This summer don’t be fooled by the ample parking spaces available on campus and the lowered rate of traffic. All that will soon change.
According to Adult, Commuter and Transfer Services, approximately 83 percent of ETSU students last semester were commuters. That means many students choose not to live on campus, which, of course, isn’t an option for everyone.
Instead, many drive to school every day, either from homes in Johnson City or from towns as far away as Mountain City.
And this year with rising gas prices, commuting students have another issue to think about – their wallet. Some students spend upwards of $40 a week simply driving to class. “I drive an SUV – so can you say ‘a small fortune’?” Tracy Mantell, a junior English major, says, “Seriously, I drive a Jeep Cherokee, just over a 20-gallon tank, so I’m dropping at least $50 a pop, about twice a week. So for just school I’d say [I spend] over $80 a week.”
This is, however, the extreme. Most students don’t spend quite that much. But if you’re a commuter, it does pay to have a car with higher gas mileage.
Next to gas prices, parking seems to be the second biggest problem commuting students face, and that has been exacerbated by the construction on campus.
The ETSU Department of Public Safety has taken steps to alleviate some of the construction woes by opening up parking spaces that were previously limited to faculty or carpoolers. The updated list of parking changes can be found on their web site at http://www.etsu.edu/dps/ParkingChanges2005.asp.
Cindy Teague, a graduating senior who drives from Jonesborough, says, “I don’t have a problem with parking, but I don’t mind walking, either.” The best idea is to leave early for class, that way if there is a problem finding a spot, you’ll have some extra time.
Extra time is often a fallacy for full-time students, who do their best to manage all that schoolwork. Online courses can be a good option. Students don’t have to drive to class meetings, and can manage their coursework on their own time.
If online courses aren’t available for your major, another good idea is to take all of your classes either on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday and Thursday. This cuts down on driving to class every single day. Also, look for courses offered at ETSU extension campuses in Elizabethton, Kingsport and Bristol.
ACTS recently did an anonymous survey, compiling tips for commuting students, which should be available soon on their web site as well as in their office on the second floor of the D.P. Culp Center.
“ACTS has a whole slue of resources for commuters . we will be happy to help commuting students in any way we can,” says Laura Cole, assistant director of ACTS. Their web site already contains a list of resources for commuters at http://www.etsu.edu/students/acts/commuter_students.htm. The ACTS office can also be reached at 439-5641.

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