RUSM map?? library squatting? lack of study space??

[Silenthunder]

Hello all,

I decided to start a new thread to ask a few questions.

1. What is library squatting? does this happen all the time? Why hasn't something been done about this?

2. What is so special about Classroom 5? Why isn't it open for study?

3. Has this problem about lack of study space always been around?

I am not trying to provoke anything. I am trying to gather information with which to make my own decision about applying to Ross.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

[MitchDC]

Hi SilentThunder, good questions. I'm not sure if you've ever been a library studier but for varying reasons a lot of students become library (or on-campus) studiers when they get here. In the library there are a ton of study carrols (sp?) and desks for students to study at. Especially around exam times, some students "reserve" their area all day and all night by setting stacks of books in "their spot". Some even tape up family photos, others may use physiology charts and graphs. Some students even sleep in the library around exam time. Anyways, sometimes there are so many students "squatting" in the study areas that nobody else can use the library. So even during class time and the library is relatively empty, EVERY spot may be "reserved". This is not allowed, but the school and the student body hasn't yet figure out a good way to solve this problem.

Classroom 5 is the newest classroom here at Ross (other than the one they are building now). I think its very nice and that is the classroom they have special events like the white coat ceremony and others. Because of the fact that students literally trash the classrooms (spilled food, drinks, trash, broken desks and chairs, etc) the admin has decided that they will not keep that room open for after hours study.

Anyways, the SGA is now working on this problem and hopefully it will be much better soon. If you study at home, you won't have any problems with any of this.

Hope that helps!

MitchDC


Hello all,

I decided to start a new thread to ask a few questions.

1. What is library squatting? does this happen all the time? Why hasn't something been done about this?

2. What is so special about Classroom 5? Why isn't it open for study?

3. Has this problem about lack of study space always been around?

I am not trying to provoke anything. I am trying to gather information with which to make my own decision about applying to Ross.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

[Silenthunder]

Hey MitchDC,

thanx for the replies.

Now the whole thing about classroom 5 makes alot more sense.

I am a library studier. I can't study at home, too many distractions, and I'm fairly weak willed when it comes to distractions.
One suggestion that I would have about the library thing is: the school should make a policy where the students belongings are removed from the carel after a certain period of time (say: an hour?) after the carel has seemingly been abandoned. Perhaps another suggestion is that people can only sign them out for a certain period of time (if they don't show up for their alotted time, then the carel could be reassigned to someone who has not signed up for one, but is searching for a place to study)

I'm sure these things have already been brought up to admin; I also don't know if this is a relatively new problem, perhaps admin will fix this problem given more time.

once again, thanx for the answers to questions....

cheers,

silenthunder

[felixthecatheathcliffgarf]

The whole squatting idea is slightly funny....
Makes me think of land squatters in the late 19th century.
I can see a stack of books, but family photos? :wink:

So I don't understand it. Yet, anyway.

[medNoir]

I've thought about it too.

The stumper is to devise a cost effective way to measure the time spent squatting. You can't be handing out timers and even if you did, how to make the students voluntarily turn it on when they leave their desk.

While we're at it, the computer monitors should be upraded so that whoever touches the screen with their fingers and leaves these greasy streaks will get an electric shock.

[TopGunner]

aren't there any librarians in the library to monitor this stuff? i hear there are a lot of spouses on the island, what do they generally do with their time? maybe they can be librarians! librarians = less squatting. occupied spouses = happier students.

"take my wife, please."

[MitchDC]

Thanks for your input! The Student Government Association has been working on this issue and hopefully we can get it fixed (or start the "fixing" process) next semester.

Yes, FAMILY PHOTOS taped to the desk or notes that say "RESERVED" or possibly even funnier "MY SEAT".

Yes, there are library staff in the library (Dominican females). One problem though: Either they or other students move another students things and then the owner blames them for stealing their books. Last semester a student sqautted a spot. His things were on a table for HOURS without anybody coming by to use them. Later the owner of the books comes around to every class to complain that his things were STOLEN out of the library and demands that somebody return then ("no questions asked"). It turned out that his things were stacked in a pile in the corner.

Fixing this problem will take a change in the minds of the students who do the squatting. But, there are things that the University can do to help too.

MitchDC

[QuasiMed]

That sounds like a great idea: Put up a sign saying "STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MOVE SQUATTERS BELONGINGS TO THE CONVENIENTLY PROVIDED SHELVES" shelves to be provided.

Getting spouses to fight squatting won't work. They don't get much respect from students as you saw on the other postings. Getting students to respect staff won't get you very far either. The other day I saw some screaming like babies at a gate guard who tried to check their IDs. It worked because the gate guard finaly let them pass without IDs. Students have only been told from the beginning to show IDs all the time. That guy was a real "HITLER" for requireing them to obey well publicized, easily followable rules.

Nope. Students will only listen when they dis each other.