Classroom Chairs

Across Carey Hall, the Lumen Center, and the Science Building, there are five different categories of chairs. Why? How are they selected? Which is the students’ favorite? To answer these questions, The News surveyed 45 students and interviewed Kelly Harrison, Gilman’s Director of Facilities.  

Ms. Harrison explained that the reason behind the different furniture is likely due to unsynchronized remodels across the buildings, each accompanied by new furniture to match the remodel’s aesthetic. In choosing the chairs, comfort is surprisingly not a consideration. Ms. Harrison shared that the primary factors in doing so are weight capacity and appearance, seemingly neglecting the purpose of a chair: to provide comfort.

However, students care exclusively about comfort and have very colorful opinions. The News’ poll featured five traditional classroom seat categories: the spinning chairs, the hard-backed chairs in most classrooms, the L-shaped tablet chairs, the lecture hall seats, and the cushioned chairs in C-203. The cushioned chair proved to have the greatest following. Among the 53.3% of respondents stating it was their favorite was Nathan Koldobskiy ‘29. Nathan remarked, “The eloquent design of the cushioned chairs in C-203 allows for maximal leisure and enjoyment. The curvature of the back of the chair aligns perfectly with one's spine, creating the illusion of sinking endlessly into fathomless fluffiness and tranquility.” This is a sentiment presumably shared by most of its twenty-four proponents.  

The spinning chairs and lecture hall seats trailed behind with 20% and 17.8% of replies, respectively, with students citing the lecture hall’s softness and cushioning. As for the spinning chairs, most enjoy their mobility, and John Nehra ‘29 remarked, “It provides a decent amount of lumbar support and is set at a good height for me to do work at.”  

The hard-backed chairs came in fourth with 6.7% of respondents, and the tablet chairs brought up the rear with a single vote. The sole proponent of the tablet chairs, Patrick Evermann ‘29, said, “This chair cracks your back like no other. I've never had a more satisfying crack in my life. Additionally, the armrest makes it extremely comfortable for sleeping.”

Purchasing a seat with optimal comfort, weight capacity, and appearance is nearly impossible; thus, it is inevitable that any chair choice will have its critics, and students will be left dissatisfied. Still, the administration has done a fantastic job in providing students with a wide variety of chair options for their day-to-day studies.