At PennWest California, the only thing that the removal of Common Hour has effectively done is making it harder for clubs to meet while increasing student stress and isolation. Common Hour was used as a time for students to attend club meetings, eat lunch, and have a break. Athletes also used it for training. Without Common Hour, it has become increasingly difficult for students and organizations to find the time to do anything without interfering with students’ schedules. Clubs cannot schedule a time that doesn’t conflict with their members’ classes.
According to a CalTimes article, Common Hour was removed so that classes could then be “confined to the hours between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.” The reality could not be further from the truth. Even with the removal of Common Hour, students are still in classes that run outside this timeframe, with some classes going as late as 9 p.m.
One of our writers, for example, has a 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. class on Tuesday, and a 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. class on Thursday. These late classes prevent us from attending certain club meetings or activities on campus. Without dedicated time that can be used for extracurricular activities, many students who wish they could participate cannot do so because of scheduling conflicts. If Common Hour were reinstated, more students would be able to participate in extracurricular activities.
Having Common Hour will also make it easier for students to attend office hours with their professors, attend peer mentoring, and overall have more time to actively use the resources provided by the campus to help students succeed academically.
The loss of Common Hour has had a profound impact on PennWest California’s sense of community, a sentiment echoed by PennWest student-athlete Ryan Callahan. Callahan, a graduate student, highlighted how the absence of this structured break has led to a noticeable decline in community engagement, a critical aspect of student life. As he explained, “It used to be a go-to hour for group projects, club meetings, and even just hanging out with friends. Now, people seem busier and disconnected, and many I’ve spoken to wish we could reinstate that time for camaraderie.”
Callahan’s experience mirrors the frustrations of many who long for the return of a dedicated time for camaraderie and collaboration.
Common Hour wasn’t just a time for academic or extracurricular activities but a vital social anchor that helped students build relationships and strengthen their connection to the campus. Now, students are feeling more fragmented and disconnected as their schedules become increasingly filled with academic responsibilities and personal commitments, leaving little room for the spontaneous social interactions that foster a connected community.
We must bring Common Hour back. Pennwest California’s student body will thrive and overall have more social engagement. The removal of Common Hour has disrupted a critical element of student life here on the California campus. Reinstating it would not only restore a sense of balance but also reaffirm the university’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, engaged community. Students and faculty must come together to figure out an ideal time to implement Common Hour where it benefits the most people.
If the university truly values student well-being, it should consider restoring Common Hour before more of the community fabric unravels.
