Center for Commuter Affairs

Sara Bramblette, Coordinator

Landon Student Union, 108, (305) 899-3089
Commuter Student Lounge, Landon Student Union, 109
e-mail: commuteraffairs@mail.barry.edu
Web Page: http://student.barry.edu/commuter

PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Center for Student Commuter Affairs is committed to serving the needs of all commuter students, including undergraduate, graduate, ACE, and off-campus university sites, which constitute more than two-thirds of the Barry University student body. 

The purpose of the center is to serve as a resource center by providing a variety of programs and services intended to enhance the commuter experience by broadening the students’ knowledge of opportunities, events, and services that will assist them during their college career.  As a resource center, the office routinely collaborates with academic and administrative departments, as well as with other organizations and institutions, to make sure that commuters receive comprehensive and up-to-date information on any area relevant to their academic and personal development.

The center also seeks to enhance the student’s overall experience by encouraging campus participation, academic excellence, and social responsibility through advocacy efforts.  The ultimate goal is to develop critical thinkers who can successfully integrate the multiple life roles typical of their commuter lifestyle in a successful manner.

This purpose is aligned with the University’s Dominican tradition of study, prayer, community, and service within a caring environment of personalized attention that strengthens a student’s connection with the greater University community.

Objectives

• Offer services that help commuter students in their day-to-day interactions with the University.
• Offer programs that help commuter students to establish a connection with the University and its campus life.
• Offer orientation programs that ensure a successful adjustment to college life, while taking into consideration commuter-specific nuances such as previous college experience, non-traditional status, distance from main campus, and multiple life roles, among others.
• Provide a supportive space to facilitate commuter student interaction with faculty, staff, and each other by means of educational and recreational programs.
• Promote a sense of advocacy for commuter issues, while educating the University community about commuter needs.
• Provide advisory support for a Commuter Assistant Program.
• Engage in research efforts to identify, categorize, and understand commuter characteristics, overall demographics, as well as the diverse needs of commuter populations.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING SERVICE
Web Page: http://www2.Barry.edu/VPSS-vpoffice/off-campushousing.asp
Commuter Affairs provides listings of facilities available off campus. The information is posted on the web site noted above.  Students are welcome to view the listings at anytime. These listings are called in by members of the local community. The university does not inspect these premises and does not take responsibility for any problems relating to the rental and/or use of these premises. Students are responsible for all arrangements made between the renter and themselves.