According to FCC rules, yes, you need a license. For you and your GF talking to each other on campus, what are the odds of attracting the FCC's attention?

So for Burning Man, it'd be nice to have a radio that can do GMRS/FRS (I know about the GMRS FCC license, I'll get that), MURS as a bonus, and can be programmed for channels outside of that ...

No exams are required, but a license is still needed. GMRS also allows for the use of repeaters, making it more effective than the unlicensed FRS.