Welcome to Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Programs!
Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Programs (CNTSP) is located in the Wade Center (Room #150) on the ground floor of the Memorial Union. If you have any questions about CNTSP, please e-mail um.cntsp@maine.edu, or stop by and speak with one of our staff. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
About CNTSP:
Who is a commuter student?
You are a commuter student, whether you live across the street and walk to campus, use the Black Bear Orono Express, or drive daily from Ellsworth or further. If you do not live in UMaine housing, you are a commuter. Over 60 percent of UMaine undergraduates live off campus. Within this large group of commuter students, there are nontraditional students who represent about 4-5% of UMaine undergraduates.
Who is a non-traditional student?
Non-traditional students, have generally chosen to pursue a UMaine bachelor’s degree while already managing many other life roles. Non-traditional students are those who have chosen to come to college several years past their graduation from high school, undergraduates who are 24 years or older, are married, are parents themselves and/or have been through other life circumstances that differentiate them from the traditional path.
The Commuter Lounge
The Commuter Lounge is both a study and social lounge reserved for commuter and non-traditional students.
The Commuter Lounge is open Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and open but not staffed Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. The Commuter Lounge hours are dependent on the hours when the Memorial Union is open, so these may vary, especially over university breaks and holidays.
Located on the ground floor of the Memorial Union in the Wade Center, Room #150, the Commuter Lounge has microwave ovens, a toaster, can opener, and a refrigerator that is available for students to use. CNTSP also provides paper and plastic goods to help prepare and enjoy your meals.
During the fall and spring semesters, free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available during the day while the Commuter Lounge is staffed; however, you must use your own small coffee travel mug. We support sustainability so we do not currently provide disposable cups.
The Commuter Lounge offers computer stations with printing available through the computer cluster, which can also be found on the ground floor of the Memorial Union. Large, movable whiteboards and tables are available for study groups, while couches and chairs offer a more comfortable social space.
The lounge also serves as an information center, with a bulletin board and a brochure rack full of student information, campus resources, and notices of upcoming events. Community Connector and Black Bear Express bus schedules, campus maps, and other useful commuter resources are available in the lounge.
Commuter Lockers
Commuter lockers are available during the fall and spring semesters for students to store their materials. CNTSP lockers are located outside of the Commuter Lounge / Wade Center (Room #150), and are accessible whenever the Memorial Union is open.
There is a fee of $10 for the year, plus a $10 refundable key deposit. Please note: Lockers are only available during the fall and spring semesters, not over the summer. Locker rentals are available by contacting Brittany McPhee at brittany.hachey@maine.edu. Please return keys to Brittany at her office – Memorial Union room 320.
