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OVERVIEW
The mission of the Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) is to advance the study and application of human flourishing at all levels of education—K-12, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and beyond. In particular, the center focuses on how educational institutions can better understand and facilitate the types of knowledge, mindsets, and practices that promote well-being.
A gift of $12 million made by Paul Tudor Jones II and Sonia M. Jones established the CSC, which was founded in 2012. CSC is led by Executive Director Kelly Crace, who has served as associate vice president for health and wellness and director of the Center for Mindfulness and Authentic Excellence at William & Mary.
THE CONTEMPLATIVE COMMONS
The CSC has led the development of the Contemplative Commons, an innovative complex of indoor and outdoor spaces that brings together students and faculty from across disciplines and schools for academic, extracurricular, and collaborative pursuits. This is UVA’s first contemporary building explicitly designed for a new model of higher education—one dedicated to whole-student learning and flourishing.
The building is located next to the Dell on Emmet Street, sitting within easy walking distance of eight UVA schools. It provides open, highly adaptable spaces that can be configured to accommodate small and large groups, workshops and lectures, research and physical activity. On weekdays the building accommodates academic classes. Late into the night and on weekends, it hosts a variety of other activities that promote and support student flourishing intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.
The space encourages collaboration and partnership, as well as a closer integration of the academic experience with personal well-being. Artistic performances, activities like dance and yoga, and networking opportunities exist alongside teaching and research in an environment that focuses on experiential learning.
A lead gift of $40 million from Paul Tudor Jones II and Sonia M. Jones funded part of the Commons. The CSC is seeking additional gifts from alumni, parents, and friends to complete funding for the building.
Your gift to support the Commons will help the CSC expand on its important work to promote flourishing of students and others at the University.
Customizable studios will enable highly experiential, engaged, and participatory forms of deep learning that foster not only academic exploration and innovation but also personal and social well-being and development.
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Located within walking distance of the eight schools on central Grounds, the Contemplative Commons will physically and programmatically intersect with faculty, students, staff, and visitors across all schools and disciplines.
The site and design embody the vision of a more deeply integrated university by supporting dynamic pan-University collaborations, team-oriented projects, multidisciplinary programs, and informal networking in curricular and co-curricular contexts.
An extraordinary array of distinct outdoor spaces, including rooftop contemplative gardens, a large courtyard with enclosed trees, and the lovely landscape of the Dell will be fully integrated with the built environment, while a live green bridge will connect the Contemplative Commons to the main part of campus and the residential area.
This project adheres to renewed understanding that the mind, body, and nature are deeply interconnected, such that thorough exposure to diverse and authentic natural environments within our built environments is key to human health, happiness, and productivity.
A contemplative model of higher education enables the kind of immersive experiences that foster deep levels of collaboration, self-reflection, and social interaction.
To support immersive and longer-term experiential events, programs, and research, the building will include dining facilities and highly-configurable collaborative spaces and be open all week from early morning to late night.
