Some late-night studiers crammed for finals and satisfied their appetites at local businesses during finals period last semester.
The Undergraduate Assembly worked with off- and on-campus study hubs and restaurants to extend hours for students seeking a late-night alternative to libraries and dorm rooms. The extended hours debuted to varied success, but both the UA and local vendors said they were interested in continuing the policy for future exam periods.
Ben and Jerry's, Bubble House and Bucks County Coffee Company on 40th Street all extended their hours of operation during the finals period, as did McNeil Computer Lab, 1920 Commons and Steinhardt Hall.
According to Bubble House owner John Wicks, sales increased by between 10 and 15 percent for the days with extended hours and by nearly a third in the evenings.
"We had a very, very good late-night crowd," Wicks said. "It wasn't packed or anything, but it was a good number of people."
The Bubble House extended hours until midnight on Sunday through Tuesday of finals week and offered several food specials.
Ben and Jerry's also told the UA that it is looking forward to future cooperation, according to UA representative and Engineering freshman Brett Lacher, who helped to implement the extended hours.
"I think the outcome has been pretty positive," UA representative and Engineering freshman Brett Lacher said.
The promotion was less of a success for Bucks County Coffee, which extended its hours from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday of finals week.
According to Bucks Manager Aimee Podoroff, the change was not really beneficial, and sales did not increase.
"I think many students didn't realize we were open, and so they didn't take advantage of it," Podoroff said.
Nonetheless, Podoroff said that the store will try it again for future exam periods.
"Many, many students come here to study, and it's a quiet environment, and so the students who did come had a good place to do that," Podoroff said.
Student desire to take advantage of the change in closing times seemed mixed.
"If you're out somewhere, it's easier to stay alert and productive," Engineering senior Emily Burnett said.
Burnett attempted to study late at Bucks after receiving an e-mail advertising the change in hours but said they were not open late that particular evening.
Others still prefer a guaranteed quiet spot for studying.
"I don't really like distractions while I'm studying, so I don't really go out to those places," College junior Amy Baek said.
Though Baek studied mostly in the library, she said she would not necessarily be opposed to going to one of the quieter locations like Bucks.
The UA plans to further promote extended local business hours for upcoming exam periods. It also plans to encourage more restaurants, such as The Greek Lady, to cooperate.
However, Lacher noted that other businesses may be reluctant due to the difficulty of getting employees to stay so late. Despite this, Lacher said he believes more businesses will join in, especially with increased planning beforehand.
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