Commuter Services, within the Office of Campus Life, celebrated their inaugural Commuter & Off-Campus Student Appreciation Week in early October this semester. The week featured four events that attracted almost 200 commuting students.
October 4. Mornin’ Mingle
To kick off Commuter & Off-Campus Student Appreciation Week, commuter and off-campus students were treated to breakfast and gifted a Mornin’ Mingle travel mug! Although the first of the week’s event started early in the morning, almost 20 participants stopped by!
October 5. Snacks & Facts Lunch & Learn
Commuter Services and PSECU partnered to offer commuter students a lunch and learn event. Topics included budgeting for commutes and car maintenance. More than 50 students were given fact sheets on typical maintenance that should be completed every month (or according to mileage) and for how to budget appropriately for car ownership. Participants received a Commuter & Off-Campus Student Appreciation Week t-shirt or cooler bag.
October 7. Fall Fun Fest
Commuting and off-campus students were invited to participate in outside yard games and fall painting activities while enjoying fall themed snacks. A stackable lunch container and cooler bag were given to more than 30 participants.
October 8. Survey & Thank you
Together with CHEP Wellness Advocates, a survey was developed to better understand the needs of commuters. On October 8, the survey was distributed to almost 60 students who had the opportunity to both complete the survey and also receive their thank-you gifts. The survey remained open for an additional three weeks for those unable to attend the event.
Parking Lot Outreach
After Appreciation Week, Commuter Services, in collaboration with ELCM, met with over 20 commuter students for “Parking Lot Outreach” in the parking lot or on their way to class to better understand their needs and ways we can further support them.
Additional Outreach Days will be scheduled throughout the year.