It is a common misconception that off-campus students are robbed of the “college experience.” But truthfully, they just have to work that much harder to connect.
On-campus students are more likely to be involved with campus organizations, but many commuters are also involved on campus, said Tim Blair, associate director of university housing.
Blair said living on campus makes resources more accessible, but is not the best option for all students.
“Living off campus requires a lot more energy because you have to ask what is going on,” Blair said.
Hannah Evans, a sophomore in elementary education, said she prefers living off campus and does not mind the 15-minute commute.
“I have more freedom than people on campus,” Evans said. “Seeing as I don’t live on campus, I don’t have all of the restrictions like music, noise . . . a roommate.”
Evans said she does not feel disconnected from the college community. She looks at fliers posted around campus to stay informed about the University’s events and activities.
Hana Chmielewski, a graduate student in civil engineering, lives in a duplex across from Gorman Street. She said she is happy with her current living situation, but enjoyed residence-hall life as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University as well.
“For me, socially it was preferable to live on campus at the beginning of my undergraduate career, but now I know friends who I can room with,” Chmielewski said.
Unlike distant commuters, Chmielewski said she enjoys walking and biking to campus most days.
Joe Murray, a senior in German and mathematics, lives in Watauga Residence Hall and says living on campus has helped him be more involved.
“How much you do on campus is your personal choice, but there is more of a barrier for commuter students,” Murray said.
Wolf Trails and the Union Activities Board recognized the challenge of involving commuters on campus and organized three commuter “grab n’ go breakfasts” earlier this year.
The breakfasts were meant to build camaraderie among commuters, according to transportation planner Michael Ousdahl.
“A lot of commuters just come and leave campus after classes, so this would help build the commuting experience,” Ousdahl said.
UAB supplied food and Wolf Trails informed commuters about transportation options. They hope to expand the program by including University Dining and University Recreation and offering another breakfast April 4.
For commuters, gas is expensive and it is easy to run late. Evans said parking also causes problems on weekends and at night for those who park in the commuter lot at Varsity.
“When Varsity [bus] stops running at night, that’s a big problem,” Evans said. “If you get stuck here at night you might as well walk.”
Murray said he wakes up only five minutes before class starts and has a place to stay if he has to study late at night.
Finances played a role in Murray’s living on campus as well: Unlike apartments, all of the finances related to living on campus are paid at one time and stay at one set price, he said.
Privacy can be another factor.
Evans said she did not want to give up her privacy in order to live on campus, but Murray said he maintained his privacy by securing a single-room in Watauga.
Approximately 8,000 N.C. State students choose to live in residence halls on campus, while the other 26,000 live elsewhere.
Though a large majority of N.C. State students seem to prefer off-campus living arrangements, this number includes those who live in apartments across the street. About 9,500 graduate students also attend the University, the majority of whom live off campus.