The Studentenwerk and the AStA at RWTH are jointly launching a new pilot project: the “Silent Mensa”. In the Mensa Academica on the first floor (past the cash desks, on the right), a low-stimulus area has been set up to allow students to spend their lunch break in a quiet environment.
Busy canteens are often noisy and bustling: conversations, the clatter of crockery and flickering screens are part of everyday life. For many students, however, this is hardly relaxing. The Silent Canteen addresses precisely this issue: subdued lighting, no screens and clearly marked quiet zones create an environment that caters to individual needs. Conversations are permitted in designated areas, and headphones may be used, but the basic principle remains one of silence.
The idea was put forward by the AStA to the Studierendenwerk and is now being implemented and supported jointly. Following the pilot phase, a survey will be analysed.