A Third Space Solution: Campus Life at Chaffey
By Loureyna Pablo, Anabelle Razo, Chayse Larsen, and Dorothy Vazquez
Post-pandemic, Chaffey offers a possible solution to the social disconnect many students experienced: third spaces on campus. Between home life and work or school life, third spaces -- sometimes referred to as third places -- are the spots that people go to for comfort, enjoyment and human interaction.
Amidst the responsibilities of a student, going out of your way to hang out at a coffee shop or park can be too much — but third spaces on campus can help bridge the identity gap between student and community member.
The Library
A fixed third place on campus, the library has always served as a niche for students. Engagement has since increased and evolved post-pandemic, according to Librarian Carol Hutte. Featuring group study rooms and the Digital Equity and Innovation (DEI) hub, the library is the most academic of the options.
While often only noted for the silent study space, the library still offers the chance to make connections. Hutte and the library’s team aims to create a space “to really encourage the opportunity for an almost spontaneous discovery that isn’t ChatGPT or a Google ad.” Instead of relying on a search engine and the algorithm, the library offers local resources through human connection.
Hutte has “noticed that need for the physical, personal and local,” and strives to help students fulfill that need.
In the older building, they added chessboards for playing with either a friend or someone new. The entrance of the old library also hosted a sticky note wall decorated with encouraging words, doodles and semester survival tips. Every now and then, a new one would be added. It was a mosaic of people who came together to curate a niche on campus by students, for students.
Clubs At Chaffey
Another product of student efforts is the community of student-run clubs at Chaffey. Although clubs are third spaces that only exist at certain times, students find the chance to meet like-minded individuals and foster social interactions in club meetings. They are also the spaces where students have the agency to operate on their own terms.
Clubs play a crucial role in bridging the social gap that often emerges on community college campuses. At Chaffey, more than 30 student-led clubs -- from the Botany Club to Women in STEM (WooSTEM) -- act as places of gathering for like-minded students with similar interests. Students are turning to these clubs as a third space where they can rebuild their community and strengthen their sense of belonging.
For many students, these clubs serve as one of the most accessible third spaces on campus. For the majority of the clubs, there are no payments, prerequisites or expectations beyond showing up.
“They act as a medium for interaction with a diverse group of students across the college,” explained Abigail Cruz, a first-year student at Chaffey.
Without traditional residential life, busy students at commuter colleges often struggle to find places where they can meet new people, share common interests and form organic relationships outside of the classroom. Clubs help address this issue by offering consistent low-pressure environments on campus where students can gather and socialize with their peers, for reasons beyond academics.
Still, challenges persist. Club leaders frequently navigate inconsistent member turnout, scheduling conflicts and limited visibility among students.
Tiffany Cobbs, president of the Fashion Club at Chaffey, believes these constraints can limit clubs’ full potential.
“Some limitations of clubs at Chaffey are that some people may have an interest in joining the club, but aren't able to because it conflicts with their schedules,” she said. “Not many people are even aware of the different clubs or activities that Chaffey has to offer because students usually only come to campus to attend their classes and leave right after.”
Even with these limitations, clubs at Chaffey continue to be a promising solution for students seeking meaningful interactions. A selection representing a wide range of interests, students have multiple points of entry into campus life solely from clubs. They offer students not only activities, but a sense of presence and a physical niche to return to -- something many students have been missing since social distancing.
“Some people may have been lonely during that period of time and have trouble meeting new people, so having the clubs back on campus allows them…the opportunity to make lifelong friendships or connections.”
Student Life Events and Lounge
For those who feel like clubs are too much commitment or do not feature their interests, Sadie Grantham, the Director of Student Equity, Activities and Engagement, shared what the Chaffey Student Life team does to nurture student social bonds.
Chaffey stands out from local community colleges by offering many lax social activities. Beyond networking, there is emphasis on building friendships. Clubs have their activities, and the institution’s dedicated Student Life team hosts movie nights, “Beads and Bonds” bracelet making and even karaoke.
While the events do not draw in the same crowd every time like clubs do, there are a handful of students who are familiar faces at these functions. The activities also serve as an option for passing time, offering experiences that could appeal to anyone who happens to check on Chaffey’s events calendar.
Grantham and her team offer spaces for students of various majors and backgrounds to mingle. From events such as the International Student Week celebration that is held in the quad, to the welcoming and ever-present student lounge, the opportunities for interaction are endless.
As a campus leader at Chaffey who oversees the social enrichment of Chaffey’s students, Grantham takes pride in events that spotlight various backgrounds. Recent ones she was very satisfied with were the heritage month kickoffs for Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month.
Student Life also partners with Chaffey’s PRISM Undocumented/LGBTQIA+ Students Resource Center from time to time. At their drag karaoke night that was held on Nov. 13, there was not a time where the room did not erupt in applause or cheers after someone finished singing. Turnout was high, all seats were filled and the entire room’s attention was fixed on whomever was performing.
Some of the students in attendance reported that they were or are currently depressed or considered at risk for suicide. But with these moments that Chaffey curates, students felt that the nurtured social bonds improved their mental health or helped them feel less alone.
Ash* is a student still at risk, currently on disability for her mental health, but she finds that participation in these third space activities helps her stay connected with others.
Along with Ash, other students have found community within Chaffey.
Grantham has witnessed students go from strangers to friends, getting to “watch in real time these relationships and friendships blossom,” especially in the student lounge within the quad.
The lounge does not have the same exact perks as a cafe, or a bar, or a park. Student life does not exactly model the university student life either. The resources Chaffey has access to curate these third spaces are limited, and some students believe that the promotion is limited to the Student Life social media page and school website. The same goes with clubs and the library.
However, Grantham insists that students can still find that same level of engagement, community and camaraderie with the experiences Chaffey offers.
Ultimately, these third spaces are here and available. Whether five students find connections or five hundred of them do, whether they stop by the student lounge for 10 minutes or 10 hours — there exists a space within Chaffey that can remediate the impact of the pandemic’s solitude.
* Student's real name has been changed for privacy reasons.