Commuting to Texas State Can Be a Challenge

By: Anna Tauzin
September 20, 2007

One look at the commuter parking lots at Texas State can tell you one thing: a lot of students don’t live in the San Marcos area.

Ashley Mauricio, a Geography Junior, lives on the east side of San Antonio and commutes to San Marcos every Tuesday and Thursday. In order to get to her 9:30 a.m. class, she has to leave her house by 7 a.m. It takes her a little over an hour from the time she leaves her driveway until she pulls into the commuter parking lot at Bobcat Stadium. “It’s not so bad,” she said. “It sucks that it takes an hour to get to school, but it goes by fast since it’s mostly interstate driving.”

Texas State provides a tram service for students living in Austin and San Antonio, but Mauricio points out that the last bus headed towards San Antonio leaves at 5 p.m.; her last class doesn’t let out until 6 p.m.

Despite that, the University does its best to provide commuter students with certain amenities. Boko’s Living Room, on the first floor of the LBJ Student Center, provides a place for students to relax between classes. Movies, televisions, pillows, blankets, and alarm clocks are available for check out.

Lockers are also available for rent at the LBJ Student Center. Rates are five dollars for summer sessions and $10 per long semester.

On certain dates throughout the semester, the Off Campus Student Services office hosts “Good Morning” Commuter Breakfasts at the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. The University also sponsors a housing fair each semester for students to find housing in San Marcos, if interested.

However, living near Texas State, though it may be more convenient, may not be possible for all students, including Mauricio. “There’s no way I can move to San Marcos. My family, my fiancé, they all live in San Antonio. Moving here would make no sense,” she said.