https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo My quest to discover my campus at night en-us 2021-07-07 16:35:21 UTC 2024-10-01 12:26:20 UTC hello@padlet.com masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640615545 This week I went on a quest to observe the University of North Florida at night during the summer session. I both walked and drove around UNF around 9:30pm. I specifically wanted to see if and how the campus is different than during the daytime. Additionally, I wanted to compare campus during the summer to campus during the Fall/Spring. While I have been around campus at night before, I have never truly explored it to actively examine and question my surroundings. I found this resulted in a much different experience. 

Firstly, I was not expecting to be wary of my surroundings. Previously, I have walked around campus at night only with a group. This time, with just a friend and I walking alone, we saw some serous safety concerns and decided to ditch our walking effort in favor of driving. This resulted in me not being able to fully observe all there is to see. Nevertheless, it made me aware of something I had not previously considered. At night, there does not seem to be enough security around UNF. While there is a blue light in most spots, they do not seem effective considering the nearest police officer is so far away. Driving around we only spotted one UPD car which was circling the Osprey Fountains parking lot—the only dorm being utilized this summer. Perhaps this observation would be different during a normal Fall/Spring term considering there are more people and these people are not clustered in one spot. Indeed, the only person I saw was walking back to the Fountains. 

In addition to concerns about safety, I also noted that UNF could be conserving more energy. Driving by the Student Wellness Complex, I noticed that all the lights were on. This confused me as it was long after closing time. Not only did I see many lights on in the building, stopping the car to glance at the building also made clear to us that both floor and ceiling fans were left on. I found similar energy waste at the Student Union. 

At the conclusion of my trip, I found myself shocked about how different UNF is at night compared to the day. It feels less safe and has less people, but similar energy is being used. I also concluded that campus at night during the summer is much different than the fall or spring. I believe this is due to the fact that most activity during the summer takes place in the Osprey Fountains dorm. This location is where both students and staff are clustered, especially considering not many in-person classes are occurring. I would love to follow this trip up during the 2021-2022 term to confirm this to be the case. ]]> 2021-07-07 16:40:45 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640615545 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640634643 We began our walk at the library. As the building is open until 10pm, all the lights were on. This area felt safe. We quickly discovered that after walking past the library, we no longer felt safe in the heart of campus. Here, you can see that the Coggin College of Business building is quite dark in contrast to the library. Many other academic buildings were similarly pitch black. It was upon finding this that we decided to turn back and hop in the car. ]]> 2021-07-07 16:56:35 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640634643 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640640361 This student was the only person we saw. Here, you can see him walking back towards the Osprey Fountains building. ]]> 2021-07-07 17:01:53 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640640361 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640642821 This police car was the only one we saw while driving around UNF's campus. Here, the officer is circling the Osprey Fountains parking lot. I never feel nervous walking around the Fountains at night. I cannot say the same for the remainder of the campus. ]]> 2021-07-07 17:04:17 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640642821 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640646621 Here you will notice a building fully illuminated, yet not a soul in sight. ]]> 2021-07-07 17:07:57 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640646621 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640649751 With no other cars forcing us to move, we remained sitting in front of the Student Union for over five minutes. During this time, we were looking to see if any person could be seen in the room on the left that is fully lit. In the end, we did not see anyone moving inside or outside of the building. ]]> 2021-07-07 17:10:44 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640649751 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640654574 By both living and observing the Fountains dorms, it is clear that currently, it is the heart of campus. Lights are on in many rooms, signaling that a student occupies that dorm. Outside the building you feel very safe knowing that there is a police officer circling the parking lot. Walking into the building that is only accessible by key card you are immediately greeted by two Resident Assistants at the front desk. The first floor is lively with a group of students playing pool and air hockey in the game room. At night during the summer, this is the only place I feel comfortable.]]> 2021-07-07 17:15:03 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640654574 masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640758198 Here, I've mapped the important buildings and features of UNF at night as I encountered it. ]]> 2021-07-07 19:08:41 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/71uqbygq1cds0qvo/wish/1640758198