Commuter and Off-campus Student Engagement Office

Take a path that can lead anywhere—that’s what being an Explorer is all about. At La Salle, we encourage adventure, exploration, and self-discovery among all students. Our commuters and students who live off campus are an integral and vibrant part of our thriving La Salle community. They bring new insights, fresh perspectives, and impactful contributions to La Salle’s many clubs, organizations, and service trips every single day. In fact, La Salle just wouldn’t be the same without them.

If you live Off-Campus or commute, chances are you’ll have needs that differ from your residential peers, which is why we are here to help and support your success. We want you to enjoy a fulfilling and informed student experience by addressing the necessities specific to your life, while fostering a strong sense of community among your peers. From commuter spaces to Off-Campus living policies, our office and space offers information to guide you on your exploration.

Commuters

As a commuter student at La Salle, your needs may differ significantly from residential students. However, we will help you with balancing your life so that you will the opportunity to fully engage with all that is happening on campus.

To help commuters like you stay connected, we’ve created workshops and built networks so that you have stronger support within the university community. Here’s an example of some of the services you will find:

  • Commuter Lounges — Two commuter spaces are located in the Student Union Building.
  • Commuter Coaches — Our coaches support you from orientation through to junior year. These upper-class, para-professional student leaders conduct workshops, and provide mentorship, regular communication, and resource building with their select students.
  • CRASH — Support for commuters that provides you the opportunity to live on campus in one of the residential halls during peak academic moments throughout the year (Explorientation, midterms, and finals). Commuter Coaches live in the spaces during those times and provide evening programs as part of your support.

Off-campus Living

Once you complete six semesters of residential living, you are eligible to move off-campus. Our office provides you with resources, programs, and opportunities to support your success in the community. We purposefully design these moments with our students to help educate, grow, and build stronger relationships within the neighborhoods and the community as a whole.

These include:

  • Community Collaborators (CC) — A similar role to our coaches, the collaborators are comprised of para-professional, student leaders that live in the community and advocate for the Off-Campus student experience. They design and build programs, activities, and disburse information that supports you while you are a student and support you as you transition to life-after-college. Examples of their programming and activities include:
  • Safety Excursions – beginning of the semester door-to-door check-ins and giveaways
  • Trash Bash – neighborhood cleanup campaign/event
  • Explorer Escorts* – currently in the project phase of designing a safe escort program for students by students

COSA

COSA is the student government association for commuter and off-campus students at La Salle University. Their goal is to engage, advocate, and educate you. They host meetings to discuss community concerns, upcoming events, and initiatives. Purely made up of commuter and off-campus student volunteers, the organization always seeks out highly motivated and intentional students looking to grow their project management, communication, and assessment skills.

Examples of their programming and activities include:

  • Monster Mash – Halloween celebration
  • Fall Fest – Thanksgiving-based luncheon for students