Image of Anna Spowage, founder of ‘cube seats’ petition, by Chen Geng
A student at the University of York has started a petition to “Get more ‘cube seats’ in UoY Libraries”. Anna Spowage, YUSU Environment and Ethics Officer, also known by her alias “Jizzle Bizzle Morrell”, an allusion to academic orientated two-time Lord Mayor of York, John Bowes Morrell, name sake of the University of York Library, claims in her open letter that: “If you’re going to the JB Morrell Library you’re wanting to sit in those cube seats.” She espouses the benefits of the three-way padded comfort chair, from posture and energy drink placement, to the facilitation of all-night study sessions, not to mention the additional benefit that: “Cube seats are great for sleeping in when knackered after a long hard study sesh.”
The petition gained traction after being shared by University of York Memes, and World Book Day was also a great boost; in 24 hours signatures inflated from 50 to 97. Supporters have greatly varied in motive to adding their signature, from providing “top notch priority for student welfare” and “improving quality of life” to product design enthusiasts promoting the “sheer brilliance of this chair design and how amazing it is”, the University of York after all has long been at the forefront of supporting innovative modern design.
The ‘cube seats’, also called individual study booths, are part of the Haven Range manufactured by Senator Group. These “huddle booths” were first introduced in Summer 2011 following major investment into library facilities, controversially bucking traditional library study space design of wooden and utilitarian sacred places for academic study. Jizzle Bizzle admits some flaws to the design: “you could potentially be making direct eye contact every time you look up with a stranger sweating out pure undilluted Monster.” However this seems not to have deterred either Jizzle or her many supporters.
Some people have used the petition as an opportunity to slam University of York and YUSU spending activities. Jizzle commented: “fund something other than the sports team for once.” Another student argued: “we pay enough to be here just give us cube seats”. Shortage of study spaces at the University of York has long been a problem during exam periods, perhaps this is a solution? Academic Officer, Tamaki Laycock tells Vision:
“We have a constructive relationship with the library, which has produced many big wins over the years. That said, we’re always keen to receive feedback, and if anyone has any comment on this matter or any other, they can let us know through the student life survey.”
At the time of publication the petition has 115 signatures, only 85 more supporters are needed to reach the target 200. If you want to support Anna’s petition for more cube seats in the library, click here.