Commuter students have always had a space to call their own, but the vibe never truly felt like their own. Until now...
There was always a room with furniture and a TV, and a desk to get studying done before or after class. But the commuter space, which has changed locations throughout the years, was just a space. When commuters spoke up, the Dean of Students' Office took action.
"We're a central hub on campus for fostering engaging relationships and partnerships with students," said Moddie Linen, assistant dean of students and commuter student liaison (above, 3rd from left). "As advocates for students, we prioritize turning feedback into action, which reflects our core values of compassionate leadership and person-centered care."
Linen oversaw a renovation of the space, which is on the ground floor of Snyder Hall (G06). The completely refreshed commuter lounge feels homey and new, and it is unquestionably their space.
"The newly remodeled commuter lounge amplifies the impact of student voices, the strong collaboration between the Commuter Student Association (CSA), Commuter Transition Program (CTP), and the commitment of the Facilities team to enhance the Siena experience," said Linen. "Our goal is to ensure that every commuter feels supported, welcomed, and connected on campus."
Saints celebrated the remodeled lounge during a grand reopening ribbon cutting on September 15.
"The new Snyder Commuter Lounge offers a calm, welcoming retreat just steps away from Massry and the C-Store – perfect for grabbing a quick snack and recharging between classes. It’s amazing to see the space come alive again with so many new faces, after years of being quiet."
Milo Zlatev '27, Commuter Student Association president
"As a commuter, it's very easy to feel lost and detached from campus life. Having spaces like the newly renovated commuter lounge serves as a catalyst for engaging with and meeting other commuters and Siena Saints and can even spark more interest in getting involved on campus. Having such a close community highlights Siena's value of a person-centered environment and truly warrants that feeling of belonging at Siena!"
Samina Hanif '26
"Seeing this renovation especially right after my first year as a Saint makes me really proud of Siena and the Siena community. I'm very grateful to have so many opportunities as a commuter, and having this designated space makes me and other commuters feel even more connected to the campus."
Kaitlyn Agneta '28
"The commuter lounge is important to me because I don't live close to Siena at all, so although I try to make myself super active on campus, there are definitely times when I genuinely just want to go to a space where I can connect my computer and stream the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars to a TV, and just relax. So I look at the commuter lounge as my go-to area and mini home-away-from-home."
Carissa Brunt '26