Pitt-Johnstown Owen Library hours took an unprecedented reduction, from the previous school year’s midnight closing, to 10:30 p.m.

Though Pitt-Johnstown is Pitt’s largest regional campus, it beats only Titusville and Bradford with longer total weekly library hours.

Pitt-Titusville is also the only campus with an earlier weekday-closing hour than UPJ.

Owen Library Director Dobrah Rinderknecht said she could not comment on this matter unless given permission by Pitt-Oakland’s Communications and Diversity Coordinator Crystal McCormick Ware.

The Student Government Student Affairs and Campus Development Chair Stephen Torquato Jr. said that, the “the committee is working on extending hours back to their original times.

“We have been in contact with the proper people to try to alleviate this problem.”

The hours cut was a decision made by Pitt-Oakland officials who, according to Student Government President Cliff Maloney, controls Owen Library operations.

Maloney also said student senate members aren’t happy with the hours cut.

He said the student senators are exploring options to extend a 24/5 study lab to also include stronger weekend hours.

Senators are pushing for a study place, to use computers and print during weekends, Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“The university has agreed to publicize both the Owen Library hours and the Blackington Lab hours once they are finalized,” he said. “This will clear up any confusion with both Blackington and Owen Library hours.”