51视频

05/14/2021
By Ed Brennen

When students return to campus this fall, they鈥檒l be able to study in swaying hammocks outside the Campus Recreation Center and Sheehy Hall. Or catch up with friends while relaxing in Adirondack chairs under the trees in front of Saab ETIC. Or start a game of volleyball in the Donahue Hall quad.

These are just a few of the outdoor amenities coming to the 51视频 campus this summer 鈥� part of the university鈥檚 continued efforts to improve living and learning spaces for students.

鈥淚t will be good to see students back on campus,鈥� says Senior Campus Planner Sara Cassidy Smith, who is leading the听Facilities Management听project. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have this opportunity to enhance existing outdoor spaces and create some new ones for when they return.鈥澨�

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to maximize time outdoors, Smith says the university is always looking for ways to provide more student-focused spaces on campus.
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The project began with a $100,000 budget but it doubled in size thanks to an additional $100,000 in funding from UML鈥檚听Advancement听office. The听Office of Sustainability听also contributed $20,000 for the purchase of solar-powered umbrellas, which students can use to charge their phones and laptops at existing outdoor tables across campus.

To find out what type of outdoor amenities students wanted, the听Office of Student Activities and Leadership听hosted an open forum on Zoom in March that drew nearly 70 attendees.

鈥淭he students were so appreciative to be included in the conversation. It allowed them to brainstorm, dream, and share ideas and challenges about our campus,鈥� says Student Activities Director听Sarah Rine.听

鈥淭he university鈥檚 investment in the physical space will help to improve students鈥� well-being and allow them to connect with others in new ways,鈥� she adds.

Here鈥檚 a look at what鈥檚 planned on East, South and North campuses:

East Campus

Campus Recreation Center:听Outdoor pingpong tables on the CRC patio and a 鈥渉ammock garden鈥� on the front lawn. 鈥淪tudents really liked this idea,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淭he hammocks will hang from permanent bollards that we will install, and the idea is you can bring your own hammock or we will make them available for checkout with your student ID.鈥�

Donahue Hall quad:听Volleyball and badminton nets and clusters of Adirondack chairs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very student-central, protected space,鈥� Smith says. Logistics are still being worked out, but the plan is for students to check out equipment from the residence hall or CRC, she says.

Fox Commons terrace:听Patio heaters and decorative lighting. 鈥淲e want to make it a little more festive, maybe add some greenery with planters,鈥� Smith says.

University Suites plaza:听Solar umbrellas for existing tables, patio heaters, Adirondack chairs and cornhole games. 鈥淭he umbrellas also provide lighting at night, which will really extend the area鈥檚 nighttime use,鈥� Smith says.

South Campus

Sheehy Hall overlook:听Hammock garden, solar lighting on trees and cornhole games. 鈥淐an you imagine sitting out here and watching the sunset?鈥� Smith says.听听

Allen House lawn:听Adirondack chairs.听

Concordia Hall plaza:听Additional table, solar umbrellas, patio heaters and lounge chairs.

Durgin Hall lawn:听Lounge chairs.

South Campus quad:听Adirondack chairs.

Riverview field:听Volleyball/badminton net (near the basketball court).

North Campus

Southwick Quad:听Three picnic tables. 鈥淭his space feels like it needs some dimension,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淭he pop of color from the tables will give it a little more visual interest.鈥�

Perry Plaza:听Solar umbrellas.

Lawn between ETIC and Lydon Library:听Two picnic tables and lounge chairs.

ETIC front lawn:听Adirondack chairs, solar-powered lights on trees.

Costello Athletic Center lawn:听Adirondack chairs and cornhole games. 鈥淲e want to bring in some fun stuff and make sure it encompasses as many areas as possible,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e working in Olney Science Center or Pinanski, you can come out and enjoy it.鈥�
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