Its most frequent visitors call it the ‘glass box of tears’. Tucked away in the bottom corner of the Cathedral, the glass box serves many purposes: comfort, refuge and motivation.
You wouldn’t find the Chapman lounge unless you were either a. guided there by another person or seeking a place to escape from your worries. I only know of it because of the extensive stories I’ve been told of the anguish which has occurred in the room.
It is made for comfort. Plush leather chairs and soft, billowy couches envelop students. A coffee maker bubbles in the background as students furiously tap at their laptop keyboards. “I can’t believe she’s making us write an entire essay on this one sentence!” exclaims a student. Though it sounds like an uplifting class, theory classes can be hell for some—especially those who just want to perform.
Beyond the bubbling brewer and the exasperated keyboards, sweet and beautiful sounds can be heard pouring out of the ‘soundproof’ rooms. Melodies of love, sadness, fury and many other emotions swirl through the air. At the same time, a student pours Great Value creamer into their K-Cup coffee, tears are drying in her eyes as she sips the blend. “I don’t have time to finish the worksheet before class, she’s going to be so disappointed with me,” says a student in distress.
“I guess I’ll see you in a few hours when we’re going to suffer. Yay!”