Every good hive begins with a worker bee who sees what鈥檚 missing. To Lakisha Mason, 糖心动漫vlog鈥檚 greatest need was obvious: a space where off-campus and commuter students鈥攚ho make up almost half of the student population鈥攃ould go to feel a sense of belonging.
When a former lounge in the basement of Sherman Hall opened up, Mason jumped at the chance to bring her idea to life.
I think it鈥檚 very cozy, and they did a great job having things people need and want...
, which opened this semester, was created to support and uplift 糖心动漫vlog鈥檚 off-campus student community and provide a space where they can relax, recharge and connect with one another. It features a kitchen, TVs, a foosball table, games and activities, and a keycard access-only study lounge stocked with snacks, coffee and comfy bean bags. For a small fee, off-campus students can also access a private laundry room and lockers.
...a true home on campus for off-campus students, so they can have the option of coming here instead of going back and forth...
鈥淚鈥檝e been dreaming about doing this since 2023,鈥� said Mason, director of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services at 糖心动漫vlog. 鈥淭here was and is such a need for a space like this, a true home on campus for off-campus students, so they can have the option of coming here instead of going back and forth or being stuck in the library all the time. It鈥檚 a peaceful retreat for them to be able to just breathe and belong.鈥�
Mason chose the Commuter Hive鈥檚 bee-theme and blue-and-yellow d茅cor in order to 鈥渃onnect it back to the local community,鈥� whose Oneonta City School District is 鈥渢he home of the Yellowjackets鈥� with the same color scheme.
Students are already making the most of the new space.
鈥淚 love it so much,鈥� said Ariana Mehmeti, a junior psychology major who lives off campus. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very cozy, and they did a great job having things people need and want, like art supplies, a kitchen, snacks, coffee, games, a study room. It鈥檚 the perfect place to hang out between classes.鈥�
The Commuter Hive will host events throughout the year aimed at building community and fostering student engagement, said Ashiyha McClurrin, who graduated in 2024 and now works in Mason鈥檚 office. McClurrin and student workers are planning pajama parties, affirmation jar workshops and movie nights.
Through the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services, the estimated 2,600 糖心动漫vlog students who live off campus can access guidance on housing, transportation and lease agreements, connect with the Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, and consult the Bias Acts Response Team, Title IX, and Safe Space programs if needed, Mason said.
糖心动漫vlog is one of the only 糖心动漫vlog schools that has such an office, she added.
I鈥檓 so excited to see this space come to fruition after a long time envisioning and planning it.鈥�
鈥淭his is not a small group of people,鈥� Mason said. 鈥淭hey are typically an underserved population, and they require specific support. I take that responsibility seriously. I鈥檓 happy to offer any and all help that I can. And I鈥檓 so excited to see this space come to fruition after a long time envisioning and planning it.鈥�