Monday, June 23, 2008

TWU Commuter NET program receives national recognition

By Pegasus News wire

Photo not provided by Texas Woman's University

DENTON — Texas Woman’s University received the Commuter Student and Adult Learners’ Outstanding Collaboration Award during the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) national convention.

TWU’s Commuter Services Department and the TWU Department of Housing were recognized for the innovative Commuter Neighbors Educated Together (NET) program, which offers commuter students the opportunity to develop an academic peer support group during their first year at the university. TWU Commuter NET students take three classes together and take part in campus activities during their first semester at TWU.

“About 83 percent of students on the Denton campus are commuter students. Commuter students who also are first time in college students have one of the highest drop-out rates after their first semester,” said Amy O’Keefe, director for TWU Commuter Services. “The Commuter NET program was implemented in fall 2007 as a counterpart to the Living Learning Community program in our residence halls, and we have already seen an increase in retention rates for commuter students in the program.

“Commuter NET students are able to establish a network of friends and develop a sense of community spirit,” O’Keefe continued. “The average GPA of the Commuter NET students also is higher than those not enrolled in the program.”

The Commuter NET program is a collaboration with TWU’s Department of Housing, the Academic Advising Center, the College of ARTS and Sciences and Commuter Services. Several other TWU departments, including the Registrar’s Office, University Scheduling and various academic departments, also are involved in the program.

For more information about TWU’s Commuter Services and the Commuter NET program, please visit this website.

The ACPA is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. For more information, visit this website.

Source: Texas Woman's University

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