Pursuing one’s education should improve one’s mental and physical health, rather than the current paradigm, in which attending college can erode one’s physical and mental health. At Gallatin School of the Earth, we believe that we should act with foresight and introduce preventative measures that improve the quality of life for students, rather than acting in hindsight to ameliorate problems once they’ve already developed. Beyond just staffing physicians, counselors and therapists, The School of the Earth addresses health and wellness by providing communal spaces for creative expression, social engagement, inclusion of nature and natural light, and access to basic amenities for all students. Any student enrolled in two or more tuition-free educational courses has access to these spaces (classes are offered at night and weekends to accommodate work schedules).
Additionally, students studying or interested in pre-med, art therapy, psychology, physical therapy, etc. are able to utilize the Health and Wellness facilities for research, paid work, and career experience.
- SHOWER PODS: Students and faculty will have access to clean, private, individual shower pods that are genderless and open to all. The shower pods are set to a timer to ensure no individual overuses water. All water run-off from the shower pods is transferred to the living marsh for filtration (see lobby floor plan). By providing everyone with access to basic health and hygienic services and facilities, Gallatin School of the Earth will ensure that all students are able to experience their education with an equal foundation of care. Inclusivity is our standard for all of our ideas, actions and designs.
- NAP PODS: These individual pods are customizable for sleeping. They have lighting and music options in addition to security settings that ensure one’s privacy. They serve two purposes: for students that need to recharge by taking a short nap between classes, and for those who do not have access to a safe and clean bed to sleep on during the night.
- HERB WALL WITH PODS: Through re-introducing nature as a core value of our school, we not only improve environmental health, but the collective health of our community overall. Having access to workspaces, classrooms, social lounges and even hallways that are in constant connection with nature improves the individual and collective wellbeing of students here at Gallatin School of the Earth. By growing plants that provide a multitude of purposes, we at Gallatin School of the Earth envision nature as more than mere decoration—we view nature as integral to the development of our students and school vision. This green wall is used for growing herbs that can be used for cooking, aromatics and Eastern medicine, research, etc. Students are able to sit and work in glass pods embedded within the herb wall. All green spaces will be watered using run-off water from showers and bathrooms that has been cleaned in the Living Machine (see lobby floor plan).
- CONVERTIBLE ART SPACES – THE ADULT PLAYGROUND: Because it is often considered unfitting for serious academic intuitions, the notion of play has been excluded from academia. However, Gallatin School of the Earth believes play to be at the core of creative thought. The convertible art space is one of many examples of our “adult playgrounds” that creates a unique space for expression and fun that facilitate creative, collective, and innovative thinking. Through the inclusion of play, our community is given opportunities to alleviate stress and anxiety in highly productive ways. Art therapy is utilized to enhance the mental wellbeing of our students and faculty. Convertible rooms can be utilized for playing music, painting, ceramic workshops, small theaters, drawing classes, or open art spaces.
- COUNSELING AND GENERAL PRACTITIONERS: Students at Gallatin School of the Earth have free and unlimited access to our professional staff of physical and mental health providers, free of charge. The book wall provides a level of privacy for those in the health center, while also creating an open space that feels inviting to our students and faculty.
- COMMUNAL AREA: While many of the facilities in this area are health and wellness specific, the entire space is open to any student as a lounge area. Guided yoga or meditation classes can be held in the open area or as a meeting area for the Cookies and Coloring Club and other student clubs and organizations.