What is UNCW's definition of "off-campus"?

Students who live off-campus and not in a residence hall are defined as off-campus students at UNCW. Approximately 75% of our undergraduate students are commuters who walk, drive, bicycle, take the shuttle bus or use some other form of transportation to get back and forth to campus.

The majority of UNCW off-campus students are sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Most of our freshmen live on campus, but since we do not require any of our students to live in the residence halls, a small percentage of freshmen choose to live off-campus each year, either with their parents, local relatives, or with roommates in an apartment.

 What are some special needs off-campus students may have?

• They usually find it challenging to return to campus after their regular class schedule.
• They may not feel connected to the campus, and may find it difficult to stay abreast of campus-wide events and deadlines.
• They prefer programs to be held in places that are already familiar to them, and promoted through media that they use, such as e-mail and web pages.
• They prefer programs, services and class projects to be advertised at least one full week in advance to allow them time to adjust their schedules.

 What does the term "non-traditional" mean?

Non-traditional students (non-trads), sometimes referred to as "adult learners," are an extremely diverse group. Those who feel they do not fit the "traditional" college student profile may be considered non-trads, including undergraduate students who:

• entered college a year or more after high school graduation
• are working to support themselves or their families
• have dependents in their care
• are married or divorced
• are serving in the armed forces or are veterans.

Nationally, non-trads comprise about a quarter of the undergraduate population. At UNCW, they make up at least 25% of the undergraduate student population.

 What should I know about non-trad students at UNCW?

• They are part of an an extremely diverse community.
• They almost always live off-campus, so they have the same concerns as other off-campus students, outlined above.
• They juggle home, parenting, career, and school responsibilities and find managing their time a serious challenge.
• They often come from a community college atmosphere, where they received plenty of individual attention.
• They may feel as though they do not "fit in" at UNCW at first, and may find university life intimidating.
• They tend to be highly focused on their studies and priorities, and often expect professors to give feedback on their assignments in a timely manner.
• They add an exciting and diverse dimension to the classroom with their life experiences and mature prospective!

 Ways faculty and staff members can help:

• Familiarize yourself with of all of the services and programs UNCW has to offer these populations. You can begin by touring this Web site!
• Refer students to the Seahawk Perch for assistance.
• Invite Seahawk Perch staff to your faculty & staff meetings. We will be happy to give a brief presentation with valuable information for your colleagues.
• Consider taking an informal poll on the first day of classes to see how many of your students live off-campus and how many may have special needs.
• Take into consideration the needs of off-campus students and non-trads when scheduling class assignments and office hours.
• Encourage your off-campus students to attend events that will benefit them, and to get them involved! If you notice a student that seems particularly withdrawn, especially a freshman, you may want to suggest some of the tips in our "Staying Connected" section.
• Support UNCW's Non-Traditional Student Organization. Academic memberships are only $5 per year!
• Nominate one of your students as our "Non-Trad of the Month."

 How can I encourage off-campus students and non-trads to get involved and have a great UNCW experience?

• Provide off-campus students and non-trads with plenty of opportunities to work in groups with traditional resident students in your classes. Encourage them to share their experiences and get to know a diverse group of people in and out of the classroom.
• Encourage them to join a club, organization, fraternity or sorority, play intramural sports, volunteer or develop their leadership skills. UNCW offers an Involvement Carnival shortly after the beginning of each semester which showcases hundreds of opportunities. The Staying Connected section of this Web site also has some great links that can help.
• Tell off-campus students and non-trads to seek work on campus, either through work assistance or work study. On-campus employment enriches a student's education, provides valuable work experience, and helps students to get connected quicker.
• Persuade students to come back to campus for events in the evenings and on weekends. Most university events are free or low-cost for students and often times for family members as well.
• Encourage off-campus students to read The Seahawk, UNCW's student newspaper and the UNCW News and Events Web site to stay abreast of events, programs and services for them.
• Remind them that they can purchase a commuter meal plan, and that they should eat on campus often. This is a great way to interact with other students and with faculty and staff.
• Refer students who may be experiencing transition difficulties to our office, The Seahawk Perch, in the Fisher Student Center lobby, and we will schedule a one-on-one appointment to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.