On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Quinnipiac University students and faculty gathered for the South Quad Kickoff during the first common hour of the semester.
From 12:30-2:30 p.m. attendees celebrated with music, lawn games and food. On the quad attendees had dining options including The Blind Rhino food truck as well as complimentary Italian ice and lemonade.
The 2025 fall semester not only marks the opening of the new south quad, but Quinnipiac’s new common hour as well. Common hour takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-1:45 p.m.
During common hour, students are invited to different programs. On Tuesdays, there will be faculty and staff-led programs, and student-led programs on Thursdays.
“The goal of Common Hour is to foster community, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and provide meaningful student support,” Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett wrote in an email to students on Monday, Aug. 25.
During the first common hour, in both The SITE and The School of Business, attendees were invited to explore the building on their own or on a tour.
In addition to the outdoor space, students across various majors are eager to utilize the new buildings for classes, as well as group and individual studying.
“Today was my first day in (The SITE), and I was amazed,” junior game design and development major Ryleigh Pagluiso said.
Across the quad and inside the School of Business were complimentary samples from the new cafe. Attendees were offered samples of the Short Rib Signature Sandwich and Strawberry Acai Refreshers. The new cafe is student-run, offering Starbucks drink products and some pastries, as well as other sandwiches, salads and more.
The celebration of the newly opened south quad created excitement for students, who now have another space to gather with peers.
“It’s fostering a lot of community,” junior game design and development major Hailey Shepard said.
Aside from gatherings, the south quad’s pathway offers easier access to the College of Arts and Sciences, as opposed to when it was still under construction.
“I’m looking forward to using this path for class,” first-year mechanical engineering major Logan Turey, said. “I have one class in (Communications, Computing and Engineering) and one in CAS that are very short, and I’m glad to have an easy way to cut through.”
