Date Approved

9-11-2017

Embargo Period

9-11-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA Higher Education

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Sisco, Burton R.

Committee Member 1

Walpole, MaryBeth

Keywords

campus life, collegiate experience, involvement

Subject(s)

Commuting college students; Student activities

Disciplines

Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to better understand the involvement patterns of commuter students at Rowan University. The study examined their levels of involvement and gathered information regarding their attitudes on the holistic collegiate experience at the institution. This study also examined links between a commuter's physical proximity to the main campus and their subsequently reported frequency of participation in various areas of campus life. The study examined the levels of involvement of the subjects and their satisfaction with areas of campus in order to gain insight on commuter satisfaction surrounding the student experience.

Previous research had not examined the frequency of commuter involvement in specific activities, nor the impact of their physical proximity to main campus on the chosen involvement activities prioritized by the student. The study surveyed 75 commuter students attending Rowan University during the 2013-2014 academic year in order to collect information related to demographics and levels of involvement in specific activities. The study highlighted an emphasis by commuter students on the academic components of their student experience. The subjects reported moderate satisfaction with academic involvement, social involvement, and campus environment, but placed particular emphasis on the scholastic components of the areas when gauging importance.

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