A new study area in Winton-Scott Hall was added over the summer, coming to the surprise of many students.

Just inside the west “science” entrance, the building, built in 1949, was gutted to create space for two study rooms and a community-style study lounge.

“Winton-Scott is one of the older buildings on campus so it was due for some updating,” senior psychology major Kiely Alfieri said. “There are a lot of great things happening in the research labs, so I think it was time for the facilities to catch up.”

Sophomore criminal justice major Sadie Scott Martinson welcomed the change to Winton-Scott Hall and took advantage of the space between classes.

“I had classes here in the past, and I have one in here this year,” Scott Martinson said. “I had some extra time before my class, so I just figured [I’d] do my homework before class and this seemed like a really cool area.”

Freshman students were largely unaware of the change but have expressed positive feedback toward the location of the space.

“I have lecture in the building next to this one,” first-year nursing major Becky Ketch said. “We come here before lab because we have about thirty minutes to study.”

Alfieri serves as the president for the psychology honor society, Psi Chi, and noted that she’d heard positive feedback from her fellow students.

“Having study rooms and a lounge area has really opened up the second floor,” Alfieri said. “It’s been cool to see our building looking modern and fresh.”

With the Mary Couts Burnett Library construction running longer than expected, many students have found refuge from the noise in the new lounge.

“I like studying in the library a lot,” first-year nursing major Grayson Snyder said. “It’s really quiet down here so it’s super nice to just hang out with friends and study.”

Winton-Scott Hall followed Rees-Jones Hall and other Academy of Tomorrow buildings in its focus on community space.

“Before the renovation there really wasn’t anywhere in the building students could sit or get some studying in between classes,” Alfieri said. “I think the new areas will bring students in the department together.”