(Photo courtesy of Didier Maria) “Many commuter students face steep tickets regularly.”
Didier Maria & Andrew Jallow
Connector Contributors
“One of the most valuable parts of going into university is the connections that you make,” stated Dr. Briggs, a faculty member of the University of Massachusetts Lowell math department who speaks on the topic of commuting to campus.
The struggles of arriving at campus can be easier, however, with some possible ideas that can be implemented for the commuters. One of such that can make a major difference for the students and faculty.
“I suppose the university could change the course schedule so there’s more time in between each class… some sort of space for the commuters, like space that can be between classes… maybe lockers so they can drop some stuff off and have it there all day long,” explained Dr. Briggs.
With the influx of students being commuters to the university, many of the troubles have been seen by students and faculty alike. The previous winter storms that came across campus and the state in mid-February caused an uproar of all. Emails from the university were sent out mere hours before the campus “opens.” They sent out an update that the campus would open later.
Many students that have commuted have shown their frustration about the matter of being delayed while on the commute to campus. Other faculty have expressed their frustration as well, given the amount of parking that is available for all.
“Reliable parking? We don’t have a ton of. At the current moment, my day for my first class starts at 9:30, and I always get a good parking spot. But when my first class starts at 12:30, it’s almost guaranteed that I was walking pretty far,” stated Dr. Briggs.
Parking is a known factor for all and has been in discussion for a long time at the university, and with rules being implemented on certain times for the parking lots to be open for the other students, it can be hard for students if they park on campus.
For Victor Cardoso, a third-year accounting student at UMass Lowell, commuting is just part of his college experience. “I commute by car the four days I have classes a week,” he shared. Luckily, his drive isn’t too long.
“My commute luckily is only about 10 minutes.” Which allows him to save money on housing and stay connected to home. But even a short commute has its struggles. “The biggest overall problem from being a commuter is having to deal with Lowell traffic, to and from campus.”
When it comes to scheduling, there are trade-offs. “I don’t have much flexibility in my schedule. I prioritize good professors over a good or enjoyable schedule.” Commuting gives a clear separation between home life and school
While online classes could make things easier, they come at a cost—literally. “Online classes are helpful for commuters, but the hefty price it comes with cancels out the benefits, in a way.”
Like many students, Cardoso has to balance school and work to make. “As someone who pays tuition off monthly, work is a must for me, which is why I have an internship and a part-time job. Obviously, I have to work around my class schedule. Thankfully, the weekends are good for work.”
Despite the busy workload. Being a commuter also allows him to take advantage of job opportunities outside of campus. Even with a busy workload, he would stay active on campus. “Yes, I’m involved, which means I usually have to stay on campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Between classes, meals, office hours, tutoring, and extracurricular events, the days are long.”
