The Commuter Nature of Cal Poly [Pomona]

xkai · 11-02-03, 11:01 PM

Cal Poly is largely a commuter school, more than 80% of the student body does not live on-campus. And as a Cal State we tend to be more to nontraditional college students (Working parents, part-time degrees, night classes, etc.).

Does anyone thing this is a good or bad thing with respect to events, on-campus activities and involvement? And do you think anything can be done about it?

I personally feel that it takes away from those who are seeking to have "fun" in college, I realize that we go to college to learn, but at the same time, we should also be enjoying the 4+ years we are going to be at Poly. It does appear that the university is trying to make Cal Poly less commuter oriented with the new residential suites and whatnot.

Cheers,
Kai

***Admin*** · 11-03-03, 01:08 AM

It is rather a bad thing. Cal Poly does have once-in-awhile events on campus but I don't see a whole lot of students participating (unless it involves free hotdogs). But due to the U.S. economy and wars, happy days will be gone for awhile.

Cal Poly does not pop up to any high school students when it comes to fun. I've known a few high school students who asked me how it was at Cal Poly and if it is fun on campus with clubs. I answered in my honest opinion, Cal Poly is not a fun school at all. Both of them are attending junior college even though they got accepted to Cal Poly. They told me they plan on transfering to UCLA or UCI from junior college.

UC campuses have more of a social environment. Why you ask? I think it is because the students are more involved, have pride (Trojans)/spirits and very enthusiastic overall (general speaking). They like where they are and where they are going in their life.

Aren't they building new residential suites because of the large number of students that were unable to get into the dorms in the first place? On my first year of Cal Poly, I could not get into the campus dormitory and I had to be placed on a waiting list.

Back to the subject, anyone can make their college life fun and enjoyable. It is up to you to make your decisions on which campus organization to join and which events to participate.

ak · 11-03-03, 09:28 AM

I 100% agree with both of you guys.

When I'm asked if Cal Poly is fun place, my answer is this: It's a commuter school, but if you want to get a decent education with the least distractions this is the place to be.

IMHO, there's no quick fix to this issue. Some people like it, others don't. Personally, I prefer the social atmosphere more than anything.

Excellent question!

Puffguts · 11-03-03, 01:05 PM

I think a commuter nature of our campus makes people more tolerant and in touch with the world outside the campus.

Too many UC campuses are trying to forge their own little universe. Campus life became a priority to many people. We don't see our college life as the center of our focus for the 4+ years we spend at Cal Poly Pomona, and that reality stripped the power away from the student union, fraternity / sororities, and on campus student organizations.

I am focusing on student organizations / Greeks because they are IT on other non-commuter universities. People don't associate with others simply because they are in rival Greeks / clubs. The organizations enforce tight control on their members, what to wear(Greek clothes), what to say (you better not say anything negative toward your brother / sisters), or what to do. Cal Poly Pomona Greeks are very weak in terms of influence toward the student body, thus we retain our individualism and out of the manipulation of peer pressure. The people I see on campus are not "this guys in Alpha Gamma Beta" "that girl from Zeta Lambda Iota", but people with names and faces and their individuality, knowing they have to fight through traffic to get to class the same ways I do.

I see commuter campus as a symbol of maturity, professional academia-like where students come to study, not party or conduct non-senseness such as binge drinking contests or those teenage-era goofy acts.

Also, commuter campuses are the symbol of self-reliance and struggle. We often come from middle / lower income families. We don't have rich parents giving us credit cards and have us party the time away. Many of us are struggling to support ourselves by working part-time and have our outside-the-campus lives. To lots of people, Cal Poly is the place where we learn skills before going out and earn our living.

The more I learn about the UC, the more I dislike about how it promotes "we are living in our little world and we are better than the others" way of thinking.

11-02-03, 11:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
xkai Newcomer Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 41	The Commuter Nature of Cal Poly [Pomona] Cal Poly is largely a commuter school, more than 80% of the student body does not live on-campus. And as a Cal State we tend to be more to nontraditional college students (Working parents, part-time degrees, night classes, etc.). Does anyone thing this is a good or bad thing with respect to events, on-campus activities and involvement? And do you think anything can be done about it? I personally feel that it takes away from those who are seeking to have "fun" in college, I realize that we go to college to learn, but at the same time, we should also be enjoying the 4+ years we are going to be at Poly. It does appear that the university is trying to make Cal Poly less commuter oriented with the new residential suites and whatnot. Cheers, Kai __________________ It is impossible to be pretend to be something without becoming what you pretend to be.

11-03-03, 01:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Admin* Think About It Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,961	It is rather a bad thing. Cal Poly does have once-in-awhile events on campus but I don't see a whole lot of students participating (unless it involves free hotdogs). But due to the U.S. economy and wars, happy days will be gone for awhile. Cal Poly does not pop up to any high school students when it comes to fun. I've known a few high school students who asked me how it was at Cal Poly and if it is fun on campus with clubs. I answered in my honest opinion, Cal Poly is not a fun school at all. Both of them are attending junior college even though they got accepted to Cal Poly. They told me they plan on transfering to UCLA or UCI from junior college. UC campuses have more of a social environment. Why you ask? I think it is because the students are more involved, have pride (Trojans)/spirits and very enthusiastic overall (general speaking). They like where they are and where they are going in their life. Aren't they building new residential suites because of the large number of students that were unable to get into the dorms in the first place? On my first year of Cal Poly, I could not get into the campus dormitory and I had to be placed on a waiting list. Back to the subject, anyone can make their college life fun and enjoyable. It is up to you to make your decisions on which campus organization to join and which events to participate. __________________ Cal Poly Forums

11-03-03, 09:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
ak Cal Poly Guru Joined: Oct 2003 Location: LA Posts: 605	I 100% agree with both of you guys. When I'm asked if Cal Poly is fun place, my answer is this: It's a commuter school, but if you want to get a decent education with the least distractions this is the place to be. IMHO, there's no quick fix to this issue. Some people like it, others don't. Personally, I prefer the social atmosphere more than anything. Excellent question! __________________ If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Education is the progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

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11-03-03, 01:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Puffguts Active Member Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 140	I think a commuter nature of our campus makes people more tolerant and in touch with the world outside the campus. Too many UC campuses are trying to forge their own little universe. Campus life became a priority to many people. We don't see our college life as the center of our focus for the 4+ years we spend at Cal Poly Pomona, and that reality stripped the power away from the student union, fraternity / sororities, and on campus student organizations. I am focusing on student organizations / Greeks because they are IT on other non-commuter universities. People don't associate with others simply because they are in rival Greeks / clubs. The organizations enforce tight control on their members, what to wear(Greek clothes), what to say (you better not say anything negative toward your brother / sisters), or what to do. Cal Poly Pomona Greeks are very weak in terms of influence toward the student body, thus we retain our individualism and out of the manipulation of peer pressure. The people I see on campus are not "this guys in Alpha Gamma Beta" "that girl from Zeta Lambda Iota", but people with names and faces and their individuality, knowing they have to fight through traffic to get to class the same ways I do. I see commuter campus as a symbol of maturity, professional academia-like where students come to study, not party or conduct non-senseness such as binge drinking contests or those teenage-era goofy acts. Also, commuter campuses are the symbol of self-reliance and struggle. We often come from middle / lower income families. We don't have rich parents giving us credit cards and have us party the time away. Many of us are struggling to support ourselves by working part-time and have our outside-the-campus lives. To lots of people, Cal Poly is the place where we learn skills before going out and earn our living. The more I learn about the UC, the more I dislike about how it promotes "we are living in our little world and we are better than the others" way of thinking.