Commuter Life

Housing is a very important factor in the decision about colleges. Of course it is important to know where you're going to live for the next 4 years, and everybody worries about dorms, food, and roommates. And then there are always the commuters.

Many people think that if you're a commuter and don't live on campus you miss out on important college experiences. I am a commuter, and I can tell you that being a commuter is actually not as bad as some might think. If you commute you are not the only one in your class, actually about 25% of Fordham students commute. Your college years as a commuter will not only be marked by traffic, subway, or train. Fordham has a lot to offer for commuters through the Commuter Student Services (CSS). For example, before the school year starts, you are invited to a commuter BBQ on campus to meet fellow commuter students. As a new student you also have special commuter orientation sessions while resident students are moving in their dorms. At those meetings you meet your Commuter Assistant, a fellow commuter that is a go-to person for you. Fordham makes various resources available for commuter students. There is the Student Lounge where you can hang out, meet new friends, use the computers, watch TV, or play pool. You can also rent one of the conveniently located lockers available for commuter students, if you want a place to store some things. Every Tuesday is “Commuters in the Cafe,” meaning you get a free breakfast pass for breakfast in the cafeteria. One of the student governments on campus is the Commuting Student Association (CSA) that consists of commuter students that organize various events for commuters and residents throughout the year.

As you can see, commuter life at Fordham is a lot of fun. Of course, it is up to you how much time you want to spend on campus, but Fordham certainly cares about its commuter students and offers a lot of opportunities to get involved and meet new friends.

FCLC's Commuter Freshmen Mentors

In a previous post I wrote about getting involved as a commuter on campus. I mentioned that every incoming commuter to FCLC is assigned to a Commuter Freshmen Mentor group, but I didn't go into detail about exactly what the CFM program is. As a CFM to a great group of freshmen, I wanted to shed some light onto this program that we are so proud of at FCLC.

2011/2012 CFMs

This year, the Commuter Freshmen Mentor program consists of 13 upperclassmen commuters who guide new students through their first year of college by maintaining a connection with them throughout most of the year. Previously, the program would only last during the fall semester, but due to its success, it is now being extended though March. The reason behind the CFM program is to help freshmen transition to college not only as students, but as commuters as well. Being a commuter has its ups and downs (so does being a resident); as commuters ourselves, the CFMs know this first hand. Going to college can be one of the most transitional times in a person's life, many students choose to dorm and this usually comes as a huge change to them - they are away from family and friends at home and they experience freedom that comes along with being a resident on campus. However, commuters are never very far from home. We must balance our home lives and our college lives at the same time - many of us deal with factors such as curfews, household responsibilities, and jobs near home among many others.

Having a CFM is a great resource for new commuting students, they can relate to us because we deal with many of the same things that they do, plus, we've gone through the transition period as freshmen ourselves. I'm a CFM because I want new commuter students to feel as if they are a part of the Fordham community; as a part of my job I hold office hours when my freshmen can come and speak to me (I've helped a few of them with their spring semester schedules), I send out weekly emails so that my freshmen are always in the know about what's happening on campus, and I host outings for my CFM group. Recently, I took my group for a trip to the Waffles and Dinges cart in front of the Time Warner Center, they loved it! We has a great time and I was so happy with the turnout, but most of all, I was glad to see these new students making connections and bonding as a group. The CFM program is constantly expanding and improving and I can't wait to see where it goes in the coming years.

The Commuter Experience: Getting Involved

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get as a commuter is "How can you possibly have a great college experience if you don't live on campus?" My short answer is that your college experience, regardless of your resident or commuter status, is entirely what you make of it. I found this out on my own during my freshman year at FCLC.

I live in New Jersey, and while my commute is only about 45 minutes long, as a freshman, I was upset that I didn't receive housing. I felt that I would somehow be missing out if I wasn't living in the residence hall. I worried about how I would possibly make friends if I didn't have roommates to rely on. Luckily, during Orientation, I was assigned to a Commuter Freshman Mentor group. My CFM, really helped to break the ice between the students in my group and before I knew it, my CFM group became a tight-knit community. We learned about each other's backgrounds, made commuting buddies, and went on group outings with my CFM throughout the Fall semester. I could relate to the students in my group since we all commuted and I stayed in contact with some of them through my Eloquentia Perfecta seminar. However, Orientation came to an end and I felt like I was on my own, like I didn’t have a place. I had some resident friends, but I wasn't connecting with the many other residents because they would go straight to the residence hall after classes. When I had nothing to do, I would dread long blocks between classes since I had no one to hang out with. My problem was simple; I wasn't getting involved on campus.

This problem was even simpler to fix. As the semester went on, I began to get involved by attending club meetings. I've now learned that clubs are an integral part of campus life here at FCLC, and many students, especially commuters, find their closest friends through the clubs they attend. These clubs don't only offer meetings, they plan fun events and outings that are open to all students. As a freshman, I got involved in the Campus Activities Board and the Commuting Student Association. My former CFM is now the President of CSA and I've joined the club as a Senator. During my freshman year, I decided to become a CFM because I wanted to help my fellow commuters get involved and make connections. Becoming a CFM is one of the best decisions I've made here so far and I'm hoping to stick with it throughout my remaining years at FCLC. Because I made a great transition by getting involved, I've become passionate about sharing that with new students. Hopefully, some of my mentees will be inspired to follow in my footsteps by becoming CFMs in their sophomore year.

Honestly, I've learned to love commuting and I couldn't picture my Fordham experience any other way. I've made good friends through the clubs I attend and have gotten really close to my fellow CFMs. Your college experience is what you make of it. Just because as a commuter, you may not feel like a traditional college student, you don't have to fade into the background. Fordham University has such a strong commuter presence and offers an endless amount of outlets for commuters to find a home on campus. As a commuter at FCLC, it's easy to get involved, make great friends and connections, and eventually make your own voice heard as a student leader.

Tips for getting involved on campus:

• Check out the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development (OSLCD) in room 408 to check out the list of clubs at FCLC. From clubs based on cultures, peer education, arts, community service, and more, you’re bound to find one that sparks your interest!

• Go to events! You don’t have to be a club member to attend campus events, they’re open to everyone. Many clubs also offer free outings to restaurants, cultural events, Broadway plays, and so much more. Check out the flyers posted around campus for more info and go to 408 to sign up; spots fill up fast!

• Create a profile on OrgSync and check out a calendar of campus events and club meetings. As you’ll see, there so much to do on campus every week!