Augsburg’s student government approved paying for the pass by student fee so no undergraduates pays out of pocket to commute to campus, internships, jobs 

(Minneapolis) — Augsburg University now offers the Auggie Pass, a universal transit pass that gives undergraduate students unlimited rides on buses and light rail in a first of its kind partnership between Metro Transit and a Twin Cities college.

Skye Ryge was an Augsburg student government environmental officer last year when she advocated for student government to approve a $5 green fee increase to $20 per semester to pay for the Auggie Pass. She believes it will help reduce students’ financial strain and improve their chances of accepting jobs and internships involving a commute.

“As someone who uses the bus everyday, it’s great not to have that financial burden,” said Ryge ‘20, who will be a fourth-year student this fall and used to pay more than $100 monthly to ride the bus. “It’s really economically advantageous to students who pay for school like me to not have to choose between textbooks and bus fare.”

“Efficiently connecting people to schools, work and other destinations is at the heart of what a quality system does,” said Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra. “We are excited about this partnership, connecting Augsburg University students to our system and our region, and hope this develops into a model that can be duplicated with other schools.”

The Auggie Pass is valid throughout the school year and is paid for by the student Green Fee and University operating funds. All undergraduate day students who pay the semester Green Fee are eligible. Students can now pick up their Auggie Pass in the Lindell Library at the circulation desk on the ground level. Visit Augsburg transportation webpage for more details.

The push for the Auggie Pass was an effort to support Augsburg’s Transportation Plan goals:

• Enhance Augsburg’s commitment to the city, its urban location, and environmental stewardship;
• Maximize the use of other transportation options, including light rail, bus, biking, and ride-sharing;
• Ensure students access classes, campus services, and educational opportunities;
• Support employees at the Minneapolis campus in getting to work.

View the announcement at Metro Transit’s site.

For details, contact: Gita Sitaramiah, Director of PR and Internal Communications. sitarami@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1476.

About Augsburg. Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate degrees to 3,400 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and nearby Rochester, Minnesota, location. Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings. Learn more at Augsburg.edu.

(Minneapolis) — Gardening. Moving. Painting. River and neighborhood cleanup. Augsburg University’s record first-year class of more than 600 students will be working in the community for their first day of college on September 3.

During Augsburg’s annual City Engagement Day, first-year students traditionally work in the community to launch their Augsburg education. The Class of 2023 is the largest ever as Augsburg celebrates its 150-year anniversary, with more than 650 students expected.. Augsburg is one of the most diverse private colleges in the Midwest — and this first-year class is the third in a row in which students of color are expected to make up the majority. Official numbers will be finalized mid-September.

This year, the first day of school will include (times approximate):

• City Engagement Day lunch outdoors in the Augsburg “Quad.”  More than 650 students in Augsburg T-shirts geared up to volunteer, along with faculty and Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Working in a Cedar-Riverside community garden at Augsburg on 20th Avenue South: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• River cleanup with the National Park Service along the Mississippi River near 34th Street in Minneapolis. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Cedar-Riverside cleanup. Meet at Wienery restaurant, 414 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, at 1 p.m. 1 to 4 p.m.

Media are invited to photograph/film students at work.

For more information, contact: Gita Sitaramiah, director of public relations and internal communications. 612-330-1476. 651-353-0061-cell.

About Augsburg. Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate degrees to 3,400 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and nearby Rochester, Minnesota, location. Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings. Learn more at Augsburg.edu.