Campus Commuters: A Survey of the Service Needs of Commuter Students at the University of Minnesota.

Service-related needs and behaviors of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities students were surveyed in 1981. Based on responses of 2,112 students in selected classes, it was found that 81 percent of the respondents were commuters. Approximately 32 percent said they were not at all involved in campus life, while about 47 percent were only slightly involved. Most commuters lived on their own in a rented apartment/room/house (46.7 percent) or in their own home (11 percent), while 39 percent lived with their parents. Additional findings include the following: about a fifth of the students had used the off-campus housing services; the most frequent means of commuting to campus was by car, either alone (33.6 percent) or in a car pool (11.3 percent); 29 percent usually commuted by bus; two-thirds of those who drove were dissatisfied with the availability of on-campus parking; most students did not know whether campus security and lighting were adequate; and the majority said they used university vending machines and restaurants/cafeterias. A questionnaire is appended. (SW)