A Plasma screen, video games, pool tables, skiing equipment: The suggestions bounced between students and Assistant Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett on Wednesday when the first meeting of an exploratory committee convened in the Shapiro Campus Center to investigate the possibility of converting the old bookstore space in Usdan Student Center into a game room. The excited recommendations, however, soon turned into mild debate as financial worries were brought to the forefront of committee discussion.

"I think for $35,000 we could have a really kick-ass game room," said Bennett, who has been researching the costs of converting the vacant space left over from the bookstore's move to Shapiro last year.

Bennett said she is exploring a multitude of avenues for funding, including the approximately $120,000 in the Senate rollover account.

Committee member and Class of 2005 Senator Michael Corwin said he is somewhat skeptical about the game room idea. "There are clubs that need that real estate desperately," he said.

Most committee members, however, said they were enthusiastic about the concept.

Committee member Kile Brown '04, who is also a building manager in the Shapiro Campus Center, said he considers indoor recreation "necessary for overall campus morale."

"I used to patronize the old game room (in the basement of Usdan) all the time. I know people here are not here to have fun, but if we had a game room that was worth going to -- a game room that is fun -- I think people would definitely come," he said.

By March, Bennett and the committee of students plan to have drafted a proposal for the administration. The cornerstone of the proposal is the cooperative effort between the Student Service Bureau (SSB) and the proposed game room. Under the plan, SSB will staff the space during the day, requiring only nighttime employment (committee members said they would like the game room to be open until midnight).

"I think overall, there will probably be a lot of issues to sort out in regards to hiring and training, and how exactly we are going to incorporate Brandeis and the SSB without threatening the autonomy of the SSB, but overall it will be a positive thing," said Rochelle Heller '03, president of the SSB, with regard to the new proposal.

Grand ideas for the game room were not in short supply as committee members contemplated the full gamut of recreational activities, in addition to some practical uses for the space.

Ski ball, pin ball, a smoothie station, club lockers, networked Playstation 2 systems, a wide-screen television, neon lights, space for a caf, tennis and skiing equipment for rent, vending machines and after-hours postal services were all discussed. Most of the games and services will be offered for a nominal fee.

"I want the game room to be eventually able to pay for itself," Bennett said.