Honors students are flying free from the residence halls and learning how not to crash and burn.

This month, the Honors Program is hosting several events intended to teach students how to live on their own, or at least in an apartment. This is the second year the series has run.

“It was pretty well-received last year, and it’s important information,” said Evie Zuroske, program coordinator for the Honors Program. “Students ask for it.”

Tuesday night’s installment informed students on the intricacies of leases and what students can do to protect themselves from landlords.

Speaking at the event was Don Henderson, director of Students’ Legal Assistance, a division of Student Affairs. While citing numerous cases and situations, Henderson stressed the importance of understanding the implications of a lease and realizing your rights as a tenant. One of the big things he has noticed is many students do not realize they may be entitled to a security deposit refund.

“The area of security deposits is an area in Illinois law where tenets’ rights are actually very well protected,” Henderson said. “Landlords often presume that they don’t have to give security deposits back and students often don’t know [they can get it back] … If we file five lawsuits on security deposit refunds a year, it’s a good year for us.”

It is not a difficult process for a tenant to get a security deposit back. If tenants take the time to document move-in conditions and to report any minor defect with the apartment, the tenant can often get their security deposit retuned in full, Henderson said.

“I don’t think there is any point in time where it’s not responsible to see what someone’s rights are,” Henderson said, “The goal is to [help people] rent for the first or second time and not get burned.”

The Single Living Survival Series doesn’t end with apartment hunting. There is a lecture on budgeting on Tuesday and another on etiquette dining on April 27. All events are open to students, but an RSVP to Zuroske is required for the etiquette dinner.

Senior French major Jessica Stocker said she and senior English and communication double major Ryan Maloney wanted to incorporate programs that could help students become more well-rounded.