Thanks to HOM Furniture, nursing mothers and parents in need of a quiet spot to feed their babies will have more convenient, comfortable options at their disposal at St. Cloud State.
Each of the rooms, designed to be cozy and private, is outfitted with HOM Furniture. Ellyn Bartges, St. Cloud State’s equity and affirmative action officer, approached the company for assistance. In the interest of supporting a family-friendly environment, and the needs and goals of the University, HOM agreed to furnish the rooms.
“It’s a very good example of community involvement in the University and we’re grateful for it,” Bartges said.
Each room includes a comfortable chair, table, lamp and a small refrigerator, all donated by HOM.
Since 2004, the Women’s Center’s “Baby Café” lactation station has served breastfeeding mothers. Atwood Memorial Center and Administrative Services also have lactation stations. New rooms in ISELF and Halenbeck bring the campus total to five.
“Building and renovation opportunities over the last number of years were just a natural fit for expansion,” Bartges said. “Because space is so dear, we also needed to look at where these rooms will be most useful.”
Danielle Gloege, a loan processor in the Financial Aid office, uses the newly designated lactation room in Administrative Services. Gloege made a request for the room near the end of her pregnancy. Before it was ready, Gloege did not have a secure space for using a breast pump at work. For a month, she used a conference room with doors at two ends. While she could lock the doors, many people had keys.
“It was always like, oh my gosh, who’s going to walk in?” The new lactation stations have doors that display the word “Occupied” when locked.
“It’s wonderful,” Gloege said.
