The office held a launch event for these Relaxation¹ Enhancing Study and Tranquility, or REST, Zones last week on Sproul. The zones are located in Bechtel Engineering Center, Wurster Hall, Eshleman Hall and the Tang Center.

 

"I really want to introduce this new mindset  --  that it's O.K. to nap and it's O.K. to take a break, especially when so many students at this school are affected² by mental health issues," said ASUC Academic Affairs Vice³ President Melissa Hsu.

 

The REST Zones consist of small areas outfitted⁴ with comfortable lounge chairs. The first four zones will accommodate a total of about 15 students at one time, according to Hsu.

 

The creation of the REST Zones and their furniture was funded by the Chancellor's Advisory⁵ Committee on Student Services and Fees, or CACSSF, and the Wellness Initiative Fee. CACSSF contributed $80,000 while the fee provided an additional $12,000 directly to the zones and another $12,000 to the Tang Center for related marketing⁶.

 

Much of this funding was acquired by Hsu, who began advocating for the creation of REST Zones more than a year ago.

 

"I noticed … that people weren't getting enough sleep, and that directly related to their mood," Hsu said.

 

According to Maddy Abroms, the director of the REST Zones project, in a survey on wellness, "one of the biggest complaints among students is a lack of sleep."

 

One of the sources of funds, the wellness referendum, was passed by the ASUC last spring and allocates⁷ funds for student wellness, including mental health. A $54 per-semester fee, included in student tuition, goes toward the Tang Center and other mental and physical health services such as the REST Zones.

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