For many of Stevenson University’s commuter students, campus can feel like a stop rather than a destination. But once a year, the Commuter Student Association (CSA) turns that dynamic upside down with an overnight event designed to bring these students closer to campus life and each other.
The annual Commuter Sleepover was hosted in the Rockland Banquet Hall on Saturday, Oct. 10, as part of Commuter Appreciation Week. It invites commuting students to stay the night, play games, enjoy food and build community. Organized and run by CSA student leaders, the event blends structured programming with open time for students to relax and connect.
“I know that before I was at Stevenson, they had the commuter sleepover as a yearly event, but because of COVID, they stopped,” CSA member Shariemel Abellanosa said. “Last year was the first time that we kind of picked it back up.”
That return made a strong impression. Last year’s sleepover drew nearly 30 RSVP’d attendees, with participation from campus organizations and individual volunteers who hosted activities ranging from henna art and bracelet-making to karaoke and card games.
“We had people sign up and then we had an agenda throughout the night where we had different games going on, snacks, [and] other clubs collaborate,” Abellanosa said. “People just started doing their own thing… probably around like one or two in the morning, that’s when everybody fell asleep.”
The goal isn’t just entertainment — it’s inclusion. Commuter students often miss out on spontaneous bonding experiences that come from living on campus. Events like the sleepover aim to fill that gap and endorse commuter representation.
“One of our main goals at CSA is to make sure that, like, if you want to jump in anywhere, you have the opportunity to do so,” Abellanosa said. “We try to provide as many events as possible and kind of just like something new for people.”
The event also opens doors for students who might otherwise remain on the sidelines. Abellanosa’s interactions with commuters illustrates how much a single night of connection can mean for students who may feel isolated or unrepresented on campus and demonstrates the lasting connections which can come from events like these. According to Almas Mohammed, another CSA member, this type of engagement is exactly what commuter students need.
“This event is a big deal for us commuters because it’s not just about being here for class — it’s about feeling like part of the community,” Mohammed said.
Planning the event takes weeks of behind-the-scenes effort from CSA board members.
“We discussed a lot of it during our executive board meetings,” Abellanosa said. “What kind of food would [people] want to eat? What type of things would they want to see in the goodie bags? What games could we have?”
For this year’s sleepover, the CSA built on feedback from last year. Among the new additions were a “dirty soda” bar, a more structured karaoke segment and a pajama contest — with prizes and raffles spread throughout the evening.
The sleepover is part of a larger effort by CSA to make Stevenson’s campus more accessible and enjoyable for the large population of commuters. That includes ongoing initiatives, like the recent event “Beat the Rush Hour,” where commuters could wait out traffic while watching movies.
“I really, really appreciate [CSA], because I feel like if we didn’t have so many events going on, then maybe the general student body wouldn’t feel as comfortable kind of breaking out of their shell,” Abellanosa said.
CSA’s mission aligns closely with Stevenson’s own emphasis on student engagement.
“We definitely put a lot of effort into this event just because we know it’s not one you see that often,” Abellanosa said. “Hopefully more students are incentivized to kind of see what we have to offer.”
Even beyond the sleepover, CSA encourages students to take a leap and show up.
“There’s just so many events that happen on campus,” Abellanosa said. “I would say, like, just pop in — because you really never know who you’re going to meet or what they have to offer.”
