» By TIFFANY HALL – [email protected]

In addition to Einstein Bros. and Seattle’s Best, APSU has another place to go to get a “cup of Joe”: Starbucks.

This is thanks to the hard work of three Joes: Joe Mills, director of Housing/Residence Life and Dining Services, Joe Lachina, senior Dining Services director, and Joe Weber, library director.

Last year, Chartwell’s performed a student voice survey asking whether or not putting another coffee place on campus would be embraced by students.

An overwhelming positive response for Starbucks led to the grand opening on Monday, Feb. 27.

Starbucks is located on the main floor of the campus library.

“I finally get to have some coffee. I have an hour break between classes, but I stay in the library to catch up on work. Now I don’t have to leave,” said sophomore Joseph Truax.

Truax said he would not normally venture off anywhere to get a coffee.

The convenient location and hours of the new Starbucks are the main reasons he would buy coffee there.

Starbucks will be open seven days a week. The weekday hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The weekend hours are Saturday noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“At the end of the semester, Starbucks will review how everything went and make adjustments to the hours, if necessary. At this point I don’t know what their plans are for hours during intersessions and summer sessions,” Weber said.

One of Weber’s concerns is the noise that comes with the coffee. Cappuccino machines, espresso machines, coffee blenders and coffee bean grinders all make a lot of noise.

In turn, the conversations among people at Starbucks will be louder than conversations in the library.

“It’s usually pretty crowded and noisy on the main floor of the library anyway, so the majority of students might not even notice,” Weber said.

Weber is not the only one concerned about the noise.

“My favorite thing about the Starbucks going into the library is that it is easy to access. A lot of students come to the library to study and get work done. Sometimes it takes a little bit of extra grind, and coffee will be great, but I do think it will be too noisy,” said senior James Demoss.

Weber did mention the first and third floor of the library will continue to be quiet areas, so students will still have quiet places to study.

Another concern is the issue of spilled drinks. The library has many computers, printers and other expensive equipment.

The library already had a policy allowing students to have drinks as long as they are in spill-proof containers.

Food is also allowed as long as the food is considered snack food and not full sit down meals. TAS