Observing People on Campus

This weekend, I observed the main lounge in Centennial Halls. The lounge serves many purposes for the students in Halls, including providing space for studying, entertainment, socializing, and eating. As you first enter, the room is empty with the exception of a table, a few chairs, a couch, and a trashcan. To the left is a convenience store. The convenience store has several shelves along the walls, three small aisles, several refrigerator style coolers, and a counter for the cash register. As you enter the lounge and move straight back, there is a pool table, a foosball table, an air hockey table, two ping pong tables, and several large crimson bean bag chairs with the DU Pioneers logo on them. Back and to the left is a TV mounted on the wall, a couch, more bean bag chairs, a piano, and another table. This table is where I took my seat.

Students seemed to use the space both recreationally and, to a lesser extent, academically. When I first arrived, two students were playing pool, four students were playing ping pong, and two were working on laptops on a couch. Although most were using the space for fun, it was still relatively quiet. During the time that I was there, about 8 people entered the convenience store in the lounge to buy something.

After about ten minutes, a student approached the area where I was sitting and asked me if I he could turn on the TV. After I told him it was fine, he thanked me and explained that some of his friends were meeting up to watch the new episode of South Park. Just a few minutes later, more students from his group came in. By the time the show started, there were a total of 7 students in his group. They were gathered around the TV either on a couch, on beanbag chairs, or on the floor. All of the students watching the show were laughing, including myself. They included me in the group, showing me that the area was used for socializing and was generally an open and welcoming area. After the show was over, all of the students watching TV left and the room was quiet except for a few people who were still playing pool.

Overall, it acts as a gathering place where students seek relaxation and the company of other people.