We have alternatives

The student government has a very good idea about having the DMC Library open until midnight, but as with anything that is expanded, there is a cost.

The cost to air condition a five-story building, turn on the all the lights, and pay the salaries would cost thousands of dollars per hour.

Five to seven people would needed to staff the circulating desk, technology center, the reference desk, as well as general help and custional help.

Money to operate the college comes from two major sources: taxes from the properity located within the Del Mar College District, or the money paid by students in tuition and fees, which is already to high.

If the taxes go up, the owners of the property will increase rent, the price of goods sold and services, which means we all will pay more one way or another.

If we divide up the approximately $600,000 cost to expand the library hours, then the 12,000 students will have to pay about $75 each to cover the cost.

A much better solution is to open the Student Success Center for those extra hours. This building has the ability to block off the first floor, plenty of computers and could be opened with only two employees. There is a lot of room to study and it rooms for group study.

Whenever students want to ask for more benefits, we need to think about cost to us in the long run and then look for the best alternative to the idea.

Of course, regardless of where late-night studying space is, I would like to have a hot coffee machine to keep me awake.