In a multidisciplinary course, Mapping Citizenship, we were asked to scout select areas of our campus and produce a work centered around safety. In a group of 2 designers and 3 anthropologists we set out to explore our designated area: the AUC sports complex.
The Sport Complex is right in front of the student dorms, isolated from administrative and educational buildings. In our search for tools or agents of safety, we quickly realized that they were few and far in between. Most of were disclaimers that place the student as liable for their own injury. With its sturdy industrial build and hazardous spaces and tools, we began to view the sports complex as dangerous.
The clinic was quite far and to our knowledge, there was only one designated access point for carts. It doesn’t facilitate easy and quick access to help in situations where an injury can occur. We Felt university's current policies mirrored it's attitude towards the welfare of its students. There were hardly any posters for safety tips or emergency numbers. The space also lacked in security personal that could report injury/ aid the students in case of an emergency. What happens if no one is around and someone gets hurt? There are several help desks, some that are hardly occupied and only one that is usually occupied because it guards university property- sports equipment.
Field work notes
We decided to represent the university’s idea of safety - avoiding liability. The hexagons were used as units of space and the gradient indicated where the highest liability might be. The white hexagons represent security measures/ safety disclaimers that are so clearly few and far in-between. Statistics based on student experiences were written partially hidden based on how the university often deals with injuries.
Mapping Citizenship / Spring 2019
