UArts students gather on Hamilton Hall steps

Commuter Life

Our UArts community would not be the same without our commuter students!

 

Although some students opt to stay on campus, UArts has a thriving community of commuters who live in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all students to succeed in their academic and co-curricular lives regardless of if they live on campus or not! On this page, there are multiple resources listed for our commuter population. The University encourages students to take full advantage of all of these campus-wide resources, facilities and programs!

Travel: Getting to Campus

For commuters living in the greater Philadelphia area, SEPTA is a convenient choice for traveling to and from campus. SEPTA is the name for the regional public transportation authority that controls all public transportation in Philadelphia. 

SEPTA Pass Program: The SEPTA Pass Program is a discounted SEPTA Pass specifically available to UArts students. It is a great option for students who utilize SEPTA transit every single day! More information regarding the different passes available and the ordering timeline can be found at the SEPTA UArts Website. 

Questions? Contact septa@uarts.edu

For commuters living in New Jersey, the PATCO is a convenient choice for traveling to and from campus. 

The closest PATCO stations to campus are located on 12-13 & Locust and 15-16 & Locust. PATCO also offers free FREEDOM cards to students with a valid student ID. For more information about student savings visit the PATCO website

There are no parking lots managed by UArts for student parking on campus. However, there are several paid parking lots surrounding the UArts campus.

Information about area parking 

More on getting to campus 

Dining: Where to Eat

Terra Dining Hall 
Terra Dining Hall is the University's main dining facility featuring all-you-care-to-eat dining seven days per week.

Monday – Friday:

  • Breakfast: 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Dinner: 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday:

  • Brunch: 10:30 a.m 2 p.m.
  • Dinner: 4– 7:30 p.m.

Mangia
Located on the lower level of Hamilton Hall, Mangia is open from breakfast through late night.

Monday – Friday:

  • Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Dinner: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Mangia is an authentic Italian-style pizza shop with hand-tossed pizzas, hoagies, hot sandwiches, fresh stock soups, a variety of sides, breakfast items, desserts, snacks, coffee and cold beverages

Saxbys
Located on the first floor of the Student Center, Saxbys is a brand new cafe featuring various drinks, sandwiches, pastries, and more. To learn more about Saxbys, visit this website.

Monday – Thursday:

7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday:

7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday:

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

On-the-go Dining: Terra Dining Hall, Mangia, and Saxbys
In order to accommodate the lifestyle of our busy student artists, we are pleased to offer three grab-and-go locations. Each features quick-serve beverages, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, salads, muffins and more. All grab-and-go locations offer healthy pre-cooked and re-heatable options.

Learn more about dining locations 

Our dining services are available for all students whether you live on campus or not! Commuter students have the option to select meal plans for use in any of the on-campus dining facilities. There is a variety of mini-meal plans or students can simply pay with cash or card.

Learn more about meal plans 

Campus Spaces: Where to Hang-Out

As a commuter, finding spaces to study and relax between classes is especially important. The University has a number of common areas available to all students. 

Student Center
UArts's dedicated student center, featuring Saxbys, a lounge with a variety of seating, and more to come!

Juniper Lounges
The lounge located in our Juniper dorm is available to all students. Present your UArts ID to the security guard at the front desk to gain access to the lounges. 

Hamilton Hall: Solmssen Court
The living steps in Solmssen Court are a great place to take a break or study. Charging stations are built into the stairs and Mangia (one of our on campus dining locations) is located nearby. 

Hamilton Hall: Furness Courtyard & President's Garden

Located outside of Solmssen Court and accessible from Pine Street, the Furness Courtyard and President's Garden are beautiful outdoor locations with chairs, tables, and benches that are great for relaxing and working together!

UArts Libraries
Our library spaces have seating for students to get work done while on campus. Students can also receive guidance from the library staff on any research concerns. 

Learn more about UArts Libraries 

Campus Life: Getting Involved

Being involved in campus life is a great way to enhance friendships, make new connections, and build a community on campus. Whether you are joining a club, connecting with friends at Late Night Bites, participating in Emerging Leaders or helping to welcome students as a First Year Guide, there are multiple ways to make life-long connections. Along with all of our other programs and activities we have available, the Office of Camps Life also hosts specific Commuter Life programs for our commuter population. 

Commuter Programs: Each semester, The Office of Campus Life hosts specific Commuter Lunches and Commuter Coffees for our Commuter Students. These programs really allow our commuter students to build community and find a sense of belonging at UArts. Be on the look out for the Campus Activities Event Calendar to learn when and where these events will be! 

Learn more about Campus Life 

Contact Commuter Life

For any questions about Commuter Life, contact Campus Life at campuslife@uarts.edu.