The new Commons opened outside the Fondren Auditorium on the first day of school, but students quickly found that it was not another place to gather during free time, leaving many wondering what the space was actually designed for.

“I loved the couches and tables because they made it a great place to hang out and get work done,” said junior Leighton Vermillion, who visited the New Commons space before learning that students were not permitted to use it freely.

Despite its name suggesting another student gathering space, the Commons, which was a gift of the Looke family, was primarily designed to serve as the lobby for the new Fondren Auditorium and as a flexible event space for school programs and parent coffees.

According to Associate Head of School Mr. Peter Behr, the school recognized the need for a larger gathering area after experiencing congestion outside the former recital hall, which the Fondren Auditorium has since replaced. 

“We decided we needed a relatively open space to allow attendees to gather before and after programs and performances,” Mr. Behr said. 

Students cannot currently use the new Commons freely during the school day, and Mr. Behr explained that the decision was based on concerns about supervision and cleanliness as well as the number of other student spaces now available throughout the Bowden Upper School.

Before the new Commons was built, students had greater access to the former Commons because fewer gathering spaces were available. Today, though, students can use areas such as the Falcon Student Commons, the Anderson Center, the Katz Family Learning Commons, the Smith Lobby, and the McGuyer Senior Commons.

However, the new Commons is not completely off limits. Student groups can use the space if a faculty member reserves it and supervises their activity.

Because the new Commons only opened for use this August, Mr. Behr said it is currently underutilized.

 “Of course, it could be used more,” Mr. Behr said.