Grad tower lounge causes confusion

The basement lounge in Graduate Tower A has always been a popular study and social area for residents, with a first-come, first-serve policy governing who could use the rooms. But the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life is now considering a proposal to allow groups to reserve the lounges -- ending the open-door policy. The proposal is a request from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, according to Associate VPUL Larry Moneta. Rumors and lack of information about the lounge changes have turned consideration of a small policy matter into a mass of confusion. In a letter posted on the newsgroup upenn.dorm.gradtowers and delivered to residents last week, Greg Huey, a third-year Physics graduate student who lives in the dorm, said he believes the plans would shift the main purpose of the lounge from studying to socializing. Graduate housing officials held an open meeting last week with residents of Grad Tower A to hear concerns and receive feedback. Many residents at the meeting reiterated Huey's concerns about the proposed policy changes, said Michelle Ray, assistant director of graduate student programs in residence. Residents described the basement lounge as a comfortable and safe environment, conducive to studying. The glass doors to the lounge face a security guard, making the lounge a safe late-night studying spot. After the recent assault on a female student in Van Pelt Library, residents said they worry about their safety while studying. Moneta and other administrators said the proposed changes would not have the effect some residents fear. Moneta said he understands some students feel the need for a room devoted exclusively to studying. But he said the changes would not impact students' use of the room as a study area. Residents would still be able to study in the lounge, but allowing groups to reserve the room would open the space up to a wider variety of programs, he said. GAPSA officers requested the changes in hopes of reserving the room as a location for happy hours and other graduate student functions, Moneta added. But many students either know nothing about the proposal, or have an inaccurate picture of the plans under consideration. Huey, who wrote the protest letter, said he only heard about the plans from a friend who was denied access to the tower's piano room, down the hall from the lounge. The piano room is undergoing renovation as part of the changes, and it has also become a focal point for confusion. Residents in the rooms directly above the piano room have complained about noise coming from the piano, Ray said. And piano players responded unfavorably to an attempted compromise that restricted use of the room to certain hours. Pianists suggested soundproofing the ceiling in the piano room and leaving the piano where it is. Signs posted in the grad towers complex Thursday night announced that funding has been approved for soundproofing the room. If the piano stays where it is, the basement would still lack a dedicated study room. Ray and grad towers head resident Jill Gladstein have explored opening other places within the towers as study spaces. Rooms are available already on the third and sixth floors of Grad Tower B, Ray said. The lounges on the 11th floors of each tower will also be available for studying once they are furnished.