Commuter Students Experience Parent Conference 2016 Greg Mather, Commuter Services Coordinator

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

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

They are more likely to work than students who live on residence The Commuter Student Some similar characteristics They are more likely to work than students who live on residence They may experience more challenges related to balancing work, family, and education Their time on campus is limited, and they may experience problems in building relationships with professors and academic advisors and taking advantage of learning support programs

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 Inviting your student’s new university friends to your home 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 Relaxing 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 from hair colour to majors Expecting and accepting that family dynamics may change Applauding their success and understanding their ‘slip-ups’

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 1-2 hours for each hour spent in class and more independent learning are expected. Academic advisors, professors, and student services 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 extend to 1-2 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 the on-campus Library, which offers access to great learning resources.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Classes will be larger. Many courses contain more than 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 the 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. Student are expected to meet all deadlines. Professor may not remind students of deadlines and expect work to be done on time – few expectations 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.

So what do we do for commuters? Don’t ask what your commuters will do to fit into the University, ask the University how they’ll change for the commuter!

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 2400 parking spots on campus About $180 to $325/8 month pass Car-pooling 50 spots just for car- poolers

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

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

Addressing support systems issues Services after hours, too! Food services Campus Recreation Safewalk Lockers

Addressing belonging issues The possibilities are endless!

The official welcome to UBCO! Create New Student Orientation Tuesday, September 6, 2016 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

Spark: Extended Orientation Create New Student Orientation Spark is UBC's Okanagan campus' extended orientation week, designed to support students as they transition into our campus community and to welcome back returning students. Spark's five-week program includes events and activities curated into five key themes Involvement Week (Sep 12 – 16) Wellness Week (Sep 19 – 23) Academics Week (Sep 26 -30) Diversity & Equity Week (Oct 2- Oct 6) Spark discovery Spark connections Spark success

What is a Collegium? 4 spaces on campus in 3 different buildings Collegia (latin) colligo : to collect, gather together, assemble What is a Collegium? 4 spaces on campus in 3 different buildings Different themes for each Graduate and Non Traditional Students 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 & 8:00am to 4:00pm 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

Questions - Comments - Concerns Contact Information Greg Mather greg.mather@ubc.ca 250-807-9820 Commuter Student Information: www.ubc.ca/okangan/students/campuslife.commuters.html Spark Extended Orientation: students.ok.ubc.ca/spark