An empty classroom in the Humphreys Building was recently transformed into a lounge with couches, tables, whiteboards, a projector and more — all for TRIO students to use as they see fit.
At the end of fall semester, UCM reorganized its various departments into schools and a class that was previously taught on the first floor of Humphreys was moved to a new location.

Chris Beggs, director of TRIO, said their office wrote a proposal and submitted it to the university to acquire the space.
Lacey Hites, assistant director of TRIO, said they got new furniture over winter break and by January they turned it into a lounge for their students.
Laptops were purchased with federal funds and can be used as resources for students in the space.
“There’s a laptop cart that has 36 laptops they can check out and use in the space, some modular furniture, desks that are mobile, whiteboards and some audio and video equipment,” Beggs said.
Prior to the new room, TRIO had three areas: a computer lab, a classroom and offices.
Despite how new the space is and the university being closed due to winter weather, it is slowly beginning to be used.
“I’ve noticed more and more students are starting to use it now that they’re realizing ‘this is kind of a freeform space for me to use as I need,’” Beggs said.
Omunique Bratton, junior social work major, works in the lounge tracking who comes in and goes out, as well as using it for her own work.
“It’s a space for TRIO students to have more space to work on their assignments, group assignments or just as a place to hang out with your friends,” Bratton said.

Hites said she plans to use the space for a new initiative with peer mentoring. Before, TRIO had a classroom that was used primarily for group tutoring.
“We recently brought two peer mentors on to staff,” Hites said. “They have a cohort of students each that they meet with and interact with. We encourage them to use that lounge space because the more times you’re in it, the more you’re like, ‘Oh this is our space now.’”
Beggs said the furniture in the lounge makes the space more inviting.
“If you see a couch, you know what you can do there,” Beggs said. “A desk, you don’t just really want to hang out at a desk.”
When traffic in the lounge picks up, Beggs said students enjoy staying and hanging out.
“You’ll notice, at some of the busier times, students like to lounge here,” Beggs said. “We want them to come here and do work, but we also want them to form a community where they’re supporting each other and we’re starting to see that happen more organically.”
Not only can students use the lounge to rest and study, TRIO hosts a variety of events as well.
“We also put on fun activities in this room. Back in January we had our movie night, so we used the big screen and put on ‘Monsters Inc.’ and had snacks,” Bratton said. “It’s supposed to be versatile, not just for one thing. That’s what the computer lab is for.”
To students who may be uncertain on entering the new space, Bratton said it is there to be used.
“Don’t be hesitant to come in. It’s open to any TRIO student and this space is for you so don’t be afraid to occupy it,” Bratton said.