Making my way to class 15 minutes before it began has become a nervous habit of mine. I often don’t enjoy class discussions when I am not able to sit in a good seat. Most students might understand this struggle. Walking into my class and all the good desks are taken.
The desks in Hunter College classrooms are relatively uncomfortable. Thinking about how old the buildings are, I wonder just how old the classroom equipment is?
I sit patiently in my history class waiting for the class to begin. A student walks through the door in with his newly purchased matcha drink. He heads to his seat and before you know it his matcha falls on the desk. He wasn’t able to enjoy his drink that probably costed around $6-8.
Many students agree that the classroom desk have cost them their drinks and devices.
Hunter student Adam Fares places his laptop on the desk. Fares’ laptop is bigger than the surface of the desk. He says these types of desks shouldn’t be allowed in classrooms because laptops could fall and break. Due to the unevenness of the desk, Fares says he caught his laptop from falling off the desk numerous times. Fares state, “It didn’t fall off, I caught it, but it would slip off.” Not only are the desks small but they cause students’ electronic devices to slide off completely. The surface of the desk is slanted causing objects to constantly fall off. Fares expresses that these desks shouldn’t be allowed in classrooms.
Gianna van Rouendal, senior at Hunter says she would avoid sitting in certain seats because they are not able to support her laptop. After presenting the picture of Fares’ laptop to Van Rouendal. She says, “I bring my laptop and it’s very small. I also keep a water bottle with me on my desk and it wouldn’t fit.” Most desks are not able to hold more than one item at a time. Students with water bottles and other beverages have to either hold their drinks or leave it on the floor. Van Rouendal mentions these types of desks could be good for note book only classrooms however they still are not able to hold more than one object.
According to students, classes where they need both a laptop and a book can be challenging. Fares says he has never been able to have both of his materials on the desk. Fares elaborates that he would have his computer on the desk and notebook on his lap. Many students face these challenges in their classes.In an attempt to juggling both their computers and notebooks at once, it distracts them from learning.
Different body types can prevent students from sitting at a smaller desk. Van Rouendal speaks on her experience stating, “A lot of them don’t flip up anymore. So as a bigger person it’s kind of hard to get into it.” Most single seated desk are roughly all the same size nonetheless there are many types of body sizes.
I visited the school’s Technology Resources Center in the North Building. I spoke with one of the coordinators who says they are not in charge of ordering classroom equipment other than technology. They referred me to student affairs in the East building. I spoke with Nelson who referred me back to TRC.
Eventually I was in contact with Assistant Vice President for Communications, Vince DiMiceli. Who states, “This year, recognizing needed upgrades in some locations on campus, they have established new furniture standards and launched a replacement program for classroom furniture. The communications team says students are encouraged to email Hunter facilities facilities@hunter.cuny.edu regarding classroom furniture.
Considering difficulty fitting comfortably in desk the office of AccessABLTITY can provide students with bariatric chairs or ADA-compliant tables upon request.
