'Green Light, Red Light' to encourage conversation, community at Union Commons

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — "Green Light, Red Light," an experimental initiative of the Purdue Student Union Board and Purdue Memorial Union, is designed to encourage conservation and community in the Union Commons.

Each table in the commons will have a flip card with green and red panel options, said DJ Whitmer, president of the Purdue Student Union Board. The green panel, labeled "Take a Seat," gives people the opportunity to invite friends, peers and others to their table when it is not full. The red panel, with the label "Table Unavailable," allows those at the table to express their desire for privacy.

"The idea for this initiative came from the observation that a significant number of tables in the commons are often occupied by only one or two people at a time," Whitmer said. "This can pose a challenge for students and other Union guests that are looking for tables to sit at, particularly during the busy hours around lunch time.

"For many people, it can be awkward to ask students and guests already utilizing tables whether or not they mind sharing the space. With this initiative, we hope to provide a way to eliminate the awkwardness, while encouraging a flip to the green panel to make the commons a place where people come together and create community."

Purdue Memorial Union officials support the program, which begins Monday (March 28).

"This is exactly the kind of initiative we like to see," said PMU director Bob Mindrum. "Our primary mission is community building, so anything that promotes community here has our full support. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Purdue Student Union Board on this effort."

Tom Coleman, director of PMU retail dining, agreed.

"We provide a lot more to the campus than just food and beverage, and this effort will only build on the positive interactions that are already taking place in the Union Commons," he said.

Purdue News Service contact: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources:  DJ Whitmer, psubpres@purdue.edu

Bob Mindrum, 765-494-8901, mindrum@purdue.edu