Eight Easy Ways to Save Loker

When Loker Commons opened in January of last year, students flocked to it, excited by the thought of spending "free" Crimson Cash in a space congenial to hanging out. But this semester, the Commons' allure has faded, causing it to cut back on hours and employees while raising prices, and leaving us and the College wondering what should be done. In their most recent meeting, members of the Committee on College Life discussed possibilities for the future of Loker, and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III is in the process of forming an ad-hoc committee on the subject. We propose changing the nature of Loker from a meeting hall and study space to a real social center geared towards undergraduates by implementing the following changes:

* Alternative dining plans. Students should be able to use a dining hall meal credit for a $5 lunch or dinner in Loker. This cost-neutral measure would allow for greater flexibility while boosting Loker's business.

* Fast food. As in McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. If students are willing to go all the way to Porter and Central Squares for a Big Mac, they'll definitely be willing to trek to the bottom of Memorial Hall. Kill the overpriced Mexican and pizza places; keep the popular sweet shop (although extend its hours) and the coffee shop with its needed caffeine jolt.

* Lower prices. Hopefully, these measures will lead to lower prices. Paying more than three dollars for a turkey sandwich and more than a dollar for a slice of pizza is ridiculous. Most student centers draw in undergraduates because their prices are lower than stores in the immediate area.

* Cable television. Sure, it may corrupt some of the high-brow atmosphere, but it will provide a gathering place for students to watch Must-See TV, political debates and sporting events. The houses have television; why not Loker?

* More "subspaces." The study nooks along the wall are inevitably full. Divide the massive space into cozy, inviting rooms.

* Warmer lighting--forget fluorescent. The different colors are pretty and all, but they don't create a welcoming atmosphere.

* No light-emitting diode displays. As much as we love looking up the nostrils of Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 on the square light board, the pixels drive everyone mad and provide a scapegoat for all that ails Loker.

* Couches. Enough said.

With these changes, we believe that students would look to Loker when they wanted to relax and not merely when they wanted to meet a teaching fellow or a study group. We encourage Epps to form his adhoc committee as soon as possible and take steps to make sure that Loker does not slide into oblivion.