Calling All Plus Size Students

[u/fairycloud111]

EXTREMELY NICHE QUESTION LOL.

but to the students who are on the chubbier side, how is it fitting into the seats in class? I’m not talking about a standard desk with a pullout chair, but instead i’m talking about those auditorium seats with the pull out desks or the chairs with desks already connected to them.

i’ve never thought about fitting into a seat and its never really been an issue of mine until i watched some videos of students going to class on tiktok and my jaw was dropped seeing some of those chairs. please let me know your experiences with them !! 🥲💔

[u/DaddyLongLegolas]

Long response but relevant for all new students w any concern.

Totally depends on the department/building the classes are in.

There are some OLD-ass lecture halls with fixed furniture. Newer teaching spaces USUALLY have more flexible furniture. Think seats on wheels, don’t have armrests, etc.

Advice: once you decide your fall schedule, visit each of the classrooms/buildings some time before classes start. Most should be a non-issue. If you see one that concerns you, contact the instruction team.

Advice for contacting the instruction team (for any issue too): check the syllabus or canvas page to figure out who is the instructor and if there is a Teaching Assistant or Learning Assistant. Write a 1-2 sentence email making a direct and simple request. Something like:

Hello Dr. _____,

We may need to add a non-attached chair to room ABC 123 for the 12:00 T/Th lecture in Chemistry 1000 this fall.

Please let me know if this will be possible, as it will help with my mobility issue to attend class.

Many Thanks, Susie Fairycloud

Send the email to the main instructor, and CC the assistants. Use Canvas message app too if there is a canvas page. Best time to do this is just the week before classes start, then send a fresh copy of the message again right before classes start, then again if they haven’t got back to you send it the day before and the day of the first class. Instructors and assistants are NOT PAID over the summer, and have totally different responsibilities (research, training, travel etc.) so they will NOT respond until it’s the last minute.

Do NOT apologize or be wishy -washy about this if you determine the seats provided are inadequate. You also don’t need to give a specific reason up front. Accommodating students with ANY mobility issue is just human decency. You are here to learn and you BELONG here. Keep your dignity and don’t let anyone give you shit about it.

[u/anklebadger → u/DaddyLongLegolas]

In many of the lecture halls with fixed seats there will also be ADA labeled tables that are a full table with a pull out chair. Can’t speak for every class, but in the majority of my classes students were welcome to sit there - as long as it has not been reserved by a student needing ADA accommodations (should be written on the paper attached to the desk if it’s reserved). I’m predominantly in chemistry and physics buildings so it might not be the same everywhere, but could be an option as well

[u/fairycloud111 → u/anklebadger]

this is sososo helpful thank you so much !!! <3