It seems like every resident student knows which movie is showing at Dinner and a Movie in the Orleans Room or which new student organization is recruiting members. But for commuters, it’s a different Loyola experience.
With Residential Life student bonding programs, weekend and nightly activities sponsored by campus organizations like University Programming Board, and other activities catered for Loyola student residents, Loyola has created a residential bond for many of its students.
But for many commuter students, this bond seems impenetrable, and commuters are struggling to find their own bond within the Loyola community.
Brittany Hoard, accounting sophomore, usually comes to campus to attend class and occasionally studies in the J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library. “I don’t feel like there is a reason for me to stay and hang out on campus. That’s why I usually just go home.”
Although the university has provided some resources to help unite commuter students to Loyola and its residential student body, such as the Commuter Student Association, many commuters still seem to be out of the loop.
“I didn’t know that there was a commuters website through the Loyola website. I would definitely go and check it out to see what kind of resources they have,” said Gregory Cook, psychology senior.
Since many students have expressed sentiments like these, Tom Kupferer, assistant director of Co-Curricular Programs has shown interest in asking commuter students their opinions on their needs. After working with commuters while receiving his master’s in education administration at New York University, he felt the need to serve the Loyola “commute-ity” when he arrived here.
In fall of 2008 he provided forums for focus groups geared toward commuters. However, due to complications this year from lack of student involvement, these forums have not happened this semester.
“I would be in full support as the administration would be in full support of having a Commuter Student Association, but it needs to be student driven,” said Kupferer.
Despite the hiatus in forums, resources for commuter students are still available. The office of Co-Curricular Programs features online apartment listings and tenant legal policies, a city of New Orleans crime map, bicycle safety tips and Loyola’s bicycle policy on its Web site. The crime map allows the student to research the crime that has occurred in the last month in different neighborhoods.
The section on tenant legal policies outlines information to know before renting, such as security deposits, signing a lease, renter’s insurance and subleasing. The Web site also provides a link to http://www.bicyclinglife.com, a forum for bicyclists that includes information on safety and precautions to take during severe weather.
While Loyola commuters have these housing resources, there still remains the problem of purchasing food on campus for students who don’t have time to go home for lunch. While commuter meal plans and other options are available, commuters appear to be unaware of these options.
“I think it is a great idea to provide meal plans to commuter students. I didn’t know about the block meal plan. It would definitely invite more commuter students to eat in the Orleans Room,” Hoard said.
Loyola Dining Services offers block meal plans with an additional $500 Wolf bucks that are targeted towards commuters, according to the Dining Services portion of Loyola’s Web site.
“Some ideas we are thinking of attracting people, especially those who commute to the Orleans room are a lobster and steak dinner, guest chefs and a display case for on the go lunches students can select for lunches,” said Caitlin Craig Brewster, marketing and customer service manager.
Dining Services is also providing the Cinch Program, Brewster said. This program offers discounts to students who would like to try a meal in the Orleans room without having to buy a weekly meal or block plan. The forms for the Cinch Program are found at the at The Market cash register in the Danna Student Center. Students fill out the form, which entitles them to receive 50 percent off any meal purchase and a free meal after three meal purchases.
In addition to commuter’s ignorance of this program, some commuters who do have meal plans may not be fully aware of the options those plans entail.
“I have the 50 block and $500 worth of wolf bucks meal plan. Initially I didn’t know that they would have lunch as part of the meal plan and that’s what I use it for most. I might change to a 100 block meal plan,” said Gregory Cook, commuter and psychology senior.
While many commuter students seem unaware of the options presented to them, and while groups targeted to raise commuter awareness of these things seem to have had shaky beginnings, some members of the administration believe that the Danna Center renovations have ushered in feelings of welcome for all students, especially a new generation of commuters who enjoy being at school beyond time in the classroom.
“The renovations of this building show how much more fun it is to hang out and provides a place for commuter students to come hang out in the CC’s coffee lounge and drink some coffee or do some studying,” said Kupferer.
Commuter students agree that the renovations have made a difference:
“I want to spend more time on campus because of the student lounge. It’s more social and gives a welcoming, comfortable feeling,” said Hoard.
Jess Burrola can be reached at [email protected].
History sophomore Michael Riess of Chalmette says the worst part of his commute is traffic. “I stay for a while to study after classes so I can miss the traffic,” he said. “Otherwise I never stay on campus longer than I need to.” (Photo by Kevin Zansler/The Maroon)
