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Assignment 1

The figured world our group intends to observe is the rotunda in the campus student union. This

figured worlds serves as a common area for students to engage in an array of activities. This particulararea is filled with students involved in study groups, partaking in personal conversations, or just"chilling" on the circle of comfortable sofas. A fellow UNC-Charlotte student asserted that her

primary reason for visiting the student union rotunda was solely for food and leisure. After observing

the rotunda our group recognized the different activities happening throughout each floor. The groundfloor consists of students socializing while the second floor embodied a working atmosphere of

people engaged in their laptops. The student union is expected to be somewhat noisy because of the

social environment and gathering of students, so the volume doesn't prove to be a distraction forothers. In the corner of the rotunda my eye was drawn by a group of sorority women conversing and

joking around in an obscenely loud manner;however, their volume did not seem to pose a problem for

others in the area. This area can be even noisier on certain days depending on the activities taking

place. For instance, sometimes there are special occasions such as poetry performances, organizationdemonstrations or even dance groups practicing. During our observations a group convention seen in

medieval attire from surrounding schools, such as NC State, embodied the concept of the student

union, as they gathered with the sole purpose of unionizing with those of common interests. Becauseof the many events, the rules and conventions often vary. Inappropriate behavior would consist of

something very extreme such as, fighting or anything offensive and violent. Many forms of

communications can be expected to be deserved like, texting on a cell phone, typing on a computer,or speaking face to face. In this figured worlds multiple discourse communities such as study groups,

a group of friends conversing, staff having an important meeting, and so on. Our interviewee

described the union as the central hub of campus which is incarnate in our observations over thecourse of these three days.

Observation 1 Friday February 8th, 2012 6pm

There are people stopping in from the gym.

People going to crown commons

Many people in groups/cliques

NCARH convention. People in medieval costume.

Relaxed atmosphere. No one doing homework.

Many people on their cell phones artifact

Many students in school colors, idea of school spirit.

Computers, backpacks and food artifact

Eating Wendy's

Schools visiting (NC State, WCU, Wake Forest)

Meeting up with friends

People dressed up to go out.

Gossiping

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dialect = small talk, slang

Occasional loners

Students going to the weekend movies

Faculty walking around

Observation 2 Sunday February 10th, 2012 7pm

Less people here than on Friday

Sorority girls gathered talking loud

Many organizations

Organization shirts artifact idea of belonging in a group

People on computers doing work

Recovering from weekend events

Cliques

-skaters -sororities/frats -socializers -goof-offs

Guys with nerf guns

Lazy attire, sweats and tees

Some people playing pool

People walking through to dorms

Shops closed early (Starbucks and Barnes & Noble)

Not a big crowd

Observation 3 Monday February 11th 3:30pm

Students scattering off and hurrying to class

People stopping in for food and snacks

Groups in center of the rotunda laughing and talking

Chats about weekend events

Many people waiting between classes

Umbrella artifact

Not many people here maybe because of the yucky weather

Some people napping

Lots of studying and laptops on 2nd floor

Atmosphere is upbeat

Start of the week

Some people not happy about Mondays

Organization selling candy Men in professional attire

Interview 1 Friday February 8th

1. Why are you here?

I am here for the NCARH conference that UNCC is hosting.

2. What is NCARH?It is the NC Association of Residence Halls.

3. Is it for fun or education?

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It is for both.4. Could anyone come to this?

No, you must be a member of the association at your university.

5. What's the point of the program?

Opportunity for schools throughout the state to meet, exchange ideas, attend programming sessionsand the selection of the annual conference awards.

Interview 2 Monday February 11th De'Ocia McClain1. Why do you usually come to the union?

Food and leisure.

2. Is this the main area for socializing?Yes because there's many places around here.

3. How often do you come per week?

I come everyday.4. Do you find it gets loud or distracting or are you able to do work here?

It depends on which level I am on, the third floor is very quiet.

5. If you could describe the union in one word what would it be?

It is huge it's the biggest student union I've ever seen.6. Is it easy to meet people here?

It depends on what type of person you are.