Plass Learning Resources Center held an Open House Aug. 20 to increase knowledge of resources available for Washburn University students.
Plass holds the majority of student resources on campus, including University Libraries, Academic Advising, Information Technology Helpdesk and several more. Washburn University encourages students to take advantage of these resources, and the Open House was its first initiative of the school year to bring students into the space.
“There are statistics and research … that says the more you are plugged into a library, for example, getting support from librarians or advisors or whatever, the more likely you are to succeed,” said Carissa Schmidtlein, director of new student orientation.
Schmidtlein spoke heavily on the benefits of utilizing Plass and its resources, with the quality of a safe study space being a unique benefit.
“Not everyone has a learning environment or living environment they can study in,” Schmidtlein said. “I love that this can be a place for anybody.”
Sarah Holt, instructional librarian, sees Plass as a hub of campus and wants students to be aware of all that the building has to offer, especially the library, which used to be its own entity on campus.
“It makes sense for us to be partnered and really close by … any kind of unit that’s not your specific academic area of study,” Holt said.
Students also revere the library as an important resource on campus. Sophia Calderon-Sosa, senior anthropology major, believes the library is “the best place on campus” and is beneficial to all students.
“If you have a question or are looking for anything, you can come to the library,” Calderon-Sosa said. “And if [the library doesn’t] know, then we will find somebody who does. And so I think that’s probably the most important for everybody, whether you’re a freshman or a senior.”
Plass will continue to hold opportunities for students to engage with its space with its next event, Pizza in Plass, taking place Sept. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Edited by Arohi Rai and Anushma Dahal
