RIVERSIDE (March 7, 2013) - California Baptist University has announced extended hours for three additional on-campus facilities to accommodate student needs.

The extended hours are an administrative response to a student petition that garnered 300 signatures to extend library hours and to increase availability of classrooms for study groups.

"I actually wrote (the letter) late at night after being escorted out of one of the buildings by public safety," said Brittany Mammano, a junior biology major. "I was frustrated because I was only trying to study, and I had no place to go on campus, as all the main buildings are locked up at night. I realized that it probably is this way because the administration is not aware that there is a student need for more study locations on campus."

 Mammano said she gathered the signatures as students studied for finals last December.

 "I was able to obtain over 250 student signatures and 15 CBU faculty signatures in 48 hours," she explained. Mammano met with Kent Dacus, vice president for enrollment and student services, in early January.

The Alumni Dining Commons (ADC) and Building 36A and 36B will be open for student study groups beginning March 18 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday through Thursday. In addition, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) has extended its hours to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with tutoring available until 8 p.m. The ARC will close at 5 p.m. on Friday.

 

"I sincerely appreciate all of the departments on campus who were willing to address these concerns and being proactive in finding solutions for our students," Dacus said. "I give credit to Brittany and others students I worked with for bringing this to our attention and, for the wonderful and professional way in which they dealt with the Administration. It was a pleasure to work with them and to find real solutions for them."

 The Annie Gabriel Library extended its hours of operation on Feb. 25. It is now open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. During finals week, April 24-30, the library will remain open 24 hours a day.

 "The administration actually addressed all aspects of my letter," Mammano said. "I think that is one of the great things about California Baptist University. I was able to speak with administration and actually get somewhere!"