We’ve all heard it before: “JMU has so much to offer, what do I choose?” Endless clubs, groups, teams, and organizations beck and call to every and any desire, interest, or pursuit. But what about something that has fewer chooses? No, I’m not talking about our third nationally ranked dining halls (I don’t know how to quit you, D-hall); I’m talking about why we’re really here…academics. (Can you see where I’m going with this?) Chances are you’ve had this debate before: Carrier or ECL?
As a university divided by an interstate, the JMU population can really see how the campus separates and is categorized. Taking CHEM 131? East campus. GWRTC 103? See ya on the quad! Our majors and activities define where on campus we spend most of our time and which library we go to. One of the interesting things is just how loyal we are to the library we prefer. When asked about their preference, different students gave their own unique reasons why they may love a particular library:
“ECL because it’s newer and has more study lounges for groups” –Cameron Lindsey, sophomore
“Carrier. First off, it’s tradition- Carrier has been around lounger, I LOVE the third floor, and it’s so much closer to my classes. ECL is for the weekends” –Jackie Hedeman, senior
“Carrier! 3rd floor stacks all the way. ECL is too far. Also, Starbucks…Carrier has a Starbucks” –Christina Georgia, sophomore
“ECL because I like it’s modern look, the windows being on every level in an almost 360 degree view is great, more computers to use, I’ve been used to older libraries such as Carrier and am not a big fan of them. I like the atmosphere and never feel cramped in the ECL. Other than that I also enjoy that ECL is close to my two favorite dinning places: Festival and E-Hall” –Henri Yount, junior
“I’m a club Carrier person because I always went there as a freshman and I love the more personable feel. I always see my friends there and I never have a problem finding a spot. I’ll even trek from HHS to Carrier” –Dan Feldman, senior
Now, it may seem arbitrary to pick a side in this sort of debate, but for some students, loyalties were formed from the first day of classes’ freshman year or all-night during finals. Events like the ECL rave during winter finals in 2010 and myths of hooking up in the stacks of Carrier seem to define these two places. Perhaps they are what makes them great and why we love to pick a side. So, JMU… which side, are you on?