[jpelletier]

Hi Mike-

Our office for off-campus and commuter student engagement is located in our union. The office staff puts together a lot of resources and experiences for commuter and off-campus students to engage and connect with the campus. Our location on the edge of campus makes us ideally suited for them to serve that population.

In terms of physical spaces, in addition to the office, off-campus and commuter students can get access to lockers for the semester, to store books, change of clothes, or whatever they may not want to carry with them all day on campus. There is also a small kitchenette with refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves, so they can bring food from home if they don’t want to pay for all of their meals while on campus. Finally, one of our lounges is designated as the commuter lounge. Though not exclusive to commuter students, it’s located near the lockers and kitchenette, so many of them use those services jointly.

OCCSE staff can grant ID card access to the lockers and kitchen, the lounge is open for use during all building hours.

I’d be happy to connect you with my colleagues if you want to get more information from them directly!

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Jeff Pelletier, MA, MBOE, LSSBB
Ohio Union Director
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-292-3290
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2023 10:47
From: Michael Schmit
Subject: successful commuter student spaces

Hello everyone. Earlier this month we received notice that a group of students will be forming a “Commuter Student Association” at our institution. We do not currently have any spaces specifically dedicated to the support of commuter students, and the initial outreach from these students states:

“We wanted to meet with you to discuss the possibility of creating a space on campus where commuter students can create a home base with other commuters. Finding a community is an essential part of the college experience which is difficult for those who do not live on campus. We believe that with your help we can create such a space for commuters to make the university more of a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all students.”

I am hoping that our ACUI community can provide some examples of successful commuter student spaces. How are you defining success, what makes a space desirable to a focused commuter audience, etc. We are an Urban institution with large residential, local, and commuting students to our campus (I know this was posted about back in 2019, but I cannot access that thread). 

Thanks in advance for any feedback. 

Mike 

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Mike Schmit
Interim Director
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee WI
(414) 229-5517
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[Deanna Cahoon-Draus]

Hi Mike,

We don’t have a commuter student org. But we do have a commuter lounge outside of our convenience store. Anyone can use it, but commuters are told about it during Orientation and the commuter event during week of welcome activities.

It has a sink, microwave, paper towels, garbage, soft and hard seating options, a charging station, and lockers available for check-out. We have had plates and plastic silverware available occasionally. I would say it gets used pretty often. We have a decent amount of commuters students, but it’s also helpful for students who live near yet still off-campus.

It is currently struck for carpet cleaning otherwise I would send a picture. I’ll try to remember to send you one via email after we reset the space.

Reach out if you have any questions!

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Deanna Cahoon-Draus
University Center Programs Specialist
University of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI
(715) 425-3986
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——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2023 10:47
From: Michael Schmit
Subject: successful commuter student spaces

Hello everyone. Earlier this month we received notice that a group of students will be forming a “Commuter Student Association” at our institution. We do not currently have any spaces specifically dedicated to the support of commuter students, and the initial outreach from these students states:

“We wanted to meet with you to discuss the possibility of creating a space on campus where commuter students can create a home base with other commuters. Finding a community is an essential part of the college experience which is difficult for those who do not live on campus. We believe that with your help we can create such a space for commuters to make the university more of a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all students.”

I am hoping that our ACUI community can provide some examples of successful commuter student spaces. How are you defining success, what makes a space desirable to a focused commuter audience, etc. We are an Urban institution with large residential, local, and commuting students to our campus (I know this was posted about back in 2019, but I cannot access that thread).?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.?

Mike?

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Mike Schmit
Interim Director
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee WI
(414) 229-5517
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