USG pushes for 22-hour study space

The USG is continuing its efforts to create a late-night study space in Chancellor Green, but the prospects for this project remain uncertain.

In response to student demand for a 24-hour study area, USG President Matt Margolin '05 and Chair of the U-Council Amy Saltzman '05 suggested the idea last spring.

"Although there are computer clusters in some residential dorms available 24 hours a day, a lot of students want more common space available 24 hours," Saltzman said.

The USG's renewed its efforts in October, when Margolin and Saltzman met with Mark Burstein, the new vice president for administration.

"[Burstein] wanted us to inform him about issues that needed addressing," Saltzman said, so she and Margolin took the opportunity to discuss the 24-hour study space.

Margolin said he "hope[s] that Mr. Burstein will be able to change internal opinions [within the University administration] and extend students' options" now that he has been informed of students' desires for the study space.

Burstein said he is still considering whether the plan — which currently allows for a 22-hour rather than 24-hour study space — is necessary.

"I think the administration is supportive of making sure students have adequate study space," he said. But he added that there are already study spaces available, like Frist Campus Center, which is open until 2 or 3 a.m. most days of the week and 24 hours a day during midterms and finals.

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Burstein said Frist staff say the building's study areas are not heavily used after midnight, so he is not sure whether there is sufficient demand for another late-night study space.

However, he reiterated that he is still looking at information and has not made up his mind yet.

"I really believe that we have to have all the data before we make a decision," he said. "If Frist is being heavily used right now and is at capacity, then we certainly need to consider [the current proposal]."

Students who currently study in Chancellor Green said they support the creation of a 22-hour study space in the building.

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"[Chancellor Green] is a great place to study," said Scott Moore '08. He said Forbes College, where he lives, can be somewhat distracting as a study area, and he goes to Chancellor Green when he "really need[s] to get down to something."

He added that he doesn't think the availability of a 22-hour study space would increase late-night studying. "[Students] will do it anyway," he said. "That's the nature of being in college."

Margolin said the USG went to great lengths last spring to make the plan a reality.

"The USG spent a good amount of time and resources [figuring out the logistics of the plan]," he said in an email.

When the University administration was unsupportive of the idea — members of the administration such as President Tilghman believed a 24-hour study space would encourage unhealthy study behavior — the USG offered to run the study space independently, paying for administrative costs such as security.

But when the University administration again denied permission, the plan was put on hold.