Commuter Corner

 "We Want More"

By Ashlea Perkins

I've been a commuter student here  at Bowie State since  Fall  ‘06  and  I must say I'm not pleased with the amenities offered to commuter students . I've been interested some time now in the intramural sports offered, however, I've been extremely apprehensive about getting involved because I have classes scheduled after the activities. But since I don't live on campus I don't have any place clean enough to my standards to shower.

I would like to propose that a shower and gym be built exclusively for the commuters. Truth be told, "I'm tired of having to wait for someone to walk out of the secured dormitories so that I can move swiftly pass them to sneak in to use the gym equipment." I want a facility exclusively built for us.

Also as a commuter some of my classes are either early morning or late night; although this isn't the schedule for every commuter I would like to propose that the cafeteria either opens earlier or later than scheduled. There have been many times that I've rushed to class after working an eight hour shift at my job and I'm disappointed because the fast-food vendors are closed down.

Another problem that I'm faced with as a commuter is the mediums of info for events, organizations, meetings etc ....... My schedule doesn't permit me to be on campus for an entire day so often times I'm left out of the loop when it comes to activities on campus. There should be an email circulator that keeps the commuters in touch with what's going on campus. Traveling from home to campus can also be extremely tiring; there should be a quiet lounge exclusively for the commuters, a place where we can rest in before, after or between classes.

Although I am appreciative for the commuter breakfast that's offered time to time, this should be offered, if not every day, at least weekly. I also remember there being a commuter's week where the commuter association hosts a series of events strictly for the commuters, that gave us an opportunity to be involved and get to know the fellow commuter students who attend Bowie State University; I would love to be involved with that again. And yes there's a lounge in the Wiseman Center, but it's combined with the game room which can get extremely loud and become annoying. 

Downing my beloved Bowie State University is not the intent of this column. I'm simply saying: "I love my university; however I'm ready to see a difference." I know this change isn't going to come overnight and maybe never, but at least you know how we feel as commuters.  It's also time for the commuter students to hop aboard and show the university that we matter as well.