Office of Student Life
Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement

Off-Campus and Commuter Curriculum

As part of the advancement of the support of students, Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement (OCCSE) has incorporated a co-curricular model to better support students in their off-campus living experience. This growing focus on a residential curriculum is seen across the country. With an ever evolving student population, this curriculum helps to align efforts impacting a student's living and commuting experience across Student Life, Academic Affairs and even with external Columbus entities. The educational focus and learning efforts are detailed further below. 

Educational Priority 

Students will develop practical life skills to become independent, responsible and engaged members of their communities as they transition into various stages of their college career and beyond. 

 Learning Goals 

Life Skills 

Students will develop essential life skills to be knowledgeable community members in their off-campus experience. 

Within the transition of moving to an off-campus environment, students begin to engage as independent consumers of a larger society. Students start to make decisions on their own accord and navigate the integrated systems of an everchanging society. Students will develop different skillsets to promote resiliency through their various experiences. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Each student will be able to: 

  • Navigate the housing market search process 

  • Implement sustainable home management practices 

  • Display behaviors that positively impact personal and community well-being 

  • Develop knowledge and skills to navigate life transitions 

  • Apply conflict resolution strategies when communicating with others 

 

Community Engagement 

Students will contribute to an evolving community in which they learn about and engage with their environment. 

Students will understand how their individual behaviors impact neighbors and relationships and develop as globally minded citizens through civic engagement and community experiences. Through conversation and active participation, they will learn to respect and celebrate differences while recognizing their personal and social responsibility to positively contribute to and give back to their communities. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Each student will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate a commitment to engaging positively with one’s community 

  • Apply conflict resolution strategies when addressing community concerns 

  • Understand and respect diverse perspectives and identities within a community 

  • Identify community resources and appropriate channels for addressing neighborhood concerns 

  • Contribute to a safe, respectful and supportive community environment 

 

Safety & Security 

Students will practice safety and security measures within their communities and personal environments. 

Living in a large, urban environment, being able to recognize key resources is critical to a student’s perception of safety in their community. Students will be able to identify necessary tools to enhance their safety and security efforts personally, within their communities, and within social settings. Students will understand how community safety can impact a multitude of factors in their life and the lives of their neighbors.  

Learning Outcomes: 

Each student will be able to: 

  • Build skills to navigate urban spaces while recognizing how engagement with neighbors may contributes to a safer, connected community 

  • Implement usage of safety and security tools 

  • Identify safety entities and initiatives throughout Ohio State and the Columbus community 

  • Display behaviors that positively impact one’s communities 

  • Understand ways to reduce risk to support one’s wellbeing