14 Days to have your say

Funding for library renovation is prioritized by the university.  We make our case every year and live with the priorities set.  So we keep whittling away at the smaller projects we can find money for.

That said this Fall Quarter we've restructured group study access.  After consluting with the AS Board on a policy for group study room use here's the plan:

• 13 group study rooms bookable in advance.
• 7 of these will have large screen LCD monitors with interactive whiteboards.
• Access to all 13 rooms will by require a key checked out from the Media Desk.  This will assure that the rooms are more available for groups.
• We'll be able to tell you which rooms are available when you need one and students will spend  less time wandering the floors looking for a vacant room.

Should work better for everyone we hope!

Frank Haulgren
14 Days Coordinator

I see a extreme need for more group study areas and sound proofing the ones that we have, there is nothing like trying to study and hearing other group studying through the walls. I think that we need to at least double the amount of space dedicated to group study rooms, it does not need to be only in the library but through out campus as well.

A little off topic but places to go on campus in between classes to study a bit not wanting a completely quite place like the library would be nice. Trying to find tables and chairs in the markets and other places like that is a headache when you only have an hour in between classes.

I completely disagree, sculptures and art across campus is what makes it into a more interesting place to be. Western (or any univ. for that matter) would be completely DULL without sculptures and art to invoke creativity.

However, I will agree with you that the library does need to be expanded to accomodate more group study rooms. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have explored the depths of Wilson with my group members hoping to find a room and they are all taken.

I heard once that the reason we have so many sculptures is because an alumni or company or something gives us money for grounds maintenance on the condition that 2% of it goes towards sculptures.

On another note I agree that more group study space would be fantastic.

Honestly, it's a huge generalization to say that students don't appreciate the sculptures on campus. I know that I do, and I'm not even an art major. If the only sculpture you like at all is the so-called "MHB" then maybe that just means you don't like that kind of art, and you're entitled to your opinion. That said, more nice, inviting spaces in or around the library would be a big plus. Study labs feel pretty institutional and office-like, with their bare white walls and fluorescent lighting. The big hall on the 4th floor of Wilson was a good place to study--what happened to it?

I wonder if placement of new sculptures could be created by some commission in the fine art dept. that only employs our art majors for relatively free/cheap and takes care of the materials expense...I dont really know how the current system works, just an idea.

I think access to the library 24 hours a day would not be a wasted venture. I certainly would take advantage of it, as I'm sure would the students forced out as the clock strikes midnight. I'm talking access to books, tables, and seating, not just computer labs.

Also, an update to recreational reading would certainly be welcome. There's not a lot of pop fiction, or well, much of any modern fiction tastes. I don't mind making a trip to the Bham Public library, but keeping the library trip to one, and not having to sort out which goes where, and who I owe money to would be convenient.

Lastly, an assasination to system to wipe out anyone talking on a cell phone for more than two seconds.