As a tour guide, the most frequently asked questions sophomore Shannon Eckerle receives are, "What is there to do on campus? What are the social activities?"
"I never know what to say," Eckerle said. But now, she said she can respond that Foster Quad is opening a new place at 8:30 p.m., Friday near the Gresham Food Court.
What was once an empty space opposite the food court has been transformed into a "social space" -- a place where any student on campus, no matter the residence hall, can go to meet new people, hang out, play pool and dine.
"It's not just a 'Foster' space, it's for all residence halls," said junior Meg Palm, Residence Halls Association vice president of programming. "It just happens to be in Foster because the space wasn't being used," said Palm, who is also the facility director of the new social space.
After gutting the vacant room, new furniture, a stage, all new sound equipment, three big screen TVs, and nine arcade games were installed. In addition, pingpong, foosball and dining tables were put in the space.
After gutting the vacant room, new furniture, a stage, all new sound equipment, three big screen TVs, and nine arcade games were installed. In addition, pingpong, foosball and dining tables were put in the space.
Eckerle said that she doesn't know how popular the space will be, but she thinks it is interesting and is another option for socializing.
"I wouldn't use it frequently," she said. "I would go down with people I knew and use it as another lounge."
Some students are not sure if they'll use the space because of the location in the Northwest neighborhood.
"I would maybe go, but it is so far across campus, I would be more likely to go if it was around here," said freshman Kelsey Blotzer, who lives in Forest in the Southeast neighborhood. "It's a really good idea, it is better than nothing, I couldn't think of something better to put there."
