Commuters make up about 85 percent of Buffalo State College’s students. There is a student funded Commuter Council at Buffalo State College, where commuters can meet other commuters, “be informed of campus events, make connections with campus staff and faculty, and study or relax,” according to the commuter council website.
It is not unusual for students to be unaware of the commuter council, agree several students in the commuter lounge. The commuter lounge is home to the Commuter Council which is funded by the United Students Government.
The council hosts events each semester that are geared toward commuters who would otherwise go home after or in between classes. They work closely with Melisa Williams, associate director of minority and commuter services, who “drops by at least once a week,” said Chris Calmer, a commuter and vice president of the commuter council.
There are services and activities available to commuters located on campus. However, do commuters know where to go to get to know fellow commuters and take advantage of these services to increase their involvement outside of the classroom?
“Students don’t even know there’s a fourth floor to the union,” said Williams, whose office is located on the fourth floor of the Campbell Student Union.
It is likely that students might not even know about the commuter lounge that is open during student union hours too.
The commuter lounge, located inside the Fireside Lounge, is on the third floor of Campbell Student Union. The lounge is maintained by the Student Life office, and it is equipped with a standard sized refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and the usual condiments.
Each semester, the Commuter Council and Campus Role Playing Anime and Gaming Group (CRAGG) get together to game for cancer, where students play to raise money for cancer research. They are also working on a live action Clue game to be played all over campus and hosted a Nerf war that took place in Rockwell Quad last year.
“We are still finding Nerf darts out there,” Michael Demmy said, president of CRAGG and a commuter.
Commuter Services help encourage commuters to stay on campus and participate in campus life. Williams creates and hosts programs including Midnight Breakfast, Weeks of Welcome, and the Union Bash. Smaller programs include enhancing leadership skills, money management workshops, collaboration with social or cultural or greek organizations, and health promotions.
Commuter Services and Student Life goals include leadership, involvement, learning and success. The Student Life office meets these goals in some measure each semester, Williams said.
Williams encourages school spirit and involvement because both employers and graduate schools look at those factors when determining acceptance. Students usually find acceptance and leadership through greek life and student government according to Williams.
“Anything you do in college will prepare you for anything outside of college,” Williams said.
Having served on her college governing body and once a member of a sorority, Williams knows first hand how involvement can increase your chance for success, attributing some of it to her own.
Even if student government or greek life is not an interest to some, there are other ways to get involved.
Student Life is always looking for new ways to improve its programs and create new ones. Three important pieces of advice Williams gives to any student at Buffalo State is to get involved in something, take advantage of all the services available and go to events on campus.
“There are academic, social and cultural clubs that cater to every student’s needs,” Williams said. “We enjoy student feedback and criticism and we read students comments.”
Williams gives out evaluation sheets after every event or program. If there are no options that suit a particular student’s interests or needs then he or she can propose an idea for a new club.
“Whenever we have a problem or an idea, Melisa is more than willing to help us,” said Dave Mondello, the secretary of CRAGG and a commuter.
Both Williams and the students in the commuter lounge agree that commuters should take advantage of all services. There are free activities every week. There are resources students already pay for such as the Weigel Health and Counseling Center that is not always taken advantage of. Go to events and stay on campus to participate. Networking and socializing are important to staying satisfied with your college experience, Williams said.
For more information:
United Students Government - http://ipa.buffalostate.edu/~usg/
Minority services - http://www.buffalostate.edu/mss/
Commuter services - http://www.buffalostate.edu/studentlife/Commuter.xml
Student life - http://www.buffalostate.edu/studentlife/
Student Life office
Commuter Council - http://www.buffalostate.edu/studentlife/x764.xml
Union Bash - http://www.buffalostate.edu/studentlife/UnionBash.xml
Campus events - http://www.buffalostate.edu/newsandevents.xml