From Good Food to Low Lights

by Libby Cudmore

With plates of chicken nuggets, stir-fry or salads, even bowls of ice cream and cookies, generations of Hartwick students have shared memories and meals around the Commons tables.

“Traditionally, we all use a meal as a break time,” said John Tompkins, dining services director. “It’s a time to get together with your friends, converse and let go of the day’s stress while you enjoy your food.”

With this commonality in mind, Hartwick worked with Tompkins to make several changes to improve the space over the summer, including installing 16 air conditioning units in the dining hall.

Dining Services also added the new “Take 15” area in the back corner of the hall, which includes soft seating, low tables and board games to encourage students to relax between classes.

The space was dedicated to Charlene Eklund, a much-beloved member of the dining team who passed away in 2022.

“So many alumni and students spoke fondly of her,” said Tompkins. “She had this way of talking to you and making you feel less stressed, so we thought this would be the perfect way to honor her.”

And no mealtime is complete without tasty dining options, including expanded allergy-free offerings in the “Stress Less” zone, apples from nearby Middlefield Orchard and locally bottled sauces for the stir-fry station.

“We really want this to be a place where you can go and have a good time hanging out with your friends,” he said.

But if a student wants some time away from the excitement, the Quiet Room, located in the DEIB Center in Yager Hall, is the perfect place to chill.

“There aren’t many spaces on this campus that aren’t exposed,” said Alicia Richardson, College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer. “This is one of those spaces. Anyone can come in and take a break from noise and light in a way that allows them to have a moment of rest.”

The interior space is outfitted with soft lighting, comfortable chairs and a couple of cuddly plush toys, making it a cozy, calming retreat. “We were very thoughtful about the sensory aspect,” she said. “Even if you can just come for five minutes, it can really help re-center you.”

And the space has become a haven not just for relaxing but also for collaborating.

“We had a group of students request to use it and they went in there to talk about a group project,” Richardson added. “It was so cool to see that these students saw this as a place where they could just be, away from the hustle and bustle of campus.”