC housing is a privilege and not a right. Students are expected to follow all housing rules and regulations, and noncompliance may result in expulsion. Housing accommodations and availability vary by AHEC region. The AHEC housing rules described below are intended to address most, but not all infractions and may be amended to address future issues associated with not respecting AHEC housing and fellow students.
Requirements for Reserving AHEC Housing:
- Students should not rely on their school/program to reserve AHEC housing. Students are responsible for requesting, reserving, and confirming AHEC housing for each off-campus rotation. AHEC housing is not guaranteed, but is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Housing cancellations must be submitted by the student at least 30 days prior to the scheduled rotation date. Students who do not cancel their housing reservations at least 30 days prior to the rotation start date will be charged a $200 late cancellation fee and will risk forfeiture of any future use of Georgia AHEC housing. All fees assessed are reported to the student’s school/program.
- If housing is no longer needed due to a rotation cancellation or other circumstances, housing reservations must be canceled immediately by the student and confirmed by AHEC staff. If a student’s scheduled rotation is changed by their school/program after the cancellation deadline, the late cancellation fee may be waived.
Rules for AHEC Housing:
- ROOMMATE: AHEC housing is provided to advanced health profession students from across Georgia. Most AHEC housing locations are co-ed and students should expect to have a roommate of the same gender. Roommate requests are not accepted.
- ROOM ASSIGNMENT: All room assignments are based on students’ rotation dates provided by students and their clinical coordinators. Students are assigned to a specific room and are not permitted to move rooms under any circumstances, without permission from the regional AHEC.
- FURNITURE/FURNISHINGS: Students should not rearrange the furniture or hang anything on the walls, while in AHEC housing. Fees will be charged to all residents in the AHEC housing unit for removal, damage or tampering with any furnishings, appliances, housewares, and other contents of the AHEC housing unit.
- PETS: No pets are allowed in AHEC housing. Feral animals around AHEC housing should not be fed or brought into the AHEC housing as they can cause flea or pest infestations.
- KEYS: Housing keys are not to be duplicated. Passcodes should never be shared. AHEC housing should be locked and always secured. Failure to return the master key to the lockbox will result in a fine (time and mileage for AHEC staff), if a new arrival is locked out of an apartment and this results in an AHEC staff member being dispatched to let them in.
- FOOD: All food must be closed and sealed. Label all food in refrigerators and common areas. Failure to do so may result in the cleaning service discarding unlabeled or left out/open food.
- CLEANING:
a) All AHEC housing units are professionally cleaned on a regular basis, and scheduled cleaning will likely occur while students are staying in housing. Students are notified in advance of scheduled cleaning appointments. Students should never cancel or ask the cleaning service to come back at another time. Dishes should be removed from the sink area, dishwasher loaded, and personal items put away in bedrooms and common areas of the housing for cleaning services. b) Each resident is responsible for cleaning their dishes and the common areas. All residents are responsible for regular trash removal. Fines are assessed to all residents at the time of infraction. - TRASH: Take out trash as soon as possible. Do not allow trash to pile up or overflow, as it can attract bugs and rodents. Follow AHEC housing guidelines regarding where trash should be taken and/or the schedule and procedures for valet trash services. Fees will be charged to all residents of a housing unit if trash is not taken out or left behind after check-out. Check the information posted in the housing unit for specific details and information.
- PEST CONTROL: Pest control is completed on a routine basis in all AHEC housing units. Students should never cancel or ask the pest control service to come back at another time. If additional pest control services are required as a result of students not following the FOOD, CLEANING, PET and/or TRASH rules, the associated expenses may be assessed to all residents of a housing unit at the time of the infraction.
- MAINTENANCE: Students must report any issues with appliances, HVAC systems, utilities, water leaks, broken items or anything in need of replacement and/or repair to the regional AHEC Student Housing and Support Coordinator (information provided housing check-in email and posted in in the housing). Notify the AHEC of any notices that are left at the AHEC housing site on the door, etc. Do not report housing issues to the school or preceptor before addressing them with the regional AHEC.
- PERMISSIONS: AHEC staff, or an approved housing representative has the right to enter AHEC housing at any time without notice, for inspection, maintenance, repairs, inventory and/or cleaning.
- OVERNIGHT GUESTS: Under no circumstances are overnight guests permitted in AHEC housing.
- SMOKING/VAPING: All AHEC housing is “smoke-free” and “drug-free”. Absolutely no smoking, vaping or illegal drugs are allowed at any time.
- INTERNET: Improper use of the internet (for example, illegal downloading of movies, etc.) in AHEC housing is not allowed. Passwords and security questions should never be changed for the provided internet service.
- FIREARMS: No firearms (or other lethal weapons) are permitted in AHEC housing.
- PROFESSIONALISM: Students are expected to be considerate of roommates and neighbors of AHEC housing. Students are expected to act responsibly and exhibit professional behavior.
- CHECKOUT: Upon departure of AHEC housing, all food, drinks, and disposable items should be removed from cabinets, refrigerator, bathroom, bedroom, and common areas. All AHEC housewares that are used must be left clean and in good condition. All trash should be removed from the housing. Check-out rules and responsibilities vary by site, so see details posted in the AHEC housing and provided in email correspondence from AHEC staff.
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If you are a STUDENT, please click on the links below to learn more about the AHEC housing available in northwest Georgia. If you need help in determining which town is closest to your clinical training, please contact us at housing@blueridgeahec.org
If you are a PRECEPTOR or community member and want to know more about providing student housing, please contact us. We are always looking for additional student housing.
Stephen Reeves
Student Housing & Support Coordinator
Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Office: (706) 235-0776 ext. 205
housing@blueridgeahec.org
Important! To reserve a room:
To reserve a room with Blue Ridge AHEC, you must be a student in good standing with your school and be scheduled for a school-approved clinical rotation assignment. Please complete the forms below and email them to housing@blueridgeahec.org . You may complete and submit the Statewide AHEC Student Support Form online, or you may download the form, complete and email to housing@blueridgeahec.org .