Residential life at ����ר�� has undergone a significant transformation since The Commons opened its doors in August 2019. Passersby might wonder what life is like inside the residence hall complex, ����ר��’s newest living and learning community.

Offering ����ר��ns a place to gather, create special memories and nurture a sense of belonging, The Commons provides its residents a vibrant environment to live, study and eat in the company of friends. Here, we take a tour of some of the unique features The Commons has to offer, including in-building classrooms, two fitness centers and a fine-dining restaurant.

Room to Learn, Room to Grow

Find Your Fitness

For students, faculty and staff in search of a good sweat session, The Commons has got them covered—with two brand-new fitness centers that offer workouts for beginner and advanced levels.��

“Don’t be intimidated,” says Gina Palermo, coordinator of Fitness and Recreation. “If you hear someone grunting loudly while lifting 500 pounds, just remember that exercise doesn’t have to be that intense.”

To make everyone feel comfortable with the modern aerobic and functional training equipment available at McGuinn Hall, there’s a trained staff of students on hand to ensure guests are getting the most out of their workouts. Among the innovative equipment available to use: indoor turf, a hoist motion cage, heavy bags, an endless rope pull, Olympic lifting platforms and a power sled.

At nearby Canon Hall, the mood is high and the music is pumping as a rhythmic spin class is underway. In the new home to all group fitness classes at ����ר��, students, faculty and staff have the option to register for daily Zumba, pilates, yoga, body toning and, for the first time, spin sessions.

The state-of-the-art spin studio features 25 bikes, and Canon Hall also boasts a group classroom that can accommodate up to 30 participants. Palermo stresses the value of group exercise for building a sense of community and keeping everyone on track with their fitness goals. “The participants enjoy coming back for more because our dedicated instructors keep them engaged and excited,” she says.

Good Eats: The Refectory

A fine dining experience without leaving campus is just one of many reasons to celebrate The Refectory, which reopened its doors in October under a new operating group. Located within The Commons at the corner of Lancaster and Ithan avenues, The Refectory fulfills a need that was identified by the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, University President, who wanted a gathering spot for ����ר��ns that’s both memorable and enjoyable for students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and neighbors.

Bringing this vision to life is an impressive leadership team, which includes someone who has more than just a professional interest in the full-service, on-campus restaurant: Ken Kearns ’92 VSB studied Business Administration and Marketing at ����ר�� before going on to a successful career in commercial real estate and opening restaurants in nearby Wayne (118 North) and Ardmore (Ripplewood).

“We have a higher calling than your typical restaurant,” says Kearns. “I’m a second-generation ����ר��n. My wife and I raised our children in this community. The Refectory is an extension of the close-knit ����ר�� family—it’s something special and unique that you don’t find at other colleges.”

The menu impresses with upscale riffs on comfort classics that range from homemade pastas to wood-fired flatbreads and raw and cooked seafood. There’s also a full bar serving beer, wine and craft cocktails with playful names like Master of Arts and Nova Punch. And save room for dessert because chef Biff Gottehrer’s indulgent takes on Little Debbie snack cakes will take you back to childhood with every mouthful.

The Suite Life

So what’s life like for students living in The Commons? Pretty sweet if you ask the more than 1,000 residents who call it their home away from home when classes are in session.

The 346 units that make up The Commons — a mix of apartments, suites and singles — are centrally located on campus and provide convenient access to laundry facilities, smart lockers for package deliveries and even an on-site coffee shop. They come fully furnished with all utilities included and the bright bonus of lots of natural light, thanks to more than 2,300 windows.

But more than that, the design of the six interlinked residence halls promotes strong connections between those who live there and visit. Here are two brief snapshots of living inside The Commons:

Liz Mullarkey ’22 VSB, a Marketing and Analytics major, moved into her apartment in The Commons in August 2021 with three roommates. With a full kitchen at her disposal, she decided it was the perfect opportunity to work on a new skill set: cooking, which she does most nights before hanging out with friends to binge reality TV or face off in another new pastime — chess.

Isabel Langas ’22 CLAS, a Sociology major who also moved into The Commons in the fall, notes her current living situation has had a positive impact on her time management. “It’s a lot easier to maintain balance here with different places to relax, socialize and work,” says Isabel. For her remote internship with the nonproft organization Inkululeko, she found the perfect ambiance in Holy Grounds at The Commons, just a two-minute walk away from her room. Now how’s that for a nice commute?

What’s Brewing?

With the opening in September of Holy Grounds’ newest location, residents of The Commons don’t have to go far for a well-brewed cup of joe. But even if you don’t live in one of the new apartment units on Lancaster Avenue, it’s well worth the trip to fuel your caffeine fix at ����ר��’s newest café on campus.

Adjacent to The Refectory, Holy Grounds at The Commons offers visitors a hip, funky spot to park your laptop, meet up with a group of friends or colleagues, and just chill. Coffee drinks—available iced or hot—are prepared with Peet’s beans. Other options include a variety of Mighty Leaf teas and bottled beverages, along with a selection of unique pastries (bagel sticks, anyone?), sandwiches, fruit and salads. Open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

4 Things to Know About TechZone

More than just a place to go for solutions to printer issues or unexpected login failures, TechZone offers state-of-the-art technologies in a cool and inviting space that’s designed for comfort, creativity and collaboration. Here are four things you should know about The Commons TechZone.

1. Influenced by modern workspaces

With its communal workplaces and glassed-in meeting rooms with bright pops of color and contemporary accessories, the layout is inspired by open-floorplan office trends.

2. Book a room

Campus groups can book a tech-enabled huddle or conference room for a meeting, project work or studying. Among the visitors are Engineering undergrads who spend their Saturdays participating in a VR project with students from under-resourced Philadelphia-area high schools (part of the VESTED program).

3. “Help” is not a four-letter word

Working by the credo that there are no stupid questions, the TechZone’s 25 student consultants encourage techies of every level to get over their trepidation of the latest gadgets and devices, whether it’s for help using the 3D printer or exploring the versatility of the Microsoft Surface.

4. TechZone equals FunZone

Straddling the line between entertainment and education, many of the professional tools for use in the TechZone have the bonus of being fun. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to relax with friends and play video games or try out virtual reality headsets.