The following does not represent the views of Loyola University Maryland, The Greyhound, or Loyola University’s Department of Communication.
Have you ever left your class on a beautiful day, and noticed that all the tables outside the College Center are taken? Every table outside Green & Grey is full, and the Humanities porch is booming. Where do you go to do your work? Unfortunately, many of us are forced to head back to our dorms or find a seat inside. What if there were more outdoor workspaces on campus where you could get some work done, charge your laptop, and take in the fresh air?
Working outside has many benefits for both mental and physical health. Jason Parcover, the director of Loyola’s Counseling Center said there is evidence that having access to the sun is important for our wellbeing.
“There’s been an epidemic of low vitamin D in our country for a while, and we know that has important impacts on our physical but also our mental-health. There’s more and more research, especially in recent years, that time outdoors, that finding community outdoors, and spending time alone outdoors, is really impactful to our personal wellness and to our sort of community-level wellbeing,” Parcover said.
The Director of Loyola’s Recreation and Wellness, Michael Castaneda, thinks that going outside and getting vitamin D is in everyone’s best interest.
“I think it’s very important for everyone…to have opportunities to be outdoors. Just enjoying what nature has to offer helps with all types of mental health. Everyone’s dealing with their own situations, challenges, and stress throughout their daily lives, so I think just having those opportunities to be out there in the sun and in nature is a big benefit when it comes to clarity and de-stressing throughout the day,” Castaneda said.
Loyola should consider some innovative and cost-efficient solutions to creating outdoor workspaces across campus. For example, the solar technology company Smart Era Lighting Systems (SELS) creates solar charging and connectivity picnic tables. This innovative table exclusively uses solar power to charge up to six devices and can seat around six people at a time. Additionally, there is a Wi-Fi router already installed within the table to ensure speedy connection. This table would be perfect for students looking to work outside and take advantage of the fresh air, without worrying about charging devices or finding space.
These tables could be implemented around campus, not only on the quad, but near residence halls. One or two of these tables could be placed outside each of the residence hall areas, in order for students to have easy access to an outdoor workspace without walking all the way to the quad. If these tables were sprinkled around campus, students would certainly utilize these spaces.

The Greyhound recently ran a poll on its Instagram story which said, “If there were more outdoor workspaces on the quad and near residence halls, e.g. solar charging picnic tables, would you actually utilize these spaces?”
88 individuals voted, and the results indicated that 97% of Loyola community members would use these outdoor spaces.
One comment suggested increasing outdoor spaces that are not primarily for work or studying, but instead focus on unwinding and taking in the outdoors.
Parcover referenced the Counseling Center’s plans for encouraging community members to spend more time outdoors.
The Hammock Garden outside of Campion Towers has poles to hang hammocks from, but students who don’t own hammocks are out of luck for the time being.
Parcover said, “We’re going to purchase hammocks and put them up there for folks to use. And we’re going to put some hammocks up on the east side as well.”
In addition to providing free equipment for Loyola’s volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, Parcover said, “We’re going to have a blanket library for folks to come and borrow blankets to lay out on, just these types of things to really encourage students and faculty and staff to spend some more time outdoors. We’re super excited about it.”
With Loyola’s beautiful campus, it makes sense to encourage students to enjoy all it has to offer. Loyola should consider investing in outdoor spaces that allow for students to reabsorb that vitamin D and connect with each other outdoors.
Parcover said, “There’s a term that I’ve heard recently called ‘forest bathing’. It’s the idea of surrounding ourselves in green things that are growing, taking hikes, even, you know, just spending time in a grassy area. Our body does all sorts of really remarkable things when in those types of settings. Our cortisol levels go down, our dopamine levels go up. Literally, it’s directly impacting our sense of wellbeing.”
The Greyhound is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. We’d like to hear what you think. Our email: [email protected].