Volume 67, Issue 7

Temporary Study Hall Opens in Time for Finals
Student Life Committee Finally Comes Through
by Ariel Brandwein

Since the Yeshiva University Museum vacated the northern first floor wing of the Pollack Library over a year ago, the fate of the surplus space has been highly coveted and yet strangely beyond anyone’s grasp – including its de facto proprietor, Facilities Management.  Despite its elusiveness, virtually every segment of the University has harbored some hopes of getting its hands on the empty room: the prospect of increased office space attracted administrators and faculty; the Library had high hopes of erecting a home for its growing number of homeless books; and, finally, student leaders have talked endlessly of seizing the room for a student lounge.  But, do to recent events, all bids on the wing are suspended, at least temporarily.

Due to an eleventh-hour effort spearheaded largely by Student Life Subcommittee Members Josh Goldman and Josh Shpayher, Director of Supporting Services Jeffrey Rosengarten along with Senior Associate Director of Facilities Management Jeffrey Socol agreed to provisionally convert part of Library’s first floor – the wing previously held by the University Museum – into a student study hall.  The decision was officially confirmed at the Student Life Committee meeting on Monday, December 16, and will be in effect throughout reading week and for the duration of final examinations. 

“The opening of this new study hall will provide students with a pleasant venue for group and individual studying, while simultaneously lowering the Library’s noise level,” said Shpayher, who also serves as Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) Secretary.  “Facilities [Management] is to be commended for responding to students’ needs so quickly and enthusiastically.”

Shpayher and Goldman first stumbled upon the idea when touring the wing with Sharry Pollock, Assistant to the Director of supporting Services, approximately one week prior to the decision.  They were perusing the vacated spot as part of another Student Life initiative: the creation of a Student Academic Center, which would feature anything from the barebones – computers, copy machines, and desks – to the more elaborate coffee machines and plush couches.  “When Josh and I came up with the idea, we knew that we might be able to decrease the noise level in the library and perhaps even take over the space” recounts Shpayher, referring to the latent hope that the interim study hall will eventually blossom into the envisioned Student Academic Center. 

Students have long criticized the library’s noise level, which many consider unduly high, as well as its paucity of available study space.  “Although I enjoy studying in the library all the time, all the noise can get really distracting and sometimes it’s tough to find group study space,” said Sy Syms Senior Eli Hami.  

Administrators, for their part, are not oblivious to this stance.  According to Dr. Pearl Berger, Dean of the University Libraries, “Libraries are traditionally places that are known for quiet study.  However, students require a place to study as a group.  These are conflicting requirements,” she said. 

Hitherto, the only areas on the Wilf Campus considered “suitable” for group study were the lounges on each floor of the Morgenstern Residence Hall, which are not equipped with the proper resources.  As a result, students began utilizing the library for their group-study needs, which reverberated throughout the building.

The addition of the new study hall should significantly decrease the decibel level in the library, as students now have an official venue conducive for communicating above a whisper. “Students can now utilize the library to the best of their capabilities,” said Student Organization of Yeshiva President Goldman.

Facilities Management played an instrumental role in making the study hall available. 

“The students asked for space to study for finals, and the decision was made quickly to loan them the space for group study,” said Pollack.

The room, whose entrance is to the right of the security desk in the lobby, can seat approximately sixty people.  Students have already begun exploiting the opportunity to study without constantly being told to lower their voices.  “So far the room has been great,” said freshman Evan Small.  “Though there have been others studying there, it wasn’t disturbing, and I was able to get a lot done.”

Although most students seemed to receive the news enthusiastically, others were skeptical.  “While this is a nice achievement, it’s the first time that the Student Life committee has done anything significant in the past four months,” said one Sy Syms senior.  “At this rate, acquiring the study hall might just be the only important thing they accomplish all year, and it’s set to close in two short weeks anyway.”    

As of now, the study hall is slated to close with the conclusion of finals.  Nonetheless, as Goldman noted, “We’d love to see it become a permanent addition to student space.” 

Indeed, this seems to represent the first step in an ongoing process.  The Student Life Committee hopes to eventually create a Student Education Center with the primary goal of providing group study for the students all year-round.¨

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