Students are exploring new options for studying in the midst of changes in study spaces around campus.
Mugar Memorial Library and the Late Night Study Center became the only remaining ‘late-night’ locations open to all Boston University students after the computer labs in residence halls and 111 Cummington closed in BU’s restructuring of information technology resources.’
But while 111 Cummington was open all night, both Mugar and the Study Center close at 2 a.m.’
Students said they are still taking advantage of Mugar, the traditional quiet place away from sleeping roommates, loud neighbors and the pull from online distractions such as Facebook and Twitter. Dozens can be found throughout the library’s five floors, even on a Monday outside of finals period.
‘I’ve been here every day for the past two weeks,’ College of Communication sophomore Laura Montorio, who is studying for her three midterms next week, said. ‘Pretty much here is the only place I study. I can’t concentrate in my room.’
Other students, such as College of Arts and Sciences freshman Kaliane Ribeiro, said they are not there as frequently but still think finding a place to study is important.’
College of Arts and Sciences CAS senior Owen Schmitt said there are always students in the study lounges in major dorms.’ ‘ However, for those students who live in off-campus housing or in small dormitories, finding access to these lounges can be challenging.
Lately, some students have been sighted utilizing supermarkets such as Shaw’s Market at Kenmore, a popular chain open 24 hours a day, to do late night reading.
‘I’ve seen a few reading textbooks,’ Shaw’s Manager Tiara Marchando said. ‘I can’t be sure that they’re from BU since there are so many colleges in the area, but I’ve seen one or two instances.’
She said so far, no other customers have pointed out the late-night crammers.’
Marchando said she did not mind the few students who had been there to read. However, she said she does not encourage other students to bring their books to the grocery store.’
‘We don’t really have a sitting area,’ Marchando said.
Last year, members of the Student Union Academic Affairs Committee told the Daily Free Press that they anticipated changes to the library over the next couple of years, possibly funded by adjustments to the IT structure at BU. These changes were to include allowing food and beverages in the library, creating better areas for studying and extending library hours.
‘A lot of BU buildings get locked up at night,’ Schmitt said. ‘But I know that most brownstones have study lounges in the basement for residents. I guess one option is always to make friends with people in brownstones.’
Montorio said she thinks there needs to be a public study space for students who wish to study late at night.
‘I don’t study too late into the night,’ Montorio said. ‘But what’s a library for if you can’t use it when you really need to?’
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