Volunteer Opportunities
Off-Campus Community Engagement (OCCE)
Students sometimes forget they are a part of a larger community. Through OCCE, we connect with neighborhood associations around the U of M to identify projects in the neighborhood that could use student assistance.
This program aims to improve the relationship between the community and off-campus students and give students opportunities to engage in the community. Students find themselves at neighborhood cleanups, community events, and community gardens. Students are able to meet their neighbors and vice versa. For more information or if you are interested in volunteering in your community, email [email protected].
Como Community Gardens
Get involved with free gardening opportunities near campus. No tools or gloves are required!
Southeast Seniors
Volunteer to do yard work and related services for older adults in Southeast Seniors neighborhoods.
Minnesota Tech for Success
Volunteer to help create digital equity in Minnesota. Build computers, sort equipment, and more.
Neighborhood Committees
Joining a neighborhood committee is a great way to get involved in your neighborhood. Committees are goal-oriented groups that meet regularly on topics concerning the neighborhood such as environment, community building, and more.
Current Projects
Apartment Outreach
Our staff is excited to conduct information sharing meetings with property managers to help them access University resources and identify areas of collaboration. For more information or to schedule a meeting, contact [email protected].
Commuter Engagement
Our staff work to do outreach to commuter students both through our monthly newsletters but also through in person programming opportunities, virtual events, as well as through a mentoring program. Our Commuter Connection student organization hosts an interactive and dynamic discord channel for commuter students to connect with each other and get questions answered peer to peer about commuting successfully.
Contact our office ([email protected]) for more information.
Roommate Finder & Renter Education Outreach
When considering renting, there's a lot of to learn. Students can attend workshops, utilize our roommate finder tool and connect through the Housing group on FB to find opportunities, sublets or roommates. Our Renter Ed Modules are a great way to learn about your rights and obligations as a renter from the comfort of your home at your own pace. We also co-host the Off-Campus Housing Fair each fall to help students connect with area property managers looking to fill space for the following year.
Have questions? Contact [email protected] for more information.
Pack & Give Back
Over 100,000 lbs have been diverted from landfills and given back to students. P&GB encourages students to start packing early and identify reusable items to donate with the goal to reduce the trash piles on the boulevards upon move out and increase sustainability. A University partnership operates a Free Store each fall during Welcome Week and the first week of class with items collected May to August on campus and in the neighborhoods.
Contact our office ([email protected]) for more information.
Organics Recycling and Composting
Liaisons are sharing information with student renters about how to enroll in the City of Minneapolis Organics Recycling program which has options for those renting in houses, as well as remote organics drop off options for those in apartments who do not offer programs yet.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Voter Outreach Initiatives
OCL partners with multiple departments across campus, the Undergraduate Student Government as well as City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County resources to push out information to students about how to register to vote and where to vote during election seasons. We also partner to help bring early vote locations to campus when possible.
Contact our office ([email protected]) for more information.
Restorative Justice Community Action (RJCA)
Students who receive a livability citation (minor consumption, disorderly conduct, social host, public urination, etc) are able to get their misdemeanor ticket deferred by participating in a circle process to repair the harm to the community. Find out if you are eligible or volunteer to be a community participant by contacting RJCA at 612-756-0780. Our liaisons participate as community members and promote this opportunity across campus. We also host participants for community service within our office through the program.
Contact our office ([email protected]) for more information.
Como Cookout
Como cookout is a large-scale outdoor BBQ with live music, free food and fun activities to welcome back students into the neighborhoods, hosted at Van Cleve Park each September. The event is held each year in the fall and is organized by Off-Campus Living, SE Como Improvement Association, and Van Cleve Park.
Check out our Instagram and Facebook pages for pictures of these events, and look out for our upcoming Como Cookout!