"As we were unloading the furniture and setting it up, students and staff started sitting and socializing."
This happens in so many of our facilities! I've seen it many times over, in indoor lounges, our outdoor patio, dining areas. I used to get frustrated (hey we're not finished yet!) but now I see it as an indication of just how comfortable and at home our students feel in our spaces.
In addition to the resources Rob mentioned, do a little digging on Third Space Theory. Essentially, the third space is the place(s) between home and work (for students, this could be class), where people can just be their true self. Libraries, coffee shops, student unions, the quad or plaza on your campus, wherever people gather just to gather, that's a third space. They're vital, and often people may lack these spaces before they get to us. So teaching them how and why to use a third space becomes part of our mission.
Our staff are constantly reminded that everything we do is to serve a student whose name we may never know. How we plan and execute events, how we take care of the space, how we safeguard against crises, everything happens so that the guest who visits us for whatever their purpose might be, feels safe and at home. It's the same messaging we are using currently when we ask them to wear their masks - we want them to own part of that mission of care and comfort for their fellow guests.
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Jeff Pelletier, MA, MBOE, LSSBB
Ohio Union Director
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-292-3290
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 11:29
From: Robert Rouzer
Subject: Building Community in the Union Despite Facility Limitations
You might want to read an architecture book by Amos Rappaport: The Meaning of the Built Environment. Also look at the Campus Ecology research done by James Banning at CSU. (He may be retired now but I think his research center is still active.) Both these sources talk about how the nature of spaces affect behavior. I experienced several examples during my career. In one case, we had a plaza between the union and the building next door. It was a nice space that had a grove of London Plane trees. During summers, we held a once a week lunchtime bar-b-que with entertainment there and drew nice crowds. A spring ice storm destroyed the trees but we had a terrific alumni member who supported campus landscaping who was willing to donate to replace the trees. We convinced him to fund outdoor furniture and a number of large planters for summer flowers as well. As we were unloading the furniture and setting it up, students and staff started sitting and socializing. It was amazing how a nice plaza became an instant gathering place. In another case, our building had a triangular room with no windows to the exterior but a floor to ceiling glass wall on its longest side looking out into the building's atrium. The room had tiered carpeted platform seating that faced that glass wall. From the day the building opened, that space was used by students for quiet study. The room's acoustics amplified the least noise so even quiet conversations could be overheard. In addition, the rooms entrances were in front of all the seating so everyone in the room could see anyone who entered. These examples reinforced for me the power of simple things like acoustics and furniture to influence behaviors.
Good luck with your efforts!
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Robert Rouzer
Retired
Gallatin TN
Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2021 11:40
From: Bradley Plesz
Subject: Building Community in the Union Despite Facility Limitations
Hello All! We know that structurally the Union serves as a gathering place for students and campus members. When given the opportunity, it can be designed and built to encourage social interaction and community engagement. For example, think of comfortable informal seating areas for students to socialize or student organization offices and work areas for collaboration.
Our union, as compared to other campuses, has dated architecture that functions well for events and conferences, but lacks adequate informal social space/lounges, student org offices, and the warm-cozy atmosphere typically found in recent union builds and renovations. We have invested in new furniture in our public spaces, maintained the facility through painting, wayfinding and signage, and introduced digital marketing through flat panel displays around the Union (and rest of campus). Knowing that we are currently unable to fund a renovation or new student center build, how can we build community and a sense of belonging despite facility challenges and limitations? Specifically, how can we leverage our human resources (student and full-time staff) to augment community and belonging? What specific actions do you expect of your staff (Building Managers and other student employees) while they are on shift?
Our hope is to evolve the Union from simply an Auxiliary-centric (events & conferences focused) facility, to one that is ALSO dedicated to serving students and their development as well as fostering community for the entire campus.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Bradley Plesz
Program Manager for Event Production, University Center and Event Services
University of Colorado–Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs CO
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