Hunt Library will not close its doors during the last week of classes this semester. Normally, Hunt is open 24 hours a day only during finals week, but this semester, an extension of hours will help late night studiers get through cram sessions without falling asleep. The library will stay open all night in the week before finals to assist students with projects and papers due before exams.

In the past, HSS and TSB students with projects and papers due before exams have complained about the library hours In hopes of assisting all students, Hunt will be open starting Sunday, April 24 from 10am until regular closing time on Friday, April 29. The library will then close, to prepare for exam week, when the library will once again be open 24 hours a day, starting Sunday, May 1.

According to Josh Yearsley, Chair of Senate's Academic Affairs Committee, this has been a building problem known by the University Library Administration, but the funds were never available to keep the library functioning at all hours. Security, cleaning services, and other staff members are needed to keep the library running. Yearsley said the turning point for this semester was the inclusion of the office of Student Affairs in the funding.

"It was … a building, common problem, but one that [Student Senate] haven't always been able to address, and … the window opened up with the Office of Student Affairs getting involved, as well as an open mind from the Library Administration," said Yearsley.

Katie Cooper, an MCS senior and a member of the Academic Affairs Committee met with Erika Linke of the University Libraries Administration to extend the library hours. The program required funding from Student Senate, which was approved on March 17. Student Senate approved a one-time donation of $1000.

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