Final answer:
A square or quadrangular space surrounded by buildings on a college campus is known as a quadrangle (or quad), serving as a communal area for social gatherings, events, and architectural emphasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of a square or quadrangular space or court surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus, is commonly referred to as a quadrangle (or quad for short). These spaces serve various functions, including social interaction, outdoor events, and as a visual and architectural focal point of campus design. Architecturally, quads may have similarities with atriums or peristyles, where light can centrally illuminate the area and rooms or corridors may open into them. In more traditional settings, such as in Roman times, patricians would have had access to similar communal spaces. Similarly, in Islamic architecture, the madrasa often integrates a central courtyard as a space for study and reflection, which provides a specialized educational environment. Courtyards and quads are also noted in other historical and cultural contexts, such as the ancient ball courts in Mesoamerica or the communal courtyards found in traditional residential architectures around the world.