ID137 Home and Away: Enhancing Campus for Commuter Students

The Idea

Common issues amongst our commuter students are places to spend time between scheduled events, access to affordable food and drink, and a sense of belonging. We should consider:  

• overnight accommodation, offering single night stays at very affordable rates to support students with particularly intensive timetables, longer commutes or more expensive commutes;  
• repurposing some of the empty accommodation no longer suitable as accommodation into commuter kitchen and study spaces; look to implementing a series of commuter kitchens (microwave, kettle, sink, seating spaces) across campus in or around teaching buildings, expanding existing provision for commuter kitchens.  
• Far better signposting of existing facilities such as kitchens, non-food purchase spaces to spend time, places to shower, to store bicycles or other commute related equipment such as lockers for clothing 
• Ensure that cheap and nutritious food option are available throughout the day 

Many students, particularly studying science degrees have very intensive days, when coupled with long commutes at the mercy of winter weather, the rail or bus system, the opportunity to cheaply stay overnight may reduce their costs as well as provide convenience and greater freedom to study. Campus catering, while excellent, is still a challenge for many students due to the cost-of-living crisis. Spaces to simply make a cup of tea and heat up a meal, or to spend some of the long timetable gaps in quieter productive spaces could benefit this group. There are some existing spaces on campus (Tawny, Library) but there could be more including the central science laboratories, medical school, etc to ensure that students with intensive timetables can access facilities nearer to where they have classes. It is also challenging for commuter students to know where to go between classes, particularly when there are larger gaps in timetables. Providing more home-like spaces and the opportunity to interact with students ‘like them’ may increase a sense of belonging. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Nationally we know that the percentage of students deciding to live at home and commute to university is increasing due to a number of factors. We have a lot of empty student accommodation that might be unappealing or unsuitable for longer term letting, but that could be repurposed into flexible spaces to support our students. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

I would start by talking to our commuter students and determining what their needs are, prioritising commuter students with the longest commutes and who have intensive timetables for input.  This would ensure the offering is designed with the group who may benefit the most in mind. Then in collaboration with the SU, students and campus services determine what spaces could be repurposed and what the staffing implications are. If nothing else, a small-scale pilot between spring vacation and the end of Semester 2 assessments could give a sense of viability.

What Success Would Look Like

Success would be improved student satisfaction for commuter students, potentially increased engagement (defined as attendance, submission of coursework on time/with extension, completion of optional tasks or greater participation in campus life generally) and attainment for those students, and good evidence of uptake of the options.