Korean Job Discussion Forums

[in_seoul_2003]

http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/117_32129.html

Students Go to Court Over Library Policy

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Is monopolizing a seat in a university library so serious an act as to warrant being barred from entering the facility for 30 days? A collegian recently filed a lawsuit against his school for making such a rule, saying it was made without the consensus of students.

The litigation was in response to the University of Seoul's recent decision to ban the entrance of students who leave their personal belongings such as books or bookstands to mark their seats at its central library. The suspension period could be as long as 30 days. About 150 students have so far been penalized.

``There are 2,000 seats in the library but these students were `monopolizing' a few hundred seats,'' the school spokesman said.

Students pile their books and others on a table near window, blocking other people from sitting there. It drew criticism and complaints from their peers.

However, those given the suspension order challenged the decision. They said the new rule violates students' freedom to study. Jeon Byeong-gwon, a senior at the school who had applied for provisional disposition, said that the school never asked students about a solution.

The students are also divided over the issue. Some say the best solution would be installing more lockers for students to put their belongings. Many thought a legal dispute between the school and students is not a good idea. ``Let's talk, brainstorm and work out a solution,'' another said.

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If it's anything like in Starbucks, when did usurping a seat while playing with your cellphone for hours on end across from your friend who is also usurping a seat but sleeping constitute the right to study?

The beauty is when they say it's for studying but reference the need for lockers which implies that the seats are being used not for studying but for holding.

[zpeanut]

why don't they just go home and study.. for goodness' sake.

korean students spend too much time in the library.

[Mr. Pink]

The library at the university I attended in Canada was the same. They didn't have enough spots for all the students that needed a place to study - especially around exam time. So students would leave books and stuff there while they went to class, exams, or to eat.

I just don't see why if it ticked people off so much, why they wouldn't move the person's stuff.

As for the comment about they should study at home: think of this in regards to Korean students. A lot of them live far from where they study, so it is more convenient to study and be around school, than up to 2 hours away at their homes.

[crusher_of_heads]

move them into the bathroom-wow, more passive agressive nonsense!

[PBRstreetgang21]

What I found shocking about University libraries in Korea is that they wont even let you in without a student ID!

In the States the idea of making a University Library semi-private would be heresy.

[semi-fly]

[Ukon]

In the USA we have a deterrent against this around exam time....people will steal your books for re-sell value.....problem solved!