Welcome to the Commuter Lounge
The Commuting Buffs Program supports students who commute to campus and first-year students living off campus to help build community at CU Boulder. The Commuter Lounge is one of the many resources available for students who commute or live off campus.
Get connected at the Commuter Lounge
Do you want a place to hang out during your downtime on campus? Being a commuter student can sometimes feel like you’re missing out on some aspects of the on-campus college experience. Having a space to meet other students with shared experiences helps students find community and allows students to connect with others who commute and live off campus.
Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations (OCHNR) welcomes commuter students to the Commuter Lounge. The lounge opened in the spring of 2023 as a place to relax, find amenities, study and spend time with other students.
The lounge offers many amenities to make your time on campus easier. You can enjoy the free coffee bar and a selection of complimentary snacks and other beverages. If you bring lunch from home, you can store it in the refrigerator and use the microwave. You are also welcome to eat in the Commuter Lounge.
There is free printing, access to computers and desk space for studying. You can also chat with a commuter peer mentor. If you just want to relax, you can play games, watch television or spend time with friends.
“My favorite part of the Commuter Lounge is seeing students find comfort in a designated space for them on campus. Commuters often can’t run home between classes, so having a reliable space to hang out, study, eat and more can make a huge difference in their daily experience at CU,” said Marisa Jergensen, commuting Buffs coordinator.
The Commuter Lounge is in the University Memorial Center (UMC) 102, down the hallway from The Connection. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hours are subject to staff availability.
Get advice from commuter peer mentors
Commuter peer mentors serve as student leaders, helping first-year off-campus and commuter students transition to CU Boulder. First-year students not living in the residence halls are assigned to an academically based commuter cohort with other first-year students. Each cohort has a designated commuter peer mentor who shares the same academic major or college as their cohort members.
The mentors are CU Boulder students who have previously or currently commute to campus. These students understand the commuter experience and know how to navigate campus and surrounding areas. The commuter peer mentors can offer encouragement and help connect students with opportunities to get involved at CU.
While the mentor program is for first-year students, any student visiting the Commuter Lounge can talk with a commuter peer mentor.
Get involved with the Commuting Buffs Program
Getting involved at CU Boulder can help you feel like you belong, leading to improved academic performance and mental health. Plus, getting involved is fun! The Commuting Buffs Program helps first year off-campus and commuter students engage with resources, events, student organizations and other programs.
First-year commuting students are automatically signed up, but all undergraduate commuter students can . When commuting students join the community, they gain access to the Commuter Lounge, receive monthly newsletters, participate in Commuting Buffs events and more.