After a fall semester marked by long lines and overcrowding at campus libraries, Queen’s is introducing new temporary study spaces ahead of the winter exam period.
During the Fall 2025 exam season, students reported lining up outside Stauffer before opening, prompting concern from the Office of the Rector and calls for more accessible study space across campus.
READ MORE: Students call for more study spaces as Stauffer overcrowding peaks during exams
Some students say the issue has persisted, and some cases worsened this semester.
During an interview with The Journal, Ava Spendlove, ArtSci ’29, said finding a space at Stauffer remains difficult, often forcing her to look elsewhere.
“Because of that, I usually end up studying in my room, but it’s honestly not the most productive environment for me,” she said.
Spendlove added that the demand for study spaces appears to be increasing earlier in the term. She said she has spent up to 10 minutes walking around Stauffer trying to find a seat, even outside of peak exam periods.
“This semester feels way busier earlier on,” she said.
In response, the University is rolling out two short-term solutions: opening unused classrooms in buildings such as Mackintosh-Corry Hall during the exam period and piloting a temporary study space in the JDUC’s Polson Room. Classrooms will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis when not in use for teaching or events, while the JDUC “study commons” will run April 1 to April 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering seating, outlets, and whiteboards.
In an interview with The Journal, Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale said the University recognized the urgency of the issue but needed to focus on solutions that could be implemented quickly.
“We put out a post on our website and social media acknowledging that students are having difficulties finding spaces to study,” she said.
Boytchuk-Hale continued explaining that building new infrastructure isn’t a feasible short-term solution, leading her office to explore alternative uses of existing campus spaces.
While these changes are intended to ease pressure on existing spaces, some students say their experience this term hasn’t necessarily improved.
In an interview with The Journal, Bennett McIntosh, Sci ’29, said he’s “had a better experience finding study spaces this term,” but doesn’t attribute that to any institutional changes.
“I don’t really think it’s because there’s been an improvement in them,” he added.
One of those solutions includes allowing students to use empty classrooms once classes end, according to a notice from the Centre for Teaching and Learning. While students have previously used open lecture rooms informally, access has often been inconsistent due to bookings for events, especially late in the term.
The JDUC initiative follows an earlier proposal from the Rector’s Office to the SLC Management Board, which suggested opening SLC spaces more broadly during exam season.
The proposal wasn’t approved.
“It doesn’t align with their current operations model, where they have a booking system, and so they’re not going to proceed with it this year,” she said.
The memorandum from the Office of the Rector to the SLC shows that student suggestions for additional study space included locations such as Mitchell Hall, Mackintosh-Corry Hall, the Isabel Bader Centre, and various lecture halls across campus.
While Spendlove said she believes the new measures are a step in the right direction, she’s unsure they fully resolve the issue.
“It shows Queen’s is trying to deal with the lack of study spaces,” she said. “It definitely helps to take some pressure off the libraries.”
Boytchuk-Hale’s continuing to explore longer-term and more flexible solutions.
“I would love to hear from students if they did use the spaces and how it was,” she said. She’s also looking for students’ creative ideas on how to address these issues in the final couple weeks of the class schedule.
Spendlove suggested that extending hours at smaller libraries could reduce pressure on Stauffer. Spaces such as the Education Library close earlier, making them less practical.
Tags
Overcrowding, Rector, Stauffer Library, study space
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