Why Choose Common Ground?
One of my (Tanisha) fondest memories of freshman year was the conversations we had before and after the 2024 elections. In a small room in the corner of KCECH, 15 of us Common Grounders huddled together to predict the election results and later reconvened to discuss them. This experience reinforced the importance of open dialogue, especially during politically charged moments. Rather than shying away from difficult topics, Common Ground actively welcomes them, fostering thoughtful discussion over division. During the 2024 elections, when political tensions ran high on Penn’s campus, CG’s pre- and post-election discussions provided a space to share thoughts and prioritize wellness. Other discussion topics have included whether we should use the term “classics” in literature, whether hate speech should be allowed on campus, and whether religion should play a role in morality. The group values confidentiality, ensuring a safe and open environment for all participants.
More than anything, CG promotes well-being and connection—helping freshmen navigate dorm life and strengthening floor culture, even for those outside the program. From floor dinners to baking nights, CG offers unique bonding experiences that build lasting relationships. Beyond social connections, CG is also a place of learning, where participants often enter discussions with little prior knowledge but leave with a deeper understanding.
“I did Common Ground in an attempt to intentionally come across a variety of different perspectives during my time at Penn. To me, Common Ground represents a diverse community of open-minded people and a safe space to freely engage in discourse. It also represents a space to actively listen to my peers and learn more about the different ways people think.” – Brialis Phan (C’28)
“Coming from a more introverted personality, Common Ground allowed me to break out of my shell and be both fascinated and involved with the sociopolitical discourse that is so widely encouraged here at Penn. I’ve met such an amazing community and some of my closest friends through Common Ground, and it’s largely because we’re allowed to be vulnerable and candid with one another about topics that affect us deeply. Even when we disagree, it’s all under the premise of understanding and mutual encouragement—being able to open up in a safe space has meant a lot to me, and I love being a part of it.” – Sorim Lee (W’28)
Applying to Common Ground
Common Ground is a first-year program community hosted in the King’s Court English College House (KCEH) dormitory. It started in 2023 as a pilot program under SNF Paideia—a program at Penn dedicated to fostering a holistic education for undergraduates focusing on wellness, service, and citizenship—to provide a community for freshmen interested in dialogue and debate. Students can expect to have biweekly dinners where they can discuss controversial topics, and CG often hosts professors with expertise relevant to the discussion question. Dinners are 1.5-2 hours long and are provided by CG—so be free, and be hungry!
To apply to CG, admitted students must select CG as their program community when they apply for housing in May, and they will be required to write a short essay explaining how they have personally navigated dialogue in their communities. Students must live in KCECH to participate in CG, so if accepted, the student will live there. For example, if I were to rank KCECH as my 9th choice on the housing form but receive acceptance into CG, I would be assigned to the KCECH floor hosting the program. This also means that, for those applying in a roommate group, every roommate must also apply and be accepted to CG.
Students from all four undergraduate schools can apply. However, because you can only apply for one program community on the housing application, students who choose to participate in the Ben Franklin Scholars, Huntsman, M&T, VIPER, or other program communities are ineligible for CG.
If you are looking for a community where dialogue is open and ideas are free-flowing, Common Ground is the perfect program community to join. You can check out more details at this link.
Tanisha Agrawal (C’28) is an economics and political science major.
Sophia Tian (C’28) is a cognitive science and math major.
Both students are freshmen in the Common Ground community program.
