For many commuter students, their college experience can be summed up as – Get to class and go home. Because well, life is busy.
The University Student Center is working to fix this by welcoming more commuters into student life with a new daytime event.
It’s called Patio Tuesdays, and it takes place on the last Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Student Life Center.
Similar to Harbor Market, an on-campus biweekly market, Patio Tuesdays allows student organizations, USF St. Petersburg departments and local vendors a closer connection with the student body. Patio Tuesdays is a free event and offers things like music, activities and games.
Unlike Harbor Market, which can have 10-12 tables, Patio Tuesday features a more intimate 1-3 tables, allowing student organizations an opportunity to better showcase themselves, recruit and hand out information.
Melissa Cloutier is a junior psychology major, commuter and transfer student from Keiser University. Cloutier said her transfer orientation offered little information about clubs and student life.
Cloutier did notice that there were clubs and events, but they met in the evening, and Cloutier was often already back home.
When she saw Harbor Market for the first time, she didn’t see tables for student organizations, just vendors.
“If there’s only a handful of tables, it’s a lot easier to go from one to the other without feeling overwhelmed,” said Cloutier.
Luckily, Cloutier was introduced to Big Sisters of Psychology and has become more active and present on campus thanks to her involvement.
Omar Garcia, a graduate assistant and the coordinator of Patio Tuesdays, wanted a smaller and more open venue so that students could really connect with one another.
“Patio Tuesday is a daytime program for commuter students,” said Garcia.
Garcia specifically chose the location outside of the SLC so that both commuter and residential students could easily see the event and stop by.
“We want to see this program take off,” said Garcia. “It not only develops the community but the students who are a part of it,” he added.
Garcia also wants to make sure that the vendors at Patio Tuesdays will be something the students will enjoy. He’s been looking for local merchants or restaurants that may spark student interest.
“The city is your campus as well. You just don’t know what it has to offer until you see it for yourself,” said Garcia.
Before finals, students can look forward to a special Patio Tuesday called Treat Yourself Tuesday.
Treat Yourself Tuesday encourages students to unwind and refresh before finals. Last semester students could stop by and collect goodie bags filled with water bottles, energy bars and information slips with study sessions schedules.
In the future, Garcia would love to pay further homage to “Parks and Recreation” by incorporating things like a pony petting zoo for Treat Yourself Tuesday.
According to Garcia, his relationship with the students is both rewarding and crucial for organizing these events. He utilizes student feedback and recommendations to make improvements.
Garcia said he openly welcome student theme suggestions and ideas for Patio Tuesday. Additionally, departments that would like to collaborate or take part in the monthly program are encouraged to contact Garcia.
“Stop by and visit me at the USC,” said Garcia.
Student organizations interested in participating don’t have to pay to be featured in Patio Tuesdays.
