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.
If you plan on attending any of our events and have specific needs or accomodation requests, please email OCL@jmu.edu at least seven business days prior to the event.
Details for all of our upcoming events, including dates, times, and locations, can be found below.
Spring 2025 Breakfast, Wednesday, April 02: Commuter Student Breakfast from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Festival Highlands Room
We host the Commuter Student Breakfast twice an academic year to allow off-campus students to come together in an on-campus space, connect, learn more about Off-Campus Life, and enjoy a FREE breakfast together.
Register here
Spring 2025 Leasing 101 (TBD):
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.
- Thursday, February 06, 2025: Drive Your Future: Master the Car Buying Game from 04:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Festival Highlands Room: ired of feeling lost in the car-buying process? This seminar by Finance Professor Jeff Hulett will teach you how to confidently navigate every step, from understanding financing options to spotting the best deals. Learn insider tips and tools to make car buying simple, empowering, and stress-free—because your dream car should come with peace of mind. Register here
- Bankroll Your Best Life: Budgeting Hacks for JMU Students| Febraury 20, 2025, in Festival Highlands Room @ 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Personal Finance Professor Jeff Hulett is Ready to help you take control of your finances and make your money work for you? In this seminar, discover simple, actionable budgeting hacks tailored for JMU students. Learn how to save smarter, spend wiser, and build lifelong financial confidence—all while living your best college life. Register here
- Personal Investing for the Recent Graduate By Dr. Jason Douglas Fink| , Febrauary 27, 2025, in Taylor 305 @ 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm: This presentation will cover the basics of investing, starting at the very beginning (such as What is a stock? What is a bond?), and building to a point where students will understand the importance of investing in a 401(k), and how to choose a solid portfolio to do so. The importance of diversification, starting early, investing in only what you understand, and the use of tax advantaged accounts will all be demonstrated. Register here
- Money is a Mindset: April 16, 2025, in Taylor 306 @ 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm by Finance Coach Lindsey Scott. Money is an emotional topic. As we walk through life, we pick up different attitudes and beliefs around money to form our own money mindset. Curious what your money mindset is and how unlocking it is your key to true financial wellness? Register here
- Networking the Easy Way: Conversation Skills for Career Development | , April 8, 2025, in Taylor 306 @ 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm: It’s easy in the job search to get sucked into the black hole of online applications, submitting resume after resume with no response from employers. Escaping that void comes down to who you know and how you talk to them. Come learn how to set up and navigate simple conversations to build your network and let your connections bring the opportunities to you. Register Here
- How to crush real life | April 02, 2025, in Festival Ballroom A @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm : OCL is thrilled to welcome back Pete Hardesty, co-author of two Amazon #1 bestsellers, Adulting 101 Books 1 and 2. Join us for his compelling presentation, Transitioning into the "real world" can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can navigate it with confidence. This workshop will cover five key areas essential for success, including overcoming anxiety, managing finances effectively, excelling in the workplace, and practical life hacks to make daily living easier. Join us for an engaging session packed with insights and actionable tips to help you thrive in every aspect of life! Register here
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.