A member of St. Thomas’ Catholic community feels the congregation is being excluded from the Great Hall.
“[The administration] seems very restrictive in who’s allowed to book the Great Hall, and what sort of event,” said Adam Blanchard, a third-year religious studies student. “It was construed to the chapel community that, for instance, if we were to have a special mass, or a special celebration, or a special event, that we would be allowed to go back…That’s not really been the case since the move.”
Blanchard said while he was unable to go into specifics, he did cite the Advent Mass as an example. That mass was held in the new chapel, not in the Great Hall. He also expresses doubts the baccalaureate mass will be held in the hall. Blanchard is unsure if a request was ever made.
Jeffrey Carleton, communications director for STU, said the Campus Ministry hasn’t requested to use the space.
“I checked with Campus Ministry and the person that books the Great Hall and no request was made or received,” said Carleton.
The move of the chapel from it’s old location in George Martin to it’s new one in Holy Cross has been debated since the decision was first made.
The move was sparked by Aramark changing the cafeteria to an all you can eat model, and making people pay at the door. The university saw a need for more common areas for students, and saw the chapel that only sees modest attendance as the perfect choice.
It’s not just the confusion about use that is growing, many students say they are not comfortable using the new space.
Jillian Hawkes, a third year psychology and criminology student, said she used to visit the Great Hall for mass every week when it was the chapel, but now uses it more as a shortcut.
“I went in once whenever it opened last semester, and I just found with what the Great Hall used to be, and having so many memories there, I was slightly uncomfortable with the atmosphere,” said Hawkes. “I walk through it to get to my classes because it’s convenient, but I don’t spend any amount of time there.”
Hawkes said the fact that the hall looks like the chapel with just a new coat of paint and a coffee shop is one her criticisms, but she also takes issue with the way the hall was put there.
“Just being in there and knowing how [the Great Hall] got put there, behind the backs of the Catholic community and the student community, I just didn’t appreciate it,” said Hawkes. “I feel uncomfortable, and I feel a feeling coming up everytime I’m in that space now.”
Blanchard also said he also doesn’t like using the hall.
“I don’t find it a suitable space for studying and for socializing,” said Blanchard. “I don’t know if the atmosphere and the structure of the architecture is really suited for that. So I personally don’t really use it.”
Regardless of their reluctance to use the space, Blanchard and Hawkes realize little can be done to rectify the situation. The changes have already been made.
