ID072 DUKCS: Deal for University of Keele Commuting Students

The Idea

Better support and recognition for commuter students, an important and growing constituency of our student population. There has been a rise in students that choose to commute to university from the family home rather than move to live close by. Keele could do much more to recognise this trend by improving university accessibility for commuter students. Modest levels of investment would capitalise by encouraging student registrations for students that might otherwise choose courses elsewhere, not to mention improved experience, levels of student satisfaction and retention.  

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

It has been estimated that 46% of university students now commute from the family home rather than move to accommodation on campus or nearby (Guardian, 2024 - reference below). Indeed, Keele University data from 2021 (see Figure 16) suggests that around 70% of students commute. As I make my way in I see students sitting in their parked cars at 8am waiting for classes at 9, and I speak to students in my classes who talk about the difficulties they face. I have even encountered a plea in a piece of student coursework for better recognition and support for commuting students. We could do much more to promote commuting as a valid way to attend university and provide more support for commuting students in the form of a compact (agreement). 

Reference 

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/18/have-laptop-can-travel-the-rise-and-rise-of-the-commuter-student   

How We Would Implement This Idea

• There is already some provision in place for commuting students in the form of a dedicated space for local and commuting students in the Tawney Building. The Chapel is also available as a social space. As well as ensuring students know about existing resources, this could be expanded as follows: 
• Central University and/ or Schools provide further kitchen / lounge spaces so commuting students can prep drinks and meals - it is not affordable to buy multiple coffees and sandwiches per week from on campus shops and cafeteria. They could also relax and socialise here as well as charge devices. 
• Recognising there may be significant logistical issues with this suggestion that would need to be worked through, Timetabling could ask all students if they prefer to concentrate classes on fewer campus days vs. spread classes out. Both commuter and on campus students with other commitments (e.g. part time jobs) may prefer concentrated classes, while some other students may prefer classes on each day of the week.  
• Improved links to Stoke Station from campus e.g. taxi sharing app, taxi sharing Teams space, or looking to see whether direct shuttle busses to and from Stoke station could be viable. 
• Extracurricular "club" activities during the working day to make up for missed opportunities for community building as commuter students are not on campus in the evenings. E.g. morning campus walks/runs and/or catering offerings. These would demonstrably provide a more attractive experience for Keele commuting students that could be advertised. 
• Create a team of commuter student advocates, similar to the Residence Life model. This could potentially sit alongside or work in partnership with the Campus Life Team, creating peer support, strengthening belonging and helping commuter students build connections with each other and the wider university community. These advocates, in speaking directly with current commuter students to better understand their lived experience, could prioritise this action list, targeting offers that will make the biggest difference. 

There are other strategic ideas around commuter short let accommodation (Home and Away: Enhancing Campus for Commuter Students) and enhancing the student experience (The Commuter Student: How Keele can better serve Local Lives). Together, these ideas could form part of a much broader and more cohesive commuter student offer. 

What Success Would Look Like

Bonus for recruitment; Better retention; More engaged commuter students