If you're lucky enough to have an office for your group, get a little Googley and take advantage of the luxury. The way your office looks says a lot about your group and can play a big role in how your group members feel. When I finally got an office for my organization last year it ended up seeing very little action because most people were choosing the cozy, couch-filled room next door over the white walls and high ceilings of our new space. However, we did have one memorable meeting in there when we decided to "spruce" it up with temporary decorations until it was no longer recognizable. Oh, and there was that time that one of the writers of this blog (I won't name names) was thrown into the wall, leaving a very distinguished looking dent in the sheet rock.
Anyway, though I never got to try this to the extreme, I am a big fan of getting everyone involved in creating an identity for the space and getting really creative with it. Cheap sprucers include funky lights, rugs, sheets, pillows, plants, and magazine clippings. My friend works for a company that has a wall full of black and white portrait photos of each employee representing their unique personalities. One room at Hunter had bare, white walls until they had a contest for the best mural and ended up with an 8 foot purple robot painting. Bookcases, couches, water coolers, TVs, computers, chalkboards, corkboards, and minifridges are also nice additions, if you have the budget. Many groups don't realize just how much their schools are willing to fund to promote student engagement and reduce unsightly surpluses (whoops, that last part must have been a typo). For a bit of inspiration, check out Google's idea of a good office environment:
Great post.
When I took office one of the first things I did was start to rework the design of our student government rooms. In my office specifically I had one of the walls painted a bright green color, got some weird looking plants, and brought in my retro lazyboy recliner to replace the traditional desk chair.
Image means a lot. It is important for student dominated areas to reflect student attitudes and preferences.
Posted by: Kody Tinnel | August 20, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Thanks, Kody! Any chance you could post photos of your office at some point? It sounds awesome. I'd also love to know what kind of plants you got b/c I have no idea what will survive indoors.
Posted by: Tania | August 20, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Before reading this post I guess I had planned to decorate my dorm room in the fall the way I always do - a few movie and music posters, and beyond that, trying not to let more than 3 or 4 finished meals lay around on the floor. Being an RA will make me welcome people in to my room when they're having troubles with something, so creating a more welcoming atmosphere would probably do a world of good. I might have to get myself an Ikea catalog now
Posted by: Mike Sharp | August 23, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Oh man, that's so exciting. Can you take before and after pictures? Also, I would recommend: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/furnish_with_light/fwl_start/index.html
(I love Ikea). There's an advising office at Hunter that just put some small lamps in to make the lighting softer, and it made a world of difference. Everyone comments on it as soon as they come in. They also had a basket of potpourri, but I don't know if that's your style.
Posted by: Tania | August 24, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I found this website that lists 10 workplaces which use innovative ideas such as those suggested in this article.
http://positivesharing.com/2006/10/10-seeeeeriously-cool-workplaces/
Alvira Khan
Florida Atlantic University
Former Student Body President
Former Board of Trustee
Student Government Association
FAU Alumna
Posted by: Alvira Khan | September 08, 2008 at 08:48 PM
These are awesome, Alvira! Thanks so much for the link. I am re-inspired!
Posted by: Tania | September 09, 2008 at 10:52 AM