A chance for students to take a break from class and attend a majority of club meetings and other events, “common hour” has been in place for a while now at Pace. As of May 1, 2025, over 100 Pace organizations spread across Pleasantville and Manhattan are active. That is a lot considering the large commuter population and the split of clubs for what one would consider “fun” versus professional development purposes (i.e., Tabletop Club vs Accounting Society, respectively).
However, a lot of these still meet during the same time, hence the name “common hour.” Specifically, Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays common hour is from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., while on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. It becomes a problem when students in the Lubin School of Business have to decide on Wednesdays whether to attend a meeting hosted by the Lubin Business Association (LBA) or the Robert S. Pace Accounting Society from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. It can be tricky as there can be two different speakers coming in that one would want to meet and network with, yet they cannot be in two places at once. It is not the same as meeting them virtually, as people typically have some level of presence by being in-person; it is tougher online.
An involvement fair is held in both the fall and spring semesters in Pleasantville, and this is one of the rare occurrences of all the different and unique organizations coming together on campus for a “common” cause: to get signatures and people interested in them. This semester, it will be held at Shirley Beth Way from 12 – 2 p.m., where students can talk to organizations ranging from clubs to Greek Life and learn how they operate.
Whenever events are held during common hour, there is a notable uptick in students being in the surrounding areas. Not all of them participate, but clubs and organizations still attempt to get people to stop by and check out what they are doing. Granted, they may have other plans, or even commitments to clubs doing events at the same time, but most come with perks such as giveaways and free food (you read that last part right). Even if someone is a bit hesitant, they can still go to an event with these perks and do something outside of their comfort zone. Everyone is welcome as all undergraduates pay a student activity fee, which is included in their tuition costs.
It is a lot to consider for events, but understand that no matter where you go, you’re always welcome and you shouldn’t be hesitant to try new things! There are so many opportunities available, and you should trust your own judgment! These organizations may not always have a lot in common in terms of what’s offered at face value, but what they do have in common is making your life at Pace a lot more fulfilling!