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

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

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. 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

5. 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)

6. 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’

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

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

18. Addressing belonging issues
The possibilities are endless!

19. 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

20. 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 )
Diversity & Equity Week (Oct 2- Oct 6)
Spark discovery Spark connections Spark success

21. 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)

22. 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

23. Questions - Comments - Concerns
Contact Information
Greg Mather
Commuter Student Information:
Spark Extended Orientation:
students.ok.ubc.ca/spark