RAISE PARTNERSHIP SIG JANUARY 31st 2024 by WendyGarner

Please fee free to post any questions, comments or reflections here.

WendyGarner — 2024-01-31 15:29:20 UTC

Which 'spaces' do commuting students use within your Institutions? How does it vary?

WendyGarner — 2024-01-31 16:19:39 UTC

Useful sources for those scoping commuter work

outreachUEA — 2024-01-31 16:20:25 UTC

Artess, J., McCulloch, A. & Mok, P. (2014) Learning from Futuretrack: studying and living at home. BIS Research Paper 167. London: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Browitt, A. & Croll, N. (2015) Enhancing engagement of local ‘commuter’ students at induction to support transition and promote student retention and success. Paper presented at The 2nd International Conference on Enhancement and Innovation in Higher Education 2015, Glasgow, 9-11 June, available from http://enhancementthemes.ac.uk/conference/conference-resources.

Gibbons, S. & Vignoles, A. (2012), Geography, choice and participation in higher education in England, Regional Science and Urban Economics, 42 (1-2), 98-113 https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/regeco/v42y2012i1p98-113.html.

Lightfoot, L. (2018) Commuter students: locked out, left out and growing in number. The Guardian, 30th January 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/30/commuter-students-debt-universities-live-home.

London Higher 2019a Commuter students in London: Results of a pilot project on factors affecting continuation. London: London Higher. https://www.londonhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CSIL_Continuation_Aug2019.pdf.

London Higher 2019b Commuter students in London: Qualitative perceptions of students about commuting and studying in London. London: London Higher. https://www.londonhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CSIL_Perceptions_Aug2019.pdf.

Maguire, D. & Morris, D. (2018) Homeward Bound: Defining, understanding and aiding ‘commuter students’. Oxford: Higher Education Policy Institute.

Mannerings, H. (2018) Mind the Gap…How can we help commuter students get the most out of their studies? https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/blog-entry/mind-gaphow-can-we-help-commuter-students-get-most-out-their-studies.

Morris, D. (2018) Students who commute to university are getting a raw deal, The Guardian, 13/12/18 https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/dec/13/students-who-commute-to-university-are-getting-a-raw-deal.

Pokorny, H., Holly, D. & Kane, S. (2017) Commuting, transitions and belonging: the experiences of students living at home in their first year at university. Higher Education, 74, 543–558.

Thomas, L. (2019) I am just happy doing the work... Commuter student engagement in the wider higher education experience. Higher Education Quarterly (online) DOI: 10.1111/hequ.12243

Thomas, L. & Jones, R. (2017). Student Engagement in the context of Commuter Students. London: TSEP. Available at: www.tsep.org.uk/resources.

Thomas, L. (2018) ‘I use my time more wisely…’ The implications for learning and teaching in higher education of more ‘commuter students’. 10.4995/HEAD18.2018.8165.

we are a one building site.. with 70% commuters. Cafe and library well used.

2024-01-31 16:20:46 UTC

the UG identify with the site, not much with the parent university

Most live at parental home and drive - attendance at face to face lectures generally good

Many choose on line for meeting personal tutors, so they dont have to travel in, or so they can head home after lectures to get ready for work (unless they can meet adjacent to a lecture)

When we offer hybrid lectures we get a mix of attendees and online - mainly dependant on whether they are in for something else

Use of space varies in our Institution - cafe, library, booking work spaces etc.

WendyGarner — 2024-01-31 16:23:21 UTC

Some have a more transactional relationship and attend what they have to and go home.....

Do you have a definition at your institution for 'commuter students'?

2024-01-31 16:28:56 UTC

That is a good question - I will go back and ask at mine!

Do timetablers take the challenges of commuting into account?

2024-01-31 16:45:56 UTC

I don't think this has been explored yet but I do think there would be an interesting study regarding commuter student experiences at institutions where all/most are commuters versus not as prominent. Whether being in the 'majority' and it being 'the norm' changes their experiences etc. I can imagine there would be more intuitive timetabling/facilities/support at institutions where commuting was common (although not guranteed!)

2024-01-31 16:54:50 UTC

Old world problems?

2024-01-31 17:06:54 UTC

Should the emphasis be rather more on bringing the university to the student than the problems arising from insisting on the importance of bringing the student to the traditional university campus?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on how to regulate which students are using the resources and spaces developed for commuter students?

2024-01-31 17:27:51 UTC

Of course, they can't be opened up to everyone but it also feels a bit cruel to shut people out who might not be the intended audience but might be engaging for other reasons such as severe financial pressure or problems in their accommodation.