Commuter & Non-Traditional Student Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is a commuter student?  Any student who is not living in on-campus in any of the UMaine administered housing (residence halls or apartments) is considered a commuter student. This includes those students living nearby off-campus in the privately-owned “student housing” complexes, as well as students who drive to campus from the surrounding greater Bangor area and farther. Commuter and Non-traditional Student Programs (CNTSP) also offers many services to those living in University Park, as many of these students in family housing are generally considered non-traditional.

Do I need a MaineCard? What does it do?  Even if you are only taking one class, your MaineCard costs nothing and comes with several great benefits: free rides on the Community Connection and Orono Express (bus), discounts at the Bears Den and other local businesses, printing funds for the university computers, and more!

Where are quiet places to study? Fogler Library is a great location to get work done, but the quiet areas may be difficult to find. Investigation will reveal nooks at the end of aisles in the middle of the library, known as the Stacks. The Memorial Union is a large building that contains many different spaces to study, with available seating and tables in all open areas and corridors. The Coe Lounge on the 2nd floor is usually open and quiet, but may be reserved for special meetings at times. The Non-traditional Students Association (NSA) reserves the room for an hour or two once a week during the semester for the use of non-traditional students. The two weeks before and during finals, a room or two in the Memorial Union is reserved for any student to use for study—notices are usually posted in the Commuter Lounge. Many academic buildings have study areas available. Aubert, Dunn, Neville, and Nutting all have large, open areas with tables and chairs, for example, which can be convenient before class.

Where do non-traditional students hang out? Like all students, non-traditional students are welcome across campus and free to utilize any of the spaces or resources listed above. One great place for non-traditional students and commuters to check out is the Commuter Lounge, which is located in the Wade Center (Room #150) on the ground floor of Memorial Union. The Commuter Lounge offers many programs and resources for non-traditional and commuter students, on top of being another space to study and social with your fellow Black Bears! For more information about the Commuter Lounge, CNTSP, or any of the resources for commuter and non-traditional students mentioned above, please contact Judson Walden at judson.walden@maine.edu.

How do I meet other non-traditional students who are parents?  There are many students at UMaine that have children and families of their own. The Commuter Lounge is a great place to meet other student-parents, as it is a family-friendly space for non-traditional and commuter students. The CNTSP staff may have families of their own, and at the very least can help connect and introduce you to other student-parents. There is also the Family Room located outside of the Commuter Lounge, which is for student-parents and their children. The NSA sponsors events such as Family Movie Nights and meals multiple times each semester, which can be a great way to bring your children to a family-friendly university event and make some friends!

How do I print? You can print from the university computers or via your own laptop, but may need to find out exactly where the printing goes. For example, printing from the computers in the Commuter Lounge sends the print request to the Memorial Union’s computer center. There is a charge for printing, so you’ll need your MaineCard, but the first $16 is free each semester. You can make double-sided copies and color copies, but be sure to plan ahead and know where you can find a printer that has those options. One of the printers in the Memorial Union’s computer center will print double-sided, while there is a color printer available on the 2nd floor of the Memorial Union.  Printers are also available in Fogler Library and many other academic buildings. If you need a professional print out or binding for a class project, Printing Services on campus can handle that for you.

Where can I make copies? Copy machines are available in the library. If you put some funds (called Black Bear Bucks) on your MaineCard, you can swipe your card to make copies.