ASUO is sponsoring 24-hour science library access during week 10 and finals week for a second term.
ASUO’s main goals for this year were to advocate for student services after University of Oregon’s $29.2 million in budget cuts over the summer. ASUO President Prissila Moreno and the Student Power campaign started a 24-hour library pilot program during fall, allowing all-day access to the Allan Price Science Commons and Research Library.
After meeting with library staff and receiving funding from the ASUO senate, the pilot program succeeded.
According to ASUO’s Director of Student Engagement Cash Kowalski, reports showed ASUO that during those two weeks, students used the library an additional 12,420 hours, and they received almost 1,000 responses on their feedback survey about how impactful the program was.
“Building from the fall, we wanted to make this term’s 24-hour pilot program even better,” Kowalski said. “We have added a quiet zone, expanded snack options and worked even harder to get the word out to students.”
This week, the library has already seen double the number of students compared to last term.
Lilly Harhay, a human physiology major, said she used the longer access during fall finals week and plans to use it again this term.
“It has allowed me to feel extra prepared for my exams as I do my best studying in a third space separate from my living room and bedroom,” Harhay said.
While talking about the library resource, she said she wished that this was not only a finals week opportunity.
“I think that it would do me a lot of good if the libraries were open for extended hours year-round,” Harhay said. “I know my friends from other universities have libraries that are open until 2 a.m., and I feel having that option would be beneficial for me and a majority of my peers.”
ASUO will continue to provide free energy drinks and snacks to students Monday through Friday of week 10, starting at 9 p.m. while supplies last.
“We hope to see even more students use the library so we can show University of Oregon administrators just how important library access services are to students’ success in classes,” Kowalski said.
