Commuter students balance finances

Junior Jason Bigenho has commuted to Pitt since his freshman year. He said the decision to do so… Junior Jason Bigenho has commuted to Pitt since his freshman year. He said the decision to do so was fairly easy because staying at home wasn’t a problem for him.

“A lot of students coming out of high school have this attitude, ‘I can’t wait to get out of here and get away from my parents.’ I didn’t have that as a graduating senior,” said Bigenho, who is now president of the Commuter Student Association. “It was a lot cheaper for my parents and for me to commute, and because I could ride public transportation for free, it seemed like it was the best option.”

Between classes, some students go back to their dorms or nearby off-campus apartments, but students who travel greater distances to campus often visit the Commuter Student Lounge in Nordy’s Place in the William Pitt Union to relax. Getting to that small lounge requires planning, however, since commuters have to grapple with parking and scheduling around public transportation.

But the commuters — whom Pitt spokesman John Fedele specifies as all students who live off campus — say it’s worth the hassle when it comes to saving thousands of dollars.

Saniya Sabnis attested to the struggle of being a commuter while preparing for class inside the Commuter Student Lounge. She has to travel an hour by bus to get to Pitt from her home in Monroeville. The freshman said she doesn’t feel disconnected, but there are certainly sacrifices and changes that have to be made in order to commute.

For example, she often has to schedule her classes in blocks in order to cooperate with her bus schedule. Regardless, Sabnis is still happy with her decision.

“I might as well commute instead of wasting $2,000,” Sabnis said.

Saving money can come in the form of driving to campus instead of paying to live on campus. Students can purchase parking permits each academic term at a cost of $340 for outdoor lots and $368 for garages.

Commuter students also take into account the cost of room and board. Pitt’s tuition rate, including mandatory and housing fees, for the 2011-2012 academic school year is $19,877 for in-state students. Depending on room and board selection, commuter students can cut costs by $5,700.

But those savings come with a cost — commuting can take a toll on the social aspects of college life.

“I do feel connected, although I really had to go out of my way to get involved, and it’s taken almost my whole tenure here to get to this point,” Bigenho said about his involvement with the Commuter Student Association.

Bigenho said he views extracurricular meeting times as one of the most common challenges. Many Pitt clubs meet at inconvenient times for commuter students — usually 8:30 p.m. or later. With strict transportation schedules, commuter students often have little or no time to participate in these after-class activities.

“If we could get organizations to meet a little earlier, we might have happier commuters on campus,” Bigenho said.

In early August, first-year commuters had the opportunity to socialize at the annual Commuter Day organized by Commuter Student Programs. Students were able to ask questions, learn about commuter pograms and meet Pitt’s assigned commuter assistants.

Other regular events include the monthly Good Morning Commuters, which provides morning snacks and conversation, and Commuter Night In, when students can relax and watch a movie with fellow commuters.

“We’re always working to provide new and exciting programs that meet the specific needs of commuters, and how we can work with other student organizations in achieving that goal,” Bigenho said.