Commuter Students Experience Parent Conference 2017 Liz Hilliard, Manager, Student Engagement RoB Giardino, Coordinator of Student Experience

Who are commuter students? So hard to define… Commuters make up over 80% of most post-secondary institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia Hard to define any similarities in this enormous, complex, diverse group Commuter students Theories Over 80% of most university students in North America, Australia and the United Kingdom and this number is expected to grow There is little data specifically about commuter students as most research looks at residential students (easy targets) and extrapolates to commuters This group of students is the most likely to drop out (Tinto)

Who are commuter students on our campus? Over 75% of our students are commuters This includes Undergraduate and graduate students Young students, returning students, mature students, students who are parents, transfer students People who drive, carpool, take the bus, walk, or cycle

Supporting your student The Commuter Student Supporting your student Learning about important campus resources so that you can provide guidance when your student experiences challenges Consider inviting your student’s new university friends to your home Consider arranging for a quiet study environment within the home Understanding that commuter students divide study time between both home and campus and that your students must find the balance that is best for them Review your family expectations (i.e. daily family dinners)

Expecting and accepting that family dynamics may change The Commuter Student Supporting your student Revisiting and renegotiating curfews to accommodate academic and social obligations Students will change over their years at university - everything from hair colour to majors Expecting and accepting that family dynamics may change Applauding their success and understanding their challenges

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success University schedules will be less structured than in high school. Some classes meet every day. Others one, two, or three times a week. Students must learn to establish their own priorities and manage their time to meet the demands of school, work, and personal life.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success The volume of work required in university is significantly greater than in high school. Studying 1-3 hours for every hour spent in class and more independent learning are expected. Academic advisors, professors, and student affairs professionals can help students identify academic support resources on campus to improve study skill or develop better time management or organizational skills.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Classes are often longer and more intense. The 45-50 minute classes of high school extend to 1-3 hours. While individual class sessions may be longer, students spend less time in class than they did in high school. Much more student work and learning happens outside the classroom. Students can make use of breaks in their schedules to study, work on assignments, or prepare for the next class meeting. Students should take advantage of spaces such as the Library and Math and Science Centre which offers access to great learning resources.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Classes will be larger. Many courses contain 100 or more students in a section, especially introductory and first-year courses. Attendance may not be taken. Students are expected to learn course material, but they may have limited individual interaction with their professor. Forming study groups with students in large courses can make the environment feel less intimidating and enhance student learning. Students should schedule appointments to meet faculty or make use of scheduled office hours to ask questions about concepts that are unclear or address other concerns they have about the course.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Course expectations are identified in a syllabus. Students are expected to meet all deadlines. Professors may not remind students of deadlines and expect work to be done on time – few exceptions are allowed. Students should talk with professors about their responsibilities and ask for suggestions on how to balance them successfully. Seeking out the professor’s advice will suggest that the student wants to succeed.

Mobility/transportation issues Multiple life roles What do we know about commuters? Wilmes and Quade’s Common needs and concerns of commuter students (1986) Mobility/transportation issues Multiple life roles Creating and integrating support systems Developing a sense of belonging

Addressing mobility and transportation issues By vehicle The U-Pass program Parking Day rates: $45-$68/month Evening rates: $35/month Car-pooling https://transportation.ok.ubc.ca/

Addressing mobility and transportation issues By bicycle Ride up to campus! Bike and ride UBCycles program

10 fee Day care on campus Health and Wellness’ counselling services Addressing multiple life roles issues Day care on campus Health and Wellness’ counselling services On-campus employment -Exercise 10 fee

Addressing support systems issues Services after hours, too! Food services Campus Recreation Safewalk Lockers Food services – flexible meal plans, i.e. optional meal plan. Campus Recreation – classes before, during, and after the “school day” Safewalk – 6 to late, getting to your vehicle after you stay late Lockers – day use

Addressing belonging issues The possibilities are endless! Commuters sometimes comment that they have a hard time feelings like they belong when they are on campus They don’t have the added benefit of an entire group of neighbours at their door like those who live in residence students.ok.ubc.ca/getinvolved

The official welcome to UBCO! Create New Student Orientation Tues Sept 5, 2017 The official welcome to UBCO! Helps your student get to know other new students Helps build a sense of the campus Free food and free stuff We cancel classes just for you! We will be welcoming about 2300 new students with the help of 250 volunteers Free

Spark: Extended Orientation Create New Student Orientation Welcome Week as UBC's Okanagan campus is designed to support students as they transition into our campus community and to welcome back returning students. Welcome Week programming includes events and activities curated into four key themes: Welcome Week's four programmatic themes Involvement Wellness Academic success Diversity and equity http://students.ok.ubc.ca/newtoubc/orientations/welcome-week.html

What is a Collegium? 3 spaces on campus Different themes for each Collegia (latin) colligo : to collect, gather together, assemble What is a Collegium? 3 spaces on campus Different themes for each Upper Year Students (aka Senior) First and Second Year Students (aka Junior) Global (aka a space for all students)

The Collegia Open 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Thursday & 7:30am to 4:30pm on Friday Events and activities in the space help students break the ice with one another A great place to hang out after a class to get to know someone better

Are there any questions or comments? Thank you for your time! Are there any questions or comments? Liz Hilliard Robert Giardino Manager, Student Engagement Coordinator, Student Experience liz.hilliard@ubc.ca rob.giardino@ubc.ca 250-807-9012 250-807-8013 Commuter Student Information: https://students.ubc.ca/new-to-ubc/first-year-commuter Week of Welcome – September 6 – September 13: http://students.ok.ubc.ca/newtoubc/orientations/welcome-week.html Student Experience Office http://students.ok.ubc.ca/student-experience/welcome.html