A symbol representing the presence and importance of the international students of ISU, or just a great place to play a game of "Risk," the Student Organization Lounge has opened on the fifth floor of HMSU.

The lounge is a place for students, both domestic and international, to gather and interact with one another.

"What we really want is a place where we can bring not just the international students but also domestic students...to bridge the gap between the international students and domestic students," graduate student Zachariah Mathew said.

The lounge has been created through the combined efforts of ISU students and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Nolan Davis.

Davis allocated HMSU 508 for the purpose of the lounge.

Randy Green, the former assistance director of international student affairs, was also instrumental in the formation of the lounge.

Curriculum and Instruction graduate student Daniela Baez recounted memories ofthe international lounge at her former university, Xavier.

"We [international students] were like a family," she said.

While the lounge may be aimed at attracting international students unsure of where to meet people on campus, domestic students are welcome as well.

"We always encourage participation from domestic students," communication graduate student Fadzai Masiyazi said.

The room is decorated with a variety of cultural items from other countries, the most prominent of which are the many flags lining the room-a large United States flag is included among them.

The inclusion of the United States helps further the concept of an identity shared among participating students.

"We can all still come together and have one international identity," Masiyazi said.

Biology major Erika Verduzco created the logo for the lounge, which portrays a mighty Sycamore tree; each leaf is the flag of a nation that an ISU international student comes from.

The lounge is currently organizing several events, with more planned in the future.

Friday will see a game night in the lounge with students playing video games and board games starting at 6 p.m.; refreshments will also be provided.

The Student Organization Lounge is open 24 hours a day, with staffed office hours falling between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Throughout the first week of November, an international booth will be in the Commons as students in traditional cultural clothing will be present to answer student questions.

While the lounge is relatively new to campus, it continues to grow rapidly.

"This is growing through mutual respect and love," Mathew said.