Rachel Yecco
Assistant Editor
Published in The Metro: Oct. 4, 2010
A poster in the Commuter Lounge that reads “Does CSA Really Exist?” has been under scrutiny by FDU students as they reflect on that question. With its lack of presence on campus, students crave clarification.
The abbreviation CSA stands for Commuter Student Association, an organization whose goal is to “advocate for the needs and interests of the commuter student population,” according to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s website. However, the poster, displayed sometime towards the end of Fall 2009, demonstrates alternate feelings.
Anonymous individuals have written their responses to the question on the poster. Responses include some negative statements, such as, “I think it’s safe to say CSA is over, no more, gone with the wind, et cetera,” “It’s the end of the semester and still no sign,” and a simple but powerful, “No,” which is followed by a series of sad faces. Conversely, there are also some hopeful responses such as, “It [CSA] did last year, those seniors left and no one took over. I believe there is still a budget though,” which gives insight into why the CSA is rumored to have gone MIA.
Mary Ford, Assistant Director and Learning Specialist of Freshman Intensive Studies, assures students - both commuters and residents - that CSA does still have a budget. Ford said, “My understanding is that CSA was very active in the past. Currently, CSA needs leaders who will be interested in resurrecting it and making it a more active association on campus.” Ford has been asked to act as the club’s new adviser, should it be revived.
Ford sympathizes with the lack of commuter voice on campus. During her time as a commuter student at Montclair State University, lack of resources for non-resident students was her biggest issue.
“We need to respond to the issues currently relevant to commuters because the issues that were relevant when the club was more active may not be the same issues today,” said Ford. She wants the students to come forward from the poster and vocalize their needs.
Right now, CSA is in the process of “revising and refining,” Ford said. Because the club has been at a halt for the last year-and-a-half, the goal of the club needs to be reassessed and revised, but first she needs to hear what the commuters want.
“What I’d like to see is that commuters have a voice on campus and that they seek CSA to communicate what they need,” Ford said.
Senior Nigel John-Baptiste, a business management major and commuter at Fairleigh Dickinson, remembers when CSA had a presence on campus. He recalls croissants, donuts, and orange juice in the Commuter Lounge, which were
provided by the group. But since he started commuting in Fall 2009, those early morning treats are no more.
John-Baptiste’s expectations include comfort, entertainment, and up-to-date amenities for commuter students. He said, “I want a place to relax in between classes. To sit and hang out and have some nice entertainment.” Though the Commuter Lounge is equipped with a a handful of kitchen appliances, many resources, like the printers, could use some help. “Sometimes, the printer doesn’t work or runs out of paper,” John-Baptiste said.
Over the summer, Twombly Lounge went through a major makeover, which may be something commuters would like to see happen to the Commuter Lounge. Though Twombly Lounge is an option for commuters to hang out in between classes, John-Baptiste believes it is too far and prefers going to the Commuter Lounge since it is closer to his classes.
Currently, the Commuter Lounge has a varied collection of blue couches and chairs, one of which is a broken armchair. The rug is stained and one of the lockers looks as though it was kicked in.
Though John-Baptiste said the Commuter Lounge is tolerable, he also said, “If the Twombly Lounge has sweet new couches, we should get them too.”
Ford is actively seeking commuters who want to become active in giving themselves, as well as other commuters, a voice on campus. Though she hasn’t seen the “Does CSA Really Exist?” poster in the lounge, she is still hopeful. “It shows that there is still student interest there,” she said.
The abbreviation CSA stands for Commuter Student Association, an organization whose goal is to “advocate for the needs and interests of the commuter student population,” according to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s website. However, the poster, displayed sometime towards the end of Fall 2009, demonstrates alternate feelings.
Anonymous individuals have written their responses to the question on the poster. Responses include some negative statements, such as, “I think it’s safe to say CSA is over, no more, gone with the wind, et cetera,” “It’s the end of the semester and still no sign,” and a simple but powerful, “No,” which is followed by a series of sad faces. Conversely, there are also some hopeful responses such as, “It [CSA] did last year, those seniors left and no one took over. I believe there is still a budget though,” which gives insight into why the CSA is rumored to have gone MIA.
Mary Ford, Assistant Director and Learning Specialist of Freshman Intensive Studies, assures students - both commuters and residents - that CSA does still have a budget. Ford said, “My understanding is that CSA was very active in the past. Currently, CSA needs leaders who will be interested in resurrecting it and making it a more active association on campus.” Ford has been asked to act as the club’s new adviser, should it be revived.
Ford sympathizes with the lack of commuter voice on campus. During her time as a commuter student at Montclair State University, lack of resources for non-resident students was her biggest issue.
“We need to respond to the issues currently relevant to commuters because the issues that were relevant when the club was more active may not be the same issues today,” said Ford. She wants the students to come forward from the poster and vocalize their needs.
Right now, CSA is in the process of “revising and refining,” Ford said. Because the club has been at a halt for the last year-and-a-half, the goal of the club needs to be reassessed and revised, but first she needs to hear what the commuters want.
“What I’d like to see is that commuters have a voice on campus and that they seek CSA to communicate what they need,” Ford said.
Senior Nigel John-Baptiste, a business management major and commuter at Fairleigh Dickinson, remembers when CSA had a presence on campus. He recalls croissants, donuts, and orange juice in the Commuter Lounge, which were
provided by the group. But since he started commuting in Fall 2009, those early morning treats are no more.
John-Baptiste’s expectations include comfort, entertainment, and up-to-date amenities for commuter students. He said, “I want a place to relax in between classes. To sit and hang out and have some nice entertainment.” Though the Commuter Lounge is equipped with a a handful of kitchen appliances, many resources, like the printers, could use some help. “Sometimes, the printer doesn’t work or runs out of paper,” John-Baptiste said.
Over the summer, Twombly Lounge went through a major makeover, which may be something commuters would like to see happen to the Commuter Lounge. Though Twombly Lounge is an option for commuters to hang out in between classes, John-Baptiste believes it is too far and prefers going to the Commuter Lounge since it is closer to his classes.
Currently, the Commuter Lounge has a varied collection of blue couches and chairs, one of which is a broken armchair. The rug is stained and one of the lockers looks as though it was kicked in.
Though John-Baptiste said the Commuter Lounge is tolerable, he also said, “If the Twombly Lounge has sweet new couches, we should get them too.”
Ford is actively seeking commuters who want to become active in giving themselves, as well as other commuters, a voice on campus. Though she hasn’t seen the “Does CSA Really Exist?” poster in the lounge, she is still hopeful. “It shows that there is still student interest there,” she said.
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