Hodges Library extends hours with spring football proceeds

The SGA Student Senate’s latest meeting reviewed new changes to Hodges Library hours, as well as a possible transition to a new academic database.

“We have heard your voice,” Rita Smith, associate dean of the library, said. “Student voices were heard in a constructive way to bring about change.”

The senate’s agenda included passing resolution 01-10, proposed by Drew Webb, senior in political science, in support of the library hour extension.

Hodges Library’s new hours of operation start Nov.1. The library will open Sunday through Friday until 3 a.m. and will be on a 24-hour schedule during study days and exams.

Smith said she believes the extra three hours of operation for the library will make a huge difference in allowing students to study alone or in groups.

The funds needed to keep the library open for an extended time came from the donated proceeds of the Orange and White football game, approximately $75,000.

The cost of the extended library hours is around $10,000, and the remaining $65,000 will be allocated for additional furnishings to meet students’ needs.

Although the money used to keep the library open was from a one-time donation, the library pledged to make the hours change permanent.

“We have decided this (extension of hours) needs to be a permanent change, and we are looking for ways to find funds to allocate for the future,” Smith said.

Student concerns regarding electronics and equipment were also addressed because the money will come from student technology fees. Express printing stations, as well as equipment for group study rooms, for Hodges Library and branch libraries will be needed.

The university, like many, faced budget cuts and restraints, but Smith said the university “realizes the importance of the library for students and really does look out for their needs.”

Senate Chair Sarah Patterson, senior in English, made note of senate seat openings for Massey Hall and Humes Hall, the College of Social Work and the commuter seat.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply and fill the currently vacant seats.

SGA President Laura Nishida said students can expect to see a new 15- to 20-question survey that will better help meet their needs.

“We really want to expand on student needs and get feedback,” Nishida said.

The senate discussed implementing a new electronic database, Open Access, to make research more cohesive and budget savvy for UT.

“Open Access would cost less, make it easier to find journals, and the saved money could be spent elsewhere,” Peter Fernandez, agricultural sciences and natural resources librarian, said.

Nishida said Open Access is an “integral movement to fight back expensive costs of published work.”

SGA Senate meetings are open to the public, and meeting dates can be viewed on the Tennessee Today calendar.