By David Simpson
Soft light. Gentle splashing. A few moments of blessed escape from the academic grind.
These are among the attractions of the new Reflection Room at 1105 Webb Center.
Designed as a place for reflecting, meditating, and just relaxing, the room opened in fall 2018. Though it's housed in the student center, faculty and staff are welcome too.
There are two wooden benches, a beanbag chair, a wall fountain, and rolled-up rugs and mats. Reading matter includes pamphlets on mental health and resiliency, as well as spiritual texts.
The room was created based on comments received from focus groups when Webb Center was being considered for the wrecking ball, said Dean of Students Don Stansberry. Instead, the university opted for renovation. So planners carved out the requested quiet niche.
"It's just a place to go and be," Stansberry said.