Future dorm residents get a say in furniture choices
By: Andy Dierker
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: News
Students, faculty and staff interested in the kinds of furniture that will decorate the new dorm buildings had a chance to influence the process Nov. 9 and 10 at Webster's furniture display in the UC Sunnen Lounge. Students and faculty demoed sets of beds, wardrobes and desks from four vendors and filled out a survey, indicating what they liked, what they didn't and specifics on both.
Assistant Dean of Students John Buck was there for most of both days. He said the purpose of the show was to get students interacting with and commenting on the furniture that may start showing up in their rooms on campus.
"We've narrowed it down to four vendors," Buck said, "and from there, a decision will be made."
The vendors were Adden, Blockhouse, KI and Southwest Contract. Webster will choose one company to get almost all of the dorm furniture from because buying in bulk is cheaper and everything coming from the same place makes it easier to maintain, Buck said.
Buck noted that at first, all the furniture sets all look pretty similar. But it was the little things that made the difference.
"As you look around the room, you don't see much difference from one set to the other," Buck said. "But, for instance, on the Blockhouse desk there are three drawers down the right side and on the one from Adden, it's one drawer and a big open space to put a computer in."
Buck said that the feedback they've been getting from students has been insightful and helpful. He opened the doors from a Blockhouse wardrobe and then opened the drawer at the bottom.
"See, you can't close the doors now," Buck said, trying to slam the door shut.
The doors couldn't close because the lip of the drawer was in the path of the door.
"This leads to more wear and tear on the furniture," Buck said. "This is helpful. The students sit down and tell us what they like about the appearance and functionality of it, but not fall in love with any particular features, because they can be adjusted for our needs."
Assistant Dean of Students John Buck was there for most of both days. He said the purpose of the show was to get students interacting with and commenting on the furniture that may start showing up in their rooms on campus.
"We've narrowed it down to four vendors," Buck said, "and from there, a decision will be made."
The vendors were Adden, Blockhouse, KI and Southwest Contract. Webster will choose one company to get almost all of the dorm furniture from because buying in bulk is cheaper and everything coming from the same place makes it easier to maintain, Buck said.
Buck noted that at first, all the furniture sets all look pretty similar. But it was the little things that made the difference.
"As you look around the room, you don't see much difference from one set to the other," Buck said. "But, for instance, on the Blockhouse desk there are three drawers down the right side and on the one from Adden, it's one drawer and a big open space to put a computer in."
Buck said that the feedback they've been getting from students has been insightful and helpful. He opened the doors from a Blockhouse wardrobe and then opened the drawer at the bottom.
"See, you can't close the doors now," Buck said, trying to slam the door shut.
The doors couldn't close because the lip of the drawer was in the path of the door.
"This leads to more wear and tear on the furniture," Buck said. "This is helpful. The students sit down and tell us what they like about the appearance and functionality of it, but not fall in love with any particular features, because they can be adjusted for our needs."
