COLUMN: Common Hour Benefits Students
What is Common Hour? Before I was appointed as the ASUSU Arts and Lectures director, I didn’t have any clue as to why Common Hour was held every Wednesday. I thought it was just free time every Wednesday in college – similar to nap time in kindergarten every Friday – which really excited me. I saw it as a time where I could spend the hour and a half eating lunch at home, taking a break from school or simply watching my favorite TV series on Netflix.
After being a part of the Arts and Lectures program I’ve come to realize that Common Hour is more than just a break from school; it can be used as a resource for students.
Not only is Common Hour great for those factors listed above, but it is also very useful for study groups, meetings with advisers, homework and even a hot lunch date. I mean, who wouldn’t want to meet their future spouse during Common Hour? Students should not view this time set aside every Wednesday as a waste of time, but a resource to be utilized to enhance their university education.
Besides utilizing your time wisely during Common Hour, the ASUSU Arts and Lectures program has created a Convocation Lectures Series during this time. Guest speakers are hosted on campus as a university-wide event for students to be engaged either academically, inspirationally, politically or by simply being entertained. A lot of consideration goes into finding speakers that would be best suited for students and who would connect with them on a more personal level.
Because a lot of students don’t understand the reason for Common Hour, a survey has been created by ASUSU to receive feedback on what students think Common Hour is and whether it should be discontinued in the future. If you or any other student you know on campus has issues, questions or concerns about Common Hour, please visit the ASUSU info booth on the first floor of the Taggart Student Center during the week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 to provide feedback by taking a survey.
We will be having our second university-wide Common Hour at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 in the TSC Ballroom with Bobby McMullen. Bobby is an extreme athlete from Northern California who is known for his ability to mountain bike blind and overcome challenges with the loss of his vision. This inspiring story will be a treat for the students and it is encouraged for all to attend. The first 200 students to the Common Hour on Wednesday Oct. 16 will receive raffle tickets for a free Scotsman Dog.
– Kaela Baucom, a junior majoring in family, consumer, and human development, serves as the arts and lectures director for ASUSU. She can be reached at kbaucom03@hotmail.com or in TSC 329.