Students, faculty and staff at Memorial’s St. John’s campus have a new place to meet, work, study, eat and enjoy.
The Hatcher Learning Commons is now open to the university community 2 p.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
Hatcher House
Located on the main floor of Hatcher House, the new space is meant to harmonize with the existing learning commons spaces across campus, including The Commons in the Queen Elizabeth II Library, the Rotunda under the Memorial Tower and the Teaching and Learning Commons in the Education building.
Learning model
Bruce Belbin, director, Student Residences, says Hatcher Learning Commons was opened in order to increase support for students, but also to support the university’s increasingly popular learning commons model.
“Students can expect wider accessibility to good technology, the ability to print and use computers,” said Mr. Belbin. “This space will encourage more collaborative working between the students. And there will be much more academic support. In the past, we’ve had tutors in every residence house. We’ve now consolidated them all into the Hatcher Learning Commons.”
“This is a better support model for our students.”
Travis Myers, Residence Life advisor, says the tutoring will be organized to help ease access for students.
“There will be set times for tutoring by subject, so students know in advance what they can get help with and when,” said Mr. Myers. “As exams and busier times come up, we will have tutoring sessions more frequently. This is a better support model for our students.”
Café culture
What sets the Hatcher Learning Commons apart from other locations is the Jumping Bean Café, which recently opened across the hall. The café serves a wide range of coffee and tea beverages, as well as grilled sandwiches and snacks.
On Thursday and Friday nights, Jumping Bean Café is open until 12:30 a.m. and features fare reminiscent of the former “Munch House” with a satellite Smoke’s Poutinerie. Comfortable booths and soft leather seating fill the space, accompanied by signature Jumping Bean art that has been given a Memorial angle. Contemporary takes on the Memorial Tower and the QEII Library are just some of the prints displayed in the café.
“In all essence, the Hatcher Learning Commons will be like a coffee house. But a coffee house with a purpose — for academic and social gathering,” said Mr. Belbin.
Response to food survey
Rex Coffin, director, Ancillary Operations, says the new café was developed in part because of the university community’s response to the food survey in April 2016.
“There was a considerable amount of positive feedback regarding Jumping Bean, and a clear indication that a more robust café would be welcome on campus,” said Mr. Coffin. “This new café is intended to complement the one in the QEII Library, and to offer students, faculty and staff a new place on campus to relax and enjoy. The seating, ambience and atmosphere make it a great all-around destination.”
‘Dine, relax, study and socialize’
Barb Henshaw, Aramark’s director of dining at Memorial, is pleased to open the new café in Hatcher House.
“We are excited to offer another community gathering space to dine, relax, study and socialize,” said Ms. Henshaw.
The new Jumping Bean Café in Hatcher is open to all students, faculty and staff. The café is open Monday-Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Thursday – Friday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
