Alabama State University administrators decided to move the game room and recreation center to the north corner of the John Garrick Hardy Center this semester.
The decision was made as an “effort to utilize additional space for recreational pursuits for students,” said Derrick Brewster, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
The game room is open to all students. There will be no temperature checks or mandatory screenings, as it will follow the rules and procedures of other ventures in the center. The game room includes billiards, foosball, and table tennis.
When the John Garrick Hardy Center opened in 2012, the gameroom was placed near the entrance, a location that often raised inquiries from students and alumni.
However, the relocation of the game room received a positive reception from students interviewed.
Jayla Watkins, a sophomore majoring in biology pre-med, is pleased about the relocation.
“I am happy they moved it here in the union because there are more people and more activity,” Watkins said.
Nicole Spencer, a junior in early childhood education, agrees.
“I enjoy it,” Spencer said. “Me and my friends come once a week to play table tennis.”
The game room, formerly located on the south side of the John Garrick Hardy Center near the various fast-food outlets, may have contributed to its lack of traffic.
Students like Ricky Thornton, a junior majoring in finance, were unaware that the university had a game room.
“This is my first time hearing about the game room,” Thornton said. “ … I never knew we had one, but I am glad they moved it to a more populated area.”
Even with more students coming in and out and having recreational time, the area also acts as a place to relax and do work. Throughout the day, students take advantage of the lounge area to complete work and study.
Aishja Wilcher, a freshman majoring in biology, said, “What makes this area different from the Levi Watkins Library or upstairs in the student union is a change of scenery. I like doing work in different places, and when this place is not full of people in the middle of games, it is nice.”
Kaley Anthony, a junior business major, can still complete her homework with all of the game room activities.
“I still find it a good place to do work,” Anthony said, “While my friends play games, me and my other friends do homework.”
Students admit that the relocation from where it was originally to its new location is also very positive feature.
“I see a big difference,” said Myles Calhoun, a sophomore psychology major. “I’m not sure if it was because of COVID-19, but it seems they care more.”
Angel Torres, a junior in social work major and Jarrian Peoples, a senior business major agree.
“Students seem to appreciate that they revamped the game room this year compared to last,” Torres said.
“It was the right move to