The College of Medicine revealed the renovations to its student lounge yesterday at a grand opening event attended by students and members of the college administration.

“We renovated to make the area a little more relaxing and professional-looking, and also to give it a coffee shop feeling so students can kick back and have a place to study and relax,” said Mary Matthews, director of planning and facilities at the College of Medicine.

The renovations included new couches and chairs, a renovated kitchen space, new lighting, a flat-screen TV and a game room that features a foosball table and a pingpong table. The lounge previously shared space with offices for financial aid, special events and alumni affairs.

Part of the reason for the change, Matthews said, was because students were questioning whether it was a place for students or for administrative offices.

“The students didn’t know if they were too noisy or if they were disrupting the offices,” she said. “So we relocated the offices so students that needed to visit them had a bit more of a private entrance.”

After relocating the offices, the student lounge increased from 2,210 square feet to 2,500 square feet.

“I think the space is more properly utilized. It’s brighter, so it feels more inviting,” said Gunnhild Albrecht, a second year medical student.

Sonam Singh, also a second year medical student, said she enjoys the new kitchen area and the study spaces.

“There’s a place to study, I like that a lot,” Singh said. “You don’t have to isolate yourself in a library if you want to do something.”

The lounge was mainly funded through the College of Medicine. The kitchen area features an ice machine that was funded by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

“The whole area seems really inviting and every time I go in there, it seems more well-used compared to before,” said Matthews.