Changes at Davis Library on April 29

Final exams can be a stressful time crammed with late nights and hours of studying. For some students at Carolina, exams week also means streaking at Davis Library on the first reading day. While it may seem like a care-free celebration, the event impedes the ability to study, jeopardizes the safety of students and staff and results in thousands of dollars of damage each year.

The Well spoke with Suchi Mohanty, interim director of access services, to talk about changes in University Libraries operations for reading day and exams.

Why is there a need to make these changes?

Every fall and spring semester on the first reading day, a group of students self-organize a streaking event in Davis Library. It’s meant to be a celebratory end to the semester, but unfortunately it causes numerous safety issues, property damage and a great deal of disruption to students who need to study. The event draws a massive crowd, including both students and non-students. Afterwards we find alcohol bottles, trash and damage to books, furniture and the interior of the building. We also see upwards of 1,500 people packing into a confined space, so it’s a major safety concern.

A lot of people might not know the impact these events have had on the library and the Carolina community. Can you talk about that?

It’s incredibly stressful for students and staff. Our late-night employees get to know the students all year and are deeply committed to fostering a positive and productive environment for them. During this streaking event, which is so crowded and chaotic, there is nothing they can do to mitigate damage to the library or to maintain that safe studying environment.

This impacts University housekeeping staff as well, who clean up the spills on multiple floors and the significant amount of trash left behind. And for our students, we hear every semester from some who resent the disruption and feel unsafe. Regular library business essentially has to shut down for a chaotic, unsanctioned event. Those who don’t want to participate feel like their only choice is to leave.

The impacts to the library are significant. Streakers have broken fire sprinklers and signs mounted on the ceiling and vandalized the walls and books. We have to pull staff from their regular duties to prepare the building, assess damage, help with the massive amount of cleaning and repair the building after the event. EMS is also on call in case of a medical emergency. The financial cost every year is thousands of dollars.

What will be different on April 29?

Students will notice the following changes on April 29:

• The 7th and 8th floors of Davis Library will close at 10 p.m. Students studying on those floors will be asked to move to other parts of the building, and the study rooms on those floors won’t be available past 10 p.m. Dedicated personnel will be on hand to direct students to open areas and ensure everyone’s safety.
• Everyone will also need their One Card to enter the building beginning at 10 p.m. on April 29 and throughout exams.

What is the goal of making these changes?

We know exams are a stressful time for students. We have heard the clear message that students want and need a safe, secure space to study, especially during finals. Our goal every day is to foster a welcoming environment for students to be able to focus, and that’s what these changes are about.