The two-story, 36,000 square-foot Learning Commons is a place where students do more than learn by listening, they learn by doing — by rolling up their sleeves, taking on challenges, confronting problems and doing those things collaboratively.
Come One, Come All
Unique among all other teaching and learning spaces on the USD campus, this new building gives students modern, flexible classrooms that feature updated room designs, the latest writing surfaces, cutting-edge technology that enhances collaborative learning experiences and furniture that can be moved, rearranged and completely reconfigured to meet better serve group dynamics.
It features nine collaborative study spaces and 13 classrooms — and offers the flexibility that faculty and students need for multidisciplinary instruction, seminars, small-group work and individual study at all hours of the day and night.
At the heart of it all is a creative and dynamic Town Square, an informal gathering space featuring stadium seating for up to 200 people, encircled by a second-story observation gallery and equipped with the latest in sound and video technology to maximize opportunities for events, presentations, films and impromptu socializing.
The Learning Commons hosts classes, study groups, work teams and solo exploration and innovation. It attracts forward thinkers who blaze trails in territories others haven’t even thought to explore. It is the gathering place for those who are determined to confront humanity’s urgent challenges and those who will drive world-altering change.
The Learning Commons is also home to some of USD’s most treasured programs, including the Honors Program and USD’s Writing Center.
The outdoor space features an outdoor plaza, eastside patio, a north patio, a vending café and decorative lighting that will enhance the beauty of the building.
Located in the heart of Alcalá Park’s academic corridor, the Learning Commons is adjacent to the Copley Library and across from the Knauss School of Business.