The opening of the TCU Community Commons has helped students leave the confinement of their dorms.

TCU opened the space as a place to “hang out with friends and make new ones” and as a “new outdoor space for student gatherings and activities.”

Many students use the space as a way to study outside of their dorms; others use it as a way to take a break from studying.

“I like being outside and in nature,” said Hailey Campbell, a senior graphic design major. “In my room, it is just, like, closed off and there’s not open air.”

The Community Commons is conveniently placed at the center of TCU’s campus, so access to buildings like the BLUU is easy.

The gathering space was designed to look like a giant outdoor living room.

“They did a really nice job with all of this so it’s comfortable,” Campbell said. “It’s comfortable and it’s really inviting.”

Food truck events and movie nights are hosted on Fridays and live music performances are held on Tuesdays.

First-year music education major Kayden Burns said he uses the Community Commons as a space to take a break from studying.

“It’s a nice little thing to get some new scenery outside of my dorm where I’m taking all my online classes,” Burns said.

The gathering space is currently open until the end of the fall semester.

For more information on events held at the Community Commons, visit TCU’s Community Commons webpage.