Describes an optional orientation program which provides a week-long live-in experience, along with a host of opportunities and experiences that support entrance into the university culture. (Author)

This report presents the results of a survey of a pilot group of 19 community colleges as compared with 48 urban-commuter institutions. Tables 1-8 describe the sample of community colleges in terms of their enrollment, highest degree granted, accreditation group, location, ethnic predominance, and students housed. Data is also presented from the…

In describing standards and guidelines for commuter student programs and services, an analysis is provided of the mission, the program, multicultural programs and services, leadership and management, organization and administration, human resources, funding, facilities, legal responsibilities, equal opportunity, access and affirmative action,…

The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) has put forth uniform national criteria for assessing educational effectiveness through the publication of "Standards and Guidelines for Student Services/Development Programs." This document is described briefly, and guidelines for interpretation are offered. (KS)

The commuter institute is one to which students commute. The two basic assumptions of this study are: (1) the Chicago Circle campus of the University of Illinois will remain a commuter institution during the decade ahead; and (2) the campus will increasingly serve a more heterogeneous student body. These assumptions have important implications for…

Student affairs professionals at smaller institutions are encouraged to research their commuter students' characteristics and needs and to create or enhance services and programs to improve the college experience for commuters based on their findings. (KS)

Discusses the special needs of commuter students and provides suggestions for improving student services and programs for them. Suggestions are incorporated into an improvement model based on four general categories: services, programs, advocacy, and research. (RC)

The proportion of college students commuting to campus grows steadily. Nonetheless, many colleges still think in terms of the residential tradition. A model of institutional adaptation can be used to assess and change college environments for this population. The model focuses on access to institutional programs, basic services, and support. (MSE)

A self-assessment of commuter student programs and services at San Diego State University (SDSU) indicated that the university was doing well in meeting the needs of this population. For many years, most of the students at SDSU have been commuter students. Services and programs that were developed were created with the commuter student in mind.…

In an effort to inform commuter students of services and programs on a regular basis, the University of Maine at Orono launched a campaign consisting of a newsletter and orientation sessions targeted directly at commuter students. The newsletter included topics of special interest to commuter students such as housing services, ridesharing, child…

This study compared the perceptions of commuting and residential students about pressures, sources of help, and psychological services on a college campus. The two populations differed in their responses to questions about all three areas of investigation. (Author)

Examines the dynamics of a constantly changing student population and demonstrates how the definition of "new" changes from year to year and from one area of the country to another. Identifies emerging demographic trends and suggests strategies to anticipate and respond to the needs of each new wave of community college students. (RJM)

The personal problems and psychological needs of college students may vary according to their living arrangements. To compare the types and number of problems resident and commuter students bring to a university counseling center, the intake data of 345 students (152 dormitory residents, 193 commuters; 177 women, 168 men) seeking individual…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self concept and marital adjustment for married students and their spouses in a commuter college setting. The sample consisted of a random selection of 50 "both spouses commuting" couples, 50 "husband only commuting" couples, and 50 "wife only…

The greatest impediment to the provision of adequate and appropriate campus services for commuter students is their diversity. It is important to identify the needs of commuting students since they may have little interest in traditional campus programs and services. Though they are an extremely diverse population, nontraditional commuting…