Active workspaces, a student-led initiative designed to stimulate studying while increasing opportunities for movement, are located on the Downtown, Evansdale and Health Sciences libraries.
The workspaces include standing desks, yoga balls, spin bikes, under-desk ellipticals and yoga mats. Library visitors, including faculty and staff, can use the equipment to either take a movement break or move while reading or studying.
“Our published research findings show that regular users of the Campus Recreation facility have significantly higher retention and GPA,” Andy Darling, director of campus recreation, said. “We also know that facility proximity matters, so we are trying to bring opportunities for movement to as many individuals on campus as possible.”
The initiative is a partnership between Campus Recreation, WELLWVU, WVU Libraries, the Student Government Association and the WVU Exercise Physiology Club, with support from the Interior Architecture Program and Office of Sustainability.
Students are also pursuing options to purchase under-desk treadmills and portable fans for the Downtown and Health Sciences libraries.