New students may not notice, but a quick glance into the new and improved Student Lounge by returning students could be a cause for a double take.
Unlike previous years, where the use of the commuter lounge was scarce, the new student lounge has become a bit of a safe haven for students, particularly video gamers.
While the lounge may not be filled to capacity, quite a few more students gather in the lounge this semester when compared to previous semesters.
Sophomore Aaron Dowis noticed the difference in the lounge almost immediately.
“A lot of different types of people are coming in now, and they’re all getting along better than I thought they would,” said Dowis, a pre-pharmacy major.
The transformation from the Commuter Lounge to the Student Lounge has proved beneficial, as more students have taken a liking to the added TVs, video game systems and jukebox.
“Ever since they’ve put the TVs in here, a lot more students have started to come in. There are at least six or seven students sitting in front of them every day,” Dowis said.
During previous years, students didn’t consider the lounge an exciting place to be. In fact, some considered it completely dull.
“I didn’t go in there. I actually rarely even looked in there to be honest. It seemed boring,” said LaQuaneisha Smith, a sophomore management major.
The re-naming of the lounge and the addition of the many game systems and TVs has grasped the attention of many students, and given them other activities to do beside “just play card games,” according to senior psychology major Kelsie Thornhill.
Thornhill also credits the lounge’s new vibe as the reason for increase in student activity.
“It’s a lot more relaxed, and it brings more people in here,” said Thornhill.
She also takes a liking to the furniture.
“I really like the couches; they’re very comfortable,” said Thornhill, as she props her feet up and lays back on one.
While the Student Lounge still isn’t the hottest place on campus, it has increased in student activity, and the crowds continue to grow every day.
