Ever since the pandemic, it seems like there has been a huge hit to the morale and more social aspects of University. There have been many social places that have shut down, but not as many are opening up again. While the scholastic part of University is important, places for students to sit, talk, and collaborate outside of schoolwork is just as important. Often the most forward thinking, innovative ideas come out of conversations from the back corners of sleepy diners, late nights at divey bars, and quiet booths at crowded restaurants. Places to socialize, relax, and interact with new people are necessary to create great work, no matter vocation. However, there is not a place on campus like this for the Art Department.

Current Issues that Art Majors Contend With

• The nearest food, drink and seating area, Ross Hall, closes before studios end. Often the half hour buffer in between studios is not enough time to sit down or go eat at Ross Hall and come back in time. 
• There are no extensive seating areas in the Art Department, so most students will have to sit on the floor when all the classrooms are in use.
• With Studios being longer classes overlapping common meal times, most students will go the entire 8-hour day without food or drink.
• Especially after the Pandemic, there is not much interaction between the different majors, which leads to a "segmentation" of the Art Department.

This petition is to show support to add more common areas with tables and seating for the Pennwest Edinboro University Arts Department. This would include adding more tables, chairs, and couches in Doucette, along with possibly having a "pay what is fair" self-serve coffee and snack bar for students. 

Now that the University is beginning to reintroduce more social events to Pennwest Edinboro Post-Pandemic, it is time to start reintroducing social spaces as well. Students have to band together and self-advocate to create the changes they want to see on campus, so I implore you to support this petition and create positive change for the Edinboro Arts Department. 

***If you are a Pennwest Edinboro student signing this petition, we suggest signing with your school email so we can collect data on student interest for this common space.