The Art of Relaxing and Retreating

Bryn Dotson, assistant editor

Tucked away in the trailers behind the main building, next to the patio, is a hidden refuge. The walls are a deep burnt orange and the carpets are bright and soft against the dark flooring.

Large upholstered chairs occupy the corners of the main room, their dark brown fabric complementing the vibrant green plants that inhabit the wooden tables. Salt lamps are on every table, giving the room an amber glow. This quiet and quaint area is the Retreat Room.

PVCC student Lima Mohammad planted the seed for the importance of having a room like the Retreat Room.

The idea to create such a space began when Mohammad realized that she and other students needed a more spiritual place to pray.

“For me, since I was in school, I wasn’t able to pray properly,” Mohammad explained. “I would pray in the girl’s locker room, which wasn’t a spiritual place or a clean place.”

Mohammad decided to go to PVCC’s president, Frank Friedman, directly to ask about creating a safe space for students to both pray and unwind.

“Friedman was really happy about it. Since Mary Baldwin had moved out, there was a space that we could use. He rebuilt everything. We were all really excited and amazed because he had really done an amazing job,” Mohammad said, grinning ear to ear.

According to PVCC’s Facebook page, the Retreat Room opened on March 20 and “consists of three rooms for contemplation, reflection, meditation, introspection, and spiritual renewal.”

There is a sign-in sheet to the right of the door when students walk in for those who would like to reserve one of the two rooms.

The quiet study rooms are sizeable and include their own tables, salt lamps, and chairs. The Retreat Room is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“It’s for all students. It’s for anyone who wants to come in and pray or anyone who just needs a really quiet place to get away from all of the stress,” Mohammad said.