COMMUTER STUDENTS
I COMMUTE
THESTATEWAY®
Georgia State University is committed to your success as a commuting Panther and we want to ensure that you are aware of and accessing the many resources and spaces available to you. Whether you are driving, taking public transportation, part of a carpool or rideshare, riding a scooter, bike, or motorcycle or simply walking to campus, Georgia State has resources that support your success.
Select one of the options below to learn more!
Campus Safety & Alerts
The Georgia State University Campus Police Department provides a wide range of services that can be of particular importance to commuter students. All are available through the LiveSafe app or by calling 404-413-3333 (add it as a contact in your phone!) The LiveSafe app even includes a “Safe Walk” feature to allow you to invite others to virtually walk along with you – and anyone can download the LiveSafe app since it works on and off our campuses.
Safety Escorts are available 24/7 to nearby parking decks, public and private parking lots, bus stops, and train stations. You can request this service at the phone # above anytime you feel unsafe in your travels around campus. The new “Ride Safe” option is available from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday-Friday (See Route Map). Rides can be scheduled using the Live Safe App or by calling 404-413-3333.
GSUPD also provides vehicle assistance to those experiencing a dead battery or a flat tire in any of the Georgia State parking decks or lots.
Inclement Weather, School Closures and Cancelled Classes
In rare circumstances, inclement weather and other occurrences may impact University operations resulting in the cancellation of classes or school closure. Campus-wide incidents are communicated via text, phone, email and on the University website via the PantherAlert system. Go to the Campus Safety website for full information on emergency notifications and details on how to sign up yourself or family members for PantherAlert.
Getting to Campus
Georgia State University provides both FREE and paid parking options for students. Anyone parking a car/motorcycle in Georgia State parking lots and decks are required to have their vehicle and license plate number registered in advance! Full details are available on the Parking & Transportation website about how to register your vehicle, where to park, and how to purchase either a semester parking permit or pay a daily rate via Panther Cash on your Panther Card (Atlanta campus only). Before you start classes, be sure to do the following:
- Register your vehicle in advance at the Parking & Transportation website.
- Plan to arrive with adequate time to park and make your way to your classroom. You may need to include time to walk across campus.
- Know where to find FREE Georgia State parking:
- FREE parking is available for students who park in the Blue/Green parking lots and catch the Panther Express to the Atlanta campus.
- Parking is FREE on all Perimeter College campuses.
- Visit campus before the first day of class to familiarize yourself with parking and classroom locations and to familiarize yourself with the best routes to and from parking lots. Anticipate and plan for parking delays at the start of each semester as students get accustomed to parking on campus.
- Be cautious about using privately owned pay lots and parking meters located throughout and around the Atlanta campus. Unlike University lots they are not patrolled by Georgia State police and can often be more expensive.
- Know the attendance policy for your courses and how to communicate with professors in the event of absence. This information will be noted in the syllabus for each class. A general rule of thumb is that you should attend ALL classes unless there is an important reason to miss class, like major illness. Just being present for all your classes increases your likelihood of success!
Explore Public Transportation, Carpooling & Rideshare Options
Georgia State is well-served by MARTA rail and bus lines, and local and regional public transportation options are available to many Georgia State campuses – Xpress buses, CobbLINC, Gwinnett County Transit, etc. Students can purchase special discounted MARTA Breeze Cards and monthly passes for Xpress transportation online or at the Parking & Transportation office in the University Bookstore building, second floor. Find full details on public transportation serving your campus at the Parking & Transportation website.
Ridesharing and carpooling are other popular transportation options for commuter students. Go online to find carpool or rideshare websites/apps available for your campus.
Campus Dining/Food
Students may purchase a meal plan through Panther Dining. A breakdown of the plans and costs can be found below. Each entry is equivalent to one swipe. Entries do NOT roll over between semesters.
If you find yourself on campus more often, it is recommended to purchase more entries as the cost per meal is lower.
Non-Residential Block Meal Plans
- Panther75: With this plan, you receive 75 entries at a total cost of $700 per semester. The price per meal is $9.33
- Panther50: With this plan, you receive 50 entries at a total cost of $500 per semester. The cost per meal is $10.00.
- Panther25: With this plan, you receive 25 entries at a total cost of $300 per semester. The cost per meal is $12.00.
Microwaves
For your convenience microwaves are available for student use at the specific locations below on each Georgia State University campus:
- Alpharetta: AA Building, Panthers Den 1st Floor
- Atlanta: 2nd floor of Student Center East, by the vending machines; Aderhold Building 1st floor and the Omni Gym located in the Student Recreation Center
- Clarkston: CN Building, Panther Café
- Decatur: SC Building, Panther Café
- Dunwoody: NC Building, Panther Café
- Newton: 2N Building, Panther’s Den Café
Vending machines
Vending machines are located across all Georgia State campuses, providing coffee, premade sandwiches and cupcakes, as well as the standard snack food and drink variety. Discounts are offered at all vending machines for items purchased with Panther Cash.
For a list of vending locations by campus, visit Vending Services.
You also have the option of loading money onto your PantherCard. GSU students receive a discount when they use their PantherCard at the dining halls on campus.
Resting, Studying & Networking on Campus
As a commuter student, every space on campus is open for you to use. Take advantage of the seating and working stations while you are on campus. For those students on the Atlanta campus, below are some hidden gems you may want to seek out:
- Located in Spark’s Hall, across from the Office of International Student & Scholar Services in room 252, you will find a working space with a large window that overlooks the campus green space.
- 25 Park Place is home to several areas with an abundance of natural light and balconies that are perfect places to study or relax in between classes.
- If you are looking for a quiet place to study, the GSU College of Law located at 85 Park Place has several spaces throughout the building that you will enjoy. This beautiful building also has a large balcony near the top floor.
- During your time at GSU, you will likely have a class in the Aderhold Learning Center. This building features various seating areas throughout and study rooms on the ground floor.
- The swings between Student Center East and the Urban Life building are a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the city weather.
- You may view the maps linked here to find your new favorite place to hang out on campus.
Campus Events & Getting Involved
- Panther Involvement Network (PIN): Visit PIN to find the many events happening every day on each campus as well as information on student clubs and organizations you can join. Sign in to track your involvement, sort events to find free food or swag, and explore ways to get connected.
- Student News You Can Use (SNYCU): Check your inbox every Monday morning to review SNYCU, a weekly newsletter sent to all enrolled students when classes are in session. Read it each week to see important campus updates and reminders, student engagement opportunities, student success tips, health and wellness updates and more.
- Engagement Programs: Interested in the arts, community service, leadership opportunities, health and wellness or other ways to get involved? Check out Student Engagement for all the ways you can connect with other students, explore student life, and make new friends.
- 101 Things to do in Atlanta: Curated by current students, this list shares fun suggestions on how to explore the city. Visit our list of 101 Things to do in Atlanta. GSU students are eligible for discounted tickets to movies and local attractions in Atlanta - be sure to explore this link for details.
Student Support
The library offers a nice quiet place to study or meet for group projects. Laptops and printers are also available throughout the building. You may reserve a room for any campus library using the Reserve a Space website.
Off-Campus Housing
For students seeking housing options outside of University Housing, visit the Georgia State University Off-Campus Housing website. This free resource assists GSU students in finding nearby housing, searching for roommates, and accessing information about their rights and responsibilities. It’s important for all students—whether on-campus, off-campus or living at home—to make sure to have insurance coverage for your personal belongings.
Campus Employment & Internships
Research shows that working while in college can actually help you have better grades, since having a work schedule helps with time management and minimizes procrastination. However, balance is the key! Most full-time college students can handle working between 10-20 hours per week.
When you work on campus you have supervisors who understand you are a student first and often are more flexible with scheduling.
Both on-campus jobs and internships can also be a great way to build your resume and make important connections that can lead to future career employment. To learn more, connect with University Career Services and log into Handshake. Also, check out the GSU Career Services website that gives an overview of the resources available to students, including career fairs.
Health & Wellness
- Recreational Services – in addition to our on-campus recreation facilities, we offer robust sports clubs, intramurals, and off-campus trips through Touch the Earth, plus we have special activities available at our Indian Creek Recreation Center.
- Student Health Services – in addition to our on-campus health clinic at 75 Piedmont on the Atlanta campus, we offer all students who pay the health fee 24/7/365 access to TextCare. Many health needs can be accommodated through TextCare and/or referral to local resources convenient to where you live.
- Mental Health – Counselors are available for appointments and walk-in emergencies, along with online professional and peer support resources.
- Care Services – Panther's Pantry offers free food and hygiene products, and the Dean of Students office oversees Emergency Assistance, including support for housing insecurity and former foster students.