Commuters now have more opportunities to feel connected to campus life, thanks to recent initiatives aimed at enhancing their experience. John King, Vice President of Student Life, and Debbie Knapman, Director of Student & Family Assistance, recently discussed various initiatives aimed at supporting commuter students in interviews with Hawks’ Herald. The establishment of the Office of Commuter Life, the relocation of the Commuter Lounge, and the increase in Commuter Assistants highlight the university’s commitment to fostering commuter involvement.
In an interview with Knapman and Sol Escandon-Francis, a student worker from the Office of Commuter Life, they shared insights about the office’s functions and goals. In the Spring of 2024, Knapman’s FIT Intern, Valeria Flores Gutierrez, who is a commuter herself, began exploring ways to help commuters feel more connected with each other and with on-campus residents. Previously, the Commuter Life office fell under the purview of Carol Sacchetti but was reassigned to Knapman in the Spring of 2024. Flores Gutierrez and Knapman collaborated to create the Office of Commuter Life and hired Escandon-Francis to join the team. They are currently looking to hire three more Commuter Assistants to expand their efforts.
A key project for the Office of Commuter Life has been relocating the Commuter Lounge, which was previously situated in the basement of Stonewall 4. The lounge has now moved to the former staff and faculty dining area across from Lower Commons. King and Knapman noted that the old location had been underutilized since the return from COVID-19, likely due to limited food access, its inconvenient location, and its small size. The new venue addresses these issues; it is more centrally located to classes, closer to food options, and larger than the previous space.
Furthermore, Knapman and the Office of Commuter Life are working to enhance the new space and make it more inviting for commuters. Plans include adding a fridge, a coffee maker, and a computer with a printer. While the new Commuter Lounge is now operational, Escandon-Francis hopes to collaborate with Commuters In Action to organize an open house or welcoming event to promote and celebrate this transition.
The Office of Commuter Life has many additional plans to connect commuters with campus resources. They recently distributed a survey to all commuters to assess their needs and preferences. Based on the survey results, they will prioritize various initiatives. Some ideas in progress include affordable meal swipes for commuters, improved transportation access, and ensuring that all commuters have easy access to necessary resources.
For all commuters, Escandon-Francis encourages reaching out for assistance: “[We] are here to help with whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask anyone for help.” The Office of Commuter Life can be contacted via email ([email protected]) or through Debbie Knapman ([email protected]). They also share information on their Instagram page (@rwucommuterlife) and invite students to join Commuters In Action via Hawklink.
