By Derek Weaver
The Scene staff
A lounge off the Student Center lobby has been cleared out following complaints about student behavior.
All the modern tables and chairs have been removed, leaving an empty carpeted area.
“We had lots of complaints from students, employees and visitors,” said Franklyn Taylor, vice president of student affairs.
The lounge was near the office of Enrollment Services Representative Cheryl Fowler. She didn’t like the way the noise disrupted phone calls.
“At the beginning, I thought that it was a wonderful idea to have a space that was reserved for the students to meet and greet in between class sessions,” she said. “However, it became short-lived because of the loud, rude and disrespectful behavior that was displayed by the students.
“That’s not what the space was intended for. I would like to believe, like other staff members … that students would exercise better social skills, as well as respect for offices, staff, faculty and themselves. That is, students should be able to conduct themselves in a professional manner with minimum supervision.”
Ashley Dimmock, a clerk in the advising office, hated to see the lounge go but understood the reason.
“I feel that it is very unfortunate for the school to have invested the time and money that they did to better the institution,” she said.
Some students have wondered what happened to the lounge.
“I never used it, but every time I passed by, I saw lots of people sitting there,” said Esperanza Guerrero, 19, a nursing major. “It looks sad because there (are) no people or furniture.”
Another nursing student, Stephanie Caldwell, 19, is glad the furniture is gone because the area is quieter.
Before, the lounge often was too crowded for her to find a seat, she said, and it made her uncomfortable to have so many people nearby when she was using the ATM machine.
Business administration major Brandon Wallace, 21, used to sit in the lounge about twice a week.
“I guess they thought we were starting trouble,” he said. “I figured they wanted us to sit in the Highlander Lounge.”
General studies student Kaelan Moorehead, 20, is ambivalent about the change.
“I didn’t rely on it,” he said. “I just found somewhere else to sit. It (does) feel weird when I walk by and don’t see it.”
The lounge was created as part of a Student Center renovation in 2013.
Taylor made the decision to remove the furniture, but first he consulted staff and administrators.
“I talked to the (facilities) department, discussed it with my managers, and I talked briefly to the president about it,” he said.
Earlier this semester, an easel with a quilt stood in the empty area.
“I think (it was) a group that decided to be creative and use it for Women’s History Month to display one of their program’s items,” Taylor said. “I think it’s a good use of the space. They probably talked to another administrator, but I’m all right with it.”
The lounge could be restored in the future, Taylor said. A sign on the wall still reads, “This area is for quiet study.”
“We are going to put a (television) monitor there with information that can help students,” Taylor said.
“I like when students get together. It creates energy and vibrancy when they get together to exchange ideas, study together and have fun. That is what the student experience is about.”
Taylor noted that students can use the nearby Highlander Lounge for socializing and studying.
“We spent a lot of money on that lounge,” he said.