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Events

Off-Campus Life hosts several events each year focusing on commuter appreciation, financial literacy, community building, and empowering students with resources to help them feel at home living off-campus within the Harrisonburg community.

Details for all of our upcoming events, including dates, times, and locations, can be found below.

2022-2023 Breakfast Dates:

We host the Commuter Student Breakfast twice an academic year to provide an opportunity for off-campus students to come together in an on-campus space, connect, learn more information about Off-Campus Life, and enjoy a FREE breakfast together.

2022-2023 Fair Dates:

Housing Fairs are large-scale events that the Off-Campus Life office hosts twice an academic year. The fairs are essentially a one-stop shop experience for available student housing as we welcome student housing providers in the area to advertise to all JMU students what they have to offer. It is important to note that inclusion in the event does not constitute an endorsement of these properties by the university.

They are also a place for students to be educated about off-campus living options. Any JMU student can attend these events to learn about housing options in Harrisonburg, meet property managers and discuss leasing policies, and receive information from Off-Campus Life about what to consider in off-campus housing and how to get help in any part of this process.

2022-2023 Leasing 101 Dates: 

Leasing 101 is a workshop for any student who wants or needs to learn more about the leasing process before signing a lease for off-campus housing. Our office recommends that those students who will be signing a lease for the first time or students signing a lease with a new property manager or landlord attend this event to understand their responsibilities and rights as a tenant before lease signing.

During this workshop, students will learn what a lease is, common types of leases and the benefits and disadvantages of signing them, the legal responsibility involved when signing a lease, and ways Off-Campus Life can help with the leasing process. Students will also hear important information on second-year on-campus housing contracts and be encouraged to take their time before they sign a lease until they’re fully comfortable and ready to commit to a housing situation.

2022-2023 Workshop Dates:

  • Money Matters for Graduating Students with Brad Barnett | March 7, 2023, in Taylor 405 @ 6:00 pm: Join OCL on March 7th featuring Brad Barnett, Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, presenting Money Matters for Graduating Students as he leads an open forum on personal finances with a tailored focus on what you need when graduating to your professional life. 
  • How to Destroy Distraction and Anxiety and Wildly Succeed at Work and in Life with Pete Hardesty | March 27, 2023, in Union Ballroom @ 8:00 pm: OCL welcomes back Pete Hardesty, co-author of two Amazon #1 bestsellers, Adulting 101 Books 1 and 2, presents How to Destroy Distraction and Anxiety and Wildly Succeed at Work and in Life! Pete shares his journey with anxiety and distraction as you nervously laugh together while also describing some unexpected, proven strategies from top mental health professionals.
  • Food & Finance with Meredith Bauer | March 28, 2023, in Taylor 306 @ 5:00 pm: OCL is pleased to present Food & Finance! Meet Pastry Chef turned Student Life Fiscal Manager Meredith Bauer who shares her love for food and finance! Combining her degrees in Baking and Pastry as well as accounting and finance, Meredith provides her expertise in food and finance to help you get the most out of your grocery shopping experience as well as the best tips and tricks for everything from meal prep and food storage to eating out.
  • Investing 101 with Kennedy Musyoka | April 6, 2023, in Festival Allegheny Room @ 7:00 pm: Investing 101 is here! Introducing Kennedy Musyoka! Kennedy shares his knowledge of the basics of investing. With a background in economics, master’s degree in Strategic Management, and passion for teaching BUS 160 while in the PhD Strategic Leadership program on campus, Kennedy provides a unique international perspective on investments strategy. 
  • "A Humorous Guide to Financial Freedom" with Colin Ryan | April 11, 2023, Grafton-Stovall @ 7:00 pm: OCL Welcomes back Colin Ryan to present “A Humorous Guide to Financial Freedom." Colin believes that your ability to handle your finances directly affects your ability to have the life you want. So, what do you want your money story to look like? Colin Ryan uses humor, storytelling, and interactivity to teach what you need to know about building wealth & managing money as a college student. You’ll learn the knowledge and skills you need, plus how to find your experts and define the vision for your big life.

We host financial literacy workshops several times throughout the academic year. These events are designed to give students who currently live or are preparing to live off-campus the tools to manage expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation. Learn spending strategies, debt management, saving tips, how to be a "money magnet," and align your values with your finances!

Students can also schedule one-on-one consultations with our Graduate Assistant for Financial Literacy to talk through their finances and spending in a safe, supportive space.

Are you a member of a fraternity, sorority, or JMU-affiliated club or organization?  In need of educational programs or events to offer to your members?

Let Off-Campus Life assist you with these needs! We have student liaison employees prepared to provide our programs to groups and organizations. Any of the events you see on this page can be provided and even tailored to the specific needs of your audience. Contact the Assistant Director of Off-Campus Life, Jeremy Hawkins, via email at hawkinjl@jmu.edu for more details.

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Off-Campus Life
The Union(Taylor Hall)
285 Warren Service Drive
Room 205
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807