Commuting Means More Than Take the Drive-Thru:

A study of First-Year Commuter Engagement and Satisfaction

By James Donnelly

Background

• Today, 85% of college students are commuters.

• Majority of research regards residential students

• Commuter programs are adopted without much evidence to support those decisions

• Assumptions that programs for residential students will work for commuters

Key Theories

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs• Schlossberg’s Mattering Theory• Schlossberg’s Transition Theory

Population

• 1,022 total First-Year Students• 104 Commuter & 1,018 Residential

Survey• 104 Commuters & 300 Residential

students surveyed

Findings

• Commuters much less socially engaged compared to Residential Students

• Commuters are significantly less satisfied with their experience and their engagement level.

Findings

• Commuters spend less time on campus & are generally on campus in the mornings

• Commuters are mainly focused on academic engagement and development

First Year Experience* Engagement *

5.074.734.50

2.94

SatisfactionResidential Students (n=60) Commuter Students (n=34)

23.25

16.65

Social Engagement Scale

Residential Students (n=60)Commuter Students (n=34)

22.30

23.41

Academic Enagement ScaleResidential Students (n=60)Commuter Students (n=34)

Campus Events/Activi-ties*

Mentoring/Leadership Programs*

Student Organizations* Online Social Networking Socializing On Campus*

3.58

2.88 3.00

3.42

4.20

1.82 2.03

1.56

2.91 2.79

Social EngagementResidential Commuters

Recommendations

• Increase staffing for commuter services & support

• Mentoring & events to help commuters engage

• Consideration of commuters in campus programming

• Location on campus for commuters to spend time and develop community