New Quad lounge offers exciting amenities

Complete with a big-screen TV, brand-new laundry room and full kitchen, the long-awaited Goldberg Lounge overlooking the Upper Quad is set to officially open 24-hours-a-day beginning next week. The new lounge, which was the site of a preview brunch for 200 students Sunday, is located in the "nipple" of the Quad between the Foerderer and McKean buildings. It will be open "no later than" next Wednesday, according to Pamela Robinson, assistant dean in residence for the Wendy and Leonard Goldberg House and coordinator of First-Year Programs. The lounge is divided into three rooms -- a Goldberg House office that will distribute information on House activities and trips; a multimedia room offering a big-screen TV, ResNet access, a VCR and a stereo system; and a full kitchen equipped with oven, stove, microwave, freezer, refrigerator and eating area. When the lounge begins its regular hours, the House office will be staffed from noon until midnight, Monday through Friday. The lounge is part of a $2 million gift from film producer and Wharton alumnus Leonard Goldberg and his wife, Wendy. The majority of the gift went toward renovating the 10 buildings of the Upper Quad, with a substantial amount being used to renovate the lounge, according to Jean Marie Kneely, director of the School of Arts and Sciences Development Office. "The goal of the various Goldberg House renovations has been to create a totally integrated living-learning experience," she added. To that end, a freshman seminar is being developed that will be held in the lounge. While the idea of renovating the lounge was conceived almost 18 months ago, the specifics were left to student committees, Robinson said. "The Goldberg family decided from the beginning to involve the students in every step of the decision-making process," she added. "Thanks to their input, we added a laundry room and vending machines." Ware Residential Advisor Alice Chong called the lounge "absolutely incredible." "It looks like it could be part of someone's house," she said. But due to the lounge's location, some said they wonder how many students will actually utilize it. "As awesome as it is, the 'nipple' is a bit of a walk from most of the Quad, and I'm not sure how many people will be willing to venture up there," said College freshman Jake Lief. But most of those who have seen the lounge are confident it will become a well-utilized area. "When people find out what the lounge is like, they'll come up here to use it," said College freshman Ben Geisler. "It's the nicest lounge I've ever seen."