We have a meditation room at in the Plemmons Student Union at Appalachian State. I can help you with any questions (
bryantgr@appstate.edu). We converted a small meeting room into a space for meditation, prayer, or quiet reflection. We took out the carpet and installed hardwood flooring, painted the walls lavender, and built in a cabinet to store community prayer rugs, mats, and meditation cushions. We have a sound machine which can also be utilized as a speaker if anyone wants to use a meditation app or soft music. There's also soft lighting with the use of floor lamps and battery operated candles. People are also encouraged to bring items for others to use in the room and we've collected a nice variety of prayer books, meditation books, religious books and materials from several different religions, prayer beads, etc. It is also common for people to leave encouraging notes for others in a small mailbox type container in the room. When we designed the room, we talked to various student groups on campus to find out what their needs were and what items/features would best suit their needs. We wanted to make sure that everyone felt welcomed, comfortable, and safe in the space.
To use the room, it is open for everyone from 8am-5pm daily and after 5pm for reservations for small groups. During the day hours, one can "reserve" the space by signing a form on a clipboard that hangs by the door. They can use it alone for up to 30 minutes. If they sign up and don't show up or show up late, then they forfeit their time and someone else can use it. We have a door hanger that indicates one side "private session in progress, please do not disturb" and on the other side "session in progress, please join."
Let me know if you have any questions or want more information.
Ginger Bryant
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Ginger Bryant
Information Desk & Ticket Sales Manager
Appalachian State University
Boone NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-16-2021 15:12
From: Jean Kwaterski
Subject: Prayer or Spirituality rooms
Hello!
I'm wondering if any of you who work at a non-religiously affiliated institution have a prayer/spirituality/reflection/meditation room (interested in the name, too). If so, could you send me the name and contact information for the person who initiated it or manages it? I'd like to reach out with some questions. Your assistance is appreciated.
Thank you,
Jean
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Jean Kwaterski
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Life
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh WI
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