The resolution supports creating a Commuter Assistant program at Rutgers University to help first-year commuter students integrate and feel more connected to campus. Approximately 57% of Rutgers students are commuters who often feel disconnected. Other universities have successful Commuter Assistant programs where student mentors provide tips, resources, and connections for commuter students. The resolution asks RUSA to support the Off-Campus Students' Association in creating a Commuter Assistant program to set a precedent among Big 10 schools and better support commuter students.

1. 613 GEORGE STREET, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901
RUASSEMBLY.COM ∙ RUSA.ASSEMBLY@GMAIL.COM
Resolution for Rutgers University Student Assembly to Support the Commuter Assistant
Program Initiative
RUSA Resolution:
Authors: Murtuza Hussain
Sponsors: Off-Campus Students’ Association, Student Affairs Committee
Whereas, Rutgers University prides itself in providing opportunities in hopes of making students
feel connected to the University, and
Whereas, approximately 57% of Rutgers University students are identified as either an off-
campus or commuter student [1], and
Whereas, a 2013-2014 Off-Campus Student Experience survey reveals that 40.5% (1044) of the
commuter & off-campus survey responders agree they feel disconnected from campus life [2],
and
Whereas, there are no long-term programs or initiatives that directly help first year commuter
students integrate into Rutgers, and
Whereas, first year on-campus resident students have a Resident Assistant to help them integrate
into Rutgers, help answer questions, and provide an opportunity for on-campus students to
engage with Rutgers, and
Whereas, Commuter Assistant (CA) responsibilities include mentoring incoming first year
commuter students by providing tips & advice, helping make connections to campus resources,
academic resources, and student organizations on campus, maintaining constant contact and
being accessible through email, advocating on behalf of student issues and concerns, providing
opportunities to get involved, and
Whereas, numerous notable universities have a Commuter Assistant program including State
University of New York - Stony Brook University, University of Miami, Fordham University,
New York University, Drexel University, University of Houston, and
Whereas, New York University has yielded successful results with recent survey results showing
that 70% of students say they have connected with their CA, 62% say their CA is influential, 73
% say their CA provided valuable advice and 83% say the CA weekly emails provided valuable
info. [3], and

2. 613 GEORGE STREET, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901
RUASSEMBLY.COM ∙ RUSA.ASSEMBLY@GMAIL.COM
Whereas, no other Big 10 school has a Commuter Assistant program and the creation of one
would set a positive precedent that, in conjunction with off-campus students, there are
departmental initiatives to help commuter students as well.
Be it hereby resolved, that the Rutgers University Student Assembly will support the Off-
Campus Students’ Association initiative in pursuing the creation of a Commuter Assistant
program at Rutgers University – New Brunswick.
[1] Rutgers University – New Brunswick Registrar
[2] “Off-Campus Student Experience.” Survey. 2013-2014
[3] Richard Hurley – New York University Associate Director Student Resource Center,
telephone interview with Murtuza Hussain, February 3rd, 2016