While many Slippery Rock University students are studying online at their parents' houses as the coronavirus pandemic drags on, they must also continue to pay rent on their off-campus apartments.

The virus and its accompanying business shutdown and stay-at-home orders occurred while SRU students enjoyed their spring break.

Soon after, the university announced online instruction would continue until the end of the semester in May, which is the end of the regular school year. Many students never even returned to their off-campus apartments in Slippery Rock because students are not permitted to be on campus.

But at least some of the privately owned student apartment complexes dotting the borough are continuing to charge their young tenants rent each month through the end of their lease.

Allyson Porter, a 2018 Knoch High School graduate, moved into The Grove Apartments at Slippery Rock complex in January. Her lease expires in July.

Porter did not return to her apartment after online classes were announced, and is staying and studying at her parents' home in Jefferson Township.

Porter said she received an email from the Grove after the coronavirus hit Western Pennsylvania.

“It was nothing about a change in rent,” Porter said. “We just got an email that said they are taking every precaution to clean the Grove, but nothing about rent.”

So the criminology major replied to the saying since she cannot be on campus, she should be released from her lease agreement or receive a discount on rent.

Officials at the Grove wrote back saying they are working hard to communicate with all residents at the universities they serve, but that circumstances surrounding the virus “does not negate the financial responsibilities of the lease contracts.”

Another email said late fees and online transaction fees would be waived for tenants of the Grove, but that no rent discounts were approved by the corporate office.

“I feel that it's a little bit unfair,” Porter said. “I just feel they should at least be giving us a discount on rent or let us out of our leases.”

Porter paid her rent for April, but feels sorry for students whose parents don't pay for their housing as well as parents who have been laid off due to the coronavirus and cannot pay their students' rent.

“I think they are definitely being unfair about how they're going about this,” she said.

Her older brother, who is not a student, rents an apartment in Bruin.

“They are completely waiving his rent for April,” Porter said.

She worries about her friends and classmates who now have the added stress of paying for an apartment they're not using.

“Most college students don't have a job,” Porter said. “They try to work on their grades and concentrate on school.”

She also is glad she isn't living in the apartment building, where she feels she would have been more likely to contract COVID-19.

“I personally did not want to be in my apartment,” Porter said.

Meagan Reed, general manager at the Grove, responded to a request for comment from the Butler Eagle with a statement sent to other news outlets.

“Thank you so much for reaching out. We hope that you and everyone are staying safe and healthy,” the statement reads. “During this challenging time for all, we are not providing any specific comments, as we are working hard to support and stay focused on our residents.”

Another apartment complex, University Village at Slippery Rock, spoke to the Eagle about student's paying rent while the SRU campus is empty.

Bryanna Xander, senior vice president of leasing and operations at MultiVersity Housing Partners, which owns and operates University Village, said MVHP officials are “absolutely empathetic regarding the situation and challenges the COVID-19 pandemic is creating as well as the impact it's having on everyone.”

Xander said in an email that the company is researching local and national financial support resources to which students could be referred.

She said the company is also waiving late fees for payments and working with residents to set up payment plans or find hardship programs for eligible students.

“Given we are (a) private operator, we are independent from the university and as such, our leases are not connected to the university's operating status or whether or not school is in session,” Xander said. “So actively we have an obligation to stay open on behalf of our residents who chose to stay or plan on returning in order to keep the facilities operational.”

She added that the company created the MVHP Helping Hand Fund, which will allow residents who can demonstrate a financial need for the 2020-21 school year to submit a written request for assistance.

Xander said while further details will be forthcoming, the fund has initially identified tuition, rent and books as costs that qualify for assistance.