TWU has an information desk, not a reference desk. Whitworth College doesn't use students. A paraprofessional works at the reference desk some. Using students was never satisfactory at other institutions where this participant worked. The issue of constant monitoring was raised since many reference librarians have multiple roles and need to work on their other activities when they are not on duty at the Reference Desk.
Monitoring is seen as the key.
At Texas Woman's University they are never without a reference librarian on duty and students are never in a position of being unsupervised. At the University of West Florida students are never alone. A librarian monitors them while on duty and explains the sources used. At the University of Toledo when there is no one at the Reference Desk users will turn to other users. A question was raised about the cost of staffing the Reference Desk when few questions are asked.