Seating styles

On-campus residences (summer only)

Shown here are 9 popular seating configurations:

1. Auditorium/Theatre Appropriate for meetings of no more than 2 hours, this set-up is popular for large groups, provided note-taking is limited. Typically there is a main centre aisle with narrower side aisles. The first row of seats shouldn’t be less that 10 feet from the stage, speaker, or projection screen.
2. Boardroom Double tables form a unit 5 feet across with as many units long as required to seat the group. Five-feet half rounds can be used to make oval arrangements.
3. Buzz groups Useful for small discussion groups, classroom seating is altered by having every other row turn and face each other.
4. Classroom This style is preferred for meetings lasting longer than 2 hours or when participants must work with papers or materials. Narrow tables (1.5'x 6-8') are frequently used. Two feet is a comfortable work area; therefore 3 may be seated at a 6-foot table, and so on.
5. E-shape When a large group is required at the head table, the e-shape works well.
6. Hollow square or circle Used to equalize all members of a large group.
7. T-shape Useful for panel discussions, the t-shape is not as popular as the u-shape, which provides better visibility.
8. U-shape or horseshoe Probably the most popular set-up for meetings.
9. V-shape An alternative to the u-shape, the v-shape is helpful for viewing visuals.