Solution #1: Install an adjustable hanging bar in the locker room. This solution involves a simple installion of an adjustable hanging bar, most likely at the entrance of the locker room above where the Lost and Found is currently located. This solution is inexpensive and easy to implement and students would be able to leave their suits hanging all day long if necessary. Some of the downsides would be potentially not enough space for all of the suits and the suits hanging there may be jostled (and potentially wrinkled) due to the proximity to the entrance of the locker room.
Solution #2: Install department store hanging rack and portable steamer in the locker room. This solution would involve the installation of a department store-like hanging suit rack in the locker room, either in the entrance or in one of the corners that allows students to hang and steam their suits in preparation for info sessions and interviews. This pros of this solution are many in that it can be used for both business casual and business formal attire, students can leave their suit jackets in their lockers and then steam before the event, and it would be specifically for student use (as opposed to placing it in the lobby where all can use it). Some downsides include cost (this is our most expensive option) and spacial considerations (is there room for it in the locker room? Could students leave their suits there all day long or would it be for last minute use?).
Solution #3: Install hanging bars or hooks in all of the bathrooms. This simple solution would allow for more than one area for hanging suits while not in use for interviews. This solution makes sense because there is more space available in the bathrooms, the suit would hang in the same room as where a student would change, and it would be out of the way, i.e. not be an eyesore for potential recruiters and perspective students. Downsides to this may include cleanliness issues (is the bathroom clean enough to store apparel) and potential space issues (can the smaller bathrooms accommodate this change? Is there room for this in the Men's Bathroom?).
Your ideas are great, I like the idea of having the fixed hanging bar in the locker room. Ideally, long-term Owen needs more space and having a changing/dressing room will provide the best outcome. Your short-term strategies will prove very helpful for students who don't want to dry clean their suits as often (which is necessary if you have to wear them the whole day and not change).
ReplyDeleteI like your first option of installing hanging racks in the locker room. Given the general nastiness of the Owen restrooms, coupled with occasional stock-outs of paper towels and the frequency of drinking events (and therefore increased restroom usage) I would fear for the safety and protection of suits in the restrooms. And imagine if they fell off the racks in the men's room. Ewwwww.
ReplyDeleteI think the steam cleaner would be cool, but perhaps overkill. Also, many students might abuse this capacity and use it in replacement for, rather than supplement to, dry cleaning (I'm looking right in the proverbial mirror on this one).
I think hanging rack would be simple and effective and much appreciated. My main concern for this, and other suggested solutions, would be crowd-out due to suits left overnight and for extended periods of time. I would recommend requiring or strongly encouraging students to write their name on interior suit labels before hanging the suit. That way, students can be notified or given warning if a suit is left overnight. If a student doesn't respond, the suit can be put aside in a box (and therefor need dry cleaning) or eventually given away to charity. I think we might as well throw the door-unlocking, computer checking, thermostat, marker, and now downstairs table outlet checker under the bus and make he or she in charge of suit-checking as well.
1) This is my favorite idea. One potential problem would be theft of expensive suits. (Food has been stolen from the 8:10, so although this is unlikely, students may be concerned about the safety of their suits.)
ReplyDelete2) I would be concerned about the space issue here. Specifically, I have a portable steamer at home, and it gets very hot. I would be slightly concerned about the use of a steamer in such a small, confined space.
3) Based on the cleanliness of the bathrooms, I would not really want to store a suit in the bathrooms.
1) Quick, easy, and cheap. I like the idea a lot. Would multiple bars be a possibility to deal with your space concerns? Unfortunately, there is also an issue of theft. While I don't think any Owen students would be the issue, there are outsiders, as witnessed with the 810 Cafe's problems earlier this year. Overall, think its a great idea.
ReplyDelete2)Takes care of the theft possibility if students can leave suits in lockers. Is it a self steamer? I'm unfamiliar with it. Is it difficult to use properly? That would be my main concern.
3)I like that its out of sight, although the locker room options aren't exactly visible to all visitors. I would have to echo your spacial concerns. The cleanliness doesn't seem to be much of an issue.
1. Someone mentioned how gross the bathrooms are, I would argue that the locker room is not much better. I would also worry about students knocking down my suit while they hand their own and not picking it back up. I guess I would say I would be wary of hanging my suit there.
ReplyDelete2. I like this idea a lot, but not in the locker room, where steam could really get annoying. I know rooms are short right now, but maybe one of the 810 cafe rooms?
3. I'd rather crumple my suit into my locker than let it absorb the air found in our fine restrooms all day. It would take a bottle of febreeze before I'd dare sit in a small library room with an interviewer.
Some possible constraints mentioned by others:
ReplyDeletea. The bathroom is not such a clean place.
b. The locker room is not such a clean place.
c. Theft of the hanging suits (in locker room or bathroom) may be a potential issue.
For all of these reasons I like #2 the most. If individuals want to take the risk and hang their suit in the locker room that is fine. If individuals don't feel safe hanging their suit in a public location then they can use the steamer right before the interview to press the wrinkles out of the suit and they are ready to rock!
-Kira B. Bielfield
I like the first idea a lot. It seems like a great way to keep people from having to keep their suits in lockers and I definitely think it is preferable for suits to be kept in the locker rooms over the bathrooms. I would be totally comfortable leaving my suit in the locker room, but would not want to leave it in the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI think the steamer is also a great idea. While I would worry about space constraints in the locker room, perhaps having the CMC keep one in a closet for people to use on an as-needed basis would work.
1) I vote for this. I guess that we need a security camera in the locker room for monitoring the suite from theft.
ReplyDelete2) I doubt if we could have space for both hanging rack and portable steamer in the locker room. As you can see, it is very crowed in the locker room now.
3) I don't want to put my suit in men's restroom. I don't want to make myself smell funny during the interview.
#3: I would never leave my clothes in the restrooms because of bad smell.
ReplyDelete#2:This could be an expensive solution but a good way of solving the issue.
#1: I like this solution but the trade-off could be lack of space as already mentioned by you.
#1: This space is a bit cluttered as it is and having this in the front might increase unwanted traffic. Viable solution and best idea of the three.
ReplyDelete#2: This might require rennovation and additional costs. How account for maintenance, is there a sign up sheet?? This might create more problems than solutions. Nonetheless, it would be very helpful to have something like this.
#3: I'd prefer not having to go into the bathroom and this would create unwanted traffic in the bathroom. Lack of space makes me wary...
I like idea one the most although i am concerned that making the locker room or bathroom a more accessible place to hang suits may junk up owen. The most practicle idea of the three is idea #1. The portable steamer may be a safety hazard and there is not enough space in the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI think that idea #1 seems like the best and easiest to do without changing student behavior.
ReplyDeleteIdea #2 involves some work for the students, which could significantly decrease it's use.
Idea #3 would be a minor change from student behavior by making people keep their suits in the bathroom, but I think that there's a 'gross' factor of keeping suits in the bathroom.
I toured Berkeley's MBA program and their solution to this problem was to make their lockers deeper so that students could keep their suits in their lockers so they would rarely have to take them to or from school but could just keep them there.
Deeper lockers would be the best solution here.
ReplyDelete#2: A rack somewhere in the locker room would be nice. Theft is a risk worth taking for a few hours given the honor code at Owen.
I do not like the steamer idea. Those things require a great deal of service and attention. Shared applicances do not work.
I like all of these ideas! I can loan you (for prototyping purposes) a portable whirlpool suit steaming device to put in one of the places you have identified. Maybe changing one of the restrooms (or a closest somewhere) into a changing room might be a way to legitimize the ideas.
ReplyDeleteA hanging rack is a great idea - can you combine that with some kind of "locking clothes hanger" to give people a sense of "security"? (Maybe find a standard "suit bag" like the kind that you get when you buy a suit that people can use to store their suits.) Is suit-storage a possible value-add for the 8:10 cafe?
Solutions 1 and 2 could both work well, assuming there is adequate space in the locker room. You would also have to inform the students of these new racks and their purpose.
ReplyDeleteNot a big fan of solution 3. I really wouldn't want to leave my suit in the men's bathroom. Maybe this flies in Colorado Tina...but not Nashville.
This is a funny problem for me because I cannot offer any unique insight about it from my own perspective. The only time Peabody students ever have to wear suits is when we go to academic conferences, and then we just hang them in the hotel closet... I am also not really familiar with any of the spaces you are talking about since I don't spend much of my time in Owen. However, I can tell from the responses of your classmates that there is a major "gross out" factor associated with leaving suits in the bathroom. Your classmates seem to show more support for the other two solutions, but they also have reservations about certain aspects of those solutions (security issues, space issues, etc.). What's the best way to address their concerns? How can you incorporate the feedback they have given you into what you have already planned? Don't be shy about going out and asking more students what they think! Being able to listen to and address student concerns will help you create the best solution.
ReplyDeleteI like number two the best but I think that to get that implemented in the short term would be very difficult. I think number one is the best option. As long as there is enough room to fit the suits in. My one initial concern is how much room do you have in that alcove. I thought it was only the depth of the lockers.
ReplyDeleteI like solution 1 the best - easy to implement and not expensive. I don't think the risk of theft is too high. A risk I'm more concerned about is that someone would inadvertently knock my coat off the rack. While I think most people would hang it back up, it would still collect lint and whatever else is living on the floor.
ReplyDeleteSolution 3 is not appealing to me because of the stench that my coat would likely absorb from the restrooms.
Just wear your suits..... if anything is a problem it is wearing a coat and tie all day. To that end-
ReplyDelete1. this addresses that issue and is straight forward. if you dont want to wear it, just take it off and hang it up.
2. Clutch. A nice touch. but you are right, cost is an issue.
3. i would never store my suit in a bathroom. Sorry.
Idea #1 sounds like the best idea to me although I wonder if there could be a way to enclose the suits to protect them. This would address some of the concerns people have about their suits being knocked off. The idea of hanging suits in the bathroom isn't going to appeal to anyone. There may be plenty of room there and people may change in them, but no one is going to want to store anything in there.
ReplyDelete