Collegiate Times

Though the Math Emporium is awarded being one of the least favorite places on campus, it becomes some students? best friend as a reprieve from belligerent roommates during final exam time.

As the end of the semester approaches and exams abound, quiet and accessible study areas become a necessity.
?It used to be that while we were giving proctored final exams we kept the Math Emporium closed in deference to those taking exams in order to produce the best, quiet test exam environment,? said Michael Williams, associate professor in mathematics and head of the Math Emporium.

Williams said it became evident that there was a high demand to use the facility during this time and officials of the emporium realized that it wasn?t always full with students taking tests. Last year, the Math Emporium?s policy changed to have part of the Emporium open during testing time.

The Math Emporium will still have limited seating from Dec. 8 through Dec. 13 until 7 p.m. each night due to proctored final exams.

?But still, it?s got to be a more quiet time. It can?t be the usual level of control present. We don?t especially encourage large group activities during those times,? Williams said.

Newman Library stands as an alternative to the Math Emporium for cram time. Donald Kenney, associate dean of the library, said the Parents Fund assisted in giving the library funding to build the new group study rooms present on various floors. Kenney said the rooms were built because of the increase in interest expressed by students over the last few years who desired greater space for group study.

?The newest group study area located on the fourth floor in the back of the building is not quite complete. There is no furniture yet, but students have made themselves comfortable on the floor,? Kenney said.

There are more group areas located on the second floor with designated quiet areas on the third and fifth floors of Newman Library. Kenney said all floors should be quiet; however he does not recommend the first floor for study.
Williams said the emporium recognizes that much studying done during exam times consists of group work and said the emporium is able to accommodate more than individual work stations.

?It?s a natural thing for people to work together. We understood early on the need to let students sit where they want to sit. The computer login system at the emporium is smart. It makes sure you find a seat, even if it is not your assigned seat, but when it?s busy that can be an issue,? Williams said. ?The only issue for us is trying to keep noise levels reasonable during test times.?

Though the emporium and the library are the most common study areas, various other spots around town have become hibernation rooms for studying students as well.

Valerie Sutherland, manager of the Easy Chair Coffee Shop located in University Mall next to the Math Emporium, said the shop reaches record-setting sales levels on exam nights.

?We generally do not have a problem with noise level even though we see mostly groups of students during exams, but we often run out of study room,? Sutherland said. ?We typically see a lot of foot traffic that comes in, gets their caffeine, then has to leave to study somewhere else in the mall or at the emporium.?

Easy Chair will be open 24 hours a day on evenings prior to exams and the library?s hours will be extended to stay open until to 2 a.m. starting Dec. 8 through Dec .14. The Math Emporium is continuously open 24 hours a day through exams.