A new game room that will include billiards, air hockey, board games, card games and an Xbox will open in Letts Formal Lounge Wednesday.
A release party is planned on opening day, featuring free pizza, drinks and a contest to name the room.
"This is a testing year for the game room," explains Amber Lange, resident director of Letts Hall. "If there is enough popular demand, the hours of the game room can be changed or extended, and student groups could possibly rent out the game room."
The new room will also include an assortment of arcade games that will be provided by Weiner Distributing Co. It will be open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. All students are allowed to play the games, but they must swipe in. Games will be free, except arcade games.
The offices of Housing and Dining and Campus Life will fund the new game room in response to student demand for one last year.
"I think a game room would build a bigger sense of community, which AU is obviously lacking," said Rebecca Burtman, a junior in the School of Public Affairs.
Some students have expressed concerns with the opening of the game room.
"We're losing another good room for meetings," said Amanda Kyed, a junior in the School of Communication.
Junior Alex Jordan had other concerns.
"I'm not looking forward to all the people wandering in drunk on the weekends," Jordan said.
Questions of security were raised. Vandalism is always a concern, Lange said, but the room will be staffed in addition to Weiner Distributing Co. guaranteeing 24-hour fixing.
