Trying to find seating during the lunchtime rush in the Student Union may be a headache for some, but it is not due to lack of spaces available, according to Jason Tolliver, executive director of University Auxiliary Services and the Student Union.
“Many students come to dine at one time, creating an increase of students looking for places to sit,” Tolliver said.
Many students sit alone or in groups of two at a four-person table, leaving empty chairs. It’s hard to design seating for individuals or two people, Tolliver said.
“It’s the way students are choosing to sit or not to sit,” he said.
Tolliver said because of societal barriers students do not approach fellow students sitting alone and ask to join them during lunch.
“I don’t think we’ll ever solve that issue until we encourage students to engage,” Tolliver said.
According to Ken Bueche, associate director for operations of the Student Union, the Tiger Lair has 540 seats, with most being four-person tables. The peak time of usage of the Union on a daily basis is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On a busy day, the Union sees about 15,000 people, not counting visitors to the LSU Bookstore, Bueche said.
“Seating has always been an issue in the Union,” he said. “With the renovation, we reduced table sizes to try to alleviate the