Loker Commons revitalization spurs social activities in student center

By Debra Bradley Ruder

Gazette Staff

Junior Ryan Leslie has taken the stage many times to showcase his voice, and he even won a national talent search last year. But until this month, Leslie had never given a full-length solo concert.

One recent Monday night, the balladeer got his chance when he performed a selection of original love songs in Loker Commons and wowed the crowd with "Yearning" and other tunes.

"He had 150 people falling out of the Coffee House," one observer said.

"I had a great time," said Leslie, a Pforzheimer House resident who plans to release an album this summer and pursue a career in music. "It was nice to see so many people turn out for the show."

Leslie's concert was part of a new effort to make Loker Commons, a gathering spot on the lower level of Memorial Hall, more inviting to students and to other members of the Harvard community.

For example, a full calendar of programming features faculty readings and performances by Harvard musicians, comedians, and dancers. The Commons now has a faster-service food station, a flower stall and book swap, a television set, and new policies that make it possible for student groups to book the space free of charge for events.

"The students have said the place needs to be warmer and that the food should be available more quickly and cheaply," said Dean of Students Archie Epps. "We've been working on both. We want to make Loker more of a hub for social activities, entertainment, and relaxation."

The changes grew out of conversations that administrators have had among themselves and with student leaders since the Commons opened a year ago. Last week, an 11-page questionnaire was sent to all undergraduates to gauge how they use the space and to solicit ideas for the future -- such as the addition of pool tables.

Entertainment Tonight

Loker Commons, which bears the name of donor Katherine Bogdanovich Loker, has been an increasingly popular spot for meeting, studying, and grabbing a pizza, burrito, frozen yogurt, or cup of cappuccino. It is open nightly until 12:30 (1 a.m. on Fridays), but the food stations close earlier. Only those holding Harvard I.D.s or affiliate passes may purchase food or drinks.

Although students flock to Loker by day, they have not clamored to use the space for performances and parties at night, as the College had expected, according to Eric Engel, director of the Memorial Hall/Lowell Hall complex.

So the College is reaching out to them by eliminating rental fees for undergraduate organizations and booking the place solid for the spring term.

"There's a tremendous shortage of performance and rehearsal space on campus," said Kathleen Kouril, a consultant to the Dean of Students who is working on issues at Loker. "We're trying to make the best use of the space that's available, and that includes the Commons." Among the highlights:

* Free performances on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights by such groups as the Crimson Dance Team, the Kuumba Singers, the Immediate Gratification Players, the Bach Society Orchestra, the Chun-Sa (Korean) Dance Troupe, and Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The Harvard-Radcliffe Juggling Club plans a mini-circus on April 30. ("They've asked if they could juggle flaming torches," Kouril said. "I told them I'd get back to them on that.");

* Faculty readings in the Coffee House by such luminaries as the Rev. Peter J. Gomes (Feb. 24); Tomas O'Casthasaigh (St. Patrick's Day); Henry Louis Gates Jr. (March 31), and John Kenneth Galbraith (April 28);

* Screenings of Harvard-Radcliffe TV shows such as Ivory Tower and Yard Tails on Tuesday nights;

* Friday night dances run by radio station WHRB;

* Programming for first-year students on Sunday nights, with events to be organized by freshmen.

Also new is the book swap, which features titles donated by Harvard University Press and Christ Church, Cambridge. People may borrow books to read at Loker or exchange books of equal value. The flower stall, long sought after by undergraduates, offers bouquets for a reasonable $2 a bunch.

A Quick Bite

University Dining Services opened the "Fast Track" station in January in an effort to provide faster service and to cut overhead costs at Loker. It reduced the hours of the other eateries in the Commons, such as the burrito and pizza stands.

Fast Track currently sells pizza, hamburgers, pre-made sandwiches, salads, and fresh sushi, and it plans to add a self-serve cappuccino machine in the future. In response to student concerns about pricing, burgers -- which are new to the Commons menu -- go for $1.75 apiece. Fast Track is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week and until 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

"The addition of Fast Track is in response to our customers' requests for a quicker, inexpensive self-service concept," explained Lenny Condenzio, acting director of Dining Services. "We continue to explore new ideas to implement more favorable menus and price points at the four Loker locations. Flexibility is the key to finding out what works best at Loker. Its success comes from tailoring to the suggestions of students."

Lamelle Rawlins '99, president of the Undergraduate Council, said students are pleased the College is willing to try different ways of making Loker more "student-friendly" and "cozy. . . I'm happy the administration is reaching out to solicit input on what kind of atmosphere is conducive to draw more students in."

Senior Rudd Coffey, who served on a Loker advisory committee, said he is extremely pleased with the new, formal activities and hopes they will appeal to a wide range of students.

He also hopes some physical changes will be made, such as the addition of game equipment and couches, to encourage more informal activities, "so people aren't there just to study and to eat, so that it's more like a student center," Coffey said. "I hope that will help reinvigorate the space."