Be a Good Neighbor
The Bearcat experience is woven into the city of Cincinnati. Many UC students live, work, and engage in the neighborhoods surrounding our campus. In the true Bearcat spirit, our community matters to us. We're good neighbors. We take the following steps to create a positive living environment for ourselves and those next door.
Get to know your neighbors.
Introduce yourself and get to know your neighbors. Check-in with them when you see them. Exchange contact information so you can reach each other when needed.
Lower the volume.
Let your neighbors know if you are planning a party. Move your gathering to the backyard to reduce noise. Encourage them to reach out to you if it’s getting too loud or disruptive.
Clean up.
Keep your yard free of litter. Take your trash out on collection day and bring the empty bin in as soon as you can. Items that don't fit in a trash bin should be scheduled for bulk pick-up.
Help your neighbors.
Build positive relationships with neighbors by lending a hand. Offer to help with shoveling snow, yard work, and more.
Know the expectations.
Review the Student Code of Conduct to better understand how off-campus violations can impact your student status. Also, become familiar with city ordinances to ensure you do not receive fines or violate the law.
If you have any questions about the "Be a Good Neighbor" campaign or related campus policies and city ordinances, please reach out to the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@uc.edu and Off-Campus & Commuter Student Engagement at communityactionteam@uc.edu.
Be A Good Neighbor Week - Spring 2026
Monday, March 2 - Saturday, March 7, 2026
"Be A Good Neighbor Week" is a week of events dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging, support, and connection for students living off-campus and commuting to campus. Hosted by the Commuter & Community Action Team (C-CAT's), these events are designed to create opportunities for meaningful engagement, provide resources and advocacy on the unique experience of living off-campus and/or commuting to campus, and strengthen the relationship between students, the university, and the surrounding community. Click here to learn more about Off-Campus & Commuter Student Engagement!
Join us for a great week of events, programs, workshops, and volunteer opportunities!
Tabling: Resources & Student Support
Time: 3:30 pm-5:30 pm
Location: Tangeman University Center (TUC), 3rd Floor Atrium
What to Expect: The Commuter & Community Action Team (C-CAT's) are a team of student leaders who help connect students to the community and the community to students. They have resources ranging from off-campus living to commuter student services to city of Cincinnati services and resources. Stop by to learn more, play a game, grab a snack, and get to know these student leaders and the resources offered. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunity: Clean-Up
Time: 2 pm-6 pm
Location: Center for Community Engagement, 2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219
What to Expect: Twice a week, we encourage students to be engaged with the communities surrounding Uptown West Campus by helping pick up trash and keep our sidewalks clean. This is a great way to get to know the neighborhoods around campus, enjoy a walk, and help maintain a clean environment! You must be registered to participate. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunity: Creating Bookmarks
Time: 3 pm - 6 pm
Location: Center for Community Engagement, 2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH
What to Expect: Volunteers will design and create handmade bookmarks that will be donated to local schools, libraries, and community organizations. These bookmarks are meant to encourage reading and bring a small moment of joy to recipients. No prior experience is required—this opportunity is beginner-friendly, meaningful, and hands-on. Click here to learn more.
Off-Campus Meet-Up: Coffee & Cram @ Fable Cafe
Time: 6 pm-8 pm
Location: Fable Cafe, 3117 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45211
What to Expect: Join us for "Coffee & Cram", an off-campus meet-up located at Fable Cafe (located in Cheviot, OH, on the westside of Cincinnati). Our off-campus meet-up's are designed to bring Bearcat community to your neighborhood! We believe that your community as a Bearcat should not only be centered around your experience on campus, but we also want to help you get connected by coming to you. Coffee & Cram is an event where you can come and hang out in the coffee shop and do whatever you need to do - whether that's catch up with friends, get to know other commuter students, or take the space to study quietly on your own. We will provide free drinks for up to the first 100 attendees, so be sure to arrive right at the beginning of the event! Click here to learn more. Click here to learn more.
Off-Campus Housing Resource Workshop
Time: 11 am-12 pm
Location: Lindner College of Business, Room 2130
What to Expect: Join us to learn more about budgeting, searching, and leasing an off-campus apartment in the Uptown area. We believe that all Bearcats should be equipped with information about their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, so join us to learn more. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunity: Clean-Up
Time: 2 pm-6 pm
Location: Center for Community Engagement, 2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219
What to Expect: Twice a week, we encourage students to be engaged with the communities surrounding Uptown West Campus by helping pick up trash and keep our sidewalks clean. This is a great way to get to know the neighborhoods around campus, enjoy a walk, and help maintain a clean environment! You must be registered to participate. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunity: TBD
More information coming soon!
Cats in the City: Cincinnati Art Museum (RSVP Required!)
Time: 1 pm-3 pm
Location: Meet at Center for Community Engagement, 2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219 (Transportation provided to/from Cincinnati Art Museum.)
What to Expect: Meet us at the Cincinnati Art Museum in downtown Cincinnati to learn more about the art and history present in our area and around the world. RSVP required - only the first 40 attendees will be able to participate. Transportation provided - meet at the Center for Community Engagement (address above). We love Cincinnati, and we love helping connect students to resources throughout our city! One of our favorite partners is the Cincinnati Metro. Did you know you can ride for free?! Let us help you get your bus pass, get on/off the bus, and learn more about public transit in Cincinnati by joining us for a unique “Cats in the City” experience, similar to a field trip but a free way to explore your city alongside other Bearcats!