For commuter students navigating gaps between classes, the Oakland University campus can sometimes begin to feel like a place to pass through rather than stay.
According to the OU Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) 2024-2025 Common Data Set, 83% of undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2024 live off campus or commute. Many students arrive for class, leave shortly afterward, and may repeat the process later in the day.
However, for students with unevenly-spaced schedules and long-distance commuters not yet headed home for the day, the sprawling halls of main campus buildings leave little indication of where to spend an hour or two tackling online coursework between classes.
The Oakland Center is a fair choice, with several dining options, perpetual seating availability, and many a place to stow a textbook-filled backpack. However, it can be busy and loud through peak daytime hours, making it difficult to study, attend to homework or catch up on reading.
Tucked away on the upper floors of various buildings are a few choice spaces that offer relative calm, comfort, and a chance to get something done between classes or other campus commitments.
One such location is on the fourth floor of the Human Health Building. Just past a fifth-floor staircase and away from the bustle and movement of the ground-floor hallways, a seating area furnished with couches, colorful artwork and several tables fills out this unique part of the interior.
The space is well-lit and visually warm, offering an environment that feels closer to a lounge than a hallway. A few classrooms are nearby, but distance from elevators and main entrances can make it well-suited for reading, individual quiet work or taking a break between lectures.
Varner Hall offers another option for students looking to settle in without distractions. On the second floor, a seating area with tables, armchairs and window seating overlooks Parking Lot 26, on the southeast end of campus.
Natural light fills the space throughout the day, and its location facing away from foot traffic helps to cut back on any nearby noise. It provides a practical spot for laptop work or brief decompressing without straying far from central campus.
For students who prefer a more traditional quiet environment, it would be hard to beat the Kresge Library. The library provides several choices for a simple walk-in; cabanas, group-sized tables, tucked-away nooks and corner seating. The upper floors in particular offer a pleasant atmosphere, with artworks and decor that seem to evoke a museum setting in displaying the library’s collection.
Also notable are the enclosed study rooms and group reflection rooms throughout the library that may be reserved by students in advance – even for just a short period. These rooms accommodate both individual study and small group work, offering flexibility depending on one’s needs.
Taken together, these locations highlight a side of campus that can be easy to overlook when only traveling to and from class. While Oakland University is sometimes characterized by its large commuter population, the availability of comfortable, quiet spaces throughout suggests an effort to support students who may spend extended portions of their day on campus.
For commuters with time to fill between classes, knowing where to go can make a meaningful difference – whether working ahead, catching up, or just recharging. Even if one’s classes are all located on a single part of campus, it may be worth looking around when a free moment is at hand – just be sure to remain respectful of any classes that may be in session nearby.
