One of the newest resources on campus is The Student Parent Space in the University House and Annex, an area where student parents can enjoy a family-friendly environment. 

The Division of Student Affairs was able to create a dedicated space for student parents. The space is overseen by Marissa Weiss, Transfer and Retention Specialist at the Transfer and Reentry Center, or TRC. The TRC works closely with the Women's Resources and Research Center, as well as Student Housing and Dining Services and other departments, to support student parents on campus. Both resource centers support the student parents on campus. Student parents are classified as any student who is a caregiver or guardian to a child, and there are over 1,000 student parents on campus. 

Though it is not a drop-off program, student parents can take their child to the space so they can relax with their child, breastfeed and attend virtual meetings in private rooms, meet other student parents, use the baby changing tables or make a snack in the kitchenette. Kids are able to play with the toys the space has available, interact with other children, watch movies and participate in activities hosted by the volunteers and interns at the space. 

Drawings completed by various children. (Gregory M Urquiaga)

The Student Parent Space is the first place on campus dedicated for all student parents — undergraduate, graduate, post doctoral and visiting scholars, and their children. The Walker Hall Timm Parent Study Room is available for graduate student parents, providing an area for children to play while their parents study; the Student Parent Space compliments this resource by offering comprehensive services and resources for the entire student parent community. 

“Many places on campus want to be welcoming to students with children, but some parents are afraid of their kid being a distraction,” Weiss said. “They could also only bring their children at the professor's discretion.”

Since the opening of the Student Parent Space, students have been very appreciative of the program. “Student parent advocates feel like they have finally been heard and it is very uplifting, it also shows that the school cares about them” Weiss said. "The children have also been enjoying the space, and do not want to leave when it’s time to go. They love the toys; other people’s toys are more interesting than their own.”

Food for babies at the Student Parent Space. (Gregory M Urquiaga)

The Student Parent Working Group is working on expanding the program. “We are building community partnerships and would like to bring resources to the parents instead of parents having to find those resources,” Weiss said. They would also like to host more events. For example, on Feb. 23, the Student Parent Space hosted a drop off camp as Davis Joint Unified School District had a day off for a local President’s Day observance. “We worked with UC Davis Youth Protection Programs in order to plan this,” said Weiss.

Outside of the Student Parent Space, The Student Parent Working Group has organized the Student-Parent Graduation Celebration, which will be hosted at the International Center on May 29. They also want to spread the word to staff and faculty who were not aware of this program, in order to tell their students about this new resource.