In addition, a number of students say they have noticed changes in the variety of services as well as the open hours of this alleged campus hot spot.

Students cite the reduced hours, increased prices and scaled-back services as problems.

Of course, students aren't entirely displeased with the commons.

Rhodes, who says he studies in Loker Commons "morning 'til night," was overflowing with praise for the student center.

"There's a low roar of activity here...whereas in a library it's too quiet almost. [This atmosphere] keeps me awake if I'm studying something boring," he says.

But while students aren't entirely displeased with the commons--citing its convenient location, relaxed setting and decent food--a substantial portion of students in dozens of interviews say that the commons is broken, and an even more substantial portion believes it needs to be changed.

"If we can make it a true student center, then students will hang out there and the food will only complement the rest of the action, which would hopefully be enough to create an increase in food business," Coffey says.

Changes

The greatest concern Condenzio and others have about Loker Commons is not necessarily its debt, but rather its appeal to students and its function as a campus social center.

"Dining Services planned [for Loker Commons] a vibrant space that would have lots of activities. For example, more poetry readings, jazz bands in the coffee house, and more group meetings in the booths," Condenzio says.

The more recent implementation of "Happy Hours" at Loker, during which students perform for audiences in the coffee shop in evening hours, has been an attempt to not only raise Loker's revenues but also to promote the gathering of students there.

Meanwhile, the Loker Commons Advisory Committee--which includes four student members, one of whom is chosen by the Undergraduate Council--has been meeting once a month recently with Condenzio and other administrators to do just that.

Coffey, Vikaas S. Sohal '97, AnnElizabeth F. Stuart '97 and a soon-to-be-selected student serve as the student representatives on this committee, which has been active since the spring of 1995, according to Coffey.

Lewis says the committee is working to improve the commons.