Lack of study space is alarming

WPI has been carefully crafting an interactive campus atmosphere for its high-tech students. Plans for a new academic building can be added to dorm renovations and a new campus center. Despite offering more office space here at WPI, there are still few, if any quiet, isolated study rooms available to students during their study hours (from 7pm to 2 am). This lack of private study areas is alarming - with overflowing freshman dorm rooms and fewer computer labs available late at night, there are no dedicated spots on campus for students to be alone.

This gross distortion of priority to office space should be taken into consideration when planning space in any new academic buildings or renovations. A campus center has failed to provide what we need most - a safe, quiet place to hide from everyone. Students need a private location to let loose, relax, concentrate, cool down, or study with no distractions. This location needs to be operated solely for students - full access after midnight each night of the week. One open floor or a small open building set aside simply for privacy and private study could reduce stress levels on campus, improve student satisfaction and ultimately, retain students rather than lose them to the quarter-term crunch.