'On Your Own' Off-Campus Living Fair for U of A Students Set for March 13

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students will have the chance to see what living options they have when moving off campus at the “On Your Own” Off-Campus Living Fair to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the International Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union.

Property management representatives from local living communities will participate in the fair, along with Legal Aid of Arkansas, Credit Counseling of Arkansas, and several other relevant organizations. Students will have an opportunity to win more than $5,000 in prizes at the fair, including off-campus student meal plans, gift cards for local businesses and restaurants, Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones and a scooter. Students can learn about transportation options and safety tips, budgeting and credit, off-campus meal plans, good neighbor relations, and many other community and campus resources.

The University of Arkansas requires first-year students to live on campus, with few exceptions. As students advance in their collegiate career, they tend to move off-campus into apartments and rental houses in the local community. Now is the time when many students begin navigating the search for affordable, safe housing as they prepare to live on their own for the first time.

 “So many factors affect where students choose to live. From the property’s amenities and location to its cost and lease agreement, students should consider all of their options for off-campus living,” said Jordan Scribner, student coordinator of the event.

It is also important for students to remain engaged academically and socially with campus life once they move off campus.

“We want to make sure students do not become isolated or miss out on enriching, educational and social experiences on campus, or they can begin to feel lonely and disengage from learning,” said Susan Stiers, associate director of Off Campus Connections.

For more information about the fair, please contact coordinator Jordan Scribner at 479-575-7351 or e-mail occ@uark.edu. The “On Your Own” Off-Campus Living Fair is a partnership of Off Campus Connections at the University of Arkansas and the city of Fayetteville Community Services Division.