According to the registrar’s office, today is Midterm Day, meaning we’ve officially made it halfway through our semester. This comes as surprising news for some, but it feels like about fucking time for others. The chandelier in Ref is definitely one of these others, as it, like the rest of us, appears to be quite burnt out. […]

Typically, finding a a seat in The Reference Room (also known by its street name “Ref”), can be as challenging as surviving Columbia’s demanding curriculum. However, during finals it’s impossible to secure a seat if you don’t head to Butler before 8 am. I’ve learned a few things after spending more time here than in my actual living quarters, and […]

The ever-glorious Reference Room turned off its overhead lighting yesterday, leaving only desk lamps to sustain the loyal inhabitants. How or why the lights went out remains unclear, but the asian gloves-wearing circulation desk guy popped in and fixed it around 10 pm. The lights humorously went out again about an hour later, and they […]

Jumpin’ Jehosaphats! The overhead lights in the Reference Room have been off all weekend and the room is glowing strangely and kind of beautifully. It is also freezing. A man with a Nike baseball hat sits hunched over his homework, coat and scarf on, rocking back and forth for warmth. Surprise: there still aren’t any seats, […]

Dream sweet, sweet dreams of the Reference Room ever being this empty again.