In a vote on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 21, members of the Class of 2002 elected to have a game room in Levering Hall as their senior gift. The vote was held at Levering Market and the M.S.E. Library on Wednesday and at the senior class event at E-Level on Thursday.
According to Gift Chair Charbel Barakat, the votes were "overwhelmingly" in favor of the game room, which "received over 50 percent of the votes."
Barakat was pleased with the class' selection, stating that "of all the options we considered, this gift has the biggest potential." He emphasized the importance of the gift's social aspect, citing it as "a major step towards [Levering Hall] becoming a true student union."
Barakat noted that while a game console such as a Playstation 2 runs between $150 and $200 and used full-sized arcade games are $300-$550, fundraising will still be important. He said that the committee plans on "contacting seniors by phone and mail explaining our plans and requesting their help." Other ideas for fundraising included a variety show and a senior class trip to an Orioles game. "A little generosity from each of [the members of the senior class] will go very far," Barakat said.
On the subject of when the gift might be implemented, Barakat said that he hoped that it would be "as soon as possible."
He stressed the importance of patience, however: "If you put speed above quality, you end up with lawn furniture," he said, referring to previous senior gifts of chairs and tables on Q-Level of the M.S.E. Library and on the patio outside.
Barakat praised the voting process, citing high voter turnout and the "incredibly smooth" course of the gift choice.
On the legacy that the game room will leave for the class, Barakat stated, "I think the best part about this is, when we come back in five or 10 years and see this room packed with students, we'll be able to say we made a real contribution to the Hopkins experience. And that's worth 10 million bricks.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.