Bring out the comfy chair!

This past term, I've been on sabbatical, and have visited several schools in the Northeast to see what they've been up to regarding student research. I learned quite a bit, but there was one aspect of my trips, one gem I learned I'd like to pass on. That is, if you're going to engage students in research, you can benefit greatly not only from labs to do work in, but also from places to sit and talk. Let's call then Community Spaces, okay? Great!

These Community Spaces came in various forms, but for the mostr part had the following: comfortable seating, low tables and optionally boards to write on. Now, if one wants to set up a space like this in a school where only undergrads exist, then justification rears its head. Also, I'm sure that for many of you, space is always an issue, and setting aside even a little bit for a Community Space can be a battle.

Still, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, the struggles you might encounter. Also, they be used solely by students when doing work on their own. At WestConn, I've convinced (sort of) our chair to purchase some comfy chairs, a coffe table, and have additional boards mounted in a space where we already have aq table and chairs. I've also convinced others to stick a wireless connection in the area.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you have Community Spaces? If so, whaqt are they like? How effective are they?