The Commuter Lounge in the Campus Life Center has been closed as Commuter Services shifts its focus this school year to serving incoming commuter students. The space was renovated into an office for the Greek Leadership Community. Courtney Bringley, the Director for the Center for Campus Life, says this may be temporary, but it depends on the commuter communities’ needs. 

“If the commuter lounge comes back, it wouldn’t go back to that same spot, but there is still the potential that we bring back a commuter lounge kind of space. So I think the best way to refer to it right now is it’s offline,” said Bringley. 

The closure comes as the Commuter Services office shifts its focus to better accommodate what they call the “true commuter” students, who are first-year students who are from the Rochester area. They had also seen a decrease in the usage of the lounge. 

A commuter is often a broad term for anyone who doesn’t live on campus. Whether the student actually lives locally or has an apartment nearby, the term still applies. RIT and Commuter Services have a more specific definition of who applies for commuter services. Chelsea Petree, the director of Parent and Family Programs and a Senior Associate Director in Campus Life, shares the school’s definition. 

“That delineation so anyone who lives off campus, technically speaking, is a commuter student. But think of the difference between someone who’s a true freshman, never gone to college, and because they live within the local community, have chosen to live at home, but still be an RIT student,” said Petree. 

This year, commuter services have shifted their focus to true first-year commuter students. They are hosting events, such as breakfasts in the colleges, to bring together students and help them create a community. 

Many of the same services are still being offered, such as locker space and further accommodations for students who need them. 

While this shift is new to everyone, the directorial staff is hopeful of its success. They plan to offer more events and resources to those new to the college experience. Often, new students learn about what’s offered at RIT from their Resident Advisor or by being on campus, and many commuters are left without that connection. That is what Commuter Services is focusing on this year. Their final event of the fall semester involved tabling on Dec. 8, 2025, from 12-2 p.m. in the SHED lobby. 

While the shift can be different for those who used the lounge last year, freshman commuters have other opinions. 

Katherine Cuyler is a first year Imaging Science major who commutes to campus every day.  She thinks Commuter Services has done a good job communicating resources and available events. She has even been to a few of the events this year. 

“I have only been to a few, but they were fun and enjoyable. I liked events that happened during times when I was on campus but wasn’t busy. Things like the commuter welcome with a food truck and commuter merch were fun and a great thing to do in between classes,” said Cuyler. 

While Cuyler was not on campus when the commuter lounge was available, she expressed her concern about finding a spot on campus to wait between classes. 

“I have definitely struggled with finding a place to sit on campus between classes, and I spend a lot of time sitting in my car. (…) If there were a commuter lounge, I’d definitely make good use of it, especially for days when I have three-hour gaps between classes. I think it would also make commuters feel welcomed and comfortable knowing we’d have a space for us on campus.” 

While the new focus on events and resources has been accepted, students still struggle to find places on campus to sit throughout the day. The commuter lounge is not closed indefinitely, and there is a possibility it will make a return for future students.