Students gathered in the Reitz Colonnade on Tuesday to pick up free prizes, free food and information about off-campus student living.
Student Government sponsored the off-campus housing fair, which featured representatives from 59 local apartments, businesses and townhouses, hoping to lure students who were searching for housing.
“The turnout is about equal [to previous fairs],” said Lauren Ettlinger, a member of SG. “It really picks up around lunchtime when people come out for the free pizza.”
The fair, which takes place once during both the spring and fall semesters, began at 10 a.m. and went until about 1 p.m. Students received free Papa John’s pizza and drinks while vendors gave out free shirts, bags, candy, cup holders, water bottles and more.
The table for University Housing Apartments had students play a beer-pong reminiscent game, minus the beer, with each cup worth a specific prize.
One student won an iPod nano.
At The Estates, Royal Village and University Club Apartments table, students tossed a football to win either a t-shirt or backpack. Vendors also offered students special deals for deciding to sign an early lease or visit the apartment complexes.
“There’s a lot of options here but they don’t really say enough for you to make a decision,” said freshman An Ho. “But the free stuff is really good.”
While the majority of booths were targeting those looking for off-campus housing, representatives for the UF Department of Housing were also on hand to provide students with options about on-campus living.
“You can’t get any closer to campus life than living right here,” said Dawn Sayer, a member of the Residence Life staff.
