Reimagine the ‘sticky campus’ concept by centring the needs of commuter students

Standen, Gemma (2025) Reimagine the ‘sticky campus’ concept by centring the needs of commuter students. In: Student Belonging in Action. Taylor and Francis, London. ISBN 9781003611578

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Abstract

Commuter students are those who live off-campus and travel in for academic and non-academic life. They form a substantial yet often overlooked group in higher education. This chapter explores how universities can foster belonging for commuter students without imposing dominant norms of student engagement. Drawing on national literature and internal research at the University of East Anglia (UEA), it identifies key interventions across the student lifecycle, including tailored pre-access information, personalised transition resources, and flexible in-study support. Resources such as the Personal Travel Planner, targeted mailings, commuter breakfasts, and dedicated newsletters are examined in relation to their impact on engagement, wellbeing, and belonging. The chapter details the traditional “sticky campus” model and advocates for a reimagined version that values student autonomy and supports diverse motivations for commuting. By recognising commuter students as resourceful individuals with valid participation modes, universities can develop inclusive, student-informed approaches that promote equity, connection, and belonging.

Item Type:	Book Section
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education and Lifelong Learning
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2026 16:30
Last Modified:	01 Mar 2026 07:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102031
DOI:	10.4324/9781003611578

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