Upon receiving this article assignment, I had no idea Mount Greylock even had a senior lounge. I asked several friends, and they also were unaware, so let me enlighten you.
If you travel though the library, all the way to the backroom, perhaps where you’ve gone for extra MCAS time or Plato classes, there is a little circle of chairs in front of a corkboard decorated by photos and signs with inside jokes and announced by a big poster reading “Senior Library Lounge.”
Created by the seniors and librarians, it is in its first year of existence. It was put into place to give the seniors something special since there aren’t any other big ‘senior perks’ like there are at other schools, such as senior parking spots or off campus allowances.
Thus far it has been received very well. It has become a place where people can gather and hang out. However, controversy has arisen, and the future of the lounge is in peril.
Although seniors enjoy the lounge, its exclusivity seems toxic to some of the school administration, and they want to create a nurturing and welcoming school environment for all. In my own interactions, students have seemed unbothered by the lounge or at least unaware of it. To supporters of the lounge, the admins goal for inclusivity seems contrary to the purpose it was created to serve. It also feels like a nonissue to the greater public.
According to senior Nora López, the Class of 2026 likes it a lot. For seniors with library blocks, it offers a space for them to hang out. In addition to this, it is open for lunch and other school day breaks. To them, having an area to themselves is important, and they have grown fond of their little area.
