We can all agree that law school involves a lot of sitting and complaining. This article combines those two passions. Here is my definitive ranking of chairs around grounds, from best to worst.
Tony Hawk of chairs: First floor library (aka the Gunner Pit and the Gunner Dungeon behind it)
Ahh, the gunner pit chairs. They justify the clout shame of actually sitting in the pit. These are well worth their (I’m sure) astounding price tag. Put simply, the first floor library chairs are the gold standard: perfect swivel, back arch, and customizability. The best part is that you forget that you’re sitting in a chair. In all other seats, I find myself contemplating my position, criticizing the chair, acutely aware of my own age and deteriorating spinal health and questionable life choices. These chairs keep me feeling young and inspired. I’ve been tempted to take one for my home office, but then I remember I am an upstanding law student who would never steal and also that I don’t have a home office. 10/10 chairs.
The Most Chair-ished Seats in the Building. Photo Courtesy of UVA Law Instagram.
A solid option: Outside chairs
All things considered, these are alright. No cushion, and many lack armrests, but still somehow better than other competitors. Maybe I’m just too busy basking in the sun outside and making wary eye contact with aggressive squirrels to notice the seats’ shortcomings (I have my teak-y blinders on, if you will). 7/10.
All beauty, no brains: Red chairs on the library’s second floor
This is a begrudging third place because these are really not comfortable, though at least the aesthetic is solid. They give Legally Blonde, “I’m a productive law student” vibes. Ideal for aspiring law school TikTokers to film themselves studying. But the large hump at the top of each chair is meant for whom? Perhaps the Law School’s Chair Procurement Team is trying to force us to have good posture to counteract the perpetual Law Student Slouch. If so, they’ve gone too far. These deliver in appearance only what they do not in comfort, rendering an otherwise good floor of the library undesirable. 5/10.
An argument for shorter classes: Classroom chairs (except WB 104)
I may just be conflating being bored in class with being physically uncomfortable (highly possible), but I’m not a fan of most classroom chairs. They’re kind of garbage. Special shoutout to the old ones in Brown Hall classrooms. Those have that fun squeak, so everyone stares when you have to jostle yourself awake in Torts by moving around (not at all speaking from personal experience). I suppose the ones in Slaughter are a tad better, since at least they’re not connected to the tables. Still, my lumbar hurts. 4.5/10.
Literal room for improvement: Quiet ScoCo + east side of second floor Library
These are SO short, and for what reason? I didn’t realize having a long torso was a prerequisite to getting into UVA Law, but maybe it should be because asymmetrically elongated people are the only group these chairs can accommodate. I’m a person of reasonable height, and my elbows are at my neck when I try to type here. Makes these spots much more optimal for reading textbooks (ew) than for computer-based studying (i.e. texting on desktop iMessage). 3/10.
Honorable mentions:
Honorable mention to the very comfy chairs and footrests in the Brown Hall lounges. Also to the massage chairs in the Circulation Room.[1] Underutilized, probably because if you’re in one, you awkwardly have to face everyone coaxing the printers to work while you struggle to loosen up the knots caused by the aforementioned chairs.
Massage helping a student after a ruff day. Photo Courtesy of UVA Law Instagram.
In conclusion, I should probably just do some ab exercises and build some core strength so I don’t resemble a C while sitting. Still, I would appreciate it if the chairs we spend so much time in would help me out a bit.
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mav3p@virginia.edu
[1] RIP, massage chairs of yore. –Eds.