Finding a late-night study spot or booking a group meeting in the Marvin Center could be a little easier for students this fall because of several initiatives announced last week.

Columbian Square, located on the first floor of the building, will remain open 24 hours from Monday to Thursday, until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight on Sundays, said Melissa Meyer, chair of the Marvin Center Governing Board.

In addition, student organizations will now be able to register for Marvin Center space online, streamlining the current paper registration process. Students looking to hold an event in the Marvin Center can log on to the University’s student organization Web site to make an online request.

Lou Katz, executive vice president and treasurer, said it is expensive to keep areas like Columbian Square open late because of added security, but students made it clear that additional room is necessary.

“We know we need more student space,” Katz said. “Students have been very clear about saying that they need more places to study or just get together.”

Only GW students will be allowed to enter Columbian Square after normal business hours, which will require additional security personnel as well as more cleaning crews to keep utilities tidy. Katz said if the initiative is successful, the University would look into opening up additional space for students.

Last year, Columbian Square remained open until 2 a.m. on weekdays. Katz said this trial period made it apparent that keeping the space open longer would be beneficial, adding that more study space may become available in the future.

Katz said, “If the space continues to be highly used, we will continue to open up spaces for students.”