News Story

by Erin Fowler

Jones said she doesn't want on-campus students to feel they are losing the A-Frame

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Commuter Program
Adopts A-Frame

Multnomah's A-Frame was modeled after the A-Frame on MBC
cofounder Willard Aldrich's property.
--Heather Peacock, photo

Multnomah's A-Frame has become the center for a new commuter program, providing a welcoming atmosphere and ministering to the needs of off-campus students. Now the A-Frame has been remodeled to suit the commuter students who make up more than 60 percent of the student body.

To gather ideas for Multnomah's commuter program, a group of faculty and staff visited the commuter centers at Seattle University. Until Multnomah's new program began, MBC commuters had only a couple off-campus representatives on student government.

The A-Frame, located at the northeast corner of the campus, offers commuters an alternative to living out of their cars. Lockers, leather furniture and tables provide a place for students to relax, fellowship, study or eat. The newly painted kitchen supplies a refrigerator, microwaves, utensils and dishes.

"I'm thrilled that I can have a hot lunch," commuter Alaina Arp, freshman, said. "Another feature that I really appreciate is that they have a piano in the corner. Playing piano helps me relax. I feel very blessed that Multnomah would think of doing this for students like me."

Commuter student Nate Hascup, junior, said he likes what has been done to the A-Frame: "The A-Frame has always been different from anywhere else on campus."

Cheree Jones, the assistant commuter life coordinator, said her hope is that the A-Frame will become like a "home away from home" for those who commute.

Jones, a senior and off-campus student, said she sees the A-Frame as a bridge helping to welcome commuter students by giving them their own space and then connecting them with the Multnomah body through events and activities. Jones shared that the commuter program is a way to present the A-Frame as new and fresh.

Hascup said he has fond memories of events in the A-Frame, in-cluding plays, classes, game nights and dinners. "I hope they find an alternative and a way to coexist," he said of his desire for the A-Frame to be available for special events.

Jones said she doesn't want on-campus students to feel they are losing the A-Frame. "[It is] intended in every way to be a gift to the whole campus -- on-campus and commuter students alike," she said.

Open house events and special activities will be held at the A-Frame for everyone's enjoyment. On Sept. 21, the A-Frame hosted a continental breakfast with Professor Dan Christiansen, and on Sept. 24 it hosted an open house.

Jones encourages on-campus students to still come in and enjoy the A-Frame. "Just make an off-campus friend," she said with a smile.

Guests are always welcome to visit their commuter friends. Jones said that many of the past events such as school previews, concerts and Christmas parties will probably happen in the newly remodeled Student Commons.

A few of those who were to be resident assistants of White Hall will be serving the off-campus students as commuter assistants. The CAs help to coordinate events, answer questions and support the students at the commuter center. Jones said that the CAs and Resident Assistants meet together each week; they want to be one team serving together and loving students. "We are one campus with unique needs," she said.

Reflecting on her past three years at college and her desire for students to feel welcome, Jones said, "The joy, the family feeling and the true spiritual community that Multnomah offers is so rich. I never want an off-campus student to miss that."

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