Some 60+ years ago the 500+ elm trees were removed from my campus. That process left a mess. A landscape architect designed a new “quad” area of grass, trees, shrubs and brick walks. Yep, students made their own paths between buildings.
School finally lifted the unused bricks and replaced them where they really belonged.
A tip of the hat to Dwight Eisenhower, in legend if not in fact. Supposedly he did this when he was president of Columbia university, before running for president of the U.S.
Someone at one of my universities wrote a letter to the paper about a sidewalk being an artificial imposition on nature, while a path is itself a living, growing thing.
They now sell wobble chairs for schools and also wiggle bands to put on students’ chairs. The idea with the wiggle bands is that they go between the front legs of the chair, and the kid can kick at the rubber band instead of kicking the legs of their chair. Supposedly both approaches help with all that pent up energy.
In fact teetering itself is a coping mechanism for some kids who need to keep their big muscles moving in order to be able to concentrate at all. When you’re in a place where adults are sitting, notice how many of them bounce their legs: Thats the grown-up equivalent.
Some colleges put in big, broad walkways between all those big buildings. And when enough students take shortcuts when they get near to where they are going, and wear bald spots in the grass, then smaller walkways are installed there.
One of the places that did this, and maybe one of the first, is Michigan State University, and to this day their campus is one of the most comfortable places I know.
The path thing, that is. I don’t think they have recliners in their classrooms. Though I have noticed in some movies, which means it must be true, that fighter pilots on aircraft carriers get to sit in La-Z-Boys when they’re briefed before their missions. Which is only fair. Because while I’ve never been on an aircraft carrier, I have had a chance to peek inside a fighter or two, and those cockpits most definitely do not look like comfortable places to sit. And that’s even without the G-forces or the piddle packs.
The Brooklyn Accent almost 5 years ago
Mr. Spaetzle will not want to become known as the principal who encouraged La-Z-Boys and La-Z-Girls.
unfair.de almost 5 years ago
The laptop reminding Mr. Spätzle of his name and rank is a nice detail.
Ceeg22 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Teetering is much more fun than reclining
asrialfeeple almost 5 years ago
Not happening, kid.
Old Girl almost 5 years ago
Some 60+ years ago the 500+ elm trees were removed from my campus. That process left a mess. A landscape architect designed a new “quad” area of grass, trees, shrubs and brick walks. Yep, students made their own paths between buildings.
School finally lifted the unused bricks and replaced them where they really belonged.
Olddog1 almost 5 years ago
A tip of the hat to Dwight Eisenhower, in legend if not in fact. Supposedly he did this when he was president of Columbia university, before running for president of the U.S.
rshive almost 5 years ago
Well, if they’e going to teeter anyway….
1MadHat Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I like the unofficial “path untrodden”. Usually grassy or shaded, and my feet like it better.
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Sure, it’s all fun and games until some kid tips over and cracks his skull on the hard tile floor.
gcarlson almost 5 years ago
Someone at one of my universities wrote a letter to the paper about a sidewalk being an artificial imposition on nature, while a path is itself a living, growing thing.
jbarnes almost 5 years ago
They now sell wobble chairs for schools and also wiggle bands to put on students’ chairs. The idea with the wiggle bands is that they go between the front legs of the chair, and the kid can kick at the rubber band instead of kicking the legs of their chair. Supposedly both approaches help with all that pent up energy.
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
In fact teetering itself is a coping mechanism for some kids who need to keep their big muscles moving in order to be able to concentrate at all. When you’re in a place where adults are sitting, notice how many of them bounce their legs: Thats the grown-up equivalent.
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Some colleges put in big, broad walkways between all those big buildings. And when enough students take shortcuts when they get near to where they are going, and wear bald spots in the grass, then smaller walkways are installed there.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 5 years ago
Blog PostsFrazz13 hrs ·
One of the places that did this, and maybe one of the first, is Michigan State University, and to this day their campus is one of the most comfortable places I know.
The path thing, that is. I don’t think they have recliners in their classrooms. Though I have noticed in some movies, which means it must be true, that fighter pilots on aircraft carriers get to sit in La-Z-Boys when they’re briefed before their missions. Which is only fair. Because while I’ve never been on an aircraft carrier, I have had a chance to peek inside a fighter or two, and those cockpits most definitely do not look like comfortable places to sit. And that’s even without the G-forces or the piddle packs.
FrankTAW 7 months ago
There’s no money in the budget for that.