Maggie LeMaitre ’08, an Abbot Blue Key Head, wants a new student center. She has started a petition, which currently has over 300 student signatures, to encourage the administration and Board of Trustees to combine the social functions of Ryley, the library, Underwood Room and even dorms into one building. The idea of a single student social area has support from several administrators, like Dean of Students Marlys Edwards and Dean of Studies John Rogers, but they have also pointed out the difficulties of creating a student center. Head of School Barbara Chase reinforced the administration’s current no-build policy in a letter to faculty at the start of school, writing that PA would not enter into an “arms race” of facilities. But after this year’s discussions on socializing in the library, the closing of Ryley and the lack of a central facility for students, the idea of a student center keeps coming up. LeMaitre said, “There isn’t really a place on campus for students to go casually, hang out with friends or do work without the distractions of Ryley or the strictness in the library…It’s not about trying to outdo Exeter.” But a student center is “not in the offing right now,” said Associate Dean of Students Carlos Hoyt. Most funding is designated for academic and residential improvements, not for the creation of a student center. And, Hoyt said, a new building would create additional square footage on a campus that already has a low occupancy rate in many of its buildings. Edwards, too, said, “There is no plan for a student center right now.” However, Edwards said, “If whatever improvements we’ve done to other spaces while Commons is closed…don’t take the pressure off the library – we’ll have to reconsider.” Cindy Efinger, Director of Student Activities, said, “I hope the administration can someday see the need for a student center.” Efinger also said, “The students clearly need a space where they can be social, and a student center makes sense. Whether it’s going to happen or not, I don’t know.” At Sunday’s Student Council meeting, Teddy Collins brought up the student center idea as part of a discussion on the new library rules. Collins said that he discussed the idea of a student center with cluster deans and presidents at the Deans’ and Presidents’ Table, which meets on Thursday mornings. Many librarians support the petition. Right now, said Instructional Librarian Sara Ciaburri, the library “is like the default student center.” But a new center wouldn’t necessarily eliminate library noise, said Hoyt, because underclassmen would have to leave for study hours. Administrators support student involvement in decisions on what to do without Ryley Room. According to Edwards, “It’s very important that the students make known their feelings…and that they feel licensed and welcome to do that.” She also said that the Dean of Students office is “open for any ideas to improve the existing spaces we have.” Most students seemed supportive of a student center. Post-graduate Shannon Neschke ’08 said, “I do feel there’s a need for one, especially with…the library shutting down…and Commons closing.” Julian Chernyk ’10 said, “Life at PA is so stressful that there has to be a central location where students can hang out on weekends. Right now it’s Ryley, but when Ryley closes, I guess we’re going to lose that place.” The efforts to make the library a place for academic work only, and the forthcoming closure of Ryley Room after November 12, have contributed to calls for a student center. The Philomathean Society will hold a forum on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Ropes on the use of social space on campus. A tentative panel includes Associate Director for Instructional Services Jeffrey Marzluft, Edwards, Rogers, Efinger, one or two members of the library’s student advisory committee and a day student representative. LeMaitre is excited about the petition she has started, but aware of the obstacles. “There are a lot of older buildings [and dorms] that need renovations,” she said. “A lot of kids don’t want Pearson, but I think it would be a good spot.” LeMaitre is looking forward to a renovated Commons, but said, “It’s probably not enough. It’ll satisfy kids for a few years, until the class of 2015 or something, and they will want more…It doesn’t compare to a new student center.”
