Understanding University Third Place Access and Its Impact on the Sense of Community of College Students

Presenter: Jade Steven Surya Scott

Faculty Sponsor: Brenda K. Bushouse

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Public Policy

Session: Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, Auditorium, A48

ABSTRACT

There is a poor state of young adult mental health across the world, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the post-COVID context, understanding social isolation trends and their impact on community bonds is necessary. Third places are a variety of places that host the regular and informal gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home (the ‘first place’) and work (the ‘second place’). They create spaces where communities form and are shown to improve wellbeing. These gathering spaces are a core facet of healthy communities, and identifying them is crucial to understanding the sense of community (SOC) experienced by their residents. This study has two guiding research questions: First, how do college students access third places, and what bearing does that accessibility have on their sense of community? Second, how can policymakers use student perspectives to enhance space accessibility and sense of community on campus? This mixed-methods study uses a survey of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to analyze third place accessibility and sense of community (SOC is measured using the Brief Sense of Community Scale). Qualitative questions in the survey provide insights into third place use and desired space additions on campus and in the area. The results of the study may contribute to enhanced University policymaking and third place design in the community.

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