Columbia State Community College recently launched the Charger Comfort Zone, a place for students to unwind on campus.

The space, located in room 109 of the J. H. Warf Building on the Columbia Campus, was established by Columbia State's Counseling Center and Disability Resource Center as a result of a Walmart Community Grant, CHASCO grant and supplemental department funding.

“The idea for this space came out of the increasing need in 2019 to provide students with a place to decompress and recharge mentally and emotionally,” said Melissa Febbroriello, Columbia State counselor and case manager. “Walmart granted us a community grant for $1,250 which was so helpful, we also utilized prevention funding from the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities and the Counseling Center and Disability Resource Center office budgets. Our development was delayed by the pandemic; however, it now seems to be right on track with current trends in higher education.  More and more institutions are creating these spaces to help students return to campus and account for the unique transitions we are all going through.”

The space includes comfortable seating, calming decorations, weighted blankets and interactive sensory tools. The Department of Student Engagement is working with campus officials to potentially bring a Charger Comfort Zone to additional Columbia State campuses in the semesters to come.

“The Charger Comfort Zone was created through the collaboration of the Counseling Center and the Disability Resource Center as a means to provide additional support to students while on campus,” said Wynn Gooch, Columbia State Disability Services counselor. “The idea emerged through a visit made to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the identified benefits to our student population.  We are excited to see the impacts this room will have on our school.”

The Charger Comfort Zone will officially open to students with an open house on February 14 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with refreshments provided.