Connecting with the Loyola community can be tricky with a 45-minute drive ahead of you and the chance of getting stuck in traffic for an unknown period of time.

Loyola is trying to address this issue by promoting the newly-instated Commuter Connections program.

Through this program, the Office of Co-Curricular Programs hopes to bring off-campus students closer to their school.

History senior Ly Vo is a commuter from the West Bank and attended one of the student forums the program put on last semester.

With a 30-minute drive every day, Vo said she finds it difficult to become involved on campus, especially with her job as a student worker at the LSU Health Sciences Center.

“It is great having the opportunity to meet other students and ask how we can improve life for commuters, especially with ways of car pooling. The fact that Loyola actually cares about commuters means a lot,” Vo said.

Mark Harrington, assistant director of Co-Curricular Programs, is in charge of Commuter Connections.

He said a commuter student space is currently being created in the Organization Hub in the lower level of the Danna Center.

There, students will have a furnished area with a microwave, refrigerator and a flat screen television to hang out.

“We are moving forward to make commuters comfortable on Loyola’s campus by answering questions about parking and spreading information about upcoming events,” Harrington said.

Although she is about to graduate, Vo said she is optimistic about the program’s future impact on the Loyola community.

“Most of my friends live off-campus, and I think the place in the lower level of the Danna Center that is being made for commuter students to hang out in will be great for younger students,” Vo said.

Harrington said these events include PB & J Tuesdays every week during the window, a breakfast for the release of the “On the Go” commuter newsletter the first Wednesday of February and April, and two commuter student forums every semester.

“The PB & J Tuesdays are great. They help me save a lot of money,” Vo said.

Psychology junior Zach Koch spends around 10 hours driving from Slidell, which he said comes out to approximately $80 in gas each week.

“I would not be interested in learning more about Commuter Connections because I am too busy with my jobs. I don’t have time in my schedule to become involved in most of Loyola’s programs, but if I had extra time I would probably consider it,” Koch said.

Koch said he and most of his friends were unaware of the Commuter Connections program, but he said it would be beneficial to become more involved in Loyola activities.

Both Vo and Koch said they think the program is a good idea and have high hopes for the relationship between Loyola and its commuter students.

Harrington said he is also enthusiastic about the program’s future and hopes it can provide students with an off-campus living guide.

“Every commuter student should know of their responsibilities and the resources available to them. They should know about campus events and feel welcome in the Loyola community,” Harrington said.

Mallory Asp can be reached at [email protected]