Belmont is potentially adding one more construction project to its list of expansion efforts, but this one won't be a full building.
Instead, it'll be a room: A sensory room.
“I think it doesn't fix some of the physical accessibility concerns, but it definitely can help with a lot of the other accessibility concerns on campus,” said Savannah Bensing, president of Belmont’s Disabled Students Union.
A sensory room is meant to be a space where neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities can go to regulate their senses and take a break from outside distractions.
The office of Hope, Unity and Belonging is working with Belmont’s DSU to try and plan out the sensory room. While some students have raised concerns about accessibility on campus, this is seen by some as a step in the right direction.
“We were really surprised and excited. Sometimes people don't get back to us at all, so it was great,” said Bensing.
While the plan is still in its early discussions, both the HUB and Belmont’s DSU are optimistic about the project going forward and its future development.
“I don't think we're too far off. I just want to make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed and figuring out where it's going to be and what's going to be in the space,” said vice president of the HUB, D’Angelo Taylor.
A potential location is still being figured out as open space has become a commodity here at Belmont.
“On Belmont’s campus, if you see an open space, it's probably already accounted for,” said Taylor.
Other concerns raised in these early discussions by the DSU have been location, soundproofing and ease of reserving the room.
“My hope is that there's a way for students to know that it's there because that can sometimes be the hardest part,” said Bensing.
Going forward, the hope from students like Bensing is that accessibility concerns can continue to be addressed by Belmont and that they will continue to value student input.
“We're hoping that we'll be able to become more a part of those conversations and we can have more student representation on that point, so they can know what they need to address and how to address it,” said Bensing.
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This article was written by Braden Simmons