UCC opens its doors to those put out by strike

The University Students’ Council will be holding a sleepover and everyone’s welcome.

Starting on the evening of Dec. 10 and going until Dec. 21, the USC will  be providing students with dorm-style accommodations in the University Community Centre.

“It’s called ‘Overnight at UCC.’ It’s primarily going to be used for students as a last resort,” Carolyn Hawthorn, communications officer for the USC, said.

“The idea behind it is if you can’t make it for a 9 a.m. exam, there is a safe place for students to rest,” Emily Rowe, USC president, added.

According to Hawthorn, the program was developed as a result of student demand and various e-mails, which suggested the very idea to the USC.

“Students are already [sleeping in the UCC]. I’ve done it […] We’re just responding to a need on campus as of now, in regards to exams and no buses,” Hawthorn noted.

Rowe mentioned mattresses will be set up in the UCC gymnasium and a security guard will be swiping students cards to ensure safety and validity of the student cards.

According to Rowe, Western is providing the USC with cots, mattresses, blankets and pillows.

“We have some cots and mattresses that we are pulling out and moving over [to the UCC] […] We are also helping the USC put in place a linen service,” Gitta Kulczycki, Western’s vice-president resources and operations, said.

Hawthorn estimated the USC currently has approximately 30 cots in its possession. She added the cots and linen will be sanitized every night and draperies will be put into place to separate males and females.

“I think that the USC is doing a good job of responding to what students want […] They thought very carefully through [the safety concerns and] […] have done a very good jobs of thinking through all the issues,” Kulczycki added.

While students were not against the idea of people sleeping in the UCC, some admitted they personally would prefer not to do so.

“I feel like a lot of people might think that’s weird […] it might just be something that nobody would use,” Nicole Piasentini, a third-year English student, said.

“I personally wouldn’t probably use it. I also don’t think it would necessarily be the most comfortable or the most quiet place to sleep,” Mandy Butcher, a fourth-year medical science student, added.

According to Hawthorn, lights in the gym will be turned off by 12 a.m. and the general wake-up time will be 7 a.m. However, she added the wake-up time is flexible and there will be emergency lights in place for safety reasons.

“I don’t know how well it will work. I guess if that gets you to your exam on time and you’re willing to put up with the noise,” Karyn Olsen, a fourth-year anthropology student, said. “I wouldn’t sleep [in the UCC].”