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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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New study lounges to open in Marvin Center by November

Construction is nearly complete for the eight new meeting rooms and two study lounges in the Marvin Center lower level, which are slated to open for student use by the end of October. 


The renovations, which began in August, will add about 75 seats to the space previously occupied by FedEx Kinkos, GW Ticketmaster and more recently a computer lab. The efforts are part of the University’s long-term plan to address the campus’ space crunch and expand student services in the Marvin Center.

“We want to make sure we use every nook and cranny of this space,” Michael Peller, assistant vice president of events and venues, said, adding that the space can be used for general purposes like studying and holding meetings rather than hosting events.

“I don’t see this as being student organization space.  It’s for everybody,” Peller, said, pointing to the many other rooms in the Marvin Center where students can host speakers or conferences.

Students will be able to book the meeting rooms, which hold between four and 12 students each, for two hours at a time using an online reservation system like that used by Gelman Library.

The smallest meeting room seats four students and is about twice the size of a Gelman study room. The two study lounges will seat about two dozen students and will not be available for reservation.

“Students will manage the resources among themselves,” Peller said. “They get it.”

After several consultations with an interior designer, the Marvin Center team chose bright blues and greens to accent the walls, and selected modern furniture that is both comfortable and durable, Peller said.

The specific design is largely a result of feedback from students.

Dylan Pyne, a senior and chair of the Marvin Center Governing Board, worked closely with the building’s managing director David Synan during the design process.

Pyne said student organizations wanted meeting rooms smaller than those on the third and fourth floors of the building, and believes the lower level will suit student groups’ needs.
This article was updated on Oct. 16, 2011 to reflect the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly spelled David Synan’s name.

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