"I needed a quieter place to prepare for my Graduate Record Examinations and applications to US colleges," said Yao. He said his roommates are studying for the National Graduate Studies Entrance Examination.

While the trio share the monthly rent of 700 yuan (US$84), they will have to forfeit the 600 yuan (US$72) yearly dormitory charge each of them paid, because "off-campus accommodation is frowned upon and the school administration would not allow them to withdraw the fee midway through,'' Yao said.

Yao is not alone in favoring a somewhat secret off-campus accommodation. Although no official statistics are available, many university students have been renting apartments outside campus in recent years and for diverse reasons.

Some want larger personal space and better facilities, such as 24-hour power and a hot-water supply; others want to avoid conflicts with roommates or the restrictions of dormitory life.

There are others who cohabit with their lovers.

"At least one-fourth of our customers are university students. Most of them do not care for decoration and their favorable price is around 300 yuan (US$36) a month," said Cao Ke with Shanfang Property Management Agency, which has six outlets in Hongkou and Yangpu districts.

Students have various means of finding suitable apartments. Besides the regular real estate agencies, they have their own "House" board on the campus Website where they post their demand and exchange information. Some even stick notices on the walls of university buildings or canteens, seeking roommates.

However, local universities are not enamored by the trend.

"Students intending to move out of dormitories have to apply in advance, but only a few, with special conditions such as mental diseases, are allowed to live off-campus and that with their parents' permission," said an official with Jiao Tong University who declined to be identified.

"If students move out without our approval, they will not be punished but their advance payment for dormitories will not be refunded," he said.

Shen Minhua, who is in charge of students' accommodation at Fudan, admitted, "Though some students rent outside apartments while keeping their dormitory beds, we are powerless to control the situation.

"We believe on-campus life is better for a student's academic development, especially now when living conditions on campus are improved."

(eastday.com March 20, 2003)