Houston Hall stores shy away from working 'graveyard' shift

Peacefulness, tranquility, harmony -- all words often used to describe graveyards. But all is not peaceful at Houston Hall, home to "graveyards," a semiannual round-the-clock studying frenzy that runs from December 10 to December 18. For the 10th year of graveyards, the Office of Student Life Activities and Facilities and the Student Planning and Events Committee plan to offer more services to students than ever before, including one they'd rather not have to -- free coffee. In past years, OSL officials have worked with the food shops in Houston Hall Mall, encouraging them to keep extended hours and offer students free coffee and other giveaways. But this year, "We're having a very hard time getting any of them to stay open," said Tom Hauber, OSL's associate director for facilities. The late hours, according to managers at all the mall's food shops, have never been profitable. And with Houston Hall closing in May for Perelman Quad renovations -- with the future of the current stores up in the air -- some merchants are hardly in a cooperative spirit. "All the years that we did the 24 hours, we did it as a convenience for the kids?. We operated for a deficit," said one store manager who asked to remain anonymous. "[The University] doesn't care about us, so why should we care about them," he said. Dick Root, owner of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, agreed that graveyards are a perennial money loser. "[The University] told us it was a big deal," he recalled. "We want to do the right thing, but it just makes it kind of rough on us." Auntie Anne's is one of several stores that will not be extending its hours this year. But the disenchantment runs highest at Muffins & More, which is traditionally open all 24 hours for graveyards, and doles out free cups of coffee from midnight until dawn. That custom will end this year because, said the store's manager, you can't "ask people to stay 24 hours when you're going to throw them out in May." Hauber said OSL will take over the responsibility for offering coffee. He conceded, "I don't blame them as businesspeople" for closing, but he added that there is more to operating a business in the mall than pure profit. "By virtue of them being here, they have an obligation to the community," said Hauber, adding that each store's contract includes a clause requiring them to adjust their hours "to cooperate with programs and services." While Hauber insisted that the University will not force vendors to stay open, one vendor said "you have to follow their orders? if they say stay longer, you do." As a result, said the vendor, who requested anonymity, the store would again be keeping longer hours this year. But he was quick to add, "we don't mind?. We do it for the students." The closing of Houston Hall next year for renovations leaves the future of graveyards unclear. Z. Paul Reynolds, OSL's assistant manager for facilities and coordinator of graveyards, also noted that with more places like Chats open 24 hours during finals, the need for graveyards may not be what it once was. "The number [of students attending] keeps increasing, but the rate of increase is slowing down," he said. Whether or not graveyards are held next year will depend on how large a temporary space traditional student union services are given, Reynolds added. But Mark Smith, a Wharton and College sophomore, believes graveyards at Houston Hall to be unique. "It's really the only place quiet enough to study. I don't know where I'll go next fall," Smith said. For this year, however, it will be graveyards as usual, complete with midnight cookies, a holiday pianist and appearances by a cappella groups. And for those who want to study, rooms will be available and Academic Support Programs will be providing tutoring.