Recommendation I – Establish an Office of Commuter Life and Engagement. ($200k/year
for a director, support staff, programing, graduate interns, and faculty “in residence.”)
(See Appendix B)
Rationale and context: We know from background research already completed that the
students living off campus are less likely to continue and to graduate than their peers who do live on
campus. This is true for both ‘college-ready’ and not ‘college-ready’ cohorts. A Director of
Commuter Life and Engagement will oversee programs, coordinate activities for commuter students,
identify barriers, and help provide both academic and engagement support structures.
We recommend appointing a Director of Commuter Life and Engagement; and providing staff
support and funds to support one or two graduate interns. This office would be responsible for:
• Providing services and space to meet the basic needs of commuter and off-campus
students as determined by campus research and assessment;
• Ensuring that commuter and off-campus students benefit equitably from San Diego State
University’s educational programs - both curricular and co-curricular programs and services
offered;
• Coordinating with key campus partners to provide engagement opportunities to assist
commuter and off-campus students learning and development;
• Working with key campus partners to identify and meet the academic support needs of
commuter and off-campus students;
• Outreach and partner with relavent individuals, groups, communities and organizations
external to the campus in support of commuter and off-campus student transition,
integration and success;
• Develop and implement a clearly articulated assessment plan to document achievement of
stated goals and learning outcomes, demonstrate accountability, providence evidence of
improvement, and describe resulting changes in program and services.