This

week's

I'd be wealthy if I had a penny for every time I was in a conversation that went something like:

•,"Oh,you're in college!"

"Why, yes I am."

"How exciting! It must be wonderful to live on campus!" "Well, actually " I prepare to say the dreaded words. "I commute."

Dead silence. It's as if the conversation comes to an abrupt halt. The smile at the other end of the discussion slowly falls to form a fine, straight line. A hand is lightly placed on my shoulder, as if consoling me and sympathizing with the notion that my college career is somehow miserable and empty, simply because I don't live on campus.

There is a rather humorous misconception that commuters secretly wish to be residents of the colleges they attend. There is even a greater misconception that commuters don't have as much fun during their college experience as residents do.

Well, my fellow Cabrinians, let me enlighten you with the truth. Driving to and from school everyday is about as much fun as eating soap, but the petty dramas of commuting can't compare to the shortcomings of living on campus.

Residents, think hard about why you left home to live on campus. Perhaps you left annoying siblings, nagging parents, ridiculous curfews, or dreamed of becoming beer pong champion. Regardless of your reasons, consider your family.

Commuters who live with their parents, rejoice! Not only have you decided not to abandon your family who has raised, fed and clothed you since birth, but you choose to spend time with them while you are able to. Residents, of course, will be unable to spend any quality time upon graduation because the 18-hour shifts they work will haul them away from them forever.

Students have the rest of their

Enough of the guilt trips. Let's think of the logic behind living on campus. Aside from the fact that residents receive happy voicemail messages alerting them of campus events, which are boring anyway, what else exists for the populace?

Well, there is a list of things. For instance; no unnecessary random rules are ever enforced on residents, ensuring unconditional freedom. Oh, I forgot about the recent regulations concerning overnight guests that have been an ongoing struggle between the college and its residents since last year.

Surely residents are receiving adequate nutrition from Cabrini's two modernized cafeterias, which produce 10 pounds of lard for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I won't mention the fact that students who miss dinner or who are up late studying starve to death since the cafeterias close exceptionally early.

Let's not overlook the other delights of being a resident. Such treats include horrific roommates who possess hygiene deficiencies and are regularly inclined to satanic-like mood swings. Fungusbreeding showers, sharing belongings, relying on the school shuttle as an escort, excessive noise pollution, claustrophobia and lack of privacy are among the luxuries.

I admit, I owe some credit to the inhabitants of Cabrini College. They learn the most important entity in life, independence. It wouldn't be fair to neglect such a huge step in one's development. Being independent can take its toll on students, especially when parents are paying for tuition, room and board, meal plans, clothing, books, car insurance, pens, pencils, monthly allowances and in some cases, credit-card balances. What a relief that living on campus educates students to fend for themselves in the ever-present rapidly changing world.

issue: Commuters vs. Residents Who has more fun?

Jennifer "The Commuter" Coots locks horns in the Loquitur Dome arena with Georgiana "The Resident" Rushworth to find out who really has it better.

Do you know of a heated debate that deserves attention? Write Mike '80s Butler and give him the beef. Visit the website at: www.theloquitur.com

A sudden blast of music fills my room as I roll over to turn off my alarm. It is 7:45 a.m., just enough time to make it to my 8: 15 class this morning. I throw my winter clothes on, grab my books, and head out the door. As I begin my walk from the apartments towards Founder's Hall, I notice the long line of traffic from cautious drivers fearing a pile up from the icy conditions on the roads. I head up Founder's steps and realize how lucky I am to be able to wake up minutes before my class, take a short walk through the campus, and make it to my destination on time. I do not have to worry about traffic on the way to and from school, or the hassles of finding a parking spot.

However, the alarm's piercing sound rings, waking up the resting body of the commuter as he springs out of bed and squints at the clock, 6 a.m. He has no time to spare. He jumps into the shower, gets dressed, grabs a bite to eat, throws on his book bag, and flies out the door at 6:50 a.m. He needs to make it to his 8:15 a.m. class on time and anticipates the long line of traffic ahead of him. Usually it only takes a half-hour, but with the bad weather conditions, getting to class on time has been a challenge. Finally he heads up Cabrini's driveway and now has to fight for parking. Looks like it's going to be the Dixon Center parking again. He bolts out of his car and heads into his class at 8:20 a.m.

I am a resident of Cabrini College and find it to be the best way to get the real college experience. Not only do I not have the morning problems that commuters must deal with, but I also find myself to be an actual part of the Cabrini family. When I came here as a first-year student, I knew I was not very outgoing and was nervous about making friends and getting involved. Luckily my roommates and I stuck together and we tried to get involved as best as we could.

A lot has changed on this campus with the new rules and regulations, but when things don't go our way we stick together and fight for what we want. We still manage to have fun and try to keep the Cabrini spirit alive. If everyone hated living on campus so much there wouldn't be the huge fights about housing. We would all take the extra money that is offered to us to live off campus and commute, but who wants to do that?

Residents made the right choice to live on campus because everyday I hear complaints from commuters about not feeling included on campus and never knowing what's going on. Whose fault is that? Become friends with residents and you will be a shoe in.

Dances and other events are usually held late on campus, so we can be the beer pong champions of the night and can look forward to a comfy place to crash and don't have to worry about driving home.

Of course we all do miss a good home-cooked meal, but at least food is ready to be eaten as soon as we are hungry and we don't have to worry about the messy clean up. It is not the same as sitting down and spending quality time with your family, but you have developed a new family and it is just as good, if not better. You are without the million and one questions from your family and the petty sibling rivalry some have to deal with at home.

On the other hand, if you ever get homesick, do not fret. Cell phones and e-mail make you feel like you never left home. But remember that this is a good time for you to begin the process of leaving the nest and becoming independent.

I would never give up my housing to live at home and give up the times I have had over the past two and a half years. I have made friends that I will keep for the rest of my life and most are not only friends, but are my second family and I do not know what I would have done without them.