Located at the corner of Berks and Warnock streets next door to Richie’s Café, the renovations for Temple’s Commuter Lounge were completed in mid-October. 

The Temple Commuter Lounge’s renovations have recently been completed, and the refreshed space is ready to welcome students for the remainder of the fall semester. Located at the corner of Berks and Warnock streets next door to Richie’s Café, the lounge has become a staple gathering place where commuting students, faculty and staff can relax while waiting for the train. In addition to existing amenities such as vending machines, lockers, restrooms and a kitchen with microwaves, the lounge now features more than 20 new pieces of furniture and new microwaves.

Interest in renovating Temple’s Commuter Lounge, which was first constructed in 2015, gained momentum after Temple Student Government (TSG) and the Temple University Commuters Club began discussions with Student Affairs about refreshing the space to make it more usable and comfortable.  

In a survey, nearly 400 respondents said they enjoyed the lounge as a safe place to wait for the train but felt it was outdated. Shortly after, Student Affairs began brainstorming with Temple’s Campus Operations Project Delivery Group about how the space could look.  

“This really was a student-driven initiative that Temple Student Government brought to President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey Accavallo,” said Deanne DeCrescenzo, assistant vice president of student advocacy and engagement. “We see the lounge as a student success tool—a space on campus where they feel safe, comfortable and most importantly, that they belong.

“It is important that we create welcoming spaces for all students, whether they are living on campus, nearby campus or they commute,” she added. “This investment is an extension of our Student Center and helps ensure that commuter students feel connected to the Temple community.”

Laurel Chase, assistant director for engagement and communications, echoed DeCrescenzo’s sentiments.

“With much of Temple’s programming geared toward students who live on or near campus, the survey offered an opportunity to incorporate commuter students’ feedback and create a space that better serves their needs,” said Chase.  

Dia Gordon, Class of 2028, a political science and economics double major, is a member of TSG and helped advocate for commuter lounge improvements.  

“I’m really happy with all the new furniture they’ve added,” said Gordon. “Many students use the space throughout the day, and I’m glad we could create a more comfortable, functional and welcoming environment that caters to their academic and social lives.

“This renovation shows commuter students that their experience is just as important as that of residential students,” she added.