I do an unnatural combination of speed walking and running up the stairs to the Math & Physics Library (located in Hill Center on Busch). My math exam is a mere few hours away from leading to my demise and I need to arm myself with last-minute reviewing. I reach the entrance only to find it barricaded by doors: Closed. The time: 5:03 pm. Frustration and disappointment course through my veins as I turn around with my head lowered, the frantic energy lost. Ok. So, I could have studied in my dorm, or I could have gone to the sometimes loud, mostly full, Busch Student Center. But neither options were convenient to me and I doubt that I, a college student, am alone in this sentiment. Shouldn’t college libraries exist to cater to students’ conveniences? Most Rutgers libraries bolt the doors by either 5 pm or 8 pm with the exception of the Carr Library (located on Livingston) and the Alexander Library (located on College Ave)— who thankfully extend their invitation to midnight. However, it is not beneficial to residents of Busch and Cook/Douglass. I can attest that Rutgers students will appreciate more flexible opening and closing hours of libraries. It would be a different story if the restriction on library hours laid on valid reasoning.
I recall rousing half-lidded and disoriented at 8:25 am on a dreary Wednesday morning, 35 minutes prior to my first in-person lecture (among four that I attended that day). Hunger hit me with full force as I readied myself, but my options to assuage it were limited: trudge to Brower Commons to meal swipe a paltry grab-and-go breakfast, eat it, and reach the Rutgers Academic Building on time, or starve until 10:20 am. My dilemma would have been non-existent if Cafe West (located in the West Rutgers Academic Building) opened before 9 am. I could have walked to the academic building and gotten a bagel sans worry about arriving late to the lecture— what a dream. Furthermore, dining halls and cafes should extend their closing hours beyond 8 pm. I personally have early dinners, but I know that many don’t; for some, it is a preference and for others, work is an inhibiting factor. We should be able to use the dining halls at our leisure considering that many restaurants on campus don’t accept meal swipes. The restaurants that do, such as Harvest and Henry’s Diner, are closed for the Fall 2021 semester. However, it is commendable that Neilson and Busch dining halls offer take-out options; many would find it even more beneficial if the other dining halls implemented such options. Overall, Rutgers should consider compensating for the limited dine-in options with accommodating dining hall hours.