As students approach the counter of The Den or the Hub many expect to see familiar faces and exchange greetings with the men and women working there.
Recently, unofficial policies were put in place that limited individual, special greetings — such as a quick personal conversation or a hug — given from workers at The Den and the Hub to students they know. The policies were intended to keep all greetings uniform and cut down check-out time for each customer during rushes in business.
Following the lack of interaction with students, the supervisors revoked the policies, but still insisted that employees should strive to keep up a fast pace. When the Hub supervisor Steve Santo and The Den supervisor Linda Wallace were asked about the policies, both denied that such policies had been put in place.
"I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't know where you got that from," Santo said.
Wallace seconded Santo's sentiments, dismissing the allegations as rumor.
Most workers in the Hub and The Den refused to answer questions, saying the only employees allowed to speak to the newspaper were the supervisors.
Still, a couple of employees discussed the policies.
"It just naturally occurs that you develop bonds with individual students since you seem them on a daily basis," said Sallie Bartlett, an employee at The Den. "It doesn't make sense to not be able to greet students on an individual basis."
Another employee in The Den, Rose Lancaster, also discussed her dissatisfaction with the policy change that she perceived as disallowing any relationship with students.
Still, the discrepancy between what supervisors and employees are saying remains.
Many students, who enjoy their daily conversations with the Den and Hub employees and consider them to be their friends, are disappointed and confused as to why this policy change would occur.
"I would feel like I wouldn't be at home like I should be at DePauw if I couldn't have personal conversations with the people I am surrounded by," said sophomore Alison Stephens.
Other students like junior Libby Hamilton expressed surprise and confusion.
"That's just one of the great things about DePauw is that everyone does know each other's names, and that everyone is so friendly to each other," she said.
Junior Stacey Way agreed that the sense of friendship at DePauw creates a distinct atmosphere. She said life would go on with such policies in place but, "It would just be less friendly."