April 28, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Sherrard
202-994-1423; mcs1@gwu.edu

GW "STUDY ZONE" OPENS MORE SPACE FOR STUDENTS DURING EXAM PERIOD

WASHINGTON - GW students preparing for final exams will have more places to study on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses during reading week and final exam periods. Through April 29 - May 11, newly dedicated study space will be made available at the Foggy Bottom Campus in Duques and Funger halls and in the Marvin Center, in addition to existing study space available in Gelman Library. At Mount Vernon, the Eckles Library Auditorium, G-Dub Java Lounge and Ames Pub will be part of the "Study Zone." These GW buildings will be open for extended hours, and certain areas will be designated for group study, as well as individual quiet study. 

"Our students' requests for space drove the "Study Zone" initiative, and we are delivering on their requests," said Robert Chernak, senior vice president for student and academic support services. "We looked at information from the recent Service Excellence Survey, as well as feedback from Student Association leaders, campus media outlets, and identified some creative solutions to increase designated study space to meet the growing need."

Donald Lehman, executive vice president for academic affairs said, "At the heart of our mission is academic excellence and providing an environment that enables intellectual engagement and student success. If students need more space to study, then we will provide that space to reinforce the priority of our academic mission."

When asked about the cost implications, Executive Vice President and Treasurer Lou Katz said, "While there were some cost concerns we had to evaluate, we believe this initiative yields greater benefits than costs."
 
The "Study Zone" is the first step in a larger community building initiative launched this year to make more on-campus space available to students, faculty, staff and alumni. This priority was identified by President Steven Knapp, who established the Campus Space Working Group and charged them to explore ways to address space constraints presented by GW's unique city campus and to build community-wide partnerships to make more University space resources available.

Staff members from the academic affairs, student and academic support services and executive vice president and treasurer divisions and university scheduling, the University Police Department and facilities management have collaborated on this initiative. 

More information on the "Study Zone" is available at http://living.gwu.edu/studyzone. 

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

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