Burkhiser lounge shaping up

Prompted by the need for business faculty to have an inviting space to display for prospective students, as well as a desirable amenity for current students, a former classroom is being renovated into a new study lounge in the Burkhiser Technology Complex.

The initiative is the work of the Department of Business Chair Dr. Jamie Waldo, who spoke about how the plan for the room was realized.

Waldo said he asked the students what kinds of things they would like to have in a study lounge. A great deal of the responses included televisions, windows, and drinks.

Waldo also said how, with the advent of online classes, students seemed to be appearing only for in-class tests or other required meetings, and then disappearing back to their dorms or homes.

“We don’t want to alienate students,” Waldo said. “Because of this, we were able to get the idea of a study lounge approved.”

The lounge’s furniture is planned to consist of oversized couches and chairs, as well as three large-format flat screen televisions. The TVs would broadcast live feed of business-related channels.

In addition to the flat screens inside the study lounge, there is also an additional flat screen outside the door, which Waldo said could be used to welcome prospective students by displaying a welcome message and photos of visitors.

“We want to have something similar to, but a little sexier than, the Gold Room,” Waldo said.

The majority of the funding for the project was allocated by the School of B.E.A.M.S.S., and thus final approval was given by B.E.A.M.S.S. Dean Gary White.