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Printer-Friendly ModeNew initiative to offer commuters involvement opportunities
October 26, 2009 —
Commuters are often eager to get involved in campus life, but many find few opportunities to do so.
So says Eltaro Hooper, assistant director of Student Life. He says he’s here to change that.
Hooper is starting the Commuter Initiative, a program to boost off-campus students’ involvement and offer them opportunities to voice their opinions and concerns. Three in four SVSU students live off campus, and he says that’s too high a count to ignore.
Hooper is coordinating the effort with students and faculty. Using multiple media, they will inform commuters of upcoming campus events, activities, student organizations and contact information.
The program will come about in three ways: a commuters’ connection board, a Web site and a café-held survey.
“The entire development of each of the methods should be up and running by the end of this semester,” Hooper said.
The first part is creating the commuter connection boards. Merry Jo Brandimore, dean of student affairs, said they will be a key resource.
“Postings will be updated weekly,” she said, “with new information regarding ways for commuters to increase involvement, academic, scholarship and volunteer opportunities, and more.”
The next step is developing the Commuter Connection page on the Student Life Web site.
The content of this page is updated weekly and geared toward off-campus information and opportunities.
The site, soon to launch, will offer many sources for students, including a forum for suggestions, marketing and advertisements for everything from textbooks to roommates.
It will also offer monthly surveys, and students with the best replies will be entered to win a prize. “We want students to get involved and tell us what information is important to them,” Hooper said.
Commuting Cardinals can also add input at informal surveys in campus cafés, another opportunity to offer suggestions for what kinds of updates are posted.
Helping Hooper gather information about the needs and interests of commuters are the ones serving on a new advisory board. In exchange for their help, these students receive a free oil change.
The board hopes to integrate with Minority Student Services and meet the needs of the entire student body.
Building a stronger community involvement will help organizations see new faces and hear more ideas, Hooper said.
“The Commuter Initiative is a great step,” he added, “for the progress of the school and the students.”