Anne Peltier/THE POST Junior Tracie Citron wrestles senior Ryan Duval in the living room of the Acme Co-op, 23 Elliott St. The two Co-op members were goofing off Sunday.

Every Thursday, Ohio University junior Tracie Citron and her six housemates are reminded about their different off-campus housing option when they all sit down to a potluck dinner.

Citron, who now lives in the Acme Co--op, 23 Elliott St., said the house is more like a community than traditional off-campus properties.

The residents of the only cooperative housing unit in Athens do not have a landlord. Instead, residents of the house, which is part of the National Association of Student Cooperative, become part-owners when they pay their "rent."

"We pay a monthly fee called rent, but we're really paying off the mortgage," she said.

Along with dinner every Thursday, house members split the responsibilities of maintaining their property by completing certain chores and repairs.

Students interested in living in the co-op can fill out an application - one room currently is open.

"There's a lot of interest in the house," she said. "We're looking to buy more property in Athens, but it's really hard with the parking codes."

Upperclassmen who do not want to hassle with moving off-campus also have some on-campus options.

Undergraduate and graduate students at least 21 years old can choose to live in Brough House on New South. This hall is reserved for older students and includes a kitchen and computer lab.

Dale Tampke, OU director of housing, said there are advantages to not moving off-campus.

"Some folks don't want to fool around with parking and taking care of a large space," he said.

Another positive aspect of living in the hall is being close to academic resources and classes.

Hoover House, also on New South, is designated primarily for students enrolled in the Honors Tutorial College.

Hoover gives HTC students a chance to get together, meet and organize events, Tampke said.

Sophomore Abigail Zechman chose to live in Hoover both years she has been on campus.

"My freshman year I put Hoover as my first choice because I was rooming with someone who was in the Honors Tutorial College," she said. "I'm living here again because I liked it."

Students living in Johnson Hall, the substance-free residence hall on East Green, also said they liked it enough to return next year. This is the first year for substance-free living on campus.

"I'm not much of a partier, and it's alcohol-free," said freshman Kathy Sedlak. "It's a lot quieter and people are more respectful."

The concept of a substance-free dorm was so popular that residence life had to establish an annex in Biddle Hall to help meet the demand, Tampke said.

"I just wanted to be with other people who have decided to maintain a substance-free lifestyle," freshman Bill Kirby said. "I think our dorm has a lot closer relationship. We hang out together more."