Over 150 students at Wofford, or 11% of the student body, commute to class each day rather than live on campus. The question of what Wofford can do to impact their experience should be answered by Wofford staff and administration.
Assistant Dean of Student Success and College Access Dr. James Stukes has worked to create a more fulfilling and inclusive environment for Wofford commuters. In Spring of 2023, a group of administrators working with Stukes created events and activities geared towards commuter students.
In September this year, commuter students had the opportunity to gather in Burwell for lunch with President Samhat. This lunch offered an opportunity for students to mingle, form friendships and potentially plan future carpooling.
Wofford also holds raffles intended to meet needs of students who commute to campus. Some prizes have included QT gift cards, safety alarms, and car wash passes.
“I would have appreciated these as a commuter student in undergrad!” Stukes said. A study break in the library is coming up soon and commuter students can be on the lookout for more tailored events this year.
Stukes believes that commuter students seem very happy and fulfilled with their college experience at Wofford.
“I know of many commuter students that study abroad, are presidents of clubs, and very involved in various student organizations on campus,” Stukes said.
The development of the Kang Center aims to be a great resource for commuter students. It provides a space to recharge between classes. Wofford hopes that developments like this are seen as valuable to commuting students, with the primary goal of creating a campus environment of inclusivity.
It is important for Wofford faculty and residential students to have empathy and flexibility with students who commute to campus. Being late from a traffic accident and being late from Marsh Hall are two very different circumstances.
A closer look into the life of a commuting student can be found in Hannah Hyatt ‘26, an accounting major here at Wofford.
Like many commuter students, she found herself living at home for financial reasons as well as seeing family and having all of her things located at home. Hyatt decided to spend her first year at Wofford commuting with only a thirty five minute drive to and from the school.
Her typical day consisted of getting up earlier than a residential student most likely would and gathering all of her things for the day that she would need, including a change of clothes to hang out with friends. She found herself at the library when not in class and grabbing lunch with friends.
She explains the overwhelming nature of her situation as she was trying to juggle classes, homework, friendships, work, and on top of all of that, commuting.
Eventually, Hyatt decided to live the next two years on campus to avoid the immense stress she saw while commuting and be more involved in the Wofford community.
“What made me move on campus was, … my friendships, definitely. I met a great group of girls who made me feel wanted on campus,” Hyatt said.
Although she no longer commutes, she urges current commuting students to be organized.
“And [commuting students should] still be involved as much as possible. It’s definitely doable … don’t forget about your social life. Really take advantage of that because it really helps grow you,” Hyatt said.
It is clear that commuting students see different struggles than that of residential students but that does not mean that commuting can limit a college experience. If the opportunity is available, students may take the chance for different reasons and find that it either works for them or does not. Wofford faculty and the student body have taken initiative in providing a space for commuter students with events, community and spaces to go allowing for the full-on Terrier experience.
