Recently the Macalester Student Government (MCSG) took a survey of the student body to get student input about the possible student game room in the basement of the Campus Center. According to MCSG President Haris Aqeel '04, "Over the fall last year, MCSG was approached by students who were concerned that students did not have a space they could call their own: a space by and for students."

MCSG then surveyed the student body to ascertain how many students were in favor of a student lounge space. The results were strong. "About 90 percent of students wanted or strongly wanted such a space," Aqeel said. Brian Wagner, Director of the Campus Center, informed MCSG that there was a space in the Campus Center that could be used for a lounge space. The space is currently being used for storage and is located between the Highlander and the cubbies on the lower level.

With assistance from the Development Office, MCSG has already determined a fundraising plan and identified 10 major donors who may be interested in funding the space. Currently MCSG is in the process of determining an estimate for the cost of the lounge.

This is where the student surveys played a crucial role. The survey's goal was to identify what sort of things students were looking for in the lounge. MCSG recently compiled the results of the survey. Some of the most popular requests for the lounge were pool and ping pong tables, a TV and DVD player, a coffee bar, murals on the walls, couches and a bar.

With the exception of the bar, all of these options are feasible. "It is a very difficult and long process to get a liquor license. And only about two-fifths of our students are even eligible to take advantage of alcohol for most of the school year. We would have to completely change how we organize the lounge, or just have 21 and older nights," Dean of Students Laurie Hamre said. Despite the fact that 74 percent of students want a bar, Aqeel is also pessimistic. "We think it is a conversation that needs to happen with the administration and between students as well. It is important to note that even if Dean Hamre says that we can have alcohol in the space, getting a liquor license alone will take years." He also stressed that this does not mean that the topic will be dropped or that having a bar in the lounge is not a future possibility.

There were a few other ideas for the lounge that will probably not make the cut. Some of these were a confessional room like on MTV's Real World, a champagne room, a communal pet, like a frog or hamster and skee ball.

MCSG also questioned students on what kind of atmosphere they wanted in the lounge. The majority of the student body said they wanted a space equip with couches, coffee tables and lamps. Although not very specific, it was obvious that students want a comfortable space that is "arty and earthy" instead of being "sterile and formal."

MCSG is hoping that the lounge will be up and running by the fall of 2003. "We're keeping our fingers crossed though," Aqeel said, "it's a lot of work and we are students after all." MCSG is doing everything possible to have the room ready by the fall, but they concede that it may be spring before the room is ready.