IMU extends hours for finals week

The Indiana Memorial Union announced last week that it will extend its hours of operation during finals week for anyone who wishes to use the Union's quiet rooms for studying. The Union administration made this change because of the arrival of finals week, a time when students like to leave their residences in search of a more quiet, serene place to study, said Loren Rullman, director of the IMU.\n"We've never done this before, but we talked to a few other unions in the Big Ten who extend their hours during finals and eventually decided to (extend hours) ourselves," Rullman said. "We don't know what kind of response we're going to get, but hopefully lots of people will take advantage of this service, and we can continue to do it in the spring and the future." \nThe Union Board initially came up with the idea. Students were enthusiastic about the extension of Union hours during finals week. \nFreshman Michael Buc said he goes to the IMU between classes to study.\n"It's much more convenient to my classes during the day than going back to my room, and I usually find that I can get more done while I'm there," he said.\nThe Union opened at 6 a.m. Sunday and will remain open until 2 a.m. Friday, offering an opportunity for students to take a break and study in the peace and quiet the building offers. \nFreshman David Ariel said the extra study space in the IMU will give students a chance to get away from the Herman B Wells Library, which is usually very crowded during finals weeks.\n"Normally, I go to the library to study. But knowing this, I'll probably go to the Union, because the library is always overcrowded," he said. \nSeveral study rooms have also extended their hours. Between Monday and Thursday, at least one study room will remain open from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m. each day. The Maple Room will be open Monday, the Dogwood Room Tuesday, the Oak Room Wednesday and the Walnut Room Thursday and Friday. The Walnut Room will remain open until 6 p.m. Friday. In addition to the study rooms, select restaurants will remain open at the food court until midnight each night through Thursday. Coffee will also be available to students in several locations throughout the Union.