Standing in the Library: Student Project

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Implementing classroom concepts as practical applications is one of the most vital standards of education that Andrews University courses offer to students. A health initiative in November of 2017 illustrated a noteworthy example of student leaders partnering with the empowerment and tools of the staff and faculty of their department. Through the Department of Public Health, Nutrition & Wellness at Andrews University, the James White Library was given a gift of two sets of standing desks and pads alongside didactic infographics of the benefits of the use of standing desks while studying. In the Nutrition & Wellness course FDNT 448, a project implemented to increase healthier habits in a timeless location such as the library took a grant of $600 to make an impactful, positive and practical change to campus.

The students involved in the specific project for the Library Health Initiative were Merlique Blackwood, Megan Correces, Kaleem Ambrose and Tara Thona. Partnering with the student leaders, Sherine Brown-Fraser, chair of the Department of Public Health, Nutrition & Wellness, and Tanya Thomas, administrative assistant, shared their support to turn classroom concepts into a real-life initiative. Brown-Fraser and the student leaders introduced one of the standing desk sets, located on the top floor of the James White Library, to Larry Onsager, dean of Libraries, and Rozenia Marinho, Media Center manager.

Gilson Oliveira, Seminary student, has used one of the newly-provided standing desks. He enthusiastically said, "When I am tired of sitting down, I come here to stand. I realize that I will be sitting for a long time in my classes later." Oliveira saw and took the opportunity to benefit himself and his health.