Montana State opens new office to help students successfully navigate living off-campus

BOZEMAN – Montana State University’s Off-Campus Student Life program has a new physical address where students may seek advice and referrals to help them make a successful transition into living as good neighbors in the Bozeman community.

The new office is located in Room 286 of the Strand Union Building, just north of the cafeteria area on the main floor. It officially opened Tuesday morning after a brief ceremony at which Marianne Brough, director of MSU’s Office of Student Engagement, called the office a “one-stop shop,” where students can find help meeting their basic needs so they can concentrate on academics and finish their degrees.

The office will be staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serve as a hub for students who are looking for roommates and places to rent; referrals to various resources providing nutritional and mental health support, legal services, child care and basic transportation; and information about what to look for when choosing a place to live and what to know before signing a lease.

Students identified the need for an off-campus life office about three years ago, with initial planning led by former student body president Norris Blossom and other student leaders, said Lucas Oelkers, current president of the Associated Students of Montana State University, or ASMSU. In response, the Off-Campus Student Life program launched last year with a website and advising available by appointment. It proved so popular that ASMSU sponsored an initiative to house the program in a physical office.

“This is a monumental occasion at the university,” Oelkers told assembled students, faculty and staff Tuesday, shortly before a ribbon cutting.

Chris Kearns, MSU’s vice president of student success, said campus administrators welcomed the opportunity to expand the pilot program by creating office space in the student union building.

“We identified how helpful it would be to coordinate resources around campus and provide some additional resources,” Kearns said.

MSU’s Dean of Students Matt Caires agreed. “This is probably one of the most important things I’ve seen us do in years,” he said. “During their sophomore year, most of our students move off campus. When a 19-year-old steps into an apartment setting to deal with roommates and neighbors, those are adult responsibilities. And in large part, these young people struggle with that.”

For example, staff can direct students to services like tutoring, mental health support or the campus food pantry, Bounty of the Bridgers.

“We want this to be a service to help ensure that every Bobcat on campus is secure in their basic needs and connected to meet those basic needs so that they can put the majority of their energy and attention on their coursework,” Kearns said.

Oelkers said the manifestation of the Off-Campus Life office is one more example of an ASMSU initiative designed to help students achieve their educational goals. He cited the recent award of a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant to MSU’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School as another.

“ASMSU is always here to support students,” he said.