“Fold-out desks in many classrooms are exercises in frustration for lefties like me.”
Lefties have a hard time in Korea. According to a 2009 study led by Dongshin University Professor Jung Wha-sik, about 5.8 percent of the Korean population is left-handed, and 65 percent of them experience daily inconvenience because public facilities and furniture are designed exclusively for right handed people.
This inconveniences Ewha students as well. Right-handed desks make up around 10 percent in nearly all large classrooms.
Lefty Han Ji-hey (Sociology, 2) felt frustrated to hear her exam would be in Posco B142. The lecture hall has only right-handed desks.
“The fold-out desks in many classrooms are exercises in frustration for lefties like me. Since the small desktop linked to the chair is worthless, I need the support of a big bag or something to take notes with my left hand,” Han said. “Also, since I have to twist my body by about 30 degrees to take notes, sometimes my back hurts after class.”
Sungkonghoe University and Pukyong National University have both introduced specially designed chairs for lefties.
“After a student submitted a column to the school newspaper about the problem, we decided to make five percent of the chairs in each lecture room into left-handed fold-out desks. We are glad this little change could improve the welfare of left-handed students,” said Kim Chung-jun, the former president of Sungkonghoe University.
Ewha has not considered the problem.
“After a student submitted a column to the school newspaper about the problem, we decided to make five percent of the chairs in each lecture room into left-handed fold-out desks”
“We weren’t aware of the difficulties lefties are going through. But if many left-handed students at Ewha suffer from the chairs, we will look into it,” said Kim Eun-sook, the dean of the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs.
Real Ewha, the 42nd Student Government Association, also showed willingness to discuss the matter and demand solutions from the school. “We are willing to submit resolutions to the school to improve students’ welfare,” said Shin You-jin, the vice president of Real Ewha.
Lefties say the sooner the better.
“Sometimes when I’m writing a note in a weird position, students passing by hit my shoulders by mistake. I really wish Ewha would take action like other schools and improve our situation,” said Jo Jung-a (Business, 2).