By Scout Nicholson / Jambar Contributor
While Youngstown State University students come from a variety of backgrounds and situations, a majority of them share one common experience — commuting.
Erin Driscoll, executive director in the Office of Student Affairs, said three out of five students commute to YSU. The remaining scholars comprise online students, such as College Credit Plus high school students, and those living in student housing.
“The university was really founded to support our region. I think about the bridge that crosses over Wick Avenue, and it says, ‘Let knowledge serve the Valley,’” Driscoll said. “That really reflects the roots of why YSU is here in the first place. To educate our local community and to provide opportunities for education and growth.”
Affordability is a major attraction for students. Driscoll said YSU is in the top-three most affordable colleges among fellow state institutions. Housing accounts for the largest expense when attending college.
Payton Fertig, junior communications major, is from Greenville, Pennsylvania, approximately a 45-minute drive from YSU. She said affordability was one of her main factors in choosing YSU, in spite of distance.
“One of my biggest things was tuition, the price. And in my area, YSU is easily the most affordable,” Fertig said. “I looked into going to [Thiel College], but the tuition is like double.”
YSU commuters benefit from more affordable parking fees as well. While parking passes cost $45 dollars a semester for daytime parking, according to YSU parking services, nearby Kent State University charges $116.
Lisa Cutter, administrative assistant for Parking Services, said this spring semester there are 3,800 students with commuter passes and 1,400 students with overnight passes.
There are a total of 6,659 parking spots available across campus, ranging from student, mixed, visitor and faculty. Danny O’Connell, director of Support Services, said the physical plan of the lots gives students ample parking.
“When we look at the primary times of the campus filling up, the toughest times to come to campus are between 10 o’clock and noon. That’s our heaviest class schedule, the most people on campus. And we have yet to fill up any of those lots, the 66, the 70 and the [Wick Parking Deck]. Our physical plan really gives us good parking,” O’Connell said.
Another benefit to YSU’s parking availability, O’Connell said, is that students have no more than a six-minute walk to the center of campus.
Driscoll said some commuter students struggle with the transition from high school to college, since many only come to class and then go home, whereas those who stay on campus might mingle before going back to their dorms.
YSU offers student activities which invite students to stay on campus longer. Driscoll suggested students consider getting a campus job or joining a student organization to feel some independence.
“Looking at our current environment, with the student center being under construction, I think it could be hard for commuter students to know where to go,” Driscoll said. “And so I guess I would just encourage our commuters to think about what is one thing outside of their classes that they could get involved in that can really help build their connection and give them a home base at YSU.”