The Fast Track to Recovery

In response to the decline in use, HDS and the Administration have taken several steps to revitalize Loker, including the hiring of consultant Kathleen I. Kouril '82, a former Crimson editor and adviser to HRTV, by Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III.

According to Epps, who is overseeing efforts to improve Loker, Kouril was hired this year to "help improve students' satisfaction with Loker."

The Loker Advisory Committee--composed of six student representatives, Epps, Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 and Dean of Freshmen Elizabeth S. Nathans--has been a driving force in making recommendations for possible changes to Loker.

In further efforts to revamp Loker, the Administration sent a survey to all undergraduates for suggestions, installed a new eatery called Fast Track to replace the former sweet shop and added a 33" TV and couches.

The new Fast Track--one of the implemented changes--offers a combination of the best-selling items of the other three food vendors.

"Fast Track is a good idea," said Rudd W. Coffey '97, who served as a member of the advisory committee. "It is a self-contained unit that allows Loker to run on a skeleton crew."

Fast Track was not the only new feature at Loker. Earlier in the year, Harvard officials replaced the newsstand and vending machines in Loker with a flower shop and book exchange in response to student feedback. However, these offerings were deemed unsuccessful and were relocated by the TV lounge.

As a cost-saving measure, the University also scaled back the hours of Loker Commons restaurants, which, consequently, only remained open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed even earlier on Friday, at 7 p.m. In addition, none of the eateries stayed open on weekends. The entire Loker complex closed this year at 12:30 a.m., instead of staying open past 1 a.m. as it did last year.

The change in operating hours was particularly upsetting to some students, who last year had called for an extension of hours--not a reduction.

"There aren't many places in Cambridge to get food after 11 p.m.," said Hiromi Maeda, a second-year graduate student. "That's too bad."

Most recently, the Administration acceded to the wishes of students and installed a large-screen TV and couches in Loker--a move first proposed by Coffey last year. Coffey said he believes the TV and couches will help lure students to Loker.

The estimated cost of the TV and couches was anticipated at less than $8,000, according to administrators.

Amid its financial and logistical woes, questions have also been raised about how well Loker meets the campus' need for a student center.

Some students had complained that Loker has functioned more as a study hall than as the active, vibrant student center it promised to be.