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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Differences Between High School and University
Strategies for Success
Classes are often longer and more intense. The 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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

22. 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
Commuter Student Information:
Week of Welcome – September 6 – September 13:
Student Experience Office