Late nights in the library have long been a keystone of the college experience, but now with Gelman Library’s stunted late-night hours, students are reshaping the way they approach their study sessions.

Officials in August ended almost three decades of 24-hour, seven-days-a-week Gelman access for students due to a “temporary staffing issue” that occurred during the University-wide hiring freeze. Although Student Government Association President Ethan Lynne posted on Instagram in late August that Gelman would be reinstating their 24-hour operations within a “few weeks,” there is no clear answer as to when Gelman will fully reopen, leaving students to search for other late night study options — whether it be cramming into residence hall rooms during late-night hours or reforming their study habits, bringing nocturnal study sessions into the daylight. 

For now, Gelman continues to operate on a modified schedule — opening from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. Gelman’s website states that the library “will resume 24-hour operations as soon as it is possible to do so.”

Devin Gilbert, a sophomore studying international affairs and international business, said he previously used Gelman after midnight multiple times a week in previous semesters especially during midterm and finals seasons. Citing an already hefty tuition bill, Gilbert said the reduction in hours is frustrating given the University’s decision to increase tuition this academic year by 3.5 percent, which raised the total cost of attendance to over $94,000.

“I’m pretty disappointed, especially because it was something that we had before that they’re taking away, and they just raised tuition, and it feels like we’re spending all this money to get less and less,” Gilbert said.

He said while working on an economics assignment this past week, the clock was ticking toward midnight when an overhead announcement at 11:30 p.m. reminded students that they would have to pack up and leave within the next 30 minutes. Gilbert said his late-night study hours have had a change of venue to his residence hall room.

“I found that it can be a little bit more difficult to be productive in times where I have something due soon, or if there’s an exam coming up, and I find myself usually at this point to study or do work like at later hours in the night, and I would always find it easiest to be the most productive in Gelman at those hours,” Gilbert said. 

Other study locations, like Duques Hall and the Science and Engineering Hall, close at 11 p.m. on weekdays and the University Student Center closes at midnight Monday through Wednesday and is open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. 

Carvings now takes the cake as campus’ night owl, serving mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders until midnight Sunday through Wednesday 2 a.m. on Thursdays and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — but the restaurant, with its long lines of students hungry for food after a night out, is not an ideal environment for studying.

If students choose to venture off campus for a late night caffeine boost, options are also few and far between. Many late night cafes require a long trek away from campus and are often open into the early morning hours as a bar, not a coffee shop. 

Abigail Canalejo, a senior studying sociology, said she used to frequently study in Gelman past midnight but now finds herself at home, where she said she is less productive. Although she said her off-campus housing is quieter than a residence hall, she has trouble focusing at home, citing distractions that she did not experience at Gelman, like the temptation of going to sleep.

“You just have no interruptions,” Canalejo said. “It’s a lot easier to stay focused and stuff, especially in late-night study sessions.” 

Previously, Canalejo said she would go to Gelman with the intention of staying until two or three in the morning. But now, she said, without the cubicles surrounding her, she is tempted to go to sleep in her apartment rather than staying up. 

“Now, I’ll just go home, and it’s more difficult to stay focused and locked in at home,” Canalejo said.

Sophomore Jai Gough was optimistic that she and her friends would not get kicked out of Gelman one night after hearing the 45, 30, 15 and five minute warnings counting down to closing time. She said they stayed until a custodian rounded them up and ushered them out of the study room they were in. 

Gough said because she is involved in extracurricular activities that end at 11 p.m., she would usually go to Gelman afterward to study until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. but has resorted to either her residence hall room or District House’s first-floor lounge.

“It’s definitely negatively impacted how much I can read because I can’t work in my room because my roommates are always talking,” Gough said.

First-year students have also had their expectations of spending overnight sessions trapped in Gelman’s cubicles lowered due to the change in hours. Sophia Lord, a first-year studying political science and a Thurston Hall resident, said the study rooms in the residence hall are always taken late at night, and the lack of space reduces the time she spends working.

“I think Thurston is one of the only dorms that gives a lot of study options,” Lord said. “I don’t know how it works in other dorms, but if I didn’t have Thurston, I’d be screwed.”

Other students say that Gelman’s midnight closure has actually forced them to change their study habits for the better — minimizing late-night cramming and studying ahead of time.  

Cate Bradley, a junior studying organizational sciences, said she is now more mindful about preparing for exams ahead of time with midterms around the corner for many students. Although Bradley said she does miss being able to get last-minute study hours in, the reduced hours encourage her to get adequate sleep before exams. 

“Now I need to hold myself accountable for being ready for the exam at a normal hour,” Bradley said. 

Taran Kaistha, a sophomore studying political science and business, said he is busy throughout the day, making it difficult to complete work during Gelman’s open hours. Despite his challenges, he said he tries to prioritize getting his work done earlier in the day whenever possible. 

“Especially when I’m busy throughout the day, and I need to get work done and Gelman is closed, it just kind of screws me,” Kaistha said.

Olivia Brydon, a senior studying international affairs and economics, said she has ditched the idea of cramming for exams at night, now focusing on getting her work done during the day. 

“I think I tend to try and study earlier in the day now,” Bydon said. “Especially if I have something at night that’s from, for example, eight to 11. I’m gonna try and get my work done before because I don’t really have a place to go afterwards where I feel like I’m gonna be able to focus.”