In anticipation of plans to close parts of Mossey Library for construction, the Knorr Family Dining Room has opened its doors for study after 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

During these times, students can enter through the doors at the foot of the central staircase. Metz staff will allow free passage throughout the large space downstairs, popularly known as “Saga,” excluding the cafeteria and the reserved space behind the glass doors.

“I just think the less amount of people you can have everywhere, the better,” said freshman Jonathan Dyce.

With many spaces on campus filling up quickly, some students like freshman Elle Ritchey have found it hard to find a space for effective study.

“If I wanted to study with people and also get work done, I would go to Saga,” said Ritchey. 

Ritchey said she loves the idea of using the round table for group study and the long tables and booths for spread out study with plenty of room.

“Studying in Saga is great for eating and studying in the same period of time,” freshman Pia Chappello said. 

She said she would like to combine her study session and dinner into one space, by eating, cleaning up after herself, and using her same spot to study.

“The union needs more space because the space around AJ’s is almost always packed,” senior Matt Byrne said.

According to Metz Operation Manager Tammy Cole, the college expects to remodel parts of the library soon. Because of this, Hillsdale administrators have asked the Metz staff to open the space earlier this school year for an easy transition to a life on campus without full access to the library.

Cole said after the library construction ends, the space will continue to stay open if students use and enjoy the space.

She said all students should clean up after studying so the space is ready for breakfast the next morning.

“When our morning crew comes in and they see clutter all over the floor and on the tables, they instantly know someone didn’t do their job,” Cole said.

Ritchey said she knows that studying in Saga comes with many downsides. Saga will be far away from printers, chargers, and important books for research, she said. The environment will be echoing with AJ’s order numbers and ping-pong ball bounces from upstairs without a division between heaven, purgatory, and hell. 

Ritchey said she never studies with headphones and prefers not to read in noisy and talkative locations. 

“I think Saga would be a great place for math homework,” Ritchey said.

As finals approach, Cole encourages students to study in Saga when they can.

“Hopefully the students can get adapted to this and have the ability to use more space,” Cole said.