Let's Chill

Thinking about what went down yesterday, Steve Sloan, a prof at San Jose State University's School of Journalism makes a very wise suggestion to improve the campus vibe:

My Opinion: We need to do what we can to reduce stress and tension
I don't think we do enough to reduce stress at SJSU and tension is often unnecessarily high on our campus. A campus does not have to be as tense as ours is. With a little effort we could make it much more pleasant and less stressful for students to get an education at SJSU. It seems to me that reducing student frustration, stress and anxiety is not a high enough priority on our campus.

A tranquil environment can go a long way in any institution, but especially on the university campus.   Nothing else can ruin a good day at school than a trip to a cheerless administration office, or standing in an endless line at the bookstore.  Having to sit in a butt ugly classroom with walls painted in the hues of bodily fluids doesn't help, either. 

Creating a mellow environment and streamlining procedures wouldn't break a campus budget.  Steve cites an example where an improvement can be achieved just by adding a ticket machine:

In our computer lab in Clark Hall there is a print station. You have to pay for prints when you use the computers with a card that you have to add value to. But, there is no place in the lab to add money to the card. Try telling that to a student who is in a rush to print a paper before a class.

And, backing up to the bile colored classroom walls, enlist the art department faculty and students to assist in creating a more visually appealing setting. They know color better than the campus facilities department. 

Finally, there should be more places to nap on campus grounds.  I'm not kidding.  When I was a young student, I worked two jobs while taking a full load of classes.  At some point in my school day, I could have used a little 20 minute cat nap.  Instead, I loaded up on coffee.  As much as I love a good cup of Joe, a snooze would have been far more revitalizing.

Though most of us have snoozed in the stacks, the library doesn't really cut it.  Lawns are good, particularly under a big leafy tree, but in the Midwest and on the East Coast, that's limited to seasonal napping.  Therefore, I think schools should have "futon rooms" as they do in some start-up companies.  Or napping pods, very cool sleeping units you can slide into a comfy bed, pull down the cover and doze.

This all seems trivial in the aftermath of what happened at Virginia Tech.  But, I think steps towards  creating a comfortable, stress-less setting, on campus, at home and work, promotes a sense of peace, within and all around us.

Peace.  Sounds good to me.

 

Comments

[birchsprite]

Increase the peace... definitely!

[becky(priss/lola)]

that's what we all need - more naps!