Proceeds to Benefit the University’s Student Emergency Assistance Fund
Regis College has enthusiastically approved a student proposal to make on-campus housing available to undergraduate and graduate commuter students during the upcoming final examination period to provide students additional study time with groups of other students, promote student safety and deepen their relationship with the campus community. The university will charge a small fee for the housing, which will benefit the Regis Dear Neighbor Student Assistance Fund.
Regis is among the first institutions in the area to offer such an option to commuter students.
“The Commuter Overnight Stay Program enriches the lives of all students as it will bring Regis students closer together as a community,” said Bridgette Bowyer ‘24, commuter-at-large senator, Student Government Association, who formally proposed the program to Regis administration. “The program will benefit Regis commuter students by providing them with a safe and stress-free accommodation during final exams while also providing them with a sense of the independence that comes with college living. This program has the potential to enhance students’ testing performance and overall mental health for commuter students by eliminating a significant concern during exams week while also providing opportunities to more meaningfully engage with the Regis community.”
“At Regis, we welcome all without distinction and do our best to support members of our community who are experiencing academic, emotional, and financial struggles,” said Bridget Buoniconti, EdD dean of students. “This overnight stay program, proposed by a student, is a wonderful example of the innovative thinking taking place throughout Regis. The overnight stay program will enhance commuter student safety during final examinations when many are making the decision to stay late to study and drive home tired. It also provides opportunities for them to attend events, experience campus life and raise funds to provide emergency relief through the Dear Neighbor Fund.”
Safety was a factor students cited in proposing this plan. Several Regis students commute more than an hour from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire or Maine. Students and the university expressed concern that students driving these long distances after a day of studying followed by waking up early the next morning to drive back to campus presented potential safety challenges.
A poll of commuter students found that 97 percent would be interested in living on campus during the final examination period. 63 percent indicated that they would like a single room; 33 percent expressed interest in rooming with another commuter student.
“The overnight stay program provides students with lengthy commutes a needed break, and they wouldn’t have to worry about spending their time studying or safely returning home,” added Bowyer.”
Students opted to use funds raised to benefit the Regis College Dear Neighbor Fund that was established in 2010 through the generosity of many members of the university community to support students’ unanticipated emergency financial needs. The Fund is supported through donations and fundraising from Regis community. A confidential application process provides members of the campus community the opportunity to apply for support to purchase food, medical supplies or care, transportation and other pressing needs.
Commuter students interested in the overnight stay program will fill out a request form and rooms will be made available on a first-come, first basis, with a choice of staying two to five nights for a donation of $50 per night.
