Research Memo: Note to Self

While doing some research, there were a few sources that I stumbled upon that might help me understand my fieldsite a little better. The first source was an article in Education Digest called “Computer Labs Get Rebooted as Lounges.” This article talked about how computer labs are being “transformed,” in a sense, into lounges. It talked about how computer labs have been used as communal spaces for students to gather and interact, so now they are being redesigned, in some universities, into lounges. By turning them into lounges, it will be comfier for the students, more relaxed, and some claim that the schools are investing in the happiness of the students by renovating and keeping up with the expenses of these new facilities. This has made me think that maybe this is the purpose of the café, a place where students can relax and interact with others, a place the college has invested in to make the students happy. I know RIC had created a plan for an expansion of the Student Union building in order to accommodate more students, which unfortunately has been rejected, but it shows that the school is interested in students’ opinions.

Another source I found, “Today’s Student Union,” is a periodical that discusses the way students communicate with one another and how students feel empowered in the sense that they feel like they can make a difference. It talked about how students have more friends and a wider influence due to social networking, which allows them to share their perspectives on different issues and influence others who are connected to them. This gave me the idea that the café we have today and what we might have in the future is all to do with the student body, what they say and what they do to support those words. Back to the expansion project, most of it might not have been created if not for student’s inputs, complaints, concerns, or appraisal. Students do have a big impact on what happens on campus, but some of them just don’t realize it.

 Another article that has opened my mind is “Priceless Memories” from the Campus Life Christian College Guide. This one talked about different memories we create while in college, mainly distinguishing memories that don’t cost much versus the one’s that do. The person who wrote the article mentions how she remembers hanging out with her friends in the Student Union, laughing, pretending to study, times where all you had to pay for was a snack. Other memories, such as class trips, cost more, but they’re worth it. The café is one of those places where memories are made at little to no cost, but also where you can plan for your future memories because they advertise different events and trips hosted by the campus, trying to get students involved and meet new people – making memories.

There were also two articles published in The Anchor, RIC’s student-run newspaper. Both “Good eats at RIC” and “Grub time at RIC” talk about changes that have occurred over the summer to the different dining areas on campus. This includes the main dining facility and the two cafes on campus. Due to students’ input, changes have been made to the menus, providing a variety of new foods for students as well as healthier, even vegetarian, options for students. The students are informed that the café has extended hours as well as meal plans that the school offers, where students are allotted so many bonus dollars that can be spent in the café on refreshments. With this information, students can utilize the new and improved facilities. What I’m curious to find out are do all students know about these changes, and are they beneficial, as in are students actually taking advantage of these new changes. I know I am, and I’m loving being able to spend more time there!