A coordinated effort between Union Vice President Erica Lemansky '06 and Transferring Commuter Coordinator for Orientation Rachel Suberi raised $500 this summer to revamp the commuter lounge on the third floor of the Shapiro Campus CenterThe lounge had previously been used as more of a building storage space.

The lounge now includes two love seats, four armchairs, a magazine-rack, a coffee maker and a television. Two large paintings donated from the Rose Art Museum adorn the walls and a kitchen nook is equipped with a sink, microwave, mini-fridge and assorted snacks.

Some napkins and plastic silverware are available on a table near a pot of flowers. There is also a bulletin board to post different events occurring on campus.

According to Lemansky, she began brainstorming ideas for the lounge during her campaign for Union Vice President last semester. During this time, she said Suberi was also working toward the same goal to attract first-year commuters and they decided to join forces.

"The whole point is commuters should have the same luxuries as other students," Suberi said.

Lemansky said the Union Executive Board Project Support Fund gave $250 toward the lounge and then Student Activities matched the allocation. She said she and Suberi would like to continue adding to the lounge and possibly include a foosball table in the future.

"We want to get some magazines in there," Lemansky said. "Right now it's just magazines that were donated."

Lemansky said the lounge is only open to commuters who must sign-in and obtain a special key from the information booth in the Shapiro atrium.

She said there was not enough funding to purchase an electronic card reader, but added this is something which could occur later.

"The lounge is nice, but they should have key swiper though," Iyah Romm '06 said. "It is a hassle to go through the info desk."

Many first-year commuters said they used the lounge and found it was useful during orientation and are pleased with its existence.

"We spent all our time here during orientation, " commuter and transfer student Jason Biggerstaff '06 said. "It's really nice. I'm going to use it a lot. I have to bike here and in between classes I come here for a quiet place to work."

Biggerstaff and Romm said they appreciate the dry erase board which covers one side of the wall as well as the coffee machine-something they plan to use frequently.

Biggerstaff said he imagines past commuters do not know about the lounge. But he said once Brandeis gets into its "rhythm," the space will be utilized by more students.

Lemansky said she hopes when an off-campus senator is elected next month, he or she will use the lounge to coordinate programs and hold some events-like a midnight ice cream party.

According to Lemansky, the Union will continue to oversee the lounge along with Student Activities. She said she hopes more funding will be available sometime in the future to purchase foosball and different magazine subscriptions.

"Rachel deserves a lot of credit," Lemansky said. "It was really her brain child.