Huntington News

Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Elizabeth Andrews

Students may have spotted them around campus: a set of Adirondack chairs, painted in bright colors. They may find them occupied by their peers, who are taking a rest between classes or soaking in the early days of fall.

The chairs were placed around campus at the start of the fall semester by the school's facilities department, said Charles Doughty, director of landscape operations and suburban facilities.

Since their arrival, some students said they have embraced them for how comfortable they are and for adding a touch of color to campus.

"I think they're great," said Rob Losier, a junior music industry major, as he lounged back in a bright red chair outside the Curry Student Center. "When I have time between my classes, and I have a book to read, it's a good place to do it."

The chairs were brought to the school as an idea by the Facilities department, Doughty said. He said the department was looking for ways to improve the campus.

"We were discussing bringing something to the area that was interesting and fun," he said.

Eventually, the department came up with the idea for the chairs, initially distributing 18 chairs around campus, placing them in locations like the Robinson Quad, West Village Common, the Stetson Quad and the library quad, Doughty said.

"We tried to put them in all corners of the campus, both academic and residential," he said.

He said that the chairs' distinctive coloring, like bright yellow and cherry red, was another idea from Facilities.

"The colors were something we came up with to brighten up the landscape with the colors of summer," he said.

Losier said he admires the chairs' paint job.

"They're colorful, and really, who doesn't like colors?" he said.

Many students have quickly taken to the new furniture, soaking in the atmosphere of the campus while on break from classes or on weekends.

"They're comfy, and I like to sit in them. I like the fun colors as well, and they're placed well in good locations," said Alex Blinn, a junior economics major. "If no one's in the chair, I'll sit in the chair. When I come out for a smoke break, I'm usually in the chairs."

While many students have taken to the chairs, some have voiced dislike.

Brenna Barr, a senior philosophy major, said she is not a fan of the chairs.

"I think they're obnoxious," Barr said. "They're too bright. They just don't fit. And there's no need for them, cause we can sit on this." she said as she patted the stone boundary surrounding the Snell Library Quad.

After the apparent success of the first set of chairs, the department got a second set of 18, which has also been distributed around campus.

Doughty said he is pleased with what he has seen.

"You walk by the places where the chairs are, and they're all full. We're really happy about that," he said.

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