Program aims to include more commuter students in campus life

By: Mayah A. Martin
Practicum Student

Jackson State University offers housing for more than 2,000 students, but a majority of the campus population includes commuter students, many of whom are native to Jackson and the surrounding areas.

While many commuters gain economically, others say they miss out on information and participation in on-campus activities.  A desire for independence and economic issues such as high gas prices and rising living costs are sited as major reasons why students decide to live off campus instead of taking advantage of university resident housing.

Tiara Thompson, a 22-year-old biology major from Jackson, Miss. said she usually relies on her peers to get information.  “I really do not participate in many activities but my friends and classmates help to keep me informed.”

Students like Jasmine F. Ash, a 22-year-old senior elementary education major from Atlanta, Ga., commute to campus everyday because she finds it less expensive to live off campus, despite the daily transportation and parking issues.

“Being an out of state student and having to pay those fees it became actually cheaper for me to stay off campus; plus after a year you are able to register as resident which means no more out of state fees,” said Ash.

This week, as part of the 2011 Welcome Week information sessions, the Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning, will meet with new students who do not live on campus to continue a program it started last year for reach out to more commuter students.

According to Valerie Shelby, Executive Director of the CSCEL, the purpose of the program is to establish a community, encourage involvement among commuter students and provide an outlet for concerns and issues involving commuter students.  The Commuter Program is also planning to survey off-campus students in order to gain information on how best to help them.

“We want to be able to keep the students who live off campus involved in activities, which is why we will conduct the survey because we feel it will provide us with the information we need to be able to accommodate them more,” said Shelby.

To learn more, visit the Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning located in the Jacob L. Reddix Complex or call 601-979-1294.