Inefficient Richter

Rob Greenberg
Rob Greenberg

Rob Greenberg

 

There are a select group of universally accepted ideas that we are taught as children: Drink milk to become strong. Do not cross the street without looking both ways. The library is the perfect, quiet area to read or study. Without keeping these essential maxims in mind, we would all certainly not have made it to the position of attending this fine university.

However, I have some disheartening news to report. One of the aforementioned ideals is broken on a daily basis here at our library. While I am not an expert on all Richter policies, I do know that the second floor is intended to be for those interested in studying in silence. Given this, I am baffled by the lack of computers on the second level as well as the lack of respect for the rule in place.

I am assuming that more than fifty percent of students completing real work on a computer are looking for a quiet atmosphere. Given this, how does our library have less than ten computers on the quiet level and over one hundred on the main level?

Determining the most efficient split may require further research but it is certainly not acceptable the way it is now. Given the current situation, immediate attention needs to be given to malfunctioning desktops on the second level. I have seen times when three computers were out of order, leaving a whopping six computers for the rest of the students to battle for.

The situation is more distressing to commuter students. After making the effort to visit the library, there is not a quiet place for them to use a computer.

Unfortunately, adding more computers to the second level will only be useful if people stop having group meetings or cell phone conversations there. Assuming one can locate a computer, they will most likely be interrupted while attempting to work on the quiet level by distracting noise.

Most people will argue that rather than complain about the current situation, students should bring their laptop to the quiet level. Unfortunately, not all students have laptops. Perhaps most importantly, the majority of students grew up with desktops and are far more comfortable writing a paper or researching on the web using a regular keyboard and mouse.

Although we consider ourselves mature college students, the only way to solve this problem seems to be instituting officials to monitor the noise and reprimand violating students accordingly. It sure seems like a childish idea for a college campus. Let me ask you what sounds more ridiculous: A noisy, quiet level of a library or sound police observing diligent college students?