Colette Potter ‘26
Guest Writer
I enjoy Holy Cross infinitely more during the warmer weather, and I think it is for a key reason beyond just sunshine: third spaces. A third place is defined as a place besides home (first place) or work (second place). And, I would argue this campus is severely lacking them.
A third space is a concept that many have used to explain why people like cities so much: coffee shops, parks, and other public venues that are easily accessible. It’s also part of the reason, I think, that people reminisce about college so much, as there are usually an abundance of third spaces. In the warmer weather, the third spaces on campus multiply. There are tailgates, people sitting out on the Hoval, and people pulling out blankets on every grassy space on campus. In my opinion, there is no equivalent casual “hangout” space during the colder months, and I think it substantially impacts students’ quality of life and social fulfillment.
I qualify dorm rooms as first spaces, and Dinand, the science complex, Stein, and Fenwick/Smith/O’Kane as second spaces, excluding food places. That only leaves Hogan as the true “third space” on campus, and maybe common spaces in the dorms, which are substantially lacking. I recently heard that Hogan was referred to as the “living room” of campus in the 1970s, yet for the current campus, I think this is woefully inaccurate. Except for maybe peak lunch or post dinner hours, the Hogan basement is painfully empty. Cool Beans is great, except oftentimes the Sader Center is just filled with students studying. I’ve fully been glared at for talking while sitting with friends at Cool Beans before. In my opinion, Hogan feels exposed and a little barren. It’s really just metal tables and chairs, with a few comfier seats near the windows. There is no warmth to the area, and I think this aspect of a space intended for gathering should be considered more. The first floor of Hogan feels more like a pass through space, where I pick up mail, coffee, or drop by the lobby shop. It’s cold and exposed feeling, and I think this should be redesigned and reconfigured. For the main gathering space on campus, Hogan feels institutional. This is especially pertinent since Holy Cross is, in many ways, an isolated campus. There is no street with coffee shops and restaurants right off campus, or main street with attractions. The isolation of the campus, combined with the cold weather for much of the academic year, means that the student center on campus should be better.
Campus, especially on weekends, feels empty in these key common spaces. Holy Cross should reprioritize gathering spaces where students can actually relax. I often see, in what should be gathering places, students sitting one per table, on their laptops. I think campus could use more of these casual spaces– just look at how crowded Starbucks and D’Agostino Cafe are during the week. Make a hub where students can, and want to, gather during nights and weekends. This campus, especially during the winter months, can be isolating. I would argue there is no “living room” on campus anymore, but perhaps just barren dining rooms where you do your work at the table.
Featured Image Courtesy of Contemporist
Copy Edited by Sabine Hinkaty
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