Commuter

P-Ride
Connection
Fall 2008 Volume 1, Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE
Commuting Student Affairs: Who we are
and what we do Page 2
OCS– Outstanding Campus Stature Page 3
The Pros and Cons of Different
Commuting Methods Page 4
NEW! Off-Campus Housing! Page 5
 Commuting Student Affairs:
Who we are and what we do
Commuting Student Affairs complements the University's quality education by
enhancing the co-curricular life of commuting students. We do so by connecting them to
the larger campus community, by programming and outreach, by helping develop off
campus citizenship and by advocating for their equal access to all University services.

Our Services:
• Commuting Student Affairs works to assess the needs of the commuting population,
then programs activities and events accordingly.
• We advertise and communicate in a way that is easy and convenient to commuting
students. Not only promoting our office, but departments campus wide.
• We encourage commuting students to get involved on campus, either in a club or or-
ganization, a sports team, intramurals or student employment.
• Our office works to make sure commuting students know that they have equal access
rights to all Hofstra University has to offer. In addition, we work to make sure the com-
muting student voice is recognized across departments.
• We provide off campus housing information and area resources on our website and in
our office.

Our Staff:
Arianne Romeo, Director

Jaclyn Congello, Assistant Director

Catherine Daguanno aka Mrs. D., Sr. Exec. Secretary

Farrah Stuber, Undergraduate Student Assistant

 OCS– Outstanding Campus Stature
By Kathryn Carlson
The Organization of Commuter Students (OCS) has been at it again this year. This
up and coming campus group represents approximately half of the Hofstra Campus com-
munity and boy, have they made a name for themselves (in a good way, of course!). Once
a dominant force in campus life, arguably more notable than SGA itself, OCS fell into the
category of defunct organizations in the late 1990 s. They were re-instated in 2005 and
have made it one of their primary goals to become an important student voice in the cam-
pus community. Priding themselves on getting commuters involved, OCS has more than
successfully completed this task in the 2007-2008 academic year.
This past May, OCS was awarded with Social Club of the Year at the Hofstra Stu-
dent Leadership Awards, in recognition for their efforts in getting commuters involved.
OCS was noted for increasing membership by over 300% and participating in, co-
sponsoring or organizing five major campus events. The club successfully hosted two car-
wash fundraisers in addition to hosting their first big social event since the club was rein-
stated! Held during Common Hour in mid-April, the carnival bash with Resident Student
Association (RSA), yielded an outstanding number of residents and commuters alike. Ac-
tivities included caricaturists, inflatable mazes, basketball shoot-outs, and free lunch and
snacks. This type of commitment and co-sponsorship lended itself to giving OCS their
edge in winning this award from Student Leadership and Activities.
The outlook for the upcoming year is certainly a bright one. OCS has succeeded in
doubling its annual budget, and looks forward to investing in these and other events. As
always, member input is a critical part of the process, but the club is certainly interested in
continuing some of these annual traditions.
Members of OCS are involved in all majors
on campus and commute from all across Long Is-
land, by bus, train, and car. The close-knit network
that OCS seeks to create, connects students across
disciplines, ages, and counties. The Executive
board for the 2008-2009 academic year is excited
to recruit new members and reach out to existing
students. Meetings are held on a weekly basis,
during Common Hour at 11:15am in Breslin Hall,
room 112.

The Barn Constructed by members of OCS in the

annual Sinterklaas competition.
 The Pros and Cons of Different
Commuting Methods
By Allisa James
Between dishing out $2000 plus for a used car (and if it s new, the additional monthly installments),
monthly car insurance payments, and the ever increasing cost of fuel, it s no wonder that many of the incoming
freshmen commuters are turning to public transportation. The LIRR (Long Island Railroad) and the MTA
(Metropolitan Transit Authority)/ Long Island Transit are the two major options that you have. This article will
give you basic information, fare prices, and the advantages/drawbacks of taking public transportation as
opposed to driving.
The Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
It s easily one of the most convenient methods of transportation with virtually no traffic, service that s
almost always on time, and comfortable traveling conditions. And with LIRR stations all over Queens, Brooklyn,
Manhattan, Nassau and Suffolk County, there is likely one in or near your area. As for the ticket prices to and
from Hempstead, they differ depending on what station you re traveling from. These tickets can either be pur-
chased from ticket booths or ticket machines before you board the train or from the ticket collector after board-
ing. Be warned though, should you wait to purchase your ticket on the train, you ll have to pay in cash with an
extra fee! Purchasing the unlimited monthly ticket is probably your best bet, as it allows you to ride from Hemp-
stead to your station and vice versa an unlimited amount of times for a month. The ticket prices are based the
station you leave from but can range from a little over $100 to over $200
MTA/Long Island Bus (also known as mass transit)
The base fare for either the bus or train is $2.00, which can be paid in change or with a MetroCard.
MetroCards can be purchased at any train station at a MetroCard machine or booth. You can purchase a
MetroCard with any amount of your choice or buy a 1 Day Fun Pass, 7 Day Unlimited, 14 Day Unlimited, or 30
Day Unlimited card for $7.50, $25, $41, and $81 respectively. Dropping $81 for the 30-Day Unlimited will save
you the most money, since you can take any bus for an unlimited amount of times for an entire month. How-
ever, if you want to take the same bus that you just got off of again, you need to wait 20 minutes from the time
you
inserted your MetroCard. For example, if you inserted your card on the N6 at 11:00AM going to Hempstead
terminal and then wanted to take an N6 going to Jamaica terminal, you would have to wait until 11:20AM to do
so. Mass transit buses and trains, can be less reliable than the LIRR and can sometimes arrive later than
scheduled. Buses are especially vulnerable to slow down due to traffic and accidents, so prepare for these mi-
nor inconveniences when you re traveling to class!
While mass transit usually takes longer to arrive at a destination than a car would, this extra time on
your hands can be used to your advantage. For example, you can use it to study, sleep, read, or even play
with your portable game system. Just like driving your car, public transportation requires you to select a route
and become accustomed to using it. Planning ahead of time by figuring out which buses and/or trains stop by
your area and which ones connect to each other is the best way to ensure that those feelings of uneasiness are
unfounded.
Using public transportation has its ups and downs but it s definitely a worthwhile option that can save
you a lot of money, even if you have to sacrifice a little time, effort, and independence to do so.

More information regarding public transportation can be found at:

Official Website for the LIRR/MTA/LIB http://www.mta.info/
 NEW! Off-Campus Housing!
By Arianne Romeo

The Division of Student Affairs and the Commuting Student Affairs Office is pleased to
announce a new and improved off campus housing service to help students, faculty and staff
locate places to live near Hofstra University. On April 2, 2008 we launched a new off-campus
housing web site that is designed to make the housing search process simpler for both stu-
dents and landlords!

www.hofstra.edu/offcampushousing

The site will be user friendly for students, staff and property managers, and offers many
enhancements!!

• Searchable Database: Fully searchable database you can use to generate a custom list of
properties that meet your needs.

• Photographs & Floor Plans: Now see photos of apartments and rooms for rent!
.
• E-mail Contacts: Listings will include a link for you to e-mail landlords directly to set up ap-
pointments or ask questions.

• Message Boards: Message boards where you can find a roommate, sell furniture or look
for sublets

• Resources Page: Links to the Village of

Hempstead and the Town of Hempstead, Did you know
as well as tips and helpful information on If you re looking for housing, our website
living off campus. is a free tool to use! Just sign up by
visiting the link above!
 Important Hofstra
Telephone Numbers

463-3469 Commuting Student Affairs

463-RIDE Commuter Event Hotline
463-SNOW Weather & Emergency Hotline
463-6914 Student Leadership & Activities
463-6913 Dean of Students
463-6606 Public Safety
463-6789 On-Campus Emergency
463-6942 Card Services
463-4037 Recreation Center
463-6745 Wellness Center
463-6654 Bookstore
463-7777 Student Computing
463-6600 Operator
463-6770 Center for University Advisement
463-5962 Library Reference
463-6680 Academic Records
463-6320 Orientation & New Student Prgms
463-6796 Multicultural & International Student Prgms

How can you reach us?

Phone: 463-3469
E-mail: [email protected]
Drop by: 221 Mack Student Center

Do you want to write for us? Do you have an idea for a program you d like to see?
Send us an e-mail!

Newsletter edited by: Arianne Romeo and Jaclyn Congello