With the increase in university tuition all across the country and a need for more privacy, being a commuter has become more popular than ever with college students. However, commuters often face many challenges, whether that be limited campus engagement or a lack of academic support. It can be difficult for them to find their place on campus.
Despite all of these limitations, the Asbury commuters are thriving. “Asbury is my home away from home!” says a sophomore commuter. Almost ten percent of Asbury’s student body are commuters–about one hundred and fifty students. Some travel as far as an hour and a half a day for classes several times a week.
A huge part of this is Bridget Campbell, the coordinator for Commuter Life. “Miss Campbell’s been a really big part of organizing events we can go to,” Junior Ellie Perris says. Campbell is a huge advocate for all of these students and wants to see them comfortable and succeeding even if they are not a part of residential housing.
“I think just having a landing place and a place where they know if they have thirty minutes between classes that there might be someone there that they know,” Campbell says about the newly furnished area for commuters.
Beginning last semester, the commuters have a lounge in the basement of the Student Center, called the Commuters Commons or the “Comm Comm.” This area is a space for students to hang out between classes, leave their personal belongings and eat snacks or meals. Campbell thinks it’s important for students to have “
Another new addition this year is the updated parking areas for commuters. They now have the option to park at either Asbury Seminary across the street or in the parking lot behind the Luce Center.
Senior Shelby Johnson, the SGA commuters representative, said, “This is the first year we’ve had our own parking instead of fighting for a spot. It is better even though it’s further. Before, I would have to leave my house probably thirty minutes before my class just so I could find a parking spot. Now I know I’ll have a spot.”
Before this year, only one or two people would attend commuter lunches or Gather. Now, there is a set time every week for students to go to the Bistro together. There is a flourishing community. The students are intentional with one another, even planning birthday parties or game nights to be together. The commuters also got specially designed t-shirts for the first time this year, just like the ones given out in the dorms.
However, this does not mean there aren’t issues that many commuters deal with. Johnson spoke on how she often cannot attend certain things on campus. “The flex credit events are usually later in the day, and I’m never on campus that late.” Another aspect is the actual driving. Commuters often have to think about things like snowy roads or traffic while trying to get to class.
Sophomore Emily Fox says, “There’s nothing against you if you’re a commuter. It’s just mildly inconvenient to drop everything to hang out.” Many commuters have jobs at night off campus on top of dealing with school work and a social life.
Commuters continue to be an important part of Asbury’s campus life. Freshman Jeremy Castillo-Hernandez says that his favorite part of Asbury is “just getting to know all of these people. I mean, yes, we come for an education or to find areas of interest, but along the way, you make a lot of memories.” The development of these programs gives new insight into a part of the university that’s not often explored but is incredibly important.
Photo courtesy of Bridget Campbell.
