The Think Tank
New study lounge mixes open-plan seating with huddle rooms to help students imagine and create
In May 2017, CAS unveiled the University’s newest study space, the Think Tank. The lounge, which can host more than 130 students, includes open-plan seating, private cubbies for individual study, small “huddle rooms” for informal discussions, and a conference room.
“We hope this is a place where you will imagine and create,” Dean Ann Cudd told students at the lounge’s ribbon cutting. “At times, you may need to quietly reflect. I expect—especially at certain points in the semester—that I will often look in to see students at work on papers, writing. This is how students as scholars learn and make discoveries. This is how you make yourself part of a university.”
The idea for a study lounge was first suggested by the CAS student government.
“One thing we have been doing as a student government is working on building an identity for CAS,” said Joshua Smith-Sreen (CAS’19), CAS student government president. “Just having a space that as a group you can come to is really the first step toward that.”
The idea for the new CAS Think Tank study lounge came from Christina Lucas (CAS’17); she proposed the facility while serving as CAS Student Government president and cut the ribbon with Dean Ann E. Cudd at the opening ceremony. Photos by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17), Cydney Scott, and Graham Pearsall (COM’17)