Neighborhood Services and Collaboration, Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement

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About Us

Mission

The offices of Neighborhood Services and Collaboration and Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement, both within Student Life, provides programs and services to meet the needs of off-campus and commuter students and to address the needs of persons wishing to live and engage as a resident of the University District and local community.  Empowerment, collaboration, personalization of services and a deep commitment to diversity and integrity are hallmarks of our efforts.

Neighborhood Services and Collaboration is The Ohio State University's central resource center in terms of off-campus housing and off-campus living. NSC liaisons with local area landlords and assists students, faculty and staff when searching for off-campus housing, provides educational information on typical renting requirements, precautions to take as well as steps to take prior to signing a lease.  In addition, Neighborhood Services and Collaboration provides roommate services, sublet services, legal referrals, safety information, among various other resources/services to make sure students have a positive off-campus living experience.

Neighborhood Services and Collaboration holds an annual Housing Fair, which allows students, faculty and staff to gather information from landlords, businesses and other off-campus entities in order to make an informed decision regarding their off-campus living arrangements.

NSC also holds Roommate Fairs, which provides students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to meet potential roommates face-to-face in a safe, informal environment.  Roommate Fairs are held at least once each semester.  Check out our online calendar for upcoming events.

NSC also works towards educating students on how to stay safe and party smart.  Free window/door alarms are provided to any/all students.  The NSC office van can be seen driving up and down the University District Friday and Saturday nights, with Senior Director Willie J. Young, who spends a great deal of time monitoring activity and works hard to make sure students are being safe and partying smart.

Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement (OCCSE) is a resource and community building support center for both students who live in the University District and for those who commute to the OSU Columbus campus.

Students who live in the University District are supported through a variety of programs and resources offered by OCCSE, the central of which is the Community Ambassador (CA) Program.  The Community Ambassador Program is a fun and exciting program, lead by students, to keep fellow students involved, engaged and educated when living in the University District. Community Ambassadors promote a safer, more collaborative community in the off-campus area and serve as a resource and point of contact for students living on their street. Community Ambassadors do "grass-roots" community building, visit neighbors, hold events, distribute information and assist residents to build community, make better choices as a community member and stay safe.

OCCSE also supports commuter students, or, students who live in the Columbus area and drive or utilize public transportation to commute to campus.  Commuter Liaisons(CLs) are students who also commute and reach out to the commuter student body to help them better transition to The Ohio State University and to better connect with the University community.  CLs collaborate with various campus offices, plan events and offer resources for commuters students in creative and innovative ways. 

OCCSE also provides important and useful services for commuter students.  Students can utilize the online rideshare/carpool listing serviceby signing on with their OSU user-name and password. Commuters can gain access to a commuter kitchen in the Ohio Union and also reserve a free locker (first come first served starting the first day of each semester) by visiting OCCSE in room 3106 Ohio Union.  New incoming commuter students can attend the annual Commuter Preview Day, a fun filled event to help acclimate new incoming commuter students to OSU. OCCSE also provides tons of helpful information on transportation, parking, resources and services, as well as ways in which to remain involved while attending OSU.


If you are living off-campus, whether it be in the University District or in the Columbus area, let the offices of Neighborhood Services and Collaboration and Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement be part of your off-campus and commuter living experience.