The New Hotel Room: Are Truman Students Sleeping in the Library?

Photo courtesy of A. Ali/Truman student sleeps in Ray Cosgrove Library 

I met Ahmed Hassan on my way to the Ray Cosgrove library in the evening on March 3. After greetings, he asked me where I was heading to and I told him I was going to the library.

“Are you not afraid to fall asleep?” He asked.

As a student journalist, this raised my curiosity. “No. I’m not afraid unless I can’t avoid.” I, half-jokingly, said.

As we departed our ways, I raced my pace and went straight to the library. There and then, I began to find out any likely evidence of students sleeping in the library’s study lounge.

Armed with a digital camera, I took pictures of students who were completely asleep while avoiding those who were half-awake because of fear to create a scene of some sort.

Truman student sleeps briefly in the library. 4:30 p.m. /Photo by A. Ali 

Interestingly, on a Thursday when the library usually has fewer visitors, I caught three students, on camera, in less than an hour.

Afterward, I carried out some background research to find out if this problem is particular to Truman or if it’s a nationwide crisis that needs to be addressed. I learned that sleeping in the library is a national issue. It has probably happened in Georgia Tech, Temple University, New York University, University of California Berkeley, among others. Please check out this link: http://asianssleepinginthelibrary.tumblr.com/

The reasons why students sleep in the library are many. Some students could be preparing for various exams, including the midterms, this week. Some, for sure, juggle work or family with college and thus could not get enough sleep at home. It could also be true that some of them pulled an all-nighter and that out of a necessity they had to take a nap in the library.

Truman student takes a nap at the library at 4:45 p.m.  Photo by A. Ali

Whatever the reason may be, for me, this was an interesting discovery and one that had earned them an honorable publication on my blog. So it’s a real deal done.

I hope this will not deprive anyone to sleep in the library in future. However, Uptown Exchange’s ‘paparazzi-style’ student journalists will continue to be on top of the game throughout the semester.

Tips: Navigating Chicago's Icy Sidewalks

On my every day commute to school, I make two choices. Either, take Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus from a stop right before my apartment to the nearest train station or walk three blocks and hop on the Red Line.

I have always liked the latter option, rain or shine. However, this morning was different. I slipped off twice and almost fell each time. Then I realized that it will be a better idea to ride the bus instead of walking to the train stop and risk falling again. In short, never before did I fear for my personal safety like I did today.

Overnight light snow showers left a dust of ice on the sidewalks making everyone’s commute difficult.

Similarly, when I got off the train at Truman, I headed east on Wilson to get myself a regular cup of latte from the Dunkin Donut across Broadway street. Shockingly, I saw a Truman female student trip and fall just three steps from CTA bus 78 at Broadway-Wilson intersection. She barely survived being ran over.

My Linh Tran, Head of Registrar’s Department, said, “It’s a lot of slippery outside, this morning.” As a result of the slickly street conditions, commuters have to walk slowly even when this means taking longer time to get to one’s destination.

Icy sidewalks pose a challenge to personal safety and to public mobility. Please check out the link below on how to navigate icy sidewalks:

 http://www.ehow.com/how_7322587_walk-icy-sidewalks.html