Our team's project focuses on figuring out a way to help improve the suit coat hanging space around Owen (and by "improve" we mean "add" suit coat hanging space). The specific issue came from a conversation we had with Jack Hartley (our client) about the issue, but we know that we all feel the pain of this problem when we have interviews, lunch and learns, information sessions, etc.
Our three concepts are as follows:
1. Add coat hangers and/or racks in the back of classrooms
2. Use the small library room in between library rooms 8 & 9 as a coat room (it currently contains only a desk and old equipment)
3. Use the extra space in 2nd floor bathrooms to add coat racks
We look forward to your feedback and/or other ideas!
-Kristen Schaefer, Emily Seekins, and Kate Haffey
I think my primary point of concern with these concepts would be theft -- suits are valuable items, and there have been several instances of valuable items (laptops, etc.) being stolen on school grounds this year. I think any of these concepts is perfectly viable if some additional attention is paid to security. There are too many shady characters afoot in our lovely school to take chances with our fine suits.
ReplyDeleteDo people not currently use the hooks in their lockers for coat hangers? I think coat racks are a good idea, but not in the bathroom...they could take on the smell of their location.
ReplyDeleteThe two notes already mentioned in the comments would be my primary concerns: theft and location. Although I really like the idea of a place to keep my suit jacket, I'd be worried about it unless I was the sole person that had access to it. I mean, I can't even keep my lunch in the fridge for the day without it disappearing!
ReplyDeleteYet, I think a communal place, such as a closet in the CMC or library, where there is consistently visible foot traffic would deter theft. Also, since anyone can eat a sandwich, but not everyone fits into the same size coat, I don't envision theft being a continuous problem, but I would likely have to be convinced of that. Is there a way to monitor the location? Or, sign in your articles of clothing?
If the hooks are in the classrooms - no worries on theft. Come in, take off your jacket, hang it, and grab it on the way out. If someone in your class steals your jacket we have a community issue that the suggests the admissions folks aren't screening applicants well enough.
ReplyDeleteFor idea #1, many of the classroom already have coat hooks - and yet NO ONE uses them.
ReplyDeleteI like where you are going with idea #2 - some type of secure room. My only concern with this is keeping the area clean. I can just imagine people leaving their suit there for an entire mod -either cluttering the room or taking up space that could otherwise be used by other students.
As for idea #3 - yuck! I think we need to work on cleaning the bathrooms before we can put our formal business wear in them.
I am all for idea #1. Seems like a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
ReplyDeleteFor number 1, I agree with Kelly. There are a lot of classes have hangers, however, they aren't use. How would you encourage the students to use it?
I think you need to be careful with number 2 as it could be an opportunity for theft. How would you monitor this??
I think this is definitely a problem - thanks for addressing it!
ReplyDeleteI like Idea 1, but how would they fit? It seems like the classrooms are already super crowded.
Idea 2 is a good idea. I like the use of that space. I wonder if people would actually take the time to use it though - seems a little out of the way.
Idea 3 seems the best. Some type of "closet" system might work in that space.
Awesome ideas! All of them sound feasible and very useful for all students. Our lockers aren't big enough to hold much. There is no reason why we shouldn't get student coat racks, the faculty and CMC do, and they work for US...
ReplyDeleteNice issue to tackle ladies. This situation could be improved.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the prior posts regarding the concerns of #1 & 3 - #2 is your most viable option. Separately, though, I'm concerned that guys will be grabbing the wrong suit/jacket upon retrieval since I'd guess most guys possess the standard navy, gray, black, and pinstripe suit collection. Would there be an organization/tagging system?
#2 is a definitely nice idea. The demand is increasing especially in winter. Is it possible to use the extra space in the 2nd floor study space or meeting point (between room222 and women’s bathroom)? I also like Steve’s idea (tagging system).
ReplyDeleteI recommend having a designated process to put your name on the hanger. If people's names are CLEARLY marked on the jacket or hanger, this would calm my fears of theft. I'm not as worried about malicious students trying to steal my coat jacket as I am a mistaken swap because all jackets look alike. Great work Team EEEKK!
ReplyDeleteGreat issue to address...
ReplyDeleteI would go for idea 2
How about renting this tpye of coat hanger? No worries about theft because your coat is always with you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hands-net.jp/goods/1264-001001011
(sorry for Japanese only...)
I like #2, and Steve's tagging system idea. I hope library staff will be able to help managing tags...
#2 - I like the idea of finding a way to each have our own hangers. If we can find the space (maybe in the fishbowl like suggested above), it would be great to have portable racks with named hangers for us to use.
ReplyDeleteI think #1 is a great idea, and I haven't noticed them in the classrooms before, although people have said they are there. Maybe it is as simple as making sure people are aware of this option.
It doesn't seem to be fair that girls have one more bathroom at Owen than boys do. I'd like to turn that extra one into a coat room.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that we have coat hanger in any classroom...This seems to be an easy option to go for, safe and convenient.
ReplyDeleteThe central idea, a place to hang my suit or jacket, is great but I'm curious about feasibility. If everyone were to make use to the proposed library room 8.5, would there be enough space? Beyond students honor, how would you prevent potential theft? I think the best and most feasible use of space would be the 2nd Floor bathroom.
ReplyDeletei like the extra space idea, but how would you create space? Dont girls always have like couches in the women's bathroom?
ReplyDeleteWould you be willing to give up one of the meeting rooms in the 8:10 cafe? Maybe one of those rooms could be converted to a storage / dressing room with a simple card-swipe lock on the door.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one of your colleagues suggested to me a modification of an existing clothes-hanger to enable it to fit in your current lockers. Worth a try?? (plastic hanger + blow-dryer = prototype)
Good for you for finding the location between 8 and 9. That is a great idea. I think that people would respond to that. Putting a card swipe on that door would be excellent. Do it!
ReplyDelete