Caption: The MK community is planning to utilize the remaining space on the 7th floor to improve overcrowding and students' convenience.
Photo Credits: https://masonkorea.gmu.edu
In the spring semester of 2023, many new faculty members joined the Mason Korea (MK) community. However, the offices of new faculty members are located on the seventh floor. Yet, the remaining spaces on the seventh floor are not being utilized. Also, the growing number of freshmen this semester has created overcrowding problems in student facilities. To learn more about students’ requests for additional study spaces, the Voice of Mason Korea conducted a survey for the student body and interviewed the Student Government. Furthermore, there was a meeting with Dean Shannon Davis, Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs, to discuss the overall plans for facility construction on the fourth floor.
Based on the responses of 50 students who participated in the survey, 52.8% of them replied that they wanted a quiet and designated space for study, which was slightly higher than their opinion about a space for social and group activities. As for questions about the demand for facilities needed for the convenience of students, 33.3% of the respondents said they needed more space to study with their friends, followed by 27.8% who emphasized the need for the student club room. In addition, 22.2% of the respondents said they would like a lounge for their specific major. The Student Government also shared their opinions on how to utilize the remaining space on the 7th floor and how the 4th floor could be used for the students in the future. Through this interview, the following details were derived.
They expressed concerns regarding opening spaces for students since there are offices for new professors on the seventh floor. If space for academic purposes is created for students, it may be disturbing to faculty, and it will also be difficult for students to freely enjoy this space. In addition, it may be less accessible because it is located on a high floor.
In terms of the newly renovated Student Lounge on the fourth floor, they noted that there were problems caused by the high utilization rate such as uncleaned trash and disorganized board games have occurred. In response, there was a temporary shutdown of the Student Lounge on March 22, warning that it would be closed for a longer period if these problems continued. They concluded that students should be mindful of the cleanliness and responsibility issues when using school facilities.
To fix the noise problem or accessibility of students mentioned earlier, the student council is planning to divide the floors according to the purpose. The first to third floors will be divided into classrooms as of now, and the fourth floor will be further specialized as a space for students. The Office of Admissions and Enrollment, on the fourth floor, will move upstairs and the remaining space could be used for students. This will not only increase accessibility for students but designate the fourth floor to create a space for students. Therefore, it would be appropriate to use most of the 4th floor for students under the coordination of University Life and the 5th to 7th floors as spaces for faculty members.
Based on the survey data and interviews, The Voice of Mason Korea had a meeting with Dr. Shannon Davis, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, to find out more about the current plans regarding the future construction of the school building. She acknowledged the request from students for the necessity of creating spaces for specific degree programs based on each major. Dean Davis emphasized the need for equal space for each major for equity reasons. With the changes in the location of offices that will soon be carried out, there will be space available on the 4th floor that could be used for students in the long term. She added that construction is planned to occur during the summer vacation and hopes that the facility developments will be helpful for students in the Fall semester.
The interview with the StudentGovernment covered several questions related to the creation of a new facility for students on the 4th floor. The interview revealed that the council has plans to specialize the fourth floor as a student space. Furthermore, based on the meeting with Dean Davis, there are different plans along the way that will greatly enhance the learning environment in the future. In this sense, it is important for the leadership, faculty, and students to effectively communicate and cooperate to create a satisfying school for all.
Written by Suemin Jeong| Staff Writer
Revised by Soram Hong|Managing Editor
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