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The College Experience for Commuters

By: Jordyn Forte


Though Stonehill College is a largely residential campus, an increasing number of commuter students enrolling at the College has caused changes to be made on campus.

Enrollment data from the College assessing the residential and commuter breakdown at Stonehill demonstrates that there has been an increase in the percent of commuter students enrolling at Stonehill since 2018.

In the Fall 2018, for example, only 4.9 percent of the class of 2022 enrolled as commuter students, and only 9.54 percent of all Stonehill students enrolled as commuters.

In subsequent years, including the Fall 2019, Fall 2020, and Fall 2021, however, the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 have respectively had 7.8 percent, 9.8 percent, and 12.3 percent of students enroll as commuters.

Due to the pandemic, Stonehill has seen an especially sharp rise in the number of commuters enrolled at the College in the past year.

In 2020, for example, commuters comprised 11.29 percent of the student population (273 students). In 2021, commuters now comprise 15.34 percent of the student population at the College (370 students).

Caleb J. Tobin, a freshman, is one of many whose decision to commute to Stonehill was influenced by the pandemic.

“When I was deciding whether to live on campus or commute, the College hadn't released too much information on what the fall semester would look like with the COVID-19 restrictions, so I decided to commute,” Tobin said. “I didn't want to commit to living on campus, then have the school say we have to dorm alone due to safety restrictions or something like that.”

So far, Tobin said he has enjoyed his experience as a commuter student, and he feels that he is well supported by the College.


“I think the school does a good job of including commuter students and making sure we feel welcome on campus. I've even seen the school host some events for commuters,” Tobin said. “The events on campus are also usually open to both residents and commuters, so you never really feel excluded from anything, either.”


To further accommodate and support the rising number of commuters at Stonehill, the College recently renovated a new hang-out area for commuter students – the Cleary Commuter Lounge, located in the Roche Commons.

According to the College’s website, the Cleary Commuter Lounge is intended to function as, “a dedicated space for commuter students to meet their peers, work on assignments, or even just kick back and watch TV.”

Tobin said that he appreciates this space, and he uses it regularly between his classes.


“I think the commuter lounge is a nice space. It's pretty quiet and secluded from the main dining commons, so I like to go there to get some work done,” Tobin said. “I've also made some friends with other commuters in the lounge, so I think it has been a positive experience overall.”


The lounge houses both a fridge and a microwave for those bringing meals from home as well.

Freshman Sofiya Gobora, a commuter student, also said that she also feels that Stonehill does a good job of supporting its commuters.


“As a commuter student at Stonehill, I feel as though Stonehill has done a lot to support and recognize us,” Gobora said. “Stonehill has even created a commuter specific lounge and no events ever exclude commuter students which is nice -- I feel no different than any residential student.”

With Stonehill’s commuter population rising, Christina B. Puccio, the Coordinator of Student Engagement, said that the College will continue to work with the Commuter Council to identify and accommodate commuter needs.

“The implementation of the Cleary Commuter Lounge in a larger space is one of the bigger accommodations that Stonehill has provided for the growing commuter population. The lounge gives commuters a designated space on campus, and it gives the students a sense of belonging, while also providing them with the opportunity to meet other commuters as well,” Puccio said.

Puccio also encourages commuters to get involved on campus wherever possible.

“Take all the chances and opportunities presented to you. Ask all of the questions, submit the applications, go to the fun events,” Puccio said. “The college experience isn’t something that is set in stone – it’s different for everyone, and it’s all about what you make of it.”


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