UCLA’s new Global Viewpoint Lounge on Ackerman Union’s A-level opened this week with the goal of giving students a quiet place to study and fostering participation in global issues.
The new addition, which is next to Tsunami Sushi & Noodles, replaces the old Viewpoint Lounge. The entire refurbishment, including new furniture, cost Associated Students UCLA about $75,000, said Roy Champawat, ASUCLA Student Union director.
The lounge boasts five plasma televisions and complimentary copies of The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
“We wanted to create a place where students could study but also become more involved with global issues,” Champawat said.
The move to remodel the lounge came largely because of students’ lack of enthusiasm for the original space, which has been part of Ackerman Union since 2006. Champawat said he hopes students will be more enthusiastic with the addition of the televisions and more comfortable seating.
Before the refurbishment, the lounge only contained tables and two couches, along with a pool table and a piano.
The new layout is a big improvement on the last lounge, said Jack Jung, a fourth-year applied mathematics student. Jung said he used to visit often but was frequently distracted by other students.
“I like the televisions, and there is more seating,” he said. “I’m glad they removed the piano. Nobody ever played it well, and it was distracting when I was trying to study.”
New furniture is still coming, and ASUCLA is hoping to relocate the pool table to the third floor of Ackerman to keep the noise down for studying students and to create a more professional atmosphere in the lounge, Champawat said.
New students say they are also finding the lounge accommodating.
“It’s very comfortable,” said Alison Oviedo, a graduate student in public policy. “I think it’s great being able to get some studying in and being able to get current with what’s going on.”
Oviedo said she was unaware of the previous lounge but she is impressed with the refurbished area and will be back to use it for future studying.
“It’s a scenic lounge in a very convenient location,” Champawat said. “I just hope students take advantage of this new addition to campus, and that it helps bring that global perspective to our campus.”