Common Time is back for students and faculty at Winthrop University after being discontinued temporarily in 2020 amidst safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established in 2009, Common Time is a period between 11:00 AM and 12:15 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as starting at 2:00 on Fridays. They were implemented to “help faculty, students, staff, and administrators best organize our time and minimize scheduling conflicts”, according to the university’s website.
Traditionally, Common Time was used for students to meet with professors, rest before afternoon classes, or engage in student involvement.
For students, the first Tuesday of each month’s Common Time is reserved for university — or specific college — events; this could include panel meetings, organization meetings, or cultural events. The College of Education uses this time for Teaching Fellows meetings, where members can learn about teaching in South Carolina or professional development as pre-service teacher candidates. Theatre production meetings typically take place during Common Time to ensure that cast and crew alike are able to attend.
This is a rather busy time of day for Dining Services. Since most students do not have prior engagements during Common Time, it is seen as an unofficial campus-wide lunch time. On-campus dining hit rush hour as students try to socialize and eat before their next class. Nearby restaurants, such as Dragon Express and McDonalds, also exhibit higher traffic during this time.
For faculty and staff, Common Time can be spent meeting with their respective departments, grading assignments, commuting to another part of campus before their next class, or taking a lunch break. They may also choose to facilitate/sponsor any college-specific events.
Emily Tuttle, adjunct professor, currently teaches solely online, so Common Time is not part of her daily schedule. As an alum, Tuttle used Common Time during her undergraduate studies to “grab lunch, see a friend, or walk my [goofy] dog”.
Tuttle hopes that those who experience Common Time use it to take a break from any daily stressors that classes and homework might spawn.
