One month ago, library staff claimed that roughly 20 percent of senior thesis carrels had gone unused by the thesis writers they were assigned to.
Library staff sent out e-mails telling those students to turn over their carrel keys. So far they say that all that they’ve received is empty promises.
“[Since The Argus first reported on the carrels] a lot of people have come in to ask about the situation,” said Maura Scully ’08, an Olin Library worker. “We also got a lot of e-mails explaining and giving excuses, but no one has handed in their keys at this point. There’s been no change.”
There are currently 47 senior thesis writers remaining on a waiting list for a carrel.
In the tally conducted several weeks after carrels were assigned, library staff said that one of every five carrels showed no sign of serious use.
Though some thesis writers have asserted that they use their carrels but don’t decorate them, the library staff remain skeptical, citing the lottery system that can drive up competitive passions.
“It’s almost like a right,” said Library Assistant Jessie Steele. “They feel like they won this carrel and they don’t want to give it up.”
Ultimately, however, the library can assert little authority over the carrel situation.
“We could change the locks, but we’re not going to do that,” Steele told The Argus. “Do you believe someone who tells you that they’re using it even though the carrel’s empty, or do you pursue it further?”
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