Introducing the New and Improved Commuter Lounge

Campus life for most commuters is summed up by three words: parking lot campus.

Not any more for Centenary’s approximately 382 commuter students.

“We used to park our cars next to each other in the student lot, roll down the windows, share cold food and stories, do homework and sleep,” said Amelia Van Luvender, a freshman forensic science major who commutes from Jefferson.

Now Amelia and her friends spend time between classes in a place they can call their own, a newly repurposed space located on the 2nd floor of Lackland outside the President’s boardroom.

The Commuter Lounge had a soft opening on Oct. 18 with a Commuter Meet & Greet.

“Students were able to see and explore the new Commuter Lounge and enjoy some pizza and conversation,” said Diana Alzate, director of first year experience, who spearheaded the initiative.

“We were pleased that about 20 students came to check out the lounge,” Alzate said. 

“They were so excited! Gas cards and Dunkin Donuts gift cards were raffled off and students expressed an interest in weekly meet-ups and doing activities together.”

“In addition, we have a new student-led Commuter Council headed up by Maria Juantia Franco, who is also the new SGA Commuter Senator,” Alzate said.

If you stop by the Lounge, you are sure to find some relaxed and talkative commuters.

“We are planning on making this a cozy and homey space with some blankets, pillows, games and movies,” said Guiselande Lafortune, a freshman business admin and marketing major who commutes from Irvington.

And the Lounge has its own kitchen with a fridge, sink and two microwaves.

“This space is so accommodating,” said Alyssa De Borja, a senior psych major who is a work-study student in the library and commutes from Stewartsville.

“We save money by bringing our own food which we can now store and easily heat up,” Alyssa said. “This is so helpful since commuters cannot bring their own food into Cyclone Dining.”

“Now we hang out in this space to relax and decompress, talk and catch up,” added Alyssa.

The Lounge has already become a commuter’s dorm on campus, sort of.

“I love it; it’s great, it’s comfy,” said Maria Saldarriaga, a freshman business and sustainable practices major who commutes from Dover. “It really is our comfort zone and our dorm on campus,” she added.

“And if we need a cat-nap, at least we can do it here and not have to lock our car doors and put the seat back and potentially freeze,” Maria said.

Mosquera, a freshman business admin and marketing major who commutes from Netcong agrees with his fellow commuter loungers.

“It’s a great foundation and really appreciated by commuters,” he said.

Commuter students should keep an eye on weekly Stay-in-the-Know emails that will announce upcoming movie nights and meet-ups.