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.
Fall 2025 Breakfast:
- TBD: 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 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.
Spring 2025 Fair:
- Wednesday, Febraury 19, 2025: Fall Housing Fair from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in Festival Ballroom
Housing and Community 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.
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.
- The secrets to financial success and decision-making for college students| September 19, 2024, in Harrison, Room 1261 @ 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Personal Finance Professor Jeff Hulett walks through the tight link between decision process and achieving great wealth. We discuss the habits and behaviors of the wealthy. This session introduces you to tools to help you save, invest and make great financial decisions.
- The secrets to financial success – getting credit and using credit wisely| October 3rd, 2024, in Harrison,1261 @ 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Personal Finance Professor Jeff Hulett walks through making good decisions about credit, especially credit cards. We will discuss the importance of signaling banks you are a responsible credit user by building a good credit score. You will be shown how to leverage your college experience to prepare yourself for the adult credit world.
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.