Did You Know About This!? Hidden Amenities for NIC Students

While NIC has many amenities available to both students and community members throughout the year, there are still some hidden gems to explore.

Message Chairs

In the SUB, up the stairs to the left, are four massage chairs free for students to use. They have been available for years and are tucked in a cubby across from several other couches outside the TRIO and ASNIC offices.

Mateo Herrera, an ASNIC senator, said that ASNIC attempted to get rid of the massage chairs several years ago but changed their minds due to positive feedback from students.

“As you can tell from the material, they are very well used.” Herrera said, “I don’t often have time to use them, but I wish I did.”

For those who do get the chance to use them, like NIC student Philip Heinrichs, there is positive feedback to be had.

“They (the message chairs) are an essential component of the student community.” Heinrichs said.

Study Pods

On the second level of Molstead Library, NIC recently installed study pods. They are soundproof, with automatic lighting and their own heating and air-conditioning vents. Several walls are magnetic, allowing students to affix study materials above the small desk space.

Amber Hansz, Assistant to the Dean, said for the first few weeks after the pods were installed, they got very little traffic, but now are almost always in use.

“It drowns out all the constant noise.” Hansz said, “Before they were installed we really didn’t have a place for people to go to a Zoom class and feel like they could participate.”

Students are encouraged to use the pods for Zoom classes, taking phone calls, studying, etc.

Boswell Study Spot

On the north side of Boswell Hall on the second floor is a quiet study nook offering flexible seating, several school computers, a printer, and a microwave, all available for student use.

“I like to bring my lunch or a coffee up here and just hang out,” NIC student Haylee Hensley said. “It’s cozy, and they have good furniture.”

NIC student Ruth Haaland said she studies up there frequently because it is quiet and less trafficked than areas like the SUB.