While some  students questioned whether the Blackington Hall computer lab is open 24 hours, others expressed a need to allow students to stay in Blackington’s lobby after midnight on weekdays.

Chief of Staff Chris Stumpf said the lab is open 24 hours on weekdays.

“It (the computer lab) is 24-hour, as far as I know, from Sunday evening through Friday evening,” said Stumpf.  “There’s a student staff that controls the lab when it’s open.  There’s always a staff member there.”

Katherine Bregman, who works at the Information Technology center, provided a specific schedule.

The lab is open continuously from 4 p.m. Sunday to 5 p.m. Friday.  It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Student David Romani said he had been kicked out of Blackington Hall’s second floor lobby when reviewing for exams.

“I’ll come up here maybe three or four times a week to study, after the library and for some reason. The Campus Police kicked us out.  This happened, I think it was on a Monday, and this happened again on Sunday.”

Romani said he did not have these problems last year.

“I have been working up here last year and this year. Not only using computer labs, but also using the desk out in the lobby upstairs and never had an issue.”

Usually you sit there if you have an exam or something. And (a Campus Police officer) came and kicked two of my friends and I out for studying for the exams.”

Bregman said the Campus Police got involved in the issue for safety.

“They just go around.  It is a safety regard. They just make sure that people are not around here, (because of the) many thousands of dollars of computers and software.”

“I feel bad that the students are inconvenienced, but it’s a safety concern,” said Bregman.

Romani said the rules need to be changed.

“So, obviously you like to leave a space to get some work done if you don’t want to be in your room and it is after 11. So the way I think is, ‘Why not have the whole upstairs open if there’s an open computer lab.  I think we should go backto change the rules.”