Sensory spaces expand to all 10 UH campuses, supporting campus well-being

A sensory-friendly initiative that began at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has expanded to all 10 UH campuses, giving students, faculty and staff across the system access to tools designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support overall well-being.

The effort is led by the UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies’ CAMP+U project in partnership with campus offices statewide. Two years ago, CAMP+U collaborated with the Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support to open UH Mānoa’s first sensory room, providing a quiet space where members of the campus community can decompress, regulate emotions and recharge from the demands of daily campus life.

Spreading support

Building on that success, CAMP+U has partnered with every UH campus to provide a portable sensory kit that can be used to create sensory rooms, integrated sensory spaces or pop-up experiences.

The portable kits contain more than a dozen sensory tools—including a northern lights and moon projector, sunset and jellyfish lamps, fidget toys, space tent, cosmic cocoon (bean bag chair) and more—that can be easily transported and assembled, offering campuses a low-cost, flexible way to create calming environments wherever they are needed. The kits also contain a resource hub with educational materials.

Each campus has adapted the initiative to meet its local needs, with collaborations involving disability services, student basic needs, counseling, libraries and other student support offices. Many campuses introduced the program through sensory pop-up events during high-stress times such as midterms, finals and campus study sessions.

“College can be overwhelming for anyone, and sometimes students simply need a place where they can pause, reset and return to class feeling ready to learn,” said Holly Manaseri, Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director. “Creating spaces that acknowledge those needs sends a powerful message that every student belongs and deserves the opportunity to succeed.”

The expansion comes as colleges and universities nationwide increasingly adopt sensory-informed learning environments to support academic success and well-being. Among UH’s peer institutions, more than half offer sensory-friendly spaces, while nearly one-quarter have dedicated sensory rooms. Sensory spaces were also offered at every 2026 FIFA World Cup venue, and similar spaces are now found in airports, public libraries and shopping centers to help people take a break from overwhelming sights and sounds.

Feedback shows positive impact

An ongoing research study is evaluating the impact of the UH initiative. According to Manca Sustarsic, the project’s evaluator, “Feedback from more than 500 visitors across the university system shows visitors reported feeling calmer, more relaxed and happier after using the sensory spaces. Preliminary findings also indicate significant reductions in stress, anxiety, frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while many students reported improved focus, greater motivation and a stronger sense of belonging on campus.”

CAMP+U—supported by UH Foundation and led by Manaseri, Sustarsic and Renz Louis T. Montano—focuses on supporting student success throughout the college experience, with particular attention to students with learning differences and disabilities.

• For sensory room contacts at each UH campus, visit the CAMP+U website.
• The Center on Disability Studies is housed in UH Mānoa’s College of Education.
• Visit this link to support the CAMP+U project.