Commuter Life Works To Build Community and Connection

Many students choose to leave on-campus life and transition to living on their own off campus. The Office of Commuter Life exists to provide community and connection for these students once they embark out on their own. 

Director of Commuter Life Sheldon Farrington lived on Campus East in the same building and the same hall during all four years of his undergraduate studies. He later served as a Resident Director. In 2022, he became the director of Commuter Life. 

Despite only experiencing campus living, he accepted the challenge of leading Commuter Life because he wanted to ensure that off-campus students had the same experience as on-campus students.

“Commuter Life is a place for commuters to belong, a people to be known by and an experience to be celebrated during their time here at Liberty,” Farrington said.

Farrington said that before joining Commuter Life, the needs and demands of commuter students had never really passed his mind. 

“I didn’t think a lot about commuter students. I was so immersed in my role and the programs I was a part of … that off-campus students rarely settled in my mind,” Farrington said. “What I intend to say is that the larger or broader culture of Liberty, I think, didn’t consider the nearly 7,000 students who carry their day on their back when they come to campus.”

Farrington realized the biggest problems with living off campus are the lack of access to basic community and the false assumption that commuters leave campus in order to escape Liberty. 

“Our students who live off campus are just as passionate about Christ, just as yearning to be connected in an uplifting community, just as committed to live within the values that Liberty sees, promotes, and what it means to be a Champion for Christ,” Farrington said.

Cade Shipman is a commuter coordinator, which is a position that exists to represent commuter students. For his first two years at Liberty, he lived in the Circle. When he moved off campus after his sophomore year, he recognized that he took the on-campus community for granted. Shipman learned the importance of intentionally seeking community. 

“Living off campus is what you make of it,” Shipman said.

The commuter coordinator role is a new leadership position that allows commuter students to be represented and helps provide community for students who live off campus. 

“How do we help commuters know that they are seen, that they are cared for, that people love them and are available in supporting them in their journey?” Farrington said. 

Farrington said the Office of Commuter Life strives to be a platform for growth in areas of spiritual, academic and professional life. 

“Planning events are here for — not come and take — but come and grow,” Farrington said. 

Farrington and Shipman encourage commuter students to consider these five tips to help them thrive off campus.   

Don’t miss it.

Cherish the time, resources and relationships you make during this chapter in college. Even amid the stresses and uncertainties, there is a community waiting to take your hand and walk you through the journey of college. 

God is with you on your commute.

Your commute to campus can be a great time to meditate and take in the presence of God, to let out your thoughts and speak to him. God is always with you in your commute, so take advantage of that quiet time in the beginning of the day. 

“Lean into it, and it can be a really good time,” Farrington said. 

Stick your neck out.

On the way to class, we tend to walk past or say hello to the same strangers every day. Be intentional with them; go out and actually introduce yourself to them and compliment them. 

Remember your identity.

Remember what we represent. On your commute to campus, it’s likely the people driving behind you will see your Liberty parking sticker. Based on that observation, they are going to assume you are a Liberty student and that you are Christian. Remember that there is a higher standard we hold to uplift Christ’s name. Think about how you are representing your community and Christ’s name even on your commute. 

“We have a name as individuals. We have a name as Liberty students, as Christians,” Shipman said. 

Reach out to the Office of Commuter Life.

Commuter Life is dedicated to fostering the personal development and community of each commuter. Several free events are offered for students to learn and grow. Resources like the Commuter Lounge and the Commuter Food Pantry at Green Hall can provide food, community and a supportive environment. The next Commuter Life event is “Finding Your Calling” Oct. 28 in the Commuter Lounge. To learn more about the resources and events available to commuter students, visit www.liberty.edu/students/student-life/commuter/events/.

Morineau is a lifestyle reporter for the Liberty Champion.