Early mornings, full parking lots and busy schedules are a daily reality for commuter students at Indiana University Indianapolis. With the reports stating 86 percent of students being commuters, many arrive just in time for class and leave shortly after.
Despite spending limited hours on campus, commuter students continue to find creative ways to build community, connect with peers and make their university experience meaningful.
Commuter students make up a large portion of the IUI population. Like many students they balance coursework with part-time jobs, internships or family responsibilities but with the added challenge of driving and traffic. The challenge lies in staying engaged and feeling like part of the campus community without the built-in social opportunities that come from living in residence halls.
Haley Birdwell, a junior at IU Indianapolis studying media arts and science, says that most of her connections come from within the classroom.
“I’d say most of them are through class,” Birdwell said. “I haven’t really made most [connections] through events. I think events are the places I go to with my friends that I have made in class.”
“It would be nice to have more events around campus, just anything that would give you a reason to be here at all,” Birdwell said. “I feel like a lot of the events for me are at midday, and so usually I’ll have work when I’m not at school.”
Although IUI offers student events and programs designed for all students, commuters often face practical barriers such as transportation, scheduling and parking. Birdwell noted that while she feels the campus environment is generally fair, parking remains a major concern.
“The only complaint I would have is parking, but I think that goes for everyone,” she said. “There’s too many students and not enough parking spaces, whether you’re commuting or not.”
While some commuter students feel disconnected, others have found belonging through involvement in student organizations and clubs. Stephanie Morin, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, has built her college experience around engagement.
Morin, serving as deputy chief of staff for Purdue Student Government (PSG), sits on the Indianapolis committee for the Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC), and dances with The Moving Company (MOCO) at IU Indianapolis.
“I first got involved on campus by applying to PESC and PSG,” Morin said. “I wanted to join because it was a way to help Purdue [in] Indy have a voice to the general Purdue student body and admin. I also wanted to join as a way to connect with my peers and be more involved with our campus since it is growing so much.”
Through her organizations, Morin said she has built strong friendships and developed a deep connection to campus life.
“Through PSG and PESC, I got to meet other students who want to make change and are dedicated to our campus and peers,” Morin said. “Through these clubs, I get to recognize more people on campus and have more friends to talk to in classes.”
Morin emphasized that club participation has allowed her to meet people outside her major and gain new perspectives.
“During my first semester, I was not as involved and struggled to make deep connections with my peers due to only knowing who they are in a classroom setting,” Morin said. “Being a member of a student organization allows for me to connect with like-minded peers on a deeper level outside of the classroom.”
“I think universities could ensure that parking is affordable and accessible at all hours to ensure commuters are able to stay on campus for long periods of time,” Morin said. “I also think having communal spaces open for long hours or even 24 hours can help commuters feel like they can be on campus for longer.”
Both Birdwell and Morin’s experiences highlight the contrast between involvement and isolation among commuter students. For some, clubs and organizations create an essential sense of belonging. For others, class time and casual interactions serve as their main source of connection.
Still, both students share the same desire for community. Whether it comes from a dance studio, a student council meeting or a conversation before class, the search for connection drives many commuters to make the most of their time on campus.
As Morin reflected, campus involvement is more than an extracurricular choice. It is a foundation for belonging.
“I think campus involvement is one of the most important ways someone can find their place in college,” Morin said. “Meeting peers outside of class and connecting with like-minded individuals can solidify your belonging on campus.”
For the many commuters who spend their days traveling between home, work, and school, that sense of belonging transforms IUI from a place they attend to a community they are truly part of.
Finn Williams (they/them/she/her) is a senior double majoring in Media Arts and Science and Journalism and is a writer for The Campus Citizen. In their free time they enjoy cooking, dancing and motorsports.
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