Tracking & Retaining Commuter Students: How To Engage Your

Off-Campus Population

Dr. Amy Golden Director for Strategic Initiatives

Amy.golden@asu.edu

Why are you attending this presentation?

1. My institution has no specialized services/programs for or means to engage off-campus and/or commuter students.

2. My institution has limited services/programs for or means to engage off-campus and/or commuter students.

3. My institution has limited funding for off-campus and/or commuter student services.

4. My institution is interested in tracking and retaining off-campus and/or commuter students.

Webinar Agenda

• Definition• Practice based in theory• Trends & Needs• Engagement vs. Programming• Successful Programs and Services• Additional Resources

Who are Commuter Students?

1. “Traditional age” student living in family’s home

2. “Traditional age” student living off campus

3. Transfer student

4. Veteran student

5. Adult learner/Non-traditional age student

(25 years or older)

6. Married student

7. Student with dependent(s)

8. Online learner

How does your institution define “commuter

student”?

Definitions

ASU’s definition of COMMUTER Students

◦A student who lives at their permanent address

◦ALL Commuter Students are Off-Campus students

Multiple Life Roles

Student

Academics

FamilyProfessional Development

Social Life/Work

Campus Activities/ Student Orgs

Elliptical Orbit Model – John Nonnamaker, Providence College, Rhode Island

Needs and Trends

#1 Need - Transportation

• parking, traffic, transportation schedules, inclement weather, maintaining a car, costs – have you ever looked into a commuter’s car?

#1 Trend - Sustainability

• being a “green” commuter– challenges and/or deterrents

Developing a Sense of Belonging

• need to feel wanted• physical space• need opportunities • interaction with faculty • interaction with other students• engagement and success

Did you know…?

Students who live off-campus and commute have a higher freshman retention rate than residential students.

Engagement vs. Programming

Best Practices

• Drexel Universityhttp://drexel.edu/oca/c/CT_Programming_Curriculum.asp

• The Ohio State Universityhttp://offcampus.osu.edu/

• Grand Rapids Community College http://cms.grcc.edu/foodpantry

Community Liaisons• Students who reside in apartment community• assist with problem-solving efforts • educate students regarding their rights and

responsibilities• coordinate social programming • CL’s are university employees

– work 6-8 hrs/wk at OCCSS front desk– works 2-4 hrs/wk with apartment community

Peer Mentors

Pilot program Team concept Matched commuter student with:

faculty (same class) peer mentor commuter student

Met in small groups

Best Practices cont.

• University of Marylandhttp://thestamp.umd.edu/student_involvement/off-campus_student_life

• Town Gown Certificate Programhttp://www.itgau.org/certificateprogram/description

QUESTIONS ???

National Resources

ACPA Commission for Commuter Students and Adult Learnershttp://www.myacpa.org/comm/commuter/

National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programshttp://nccp.nsuok.edu/

CAS Standards: Commuter and Off-Campus Living Programshttp://www.cas.edu/getpdf.cfm?PDF=E8691D43-F622-313D-B58D3B648AED9A55

Dr. Amy GoldenDirector for Strategic Initiatives

Arizona State Universityamy.golden@asu.edu

(480) 965-7661

Off-Campus & Commuter Student Serviceshttp://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/occss