JEREMY WECHSLER They might look like much, but for seniors writing theses, these carrels are a must.

Wes Seniors Stake Their Claims on Thesis Carrels By Suzanne Appel Contributing Writer Senior thesis writers can now retreat into their recently assigned thesis carrels for the winter, only to emerge next spring when their theses are due. The small offices that line the walls of Olin Library and the Science Library (SciLi) are hardly bigger than closets, but students hope to get a high draw in the lottery so they can get a more desirable carrel. Carrel assignments in Olin Library were posted on September 17, while SciLi carrel assignments were mailed on September 9. Carrel assignments gave some seniors their carrel of choice but others were unhappy.

Because there are a limited number of carrels in Olin, assignments were decided by a lottery system. Some students received larger carrels, while others must share a carrel. Students without a carrel are placed on a waiting list and offered a book locker in Olin library. Few science majors requested carrels so no one had trouble attaining one in SciLi.

According to Michelle Biddle, the head of access services and preservation at Olin Library, significantly fewer students are on the wait list this year than last.

Although a higher percentage of applicants were given carrels, there are still plenty of unhappy students. Tommy Kail ’99 was recently placed on the waiting list for a carrel.

"I guess I don’t have good luck. Looks, yes. Luck, no," Kail said.

Other students received carrels they are not happy with. Sara Jaffe ’99 received a prize carrel on the fourth floor of Olin, but she said her housemate is unhappy because her carrel is right near the copy machines downstairs.

Seniors have already found sharing a carrel to be an experience requiring patience. Sarah McMillan ’98 has a double on the fourth floor of Olin, but she has not met her carrel mate.

"I do know she’s been in there, because my stuff was moved around when I came in the other day," McMillan said.

Khadine Bennett ’99 said she has become the envy of all senior thesis writers. She snagged a carrel with a window on the second floor of Olin. She was quick to explain the necessity of her carrel. "It’s easy to get distracted and there’s too much going on in the library."

Although the carrels are all roughly the size of a large closet, they do provide the much needed quiet space. Bennett stated that she knew people last year who had thesis carrels and that they proved very necessary. She also mentioned that "towards the end of the year they hated going in there." McMillan admitted "I’ll probably be in there all semester, like the little cave it is."

According to Michelle Biddle "A couple dozen might get off the wait list. Some [Seniors] drop their thesis because it’s too much work." Another avenue would be to apply for a carrel at SciLi According to Roberta Raczka, the assistant librarian at the SciLi, there are carrels available for non-science majors.

Meanwhile, Jaffe said she was feeling the crunch of thesis time.

"When it comes time for me to be reading and focusing on stuff, it will be good for me to have [a carrel]," Jaffe said.