Off-Campus Student Fair

With the first week of classes under way, more than 400 students had an opportunity to attend the inaugural Off-Campus Student Fair, hosted by the Office of Residential Education. The event provided off-campus students, and those interested in living off-campus, with a chance to connect with more than 30 downtown Troy businesses, as well as several on-campus departments and services that can assist students with making the transition to living off-campus.
Cary Dresher, associate dean of the off-campus commons, partnered with the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development at Rensselaer to coordinate the fair.

“Since its inception, the Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students (CLASS) initiative has been focused on bringing a transformational change to the Rensselaer undergraduate experience,” Dresher said. “Already in full swing, the residential college model is also working to provide off-campus students with a community and belonging. This event served as an ideal way to truly connect our students with campus and community services, programs, and businesses. By coordinating the event, we are working to support the importance of active partnership with the larger community in the term ‘communiversity’—a vision of the way institutions of higher learning and the cities, towns, and counties that serve as their homes can and should work together to ensure the viability and vibrancy of their shared communities.”

Dresher noted that more programs and events are scheduled for the semester.