If you were to ask different members of a college community what the beating heart of the campus is, you’d likely get different responses. On residential campuses, students might point to the dorm rooms or houses. More academically minded students might say the classroom or the library. Others might point to a large communal green space, like a lawn, or the communal dining hall. High-minded administrators might even call the student body the heart of an institution.

While all of these answers are perfectly valid, there’s one central building that’s often at the heart of campus life: the student union. This building typically houses anything, from administrative offices to student services, and may even include the likes of dining facilities. Most importantly, the student union is a key social space on campus, with plenty of room for studying, events, and just hanging out.

Here are five reasons why student unions help students cope with the challenges of college life:

What Is A Student Union?

The term ‘student union’ abroad typically refers to an organized body of students committed to defending student rights and improving student experience. In the United States, however, it’s the shortened term for ‘student union building,’ also known as the student center, a central campus building with a wide array of purposes and services.The first student union in the United States, Houston Hall,opened in 1896 at the University of Pennsylvania. The fact that this building is still in operation after more than a century is a testament to how essential the student union building is to the American college experience!

Below, take a look at how exactly a good student union can shape a student’s life at college.

1. Work Hard, Play Hard

   Many spaces on the typical college campus are purely academic, such as classrooms, libraries and academic services. Others, like the dining hall and dormitories, are more purely social or residential. Student unions, by contrast, are hybrid buildings that mix a bit of academics with a primarily recreational purpose. From hidden nooks and crannies for naps in between classes to dedicated quiet study spaces, student unions seamlessly blend the academic demands of college life with the social opportunities. The student union is a place to hang out, to meet up, to get work done, and to have a good time—all rolled in to one.

2. A Unique Touch

   Being such a multipurpose space, student unions at different universities will have different amenities to offer. Typically, these include, but are not limited to, lounges, recreational, wellness, and dining facilities or vendors. Oftentimes, the unique element of a student center is part of what makes life at a certain college distinct. Some student unions may offer health services, while others may have recreational facilities, ranging from gyms to bowling alleys. Other universities, such as Ohio State University and Eastern Michigan University, offer interfaith prayer or meditation spaces. Others, such as UCLA’s Associated Students, union may offer legal or health information on a regular basis. Chances are students make many a memory at student unions, given the dynamic range of experiences to be had in one.

3. Convenient And Centralized

   One key feature of a student union is that it brings a number of vital resources into one space. This turns student unions into a hub of activities, a representation of the dynamic nature of college life. Students can visit the typical student union to dine, study, socialize, attend events, or get important information. Plus, 24-hour study rooms or lounges make student unions key meeting places. Many campus organizations and clubs will hold events and gatherings there, and students know thatif they’re looking for something to do or someone to talk to, that can be found any hour of the day at the student union.

4. Home Away From Home

   For some residential colleges, common spaces in houses or dormitories can play a key role in the social lives of students and community building on campus. However, some residential colleges don’t have sufficient common spaces in housing, while others lack them all together. Other colleges, commonly referred to as ‘commuter schools,’ have a large portion of the student body living off campus and commuting to class each day. In such cases, students need a meeting space toconnect with their peers and their school, a spot to pass the time between classes. For many commuter schools, a lively student union helps make commuting students feel welcome on campus, as well as build social connections with their fellow peers. Student unions as meeting spaces help students identify more with their peers and their school, building a strong foundation for networking in the future.

5. A Million WaysTo Get Involved

   Not only do student unions help commuting students feel more at home, they also help them feel more involved. This sense of belongingness and involvement may even help improve their academic performance overall. Beyond that, student unions typically offer a myriad of ways for students to become better involved with their own college experience. Boards announcing events, regular club meetings, and spaces for visiting vendors and organizations can all draw students into new opportunities. Students may connect with new campus clubs, discover a common interest, or even find their future careers at job fairs hosted by a student union. By blending the social and academic aspects of college life, student union buildings help students to better see their priorities and discover how they can effectively get involved with their school and their community.

A Space Of Serendipity

A good college experience is full of twists and turns, as well as ups and downs—it's, basically, a rollercoaster ride. You may start off as an accounting major and end up graduating as a dance major! Hybrid spaces, like student unions, help bridge the perceived life-work divide, allowing students to better discover what their life’s work may end up being. A place for studying, relaxing, and socializing makes a student center a place where friendships, memories, and life-changing decisions can be made!