By Michael Chin
Though it may be a small step toward allievating the NU shuffle, the newly renovated Speare Hall basement, now called Speare Commons, is receiving praise from students and administrators.
“It will definitely eliminate the NU shuffle,”said Chris McKinney, a senior computer engineering technology major, who is on a technical co-op for ResLife. “Before, someone would go to 4 Speare Place or 6 Speare Place and actually needed to go to the other one.”
The newly-renovated Speare Hall basement combines ResNet, ResMail and ResLife into one central location, turning the empty basement into a one-stop service center for students.
The complex, also features an Internet cafe, a movie vending machine and the Husky Express service.
The style of the lobby, described by one student as a “nautical fish bowl look,” because of the circular windows, is what students said they notice first. But the new layout, administrators said, is designed for better service.
“The idea is one-stop student shopping,” said Bob Weir, the vice president forinformation services. “We’ve made a big investment to get ResNet where it is. We’re thrilled.”
The new setup also provides increased capacity for students’ computers as well as four training stations.
“It’s good for the students and it’s good for us because the space was designed specifically for ResNet,” said Dan Marini, a ResNet manager.
ResNet is not the only department getting a facelift. ResMail has also been improved because of the move to Speare.
“This place is better, it’s got more space,” said Nazar Bachun, a sophomore computer science major who works in the mail room. “We’re just a little understaffed right now.”
The old basement lobby was the site of events such as the housing lottery selection and even played host to parishoners from St. Ann’s for occasional church services when the parish was unavailable. As of now, it is not certain where the events like the housing lottery will be held in the future.
“We don’t know yet where we will hold it,” said Sherryl Bunnel, a housing coordinator for ResLife. “We should know by late fall.”
Instead of waiting in long lines for the housing lottery, students can instead enjoy the cafe which serves pastries, smoothies and Starbucks coffee and also features four Internet terminals. They can also rent movies or video games from a new vending machine.
The renovation is functional but not entirely complete. The reconstruction left at least one door improperly installed and one person with two adjacent doors leading into the same office.
“If there’s a fire he’ll be all set,” said McKinney, who shares his makeshift office with two other co-ops.
But despite these few minor problems, some students said they see the complex as a success.
“This is so cool. I can come down here and take care of everything,” said Jaclyn Digessere, a middler human services major. “I don’t know, maybe we could have spent the money on something else, but this is nice.”
