With $1.8 million raised from the Student Center fee, the Moorpark College Associated Students has decided it is time to dip into the well and give students a new place to study in a group atmosphere.

The Student Service Fee, implemented in 2000, is the one-dollar per unit, per year fee that students pay for every semester at Moorpark College, according to AS President Ryan Krebs.

“Our main plan is to finally use the Student Center Fee,” Krebs said. “We want to finally give students a place to hang out.”

Among the list of things to be installed in the empty space, just outside of the Associated Student offices in the campus center, is to new carpeting, fresh paint on the walls, couches and add one or two televisions.

“Our goal is to be done with the remodeling by the first day of the spring semester,” said Krebs.

One of the motivations behind the building of this “Raiders’ Cove,” was the need for a place for students to study, and not just a place to lounge, according to Patricia Ewins, dean of performing arts and student life.

“I want to create areas around campus where students can study alone or in groups that is a not the same as a library,” Ewins said. “I want something that will give students or maybe even clubs an area to meet and work academically.”

According to Krebs, the AS plans to set aside a currently empty office in the room to allow for students to get an opportunity to study, and keep the TV on something educational, like the National Geographic Channel, throughout the day.

For the AS, their motivation is to take a step forward in welcoming students into the campus center.

“It has to be welcoming,” said AS Vice President Michael Fields. “If it’s just us and our friends then it is all a complete waste.”

Fields estimates the spending to be around $20,000 all told on renovations.

Both Ewins and the AS are working together towards the common goal of making the Student Union Center a more appealing location.

“This will be a much a more attractive way to use that area,” said Ewins.