by Maddie Doucet
Staff Photographer
The rumor that the Student Government Association had taken a student’s shoes while sleeping on the big couch in the Lion’s Den was nothing more than a misunderstanding, according to Freshman Class Senator Peter Boyajian.
“Someone else took his shoes, and while they were gone we left him a note saying we didn’t want people sleeping on the couch any more – you know, we didn’t want to wake him up,” said Boyajian. “But then, when his shoes were returned, there was the note right beside them.”
The short-lived rumor raised questions in students’ minds about the “no sleeping” rule for the big couch.
Some have been told by other students that the SGA has made a new rule, prohibiting sleeping in the Lion’s Den and the Game Room. Several students have been asked individually by a member of the SGA not to sleep on the big couch.
“Last I checked, any one member of the SGA has no authority,” said junior Peter Fastenau.
Collectively, the SGA does have jurisdiction over the Lion’s Den and the Game Room, according to junior Tori Stewart, current student body vice president.
Stewart said the issue was not just people napping on the couch, but the inconvenience it causes for other students. She said it can be frustrating when one person occupies the couch for several hours while other students would enjoy being able to use it.
“When we talked to the Office of Student Life, they said it was up to us to handle this situation. They can step in if they have to, but they’d prefer not to. When we discussed it in the Senate, we basically said we’re not going to put a hard and fast rule down. We just want to make sure people are considerate of others.”
Dean of Students Bruce Morgan said he doesn’t see it as a “big issue.” Morgan said he received an email from a member of the SGA requesting that a rule be made to prevent students from sleeping in the Lion’s Den or the Game Room. Morgan instead recommended the SGA approach students individually about the situation.
“I think there ought to be an announcement if they want to make it a rule,” said sophomore T.J. Wilson. “[The SGA’s] reasoning is that people would feel singled out by an announcement or a sign, but that seems kind of backwards. I think people feel singled out if they get singled out and asked not to sleep on the couch.”
Wilson added, “It’s not really something to get upset about,” saying that he doesn’t care what the SGA decides to do, but would like to see clarity and consistency in the situation.
“We don’t want to make a big book of rules,” said Stewart. “We just want everyone to be considerate of others.”