This introductory essay reviews the literature on commuter students' needs and experiences and compares several theoretical models that can be used to create environments, cultures, and structures that enable commuter students to become deeply involved in learning. Reports data that indicate the importance of increasing students' involvement to…

Reviews the history of living-learning programs at four-year colleges, profiling several programs that include commuter students. Examples of good practice include Murray State University (Kentucky), Northwestern University (Illinois), State University of New York at Stony Brook, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan, and Yale…

This article describes how to use what we know about commuter students to design and implement strategies that enhance their retention. It includes a discussion of the extraordinary diversity of the commuter student population and their common needs and concerns and offers several theoretical frameworks that have proven to be useful in…

In addition to experiencing the generic quality and cost problems faced by all colleges and universities, community colleges face problems particular to their student populations. They need to design more flexible schedules for working adult students, create a greater sense of community or engagement for commuting students, address the special…

The Students Serving Students Program is a unique and flexible orientation program designed to meet the needs of a large commuter population at Youngstown State University. The program is staffed by 20 upperclass students who contact all first-year and transfer students prior to the opening day of classes. Staff serve as peer resources throughout…

Adelphi University has awarded 76 Masters in Business Administration degrees to people in the New York City area who attended its Classroom on Wheels, one specially equipped car on each of four commuter train lines. The program, reaching over 1000 people since 1971 is run and promoted solely on tuition. (JT)

A preview is given of ASHE-ERIC report no. 7 which focuses on commuting students at colleges and universities and how institutions of higher education can begin to respond to these students' special circumstances that are greatly affecting their educational experience. The diversity of commuter students and their educational goals requires the use…

In the fall semester of 1984, 66 full-time commuting university sophomores whose cumulative grade point average was between .001 and 1.99 participated in a modified replication of a diagnostic and prescriptive interview program. The program used a group session with either an agency outreach approach (N=30) or a non-outreach approach (N=36) to…

A three-part questionnaire was designed to assess the needs of the commuter student at the University of San Francisco. The questionnaire, mailed to 250 commuter students, investigated the university student services; desired services, facilities, and activities; and the reason for living off-campus. Results of the survey indicated: (1) Full-time…

The patterns of time and transportation means adopted by the students and staff of the University of Alberta who commute from their residence to campus each week day are reviewed in an effort to assist in the University Long Range Development Plan. Emphasis is placed in the patterns in university commuting and the physical and behavioral aspects…

A Commuter Assistant program is described which was designed to deal with the problem of commuter estrangement from the university. The program was intended to create a cycle of informed commuters aiding other commuters to solve their problems. (Author/EJT)

Suggests the salience of the "commuter perspective" attitude toward higher education, since the majority of students commute. Advocacy is urged to overcome the historical and predominantly exclusive residential perspective. The role of the commuter advocate is delineated, and necessary skills defined. Services, facilities and issues of equal…

Describes organizations which serve as resources to professionals who work with commuter students and related issues: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Commuter Task Force, National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs, American College Personnel Association Commission XVII (Commuter Programs), National Association for Campus…

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)

Significant differences in this study were found an the Deference and Affiliation scales of the EPPS. Similarities were not accounted for by sex or socioeconomic variables. (BY)