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Millersville details commuter services, new Nest lounge and transit/parking guidance for commuter students
Summary
Assistant director of student affairs outlined commuter support launched in 2021, the new "Nest" commuter lounge in SMAC 104, parking and transit rules, free shuttles, counseling and dining partners, and tips to increase commuter student engagement.
Millersville University’s commuter student services described the campus resources available to students who live off campus and the university’s new dedicated commuter lounge, the Nest, which opened in January and is located in the Student Memorial Center (SMAC) room 104.
The Nest is intended as a “home away from home” for commuting and off‑campus students; the office described it as roughly 1,100 square feet with couches, nap spaces, collaborative work tables with built‑in charging stations, a computer workstation and a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave. Commuter services said the Nest is open during regular SMAC hours and is intended primarily for commuter and off‑campus students.
Ally Seal, assistant director of student affairs and lead for commuter student services, told webinar attendees that commuter student services launched in 2021 and supports engagement, retention and connection for students who do not live in university residence halls. "Your student could be joining the over 64% of students at Millersville who do not reside on campus," Seal said, and she encouraged parents to help their students use campus resources. Seal said the office offered 27 commuter‑exclusive programs during the most recent academic year and that the university runs roughly 800 programs and events annually across campus.
On transportation and parking, commuter services reviewed parking permit enforcement (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), noted that commuter parking uses white‑lined spaces, and said the parking portal will open sometime in July (exact date not specified). The office also said the campus has six electric vehicle charging stations and two free bus routes available to students: Route 16 to Downtown Lancaster and the MU Express campus shuttle.
Seal outlined campus resources available to commuters including the counseling center (free short‑term counseling), Health Services, Academic Support, career services, campus dining venues and community partners such as the Hub (which provides some free meals and a food pantry). She emphasized involvement and recommended that commuter students spend time on campus between classes to connect with peers and campus programs, and she outlined tips for families on balancing support and independence.
The office described practical commuting supports — flexible meal options, a refrigerator and microwave available in the Nest, multiple program times and a commuter toolkit — and urged admitted students to use the ZeeMe feature inside the My SpyGlass portal to meet peers and search for roommates. Seal encouraged parents and students to follow the commuter services Instagram account for event postings; she provided a Millersville commuter email for questions and listed the commuter office location as SMAC Room 107.
For follow‑up, Seal said she is available Monday through Friday and that the commuter services email commuters@millersville.edu and the commuter website contain schedules, parking information and event listings.
