Commuter restrictions

SARAH WILMORE STAFFWRITER SEW722 @CABRINI.EDU

When I first started applying to colleges the last thing on my mind was whether to live on campus or commute.

When I went to orientation, I got the first taste of what college life was going to be like. It was fun. I made some great friends and on the whole had a really good time. Nonetheless, I decided that living on campus just wasn't for me.

Some would say that commuting is a good thing. I sleep in my own bed, my mom cooks me dinner, and I don't have to worry about the people I'm going to live with. I always thought being a commuter would be the best thing, because if 1 stayed on campus I didn't think I would get any work done. Well, now I'm starting to think I was wrong. I don't regret choosing to be a commuter, but not many residents realize how hard it is. I consider myself lucky. In the beginning of my freshman year I would go to class and go home.

About two weeks into the semester, I started to hang out with one of the friends I had made during orientation. I had a good time and ultimately, because of him, made a couple more really good friends. I consider myself lucky, because it is hard to meet people when all you do is go to class and go home. Being able to go up to school at night and hang out gave me something to look forward to.

At first I was really upset that I did not choose to live on campus. Coming back at night started to be a hassle. When you are a commuter the driving becomes too much. I hate driving.

It was beginning to get harder not being a resident. I would be out until late and ~till would have to drive home. In the morning I would be tired and would end up missing some of my classes. Thankfully, I realized this and have not made the same mistakes this year. It took me a while to get my priorities straight.

Commuters are often not looked at as "real,, college students. But we have the same problems, maybe even a couple more, than those who live on campus. For example, what does a commuter do when there is a break between their classes? Going to WaWa gets really old after a while, so does going to the library. I scheduled all my classes so I would not have to figure out something tq do for an hour and a half. Now, do not get me wrong, I do like being a commuter. It's right for some people. Others, however, after living at home for 18 or however many years, want to get out and live on their own.

Being a commuter does not interfere with becoming an adult. It may seem like it takes away the independence one would gain from living elsewhere, but it actually gives you more of what you would face in adulthood. I have to get up three hours before my first class instead of 45 minutes. You need to go out of your way to get involved.

Being a commuter is hard, but it gets you to get your priorities straight. This comes with just being a college student in general.

IHOSTEDBY RYRNNORRIS and guest, JOE WOODS

LAUREN REILLY STAFF WRJTER LMR722 @CABRJNLEDU

Lately there's been much talk about the new Jazzman's Cafe, and although there have been mixed opinions, the majority of the negative reactions have come from commuters.

To begin with, the prices are ridiculous. Maybe the faculty can afford it, but I'm not Doogie Howser with some hotshot academic title.

I'm a poor, very poor, extremely poor college student who could live off of condiments and microwaveable Easy Mac if necessary. l definitely do not want to pay S4.99 for some sandwich that I don't even know how to pronounce. Mozzarella panini? Wasn't he the guy in "Life is Beautiful?,, Oh, and don't let me neglect the bagel chip. In addition to this gourmet sandwich you can get a bagel chip. Whoa, an entire bagel chip, talk about generosity. Hi, the 1980s called. They want their yuppies back.

Cappuccino is another story. What happened to the self-serve cappuccino machine where I could get a large for $1.25 and be on my way?

Now I wait for at least five minutes. for a smaller size that costs me $2.49. Is that cappuccino going to escort me to my class and open the door for me? ls it going to pay my bills? What am I paying for? l bet it begins with BMW and is probably in the Mansion's parking lot.

Now I am aware that I can go to the Caf and pay $6 for all l can eat. First of all, if you've ever seen me you probably noticed that I can b,arely eat $2, so once again I'm getting ripped off. Second, I think it's evident that not even my dog would eat

So if jazz is the theme of the cafe, why are there blown-up pictures of leaves on the walls? Why not jazz legends like Louie Armstrong or maybe even student artwork? That would be a bit more aesthetically pleasing. Then again, the same people who painted it purple, puke green, and gold made that decision. Also, that music has got to go. It's not even good jazz; it's more like I'm-gettinga root-canal-at-the-dentist's-office jazz. I apologize to anyone who enjoys the sound of Kenny G getting beaten by a bag of oranges, but please spare the rest of us.

I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that Cabrini always says that they want to get commuters more involved, and that they don't want them to feel isolated from the rest of the students. Then why the drastic change? The fact is that commuters primarily used the Wigwam and this change affects us more so than anyone else. We don't have flex dollars; we have real dollars and they're disappearing too fast. What demographic were the people who decided to "improve,, our food court targeting? Or i~ it that these people were trying to "improve,, the existing population? A latte isn't going to change my l.Q., and I don't have to go to Cabrini College to know that.

Face it, the majority of us students have never had a mid-life crisis, don't recreationally attend poetry readings, and we drive something other than a Passat or a Saab. Having a slice of lemon poppy seed bread and an iced raspberry mocha cappuccino won't change that. So go ahead and hike up my tuition even more. I trust that whatever you use it for will be in my best interest. and CabriniCollege

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