Even though the majority of college students are commuters, most colleges and universities are set up primarily to serve residential students. In an effort to address this inequity, Drexel University created an award-winning commuter program. The author describes how it got started and what it looks like. (Author)

Identifies five key issues to be addressed by college programs attempting to involve commuter students in learning: (1) development of a more commuter-friendly campus environment; (2) support of institutional mission and goals; (3) demonstration of the effectiveness of involving commuter students in learning; (4) cross-functional collaboration;…

Describes the common needs and concerns of commuter students that impact on programming efforts, identifies the goals of programs designed to promote involvement by students who commute, and highlights examples of programs being sponsored at colleges and universities which have been effective in encouraging involvement of commuter students. (KS)

In programing for commuting students, campus programers must take into account their different schedules, time and family constraints, and logistical considerations. Marketing of the resulting programs must be varied and carefully targeted to the students' location. However, with creativity, programing for off-campus students can be successful.…

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)

Suggests the task of each institution is to differentiate accurately its commuter subpopulations in order to develop programs and services that meet their needs. Support services need to take into account the heterogeneity of the population in terms of who they are and why they want to attend. (KS)

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)

Presents the Campus Ecology Model which advocates an ecological perspective on commuting. Suggests that campus ecology should infer the ecology of the student, so that the physical/social environment residing outside of the university's property boundaries is of great importance. An ecosystem design process, its application to commuter…

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)

Recognizing the need to extend a variety of academic and student support services to its adult and commuting students, East Tennessee State University initiated a Center for Adult Programs and Services. The center, a collaborative effort of the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, offers a broad array of programs and services to…

Guidelines to enhancing the freshman year experience are presented in the following chapters: (1) "A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Freshman Success" (M. Lee Upcraft, John N. Gardner); (2) "Who Are Today's Freshmen?" (Arthur Levine); (3) "A Historical Look at the Freshman Year Experience" (John Orr Dwyer); (4) "Understanding Student…