JMU’s new sensory space features calming, reimagined environment

James Madison University has opened a new sensory space in the Engineering/Geosciences Building (EnGeo), offering students a calming environment designed to reduce stress and support neurodivergent individuals.  

The initiative, which began as a pilot project rooted in JMU’s commitment to health promotion, is the first of its kind on campus and one of only a few such spaces across Virginia’s universities. 

The space was spearheaded by Kristina Blyer, JMU’s associate vice president for health and well-being. Her vision grew out of the university’s adoption of the Okanagan Charter, an international framework focused on health-promoting universities and communities. 

“When we look at student well-being, we often focus on the individual diagnosis and treatment but not always on the environment they return to,” Blyer said. “This project reimagines that environment by creating a space that meets students where they are, especially those who are neurodivergent or who simply need a quiet place to recharge.” 

The sensory space includes nontraditional seating such as bean bags and massage chairs, dimmable lighting, sound and vibration elements, fiber optics, and calming colors. It is open to all students and was designed for self-guided use, an important step in making stress-relief resources more accessible. 

The project came to life through a cross-campus collaboration involving JMU’s facilities management, student affairs, and university leadership, including Jeff Tang, interim dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering. Together, they transformed a previously unused space in EnGeo into a carefully curated room focused on sensory regulation and student comfort. 

“East Campus has traditionally lacked student-centered spaces like this,” Blyer said. “It’s been great to offer something meaningful to students who live, learn or attend classes there.” 

Though the space has been positively received by students, the team encountered a few issues during the space’s development, including technical issues with some equipment. These challenges offered opportunities to test what worked and allowed the team to refine the space, leading to upgrades like a new waterless bubble tube. 

The room also served as the subject of a graduate research study by JMU psychology student Emma Hines, who collected data on how students used the space and its effect on their stress levels. Her findings could shape future sensory spaces at JMU and offer a model for other universities looking to invest in student mental health infrastructure. 

“This project reflects JMU’s values,” Blyer said. “We hold doors for one another, literally and metaphorically, and we’re committed to making our campus a place where everyone feels seen, supported and cared for.”