Commuters Gain Representation through CSA

Organization gives commuters a voice and connection
(originally published in The Johnsonian)

By Jonathan McFadden

mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com


With a new office in Dinkins’ former post office, a rewritten constitution and three organized committees, the Commuter Student Association (CSA) plans to continue giving commuter students a chance to express their voices and be engaged on campus.

The group held its first official meeting on Sept. 14 to get more commuter students interested in the club.

Most students who attended the meeting were freshmen.

Jeff Chan, sophomore elementary education major and CSA’s president, said the organization is a chance for commuters to feel as if they are a part of Winthrop’s campus.

“It’s like an RSA (Resident Student Association) for commuter students,” Chan said.

Through its three committees — publicity, events programming and commuter issues/advocacy — CSA plans to give commuter students more of a connection on campus.

The publicity committee, headed by digital information design major Justin McSwain and psychology major Phylicia Burley, will spread the word about CSA and any events they hold.

Chan will be over the events programming committee, and said this committee would try to plan social, educational and service events on campus for commuters.

Chan said he really wants the social events to attract more commuters.

Such events include “Live At Lunch” - lunchtime musical performances by local artists on campus.

Dante Pelzer, program director for off-campus student affairs, said CSA realizes nighttime programming is not convenient for some commuters. Mid-day video game programs and common meeting time drop-in service projects had been offered in the past, he said.

Any programs offered in the future, though, will not only be targeted for students living off campus.

CSA Vice President Jonny Hartnett said residents will be welcome to any events the organization plans.

“As commuters, we sort of bridge the gap between the campus and community,” Hartnett said.

Hartnett, a senior integrated marketing communication major, will also be over the commuter issues/advocacy committee. He said he will be working with and through the administration to address any issues or concerns commuters may have, such as parking.

Hartnett said the organization will try to provide commuter students with better parking, but not if they don’t have a substantial amount of members to make a difference.

“The numbers matter,” Hartnett said.

Hartnett said the organization has recently rewritten its bylaws and constitutions, extending it from about three pages to 14.

CSA has also aligned itself to become a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization as recognized by the IRS.

All personal donations to CSA will be tax-deductible, which will hopefully keep members from having to pay dues, Hartnett said.

Shemeh Shirbabadi, marketing assistant for Dining Services, attended a CSA meeting to discuss commuter meal plans and asked commuters what they would like to see at Markley’s Food Court, Thomson and other food locations on campus.

Some ideas thrown around include having free food, bringing back Subway and adding healthier food options.

CSA now meets in the old Winthrop post office in Dinkins.

Hartnett said Dinkins was chosen as an office space because of its availability and convenience for commuters.

Because the commuter parking lot is adjacent to Dinkins, commuters will not have to walk to the campus center for their own “niche,” Hartnett said.

The group also plans to petition the Council of Student Leaders (CSL) for an automatic member position on CSL.

Sydney Evans, chair of CSL, said she pushed the resolution last semester, but the commuter organization fell apart and membership was never awarded.

Evans said she, Chan and Hartnett have been working to put together a written resolution that will be presented to the council.

If two-thirds of the council approve the resolution, then CSA will be awarded membership.