Why do many students avoid Pattee and choose to study at Roy Rogers and the Ye Olde College Diner restaurants on College Avenue?

Although the primary reason for stepping into one of the establishments, is, of course, to eat, they also have been used for studying. Reasons have ranged from late-night snacking to enjoying a warm smoking area.

"Roy's is the only place that doesn't serve breakfast food for breakfast," said Pat Marshall (senior-civil engineering). "And I can come here to relax while I look over my engineering work."

The College Diner, 126 W. College Ave., serves breakfast 24 hours a day, but Massie Jones (freshman-DUS) chooses to study during the day not only because of the access to food but because it is less lonely than at other places.

"I spend about an hour a day in here," she said.

Matt Brown's (senior-civil engineering) excuses for studying at Roy's, 310 E. College Ave., were because it was close to home and a book, Places to Study In, claimed Roy Rogers to be a social haven.

One student was adamant about the atmosphere and prefers the background noise to the silence of the libraries or dorm rooms. Averaging about one to two hours daily at Roy's, Nina Keenehan (sophomore-liberal arts) said, "The noise doesn't bother me because I only copy notes or review chapters when I'm here."

Although most fast-food restaurants are busier near the noon hour and some managers prefer students not stay to study, Keenehan said, "I have even seen people come in here who don't buy anything and are not bothered (by the management to leave.)"

J.A. Babay, manager at the College Diner, said there was no regulation time for students who wish to study.

Roy Rogers is open until 2 a.m. and when students need nourishment at odd hours, they can sit for hours, as well as receive refills on soft drinks.

A "regular" at Roy's, Keenehan has seen a definite increase in the number of students who study in the evening.

Kennehan complained that the University's smoking ban had made it impossible for smokers to study in campus buildings.

"That has a lot to do with the fact that I come here sometimes five days a week," she said.