The College of Business (COB) just rolled out a buffet for hungry devices in the State Farm Hall of Business. Seven charging tables were installed in the building over the summer, each with the capacity to feed 12 phones and/or tablets simultaneously. The tables offer USB-C, lightning, micro-USB, and inductive charging.
The additions resemble electrified cocktail tables and are located in the building’s common areas, as well as outside the professional sales lab and advising centers. They are adorned with ubiquitous charging symbols, making them easy to spot. The wraps were designed in-house by COB Executive Director of Marketing Steve Vandiver.
The tables serve a functional need for students. However, the value of the tables is more important than ever, as foot traffic in the building returns to pre-pandemic levels.
“In this building, there are natural areas where people tend to gather either waiting for an event or for classes to start. Some people use that opportunity to plug in their chargers and grab some juice, but they were also sitting on the floor, sometimes,” said Liam Nance-Carroll, the COB’s director of technology and building services, and also the leader of the project.
He believes the feature is a nice add for all of the building’s visitors.
“At this point, everybody has a cell phone, and while batteries definitely last longer than they used to, people are also using their phones for more functions than ever, “Nance-Carroll said. “It seems like everybody’s always looking for somewhere to plug in and top off, and that also means prospective students, their parents, our alumni, and our guests.”
Nance-Carroll also believes the tables will serve as a modern watercooler for visitors.
“We think that will be a secondary benefit for students, especially. Usually, people were charging their phones in solitude, but perhaps this will be a more social way to juice up.”
Members of the campus community seeking advice for adding unique charging stations are encouraged to contact Nance-Carroll at ljnance@IllinoisState.edu.
