California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is one of the many colleges located in the Inland Empire. It is also known as a commuter school. However, it seems that some students feel disconnected from clubs, organizations, and the overall campus community at CSUSB as a result of it being a commuter campus.
Many students commute every single day, trying to avoid traffic while also dealing with the rising cost of gas. For some, that daily drive affects more than just their schedule. It affects their sense of belonging.
One student who has experienced the feeling of being disconnected is named Rony Carilo.
Carilo is currently attending CSUSB to earn his bachelor’s degree in information systems and technology. He is a junior and a U.S. Navy veteran who experienced COVID-19 while transitioning out of the military.“My name is Rony Carilo. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran. I served for about four years,” he said. “I’m currently a student at CSUSB. I’m going for a degree in information systems and technology.”
Carilo served as a fire control technician in the Navy, working with weapon delivery systems aboard a submarine. He separated from service in September 2022, during the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked what it was like transitioning out of the military during COVID, he described it as unusual and isolating. “It was weird because usually they have classes and programs to help you transition out,” Carilo said. “But because of COVID, a lot of the things were not being implemented.”
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which normally includes three day in-person instruction to prepare service members for civilian life, was replaced with handouts and online information.
“We kind of were just told, ‘Hey, look at this website,’ or they gave us a flyer with all the information instead of having somebody teach you about getting out,” he said.
When asked how that made him feel, he was direct. “You feel abandoned,” Carilo said. “They just gave us a bunch of flyers and papers and said, ‘Just review these and you should be good.’ It felt like they weren’t really watching out for you.”
COVID restrictions also prevented him from seeing his family. “When COVID started, they wouldn’t allow us to leave the base,” he explained. “We couldn’t leave our rooms. We couldn’t talk to anybody. You couldn’t order any food.”
He said he had not seen his family for about two years. “And then when I got out, I was able to just go see them on my own,” he said. “I didn’t have to request permission to go see them anymore.”
After separating from the military, Carilo chose CSUSB because the program aligned with his goals, and it was close enough to commute. “I saw that their program for information systems and technology was aligned to my goals,” he said, “and it was close enough to commute to the school.”
However, commuting has played a significant role in his college experience. Without traffic, he described the drive as short. But during rush hour, it becomes “an hour endeavor both ways.”That commute has, in his words, “placed a wedge.”
“I feel like commuting has placed a wedge,” Carilo said. “Because I’m not always there. Or I’m not always available to be there to collaborate with my classmates on projects or clubs.”
One of CSUSB’s parking zones is filled with student and faculty vehicles, located close to University Hall.
March 10, 2026.
March 10, 2026. Carilo said he has tried to join campus organizations, including the cybersecurity club, but scheduling has been a challenge. “Yes, I have tried to join the cybersecurity club,” he said. “But a lot of their things are scheduled during times that would cut into my class time.”
He explained that some meetings overlap with class hours or are held during limited time blocks
that are not flexible for commuters. “They’re not very flexible with the times that they assign things,” he said. “Some classes go from 11 to 12:15, and they have a club meeting at 11. And it would cut into the class time.”
In addition to commuting, Carilo said there is also an age gap between him and many of his classmates.“I’m 25 years old, and most of my classmates are 20 years old,” he said. “Being in the military, I kind of experienced a lot already. I just don’t really connect with them as much.”
He emphasized that working together academically is not difficult. “Collaborating with them on classwork is easy,” he said. “It’s just really making a connection where it can be rough sometimes. And also just commuting doesn’t really help at the same time.”
He believes CSUSB could improve communication for commuter students. “From what I know, most clubs and organizations… ” It’s up to the students to create a group chat,” he said. “It would be better if the school implemented some sort of system where we could all communicate together when it comes to communities or clubs.”
When asked directly if he feels connected to the campus community, he answered honestly. “I don’t really think so,” he said. “Since I’m commuting… I mostly just go to classes.”
Although CSUSB has a Veterans Success Center, Carilo said he has not reached out. “I have never tried contacting them,” he said. When asked why, he responded, “I don’t need them.”
His earlier transition experience during COVID appears to have shaped that perspective. “It kind of set a tone,” he acknowledged. Despite the challenges, Carilo remains motivated to pursue his degree. “Just seeing myself graduating,” he said. “Walking across the stage and receiving my degree.”
After graduation, he hopes to secure an internship and build his career and stronger connections from there. “Hopefully, get an internship and see where that goes from there,” he said.
At commuter campuses like CSUSB, Carilo’s experience is one of the many student representations that remain an issue. While many students successfully balance work, commuting, and academics, some still struggle to feel fully connected to campus life.