Commuters on campus typically drive to Miller or Leinhard Halls and head home right after class. The Commuter Advisory Board (CAB) is an organization that aims to involve the commuter population along with resident students. But there is more to hosting programs for students than meets the eye.
The Commuter Advisory Board takes much action when it comes to issues involving commuters and other students. Not only are these students there for social change, but they advocate for issues on campus. Just last year, CAB had an E-board with residents and commuters, where they encouraged involvement amongst students and the Office of Financial Aid; currently they are in the process of having committee meetings with Dean Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo and a representative from the Office of Financial Aid.
“We want to find out the issues our students have and address them,” junior education major and CAB President David Holder said.
Students that are involved in CAB have no disregard and want to make a change in the lives of students all over Pace. By holding focus groups, the organization has been able to get the opinions of others in order to rectify an issue and really get an idea on what has and hasn’t been done. The organization’s E-board is also dedicated to the organization.
“I love my E-board,” Holder said. “When I went to my first CAB meeting, I thought the organization was a cab company.”
Humor and all, this is no cab company, but it is a support group of a sort, an outlet, for students to interact with each other.
“I first met Joseph Jacob and Sarah Santhouse,” Holder said. “I know what it’s like to work with them, but as we’ve transitioned from different positions on the E-board, we have all grown a lot.”
Sarah Santhouse was the former senator of CAB and much of the organization’s voice came from her. Now, Holder has been an active voice in order to keep the momentum of previous years. By doing this, Holder has certainly taken much of what he’s learned in his previous position and applied it to his presidency.
“Sarah, my Vice President, is like my right hand woman and she can easily stand in for me, “Holder said. “She does great with constitutional elements.”
Having a strong constitution is a very important, especially when maintaining an organization. In order to ensure the best benefits for their members, Holder and his e-board maintain a schedule of meetings, focus groups, and events. One event that Holder has been driving with his organization is “Battle of the Orgz.” During this event, organizations battle it out in various rounds of dodgeball to see which organization is the best, and all organizations are eligible to participate.
Another event CAB hosts is Adopt-a-Commuter Day, which is an event where residents “adopt” a commuter and they visit the residence halls, spend the night and experience university night life. This provides insight to what their peers do at night, such as programming, that would have otherwise been missed.
“I think it’s a great idea,” sophomore biology major Karina Borrani said. “It gives students an opportunity to experience something they might not have been able to take part it. As a commuter, I would definitely take part in this, especially if it’s someone I’ve met but wanted to hang out with more.”
There is much more in store for the students of Pleasantville, but CAB needs student help to identify different needs of students. To learn more about CAB or any of their upcoming events, please contact David Holder at [email protected].