The commuter students of Winona State University feel the pressure of trying to stay connected to a campus that they are physically separated from all the while they struggle to find a close parking spot to attend classes. Many commuter students have traded in their cars for walking to campus in an effort to avoid the seas of filled parking spots and streets that surround the Winona State campus.
Second-year commuter student Rachel Fredrick compares her current year of living across the street from campus in the Sustainability House to her first year living further off campus where she daily had to drive to campus in an effort of making it on time to her classes.
“It was a hassle to get to campus and it decreased my time on campus.” Fredrick said. “I was way less involved and had to make more of a conscious effort to get to events on campus and the comfort of being home made me isolate.”
Although Fredrick had a difficult time getting involved in Winona State clubs and activities while she lived further from campus; by living closer to campus, she is now able to be a more active member of the Geoscience Club and the Sustainability Club. By being an active member of her clubs, she now has a leadership role in the Geoscience Club and feels more fulfilled by her participation in the Academic Club.
Comparably, third-year and East Lake resident, Rebecca Coyne details her lack of engagement in campus events where she only tends to participate in the East Lake events and is not a part of any Winona State campus clubs. Additionally, Coyne feels that it can be difficult to get to campus where she tends to walk or take the shuttle from East Lake to campus because when she does drive she struggles to find somewhere close to campus to park.
“I have a lot of issues trying to park because I don’t have a permit pass.” Coyne said. “It’s pretty far away to park, and even if I had a gold pass, the lots are full and even Main Street is packed.”
When Coyne is on campus, she tries to make the best of her time.
“If I have time between classes I’ll just stay on campus and work.” Coyne said. “And I have the meal plan so I’ll come to campus to grab food but usually when I’m done I would just go back to East Lake.”
Another commuter student who has trouble finding parking is fourth-year Ty Bergner. Even though Bergner is only a couple blocks away from campus, he still tends to drive to campus with his Gold Parking Pass. He daily has issues finding close enough parking in the overfilling lots, especially the Minne Gold Parking Lot.
“I usually have to do loops around the parking lot until I get a spot.” Bergner said.
After scouring the crammed Minne Lot to find the rare empty spot to park, Bergner goes about his day on campus where he is an active member of the Turtle Island Student Organization and a leader of the Philosophy Club. Bergner explains that adversely to the other commuter students, he finds that commuting to Winona State assists him in being an active member of Winona State Organizations and Clubs.
“Living off campus doesn’t really impact my participation in clubs.” Bergner said. “I could say commuting actually helps me because I just leave my club stuff in my car.”
Even though these commuter students are distant from campus and have different proximity with levels of involvement on campus, they still are finding ways to stay connected to the Winona State campus. Whether they are a part of Winona State clubs and organizations, spend extra time on campus to do homework or go to get a bite to eat after classes they are able to stay engaged and connected to our campus.
