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Study rooms in the Duques Hall will stay open from 6:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. during this spring’s final exam period, Student Association President Vishal Aswani said Tuesday.

Students that cannot find space in Gelman Library or Columbian Square can utilize the study space in the Duques building, he said.

“When I was talking to the administrators in Gelman Library, I realized how filled Gelman is during the midterms and finals period,” said Aswani, a junior. “I felt it was for the best interest of the students at GW to really go out and find the extra ways or other buildings to go out and study.”

Aswani said after talking to many students, Duques was the building of choice for more study space, Aswani said.

“After talking with the deans over at the School of Business, we were able to (get the study space) available,” he said.

The final exam period ends May 13.

We reported several weeks ago that Sodexho will allow some mandatory J Street funds to be carried over from year to year. That article also touched on some possible venue changes discussed with campus leaders at a meeting in the Hippodrome.

Though announcements about dining changes are often released during the summer, details about next year should become public by next week. Executive Vice President and Treasurer Lou Katz said the University has been pushing the food service provider to finalize everything before the end of the academic year. A public meeting about the 2008-2009 dining lineup is scheduled for May 1, he said.

In addition to consulting student and University leaders, Sodexho issued an e-mail survey last month that yielded more than 2,000 responses. One of the most likely additions to the venue is a kosher dining option.

The Student Association senate rules committee-elect met to discuss issues of SA transparency Monday in the Marvin Center.

The meeting was sparked by a letter sent by Ben Balter, chair of the committee which oversees student run elections. Balter, a junior, said in his letter that his committee, which worked to ensure a free and fair election for the SA, was held to higher standards than the SA.

“It was general sentiment of the committee that there was a sense of disconnect between the JEC and the senate,” Balter said. “Why should the student voice be held to any less of a standard than committee that elects it?”

Balter said his committee had to make all of their documents public in order for their decisions to hold — something the SA senate did not do this year, he said.

Recipient of the letter, SA senator-elect Nick Polk (U-at-Large), said the senate should use the model the JEC used this year and publish their public documents on the SA Web site to improve transparency.

Fred Girard, a member of the incoming executive cabinet, said the average student would not look at the posted documents.

“Think about the average student,” said Girard, the incoming vice president for judicial and legislative affairs. “Are the really going to use (these documents)?”

Executive Vice President-elect Kyle Boyer disagreed with Girard. He said public documents should be posted online as it is not difficult for senators to do.

SA senator-elect Patrick Hanley (ESIA-U) said the documents should be visible to all students on the Web site.

“I don’t understand why we can’t just get it done,” said Hanley, a freshman.

The rules committee will meet through a conference call over the summer to further discuss ideas for transparency.