AMELIE SEDLACK / FEATURE EDITOR

While most students frequently find themselves on the first and second floors of the Student Life Pavilion (SLP), many students don’t realize all the resources that sit right above them. 

The fourth floor of the SLP is home to The Commons and student media while the third floor houses the Changemaker HUB, the Creative Zone, Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) and more. Many students don’t realize that these spaces exist for them and that there is a plethora of resources and opportunities that they can find up the stairs of the cafeteria. 

On the third floor of the SLP, Toreros can find the Creative Zone, the International Student lounge, FSL and the Changemaker HUB. 

USD senior Blanca Gonzalez   works   in   the Creative Zone and spoke on what the center offers to students. 

USD student, Shea Salamack, working at the main desk of the Creative Zone on the third floor of the SLP. Hailey Howell/USD Vista

“We do offer free resources for students such as arts and crafts making, painting supplies,” Gonzalez said. “We also offer printing services  and  poster  services … We have friendship bracelet beads. Sometimes we have monthly theme events … Everyone there either goes for project making or they like working on personal stuff … I know a lot of people go in to make gift cards for friends.”

Even though this space exists for students and is free of costs, the Creative Zone has low attendance by students during the semester. 

“Usually during my shift there’s about ten people that come in,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like every time that I hear someone come in they say ‘I wish I knew about this place sooner,’ or ‘I would have saved tons of money just coming here for the free supplies.’ If I hadn’t worked there would I have known this place existed. I wish there was more people who knew about this place, just because it’s very valuable. It’s on campus so it’s easy access.”

The Changemaker HUB is where students can work with a team of students and staff members to bring their ideas of sustainability and equality to life on campus and beyond. 

Dr. JC Rivas, the Director of Social Change and Student Engagement for the Changemaker HUB, explained what they do at the HUB. 

“We provide opportunities for students to engage in social change in a way that is three venues,” Rivas said. “One is attending social change field trips, which is once a month. We go to a specific non-profit … Two, we have a couple volunteer opportunities for people to do … The core of what we do is … make our campus more sustainable, more inclusive, more equitable.” 

Rivas continued to talk about all the opportunities the HUB has created for students. 

“I wish that more people knew, for example, the podcast we just hosted, ‘There’s More,’” Rivas said. “I feel like many more people could be involved. I think sometimes it feels hard to find. Once you get to the third floor, you realize there’s a whole life out here, it’s just getting them here. If more people spend more time up there, they’ll meet like-minded people who are already involved or want to get involved.” 

The fourth floor consists of the Women’s Commons, LGBTQ+ Commons, Black Student Resource Commons, The USD Radio booth and The USD Vista newsroom. 

The Women’s Commons hosts “Stitch and B—-,” a crochet night every two weeks in which students may come ready to learn or bring their own projects. They can snack, listen to music and have a chance to discuss topics relating to fiber arts and the politics of crafting. 

The LGBTQ+ Commons, Black Student Resource Commons and Multicultural Commons all host their own events which can be found on their websites or on flyers posted around the school. In the Radio booth and the newsroom Toreros work to create student media, including the school newspaper and radio shows. 

The International Student Lounge is also located on the fourth floor of the SLP. This space is used to welcome international students to campus and act as a point of contact for questions and a place for students to meet and support each other.

USD senior Lalita Arslan, the Director of USD Radio, gave information on how students can learn more about USD Radio.

“If a student wants to observe how a radio show works, then tuning in to the broadcast would be a great way to observe a student DJ,” stated Arslan. “Because Radio is relatively newer, I think we’re still getting our name out there, but the students that do hear about it seem very interested! I see a lot of dedication and love from the members every semester!”  

Erin Lovette-Colyer, the director of gender identity resources, gave a statement to The USD Vista on behalf of all the Commons. 

“Each space offers programs designed to foster community and support students’ sense of belonging at USD,” Lovette-Colyer stated. “This takes the form of discussion groups, community building activities, dialogue series, a summit, cultural celebrations, a leadership retreat and immersion program. Students can find at least one event across the Commons every week. Most events offered include food and supplies free of charge to students. Students use the space to hang out, study, hold student org meetings and attend events. We always welcome more students to engage the space and attend programs.” 

Many Toreros, especially first-years, do not know that these spaces exist on campus. 

USD first-year Quoc Anh Vu spoke about knowledge only of the International Student lounge. 

“I have [been upstairs] once for the international event,” Vu said. “I don’t really know if they have events there. I don’t know of anything else.” 

Despite not knowing what other events that might be hosted on the third and fourth floors, Vu was open to attending an event. 

“I would try to take a look,” Vu stated. 

USD first-year Matea Cepielik shared in her willingness to check out events on the top floors of the SLP despite never being upstairs. Cepielik pointed out that the large amount of flyers, signs and posters that clubs and organizations use as their way to communicate with students. For her, this can at times come off as a little overwhelming.

“I’d say I look at flyers,” Cepielik stated. “I like to read signs. I don’t think most people read the signs. I walk by them all the time but I feel like most people don’t read them.” 

Many resources exist on the third and fourth floor of the SLP, however, many students, especially first-years, are unaware of the resources that sit only a floor or two above the main eating area. One reason for this, given by Cepielik, is that there are too many flyers around campus leading to students reading none at all or only a select few.

Photo of USD senior Lalita Arslan working in the radio booth on the fourth floor of the SLP. Hailey Howell/USD Vista