Pacific University Opens Sensory Rooms for Stressed Students

When Nicollet Young experienced a fire drill during class at Pacific University, the flashing lights and blaring noise left her shaking and overwhelmed. She ended up lying in her car for hours, missing the rest of her classes that day.

Young, who has autism and ADHD, knew other students faced similar struggles. Her conversations with classmates revealed she wasn't alone in needing a safe space to calm down during stressful moments.

Those conversations became her capstone project. Young helped design Pacific University's first sensory room, which opened at the Forest Grove campus in February. A second location opens in Hillsboro this April.

The converted library study room glows with warm, dimmable lights and cream acoustic tiles. Students can use squishy toys, coloring books, a swiveling chair, and even Warhead candies.

"Sour candy can be a really intense sensory input," explained Graham Turner, Assistant Director of Student Wellbeing. "It helps folks bring their attention just to that" during moments of panic or overwhelm.

Students can reserve the room for 30 minutes at a time by scanning a QR code. Taylor Otnes, a senior who helped plan the room's features, says just knowing the space exists makes a difference.

The timing matters. A 2025 survey of over 20,000 college students found that 18% reported an ADHD diagnosis, up nearly 10 percentage points from 2019. Other mental health conditions, including autism, are also rising among students.

The Ripple Effect

Pacific's sensory rooms aren't just helping neurodivergent students. Studies show that mental health resources like these improve academic achievement for all students, regardless of learning differences.

The university joined a yearlong pilot project with the College Autism Network to better understand and support its neurodivergent community. Dean of Student Wellbeing Laura Stallings says the goal is creating both understanding and belonging.

"Cultivating wellbeing does not need to look a particular way," Turner noted. The sensory room adds another option for students to find tools that work for them.

Young's difficult day turned into a solution that helps hundreds of students find calm when college gets overwhelming.