The Class of 2021 donated four new solar-powered tables, which the university installed in February, outside of the Francis A. Drexel Library. 

The tables are powered through solar panels located on the tables’ umbrellas and offer students the ability to charge their electronic devices and access Wi-Fi, according to Julianna Bridges ’23, member of University Student Senate (USS). 

Bridges said the Class of 2021 gave these tables as a gift to the university in lieu of having an annual Spring Concert.

“There is a lot that is hoped to be accomplished with the new solar tables,” Bridges wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk. “For one, it allows for an outdoor space where students can charge their electronics, have Wi-Fi, do homework and be covered from the sun, all while being in a mask-free zone.”

The planning for the tables started during the pandemic as the university looked to expand the outdoor seating options offered to students, according to Beth Hagovsky, Ed.D, director of Student Leadership & Activities and a member of the university’s covid-19 Student Experience Working Group.

The working group discussed ways to enhance student wellness and social programming during the pandemic, Hagovsky said. 

“During covid we realized that there were a lot of opportunities to enhance the outdoor spaces across campus for our students, and adding additional seating and picnic tables was one way to do that,” Hagovsky wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk. “It was suggested that we look into solar power options so that students would be able to charge their electronic devices while spending time outside.”

SJU Green Fund co-president Serena Chung ’22, said her organization had investigated getting tables like these for campus but did not, so she was pleasantly surprised to see them.

“I think it’s just another great way for students to spend more time outside and just bring awareness of the importance of sustainability at St. Joe’s,” Chung said.