Any student who has ventured into Clemons Library during final exams genuinely can appreciate what it means to be "packed in like sardines." Partially in response to Clemons' persistent overcrowding during these high-traffic periods, Student Council's Student Life Committee collaborated with the University last semester to extend Clark Library's hours of operation from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. during final exams. Council intended the project to act as a trial run, the success of which would determine whether the library would remain open during finals in the future. All told, about 100 students took advantage of this opportunity per night, though it is difficult to tell if the move significantly alleviated the overcrowding at Clemons.
Throughout most of the academic year, the number of students studying at Clemons does not especially hinder comfortable and effective studying. During midterms or finals, however, the crowds can prove unbearable. Students can hardly walk through the aisles without tripping over a power cord. Finding personal space in which to work can become extremely difficult. Council took an appropriate first step toward solving the issue of overcrowding by extending Clark Library's hours, but it should consider taking a more comprehensive approach to addressing the problem.
For example, offering a second 24-hour library option during finals could help to reduce Clemons' numbers. Students often plan to remain at a library during finals for long periods of time - often upwards of five or even 10 hours. Inevitably, students are reluctant to relocate their studying to another library that will close before they finish their work. Though the cost of operating a library for these extra few hours each night must be considered, the academic benefit conferred to students would seem to be well worth the relatively small investment.
Other organizations also can work with Council to promote more environments conducive to studying. Specifically, Council could work with Resident Life to help foster better study environments in dormitories, particularly those housing first-year students. The more comfortable students feel working in their residence halls, the less likely they are to pack University libraries during exam periods.
Student Life Committee Co-Chair Aagya Mathur already has indicated that the Committee plans to increase its publicity efforts this semester. In doing so, the Committee should target those students most likely to take advantage of alternate study locations and place flyers in the more popular study locations.
With just under 14,000 undergraduates, the University realistically cannot accommodate each student's study needs. Nevertheless, Council ought to focus on outside-the-box proposals to encourage the creation of productive work environments during finals.
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