Needs and problems of commuter students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Date
1976-12Author
Elkinton, Deborah Jackson
Advisor(s)
Mullally, Robert
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The research which is to follow was undertaken to investigate and identify needs and problems of commuter students at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. This segment of the student population represents approximately 13% of the population. Forty-eight percent lived in off campus apartments, while 38% lived in college-owned residence halls. A commuter student was defined as a student living at home while attending UW-L. Five areas of study were pursued: (1) general information, (2)
employment and finance, (3) student activities, (4) scheduling of academic program, and (5) feelings of commuters. A questionnaire was designed to provide data. Items on the questionnaire were based on previous findings concerning commuter student needs and problems as related in the literature. A 20% random sample of single, undergraduate commuter students in attendance at UW-L fall semester,
1976, were mailed questionnaires for completion. To analyze the data, the number and percentage of the responses to each question was computed. Results were discussed with two areas: the
entire respondent population and demographic sub-groups. From this data it was possible to identify needs and problems. The results of the study indicated that UW-L commuter students share most of the needs and problems cited in the literature. Those common to both were: application only to the college attended; expense; proximity to home, and convenience to work were major reasons given for
attendance; high employment rate; no single source of financial support toward education; no particular day was most convenient for attendance at on-campus programs or events; a limited extra-curricular involvement, low frequency of attendance at on-campus programs or events, and marginal membership in campus organizations; class schedule was arranged so as to minimize amount of time spent on campus; little participation in intellectual or class related topics of conversation with fellow
students; left campus as soon as classes were over and found it difficult to meet people or develop close relationships with on-campus students; high school friends were closest and most frequent companions; felt a lack of information about services and programs offered by the university; found it inconvenient to stay or return to campus for events or weekend programs; were expected to perform certain home or family duties; and tended to feel conflicting values between school, home, and work.