Students past and present enjoyed a gourmet buffet and bar as they listened to remarks from faculty, students and others, including

Oberlin President Marvin Krislov, as part of the dedication for Mudd’s new Academic Commons on Friday, Sept. 28.

“My impression is that the Commons was received extremely well by the donors and alumni,” said Hispanic Studies Professor and Chair of the General Faculty Library Committee Sebastiaan Faber.

“The people I talked to loved the new, open look of the workstation area and the design and social purpose of the café. Most alumni have a special relationship with Mudd, and they like what we are doing to make sure that future students can also have such a relationship with the building,” he said.

Director of Libraries Ray English agreed: “Many members of the Alumni Council were at the dedication and the big reception afterward. The feedback that I got was all very enthusiastic.”

However, when asked how she liked the Academic Commons, Alicia Jacobs, OC ‘77, hesitated before saying, “It’s okay.” She explained that the on-campus café in her time was “more friendly and artsy.”

Both English and Faber spoke of plans for the future inspired by student suggestions.

Faber sees the Commons as “a space that could also serve for book presentations, open mic poetry readings and the like. There’s also the possibility of small ensembles playing in the café. As far as wall decoration is concerned, I understand that Ray [English] and Alan [Boyd, associate director of the library] are brainstorming about different art exhibit possibilities, either rotating or permanent.”

Faber would also like to work on the Commons’ operating hours, which he describes as “not ideal,” as well as its lighting and ambiance, and installing feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and suggestion boxes.

“There’s a lot that I’d like to see us do,” said English, “including additions to the café like plants and artwork, publicizing better what’s available and improving learning support services. We’ll be working on all of that and would welcome student input.”

He noted two student suggestions he’s already put into effect: the acquisition of more lounge furniture and a clock. Now students sipping lattés in Azariah’s will have no excuse for missing that pesky chemistry class.