Bathrooms

This is a picture of the bathroom system found largely across United States. Several different bathrooms are found spread throughout campus. What is striking about this observation is separation of sex’s. This implies that culturally men and women are seen very differently. So differently that the most basic bodily functions shared by every living being must be done in designated, separated, private, facilities.

This can imply or mean many other things about the cultural view of sex, gender and shame. There seems to be a cultural implication of sexual repression, as that they are taught their bodies and others are so sexually implicate they must hide from each other. And yet at some point they are expected to interact (the different sex’s bathrooms in close proximity). 

Cafeteria

An area for students to eat at some point during their day. Here we see a replaying theme at the college.  The table set up allows for people to choose the level of social interaction. The lunchroom area was desgned for students to be able to interact with other individuals or other distinct groups or to be alone and engage is solidary sedidated activites.

We observe several students that are sitting at tables of four people on engaging with their electronic equipment. Some are talking to eachother, however only in interpersonal communication, very little group activity is taking place. Most students don’t look or make eye contact with other students who walk by them, even if when passive acknowledgements are made.

A few distinct group interactions are going on. They are of  groups that seems to be closed off, either of their own doing or through the self isolation in the culture, or through an interactive combination of both forces. All students who approach the groups are previously known by other group members, and any individual the group engages seems to be a ‘member’ of the group.

A lot of students in this pic at first glance have on beanies, jeans, hoodies, carry back packs and so forth. Showing the desire, need, and/or natural inclination to fit into the group. And even with this group with a particular style, education level, geographic similarities students still view themselves and each other as separate. Somehow a birth of these other distinct isolated subgroups are born. 

Student Lounge Area

Here is lounge like area for students to relax in between classes or other activities. First thing that I notice is how far apart the pre-arranged tables are set up. This implies cultural expectation of people to want space from each other, to largely wish to be either alone or in groups of 2-4, based on the seating arrangements observed. In the picture taken 3 of the 6 students were relating more to their electronic equipment than other people close by. A contradiction occurs here as the area being set up as one large room has implication of students desiring and/or societal expectations of people to be in groups. Or else we would see tables or individual spots to rest, do homework, ect  in more isolated locations. Even through the strong self and group isolation, we observe the desire of the students to be connected to other students. This further implicates social confusion or social stress among population

Library

Colleges in US have a high prevalence of academic and other literature material. They areas designated for the very act of finding and using such material. They do this through an organized system that expects, but doesn’t necessarily require, each individual to have a specified interest, and to be able to navigate book system to find desired literature without help. The books range from all different topics, authors and perspective, and readily available for any student.

However books that students are actually required to read for most classes are found in a separate library, with security, supervisors, long counters, and staff members and cameras to keep students away unless they are able to pay. Contradictory in that so many books are made available, but not the ones they are expected to read. Such importance placed on knowledge and literature, yet students are restricted from certain types of it. This society strongly suggests importance of education and individual needs yet makes clear that profit of the company and/or author is clearly more important than the students learning or economical difficulties. Another clear point being made through the secondary library is that the students are not trusted. This can have unconscious, subtle, or reinforcing implications that the student is not viewed by the college as a connected working part of its activities, participating in the social struggles and isolated behavior seen in college population.

Cash Register

Here we observe Bellevue College students and staff members engaging in meal time activities. In this culture we find the many different meals and variety of foods prepared implies expectation of people to eat isolated. They must have their own individual taste and idea of what they’re particular mood is calling for. However this creativity must stay within the constructs of what is made available to them by unseen persons involved in running the cafeteria. The food itself has no connection to individual, the meal time is not group interactive, and even the perceived choice of the individual is largely constructed. Each person picks their own food, based on limited choices made available to them. This was prepared for them by an unknown and seemingly unimportant person. Little to no engagement between people picking food and people making/serving food or other cafeteria staff is going on. There is little to no engagement in between people picking food themselves, and significantly more interaction in between cafeteria staff members than the other, however the interaction only seems to happen in areas designated for staff only, separating ‘customers’ from cafeteria staff. This interaction mostly seems to happen in areas designated for staff only, separating ‘customers’ from cafeteria staff. The food itself has no connection to individual, the meal time is not group interactive, and even the perceived choice of the individual is largely constructed

Metro- Bus Station

     The site shown here shows the separate forms of transportation located on Bellevue College campus as well as most other campuses in the United States. Seen just outside the buildings where classes are held, this bus stop is one of many seen around campus where both students and faculty can access. The bus allows people to travel to and from campus without discriminating towards a particular gender or race. The bus is also a very inexpensive form of transportation that allows for all classes of individual to have access to.

     The bus stop is a very visual form of segregation between different income levels and accessibility of individuals. People of higher wealth may have access to more private forms of transportation such as a car but for some people on campus the bus is the only means of transportation. While this may be one reason for using the bus, other people may favor public transportation in this society due to the environmental benefits mass transportation brings. The relation the bus stop has with the efforts of formal and equal education to all individuals is huge being that everyone can have equal access to the college campus.

Trophy Case

 These trophies located in the recreational gym facilities on Bellevue College Campus provide many insights into the values designated by this culture. In particular, this culture values achieving goals set by society. These materialistic items show how important achieving these goals seems to be this culture. It seems that there is a tendency to strive for greatness and success as well as being recognized depending on the quality of your success (first, second, third place).

     Trophies found in this case seem to symbolize how important goals seem to be in relation to the life on campus. The trophies achieved by the formal athletic groups on campus symbolize success and achievement while at the same time shows how important recognition of achieved goals seems to be. The cultural values shown through these trophies reflect the constant stress to achieve goals set by society on campus. Trophies visually separate people’s different levels of success and compare it with others who try to achieve similar goals.

Fitness Center

Shown here is an inside look into the gym area located on campus. Similar gym areas may be found on any college campus in the United States. Though other gym areas found on college campuses in the United States differ in size and appearance, they all strive to serve a specific purpose. The purpose is to offer a place of exercise in order to “better” one’s physical and mental health.

     The gym environment is for the most part one of the healthiest places on a college campus. It offers the same opportunities to exercise for any demographic of individual on campus. A person simply has to show that they are a current student or faculty member (with a student ID card) to have access to exercise at any given time.  

Designated Smoking Area

This picture shows a designated smoking area located on the Bellevue College campus. There are numerous other smoking areas available throughout campus that look identical to the one shown here. Numerous designated smoking sites can show how smoking has become a discriminated activity separate from formal education inside the classroom. Those who smoke are required by law to smoke in these designated areas or face fines or more severe consequences.

     With the inclusion of designated smoking areas comes the ability for students to receive a formal education inside the classroom while having the ability to smoke after class in the specified areas. These areas can show the strict guidelines students and faculty must follow while at the same time show leniency for smoking on campus.

A Classroom

Above is a stereotypical classroom found in mostly all U.S colleges and places of education. The teacher shown here is the dominant center of attention who stands at the front of the classroom. In relation with the teacher standing at the front of the classroom are the students who sit in the direction of the teacher in aligned desk or table spaces. There is a constant respect for the teacher while he/she directs the class. Students act in a formal and professional manner with actions such as raising their hands in order to speak.
     The classroom seen here is located on school campus among multiple other classroom sites. There is no gender segregation between students as both males and females sit beside each other as equal students. Similarly, there is no racial discrimination within the class as every student is seen as equal. The teacher in particular is almost seen as the most respected person in the class site as well as the one who holds most of the power.

The Mother's Room

The Mother's Room is where breast-feeding mothers can go for privacy. The lock on the door shows just how important privacy is for American's. In other countries breast-feeding is just another part of life and it doesn't necessarily matter where the child is fed. Here there is a designated room so the privacy of the mother and out of respect for other student's. This also shows a difference in the fact that new-mother's are going to college and getting an education instead of being a stay-at-home mom.

Professor's Office

Professor's are respected as the authority at Bellevue College. You won't find a designated area for each student (just the library), but every professor has their own space in their own office. This shows the difference in authority between students and professors. Students also can meet with professors if questions arise about a course or an assignment, often meeting at the professor's office and on the professor's own time. 

Vending Machines

Vending Machines can be seen all across campus, filled with varieties of foods and drinks. A student, for about $2, can get whatever they want out of the vending machine: no lines, no cashier, just quick and easy access to whatever food or drink they are craving. It shows just how fast paced we are; if we want something, we want it then. This also shows a difference between cultures because most students don't bring food to snack on in the U.S: it's just easier to buy something from a vending machine.

The Library

Similar to every college campus you may walk on, students have access to the schools own library. Here students can study, work on homework, have access to a computer etc. As shown in the picture above, students have a very specific designated area of personal space. There is one student per desk, and no other student is trying to invade another's privacy. The U.S. puts large emphasis on the "individual" and as seen here, so do college libraries. Students don't share desks or computers, but rather seclude themselves in any possible. There is not a community mentality of working together to achieve the goal of graduating, students are most often on their own to study, do homework and so on.

The picture above shows a student announcement board. It is here that students, clubs, and teachers can post something they want heard or want others to have more information about. The United States puts an emphasis on Freedom of Speech, and people are not afraid to use it. Here information about different academic clubs, jobs, class information, book sales and other meetings can be found. Any student from any background has the ability to post something on the boards through out campus. It doesn't matter what economic status or nationality a student may be of, the freedom of speech shown here levels the field of student differences.
Each posting also has a specific time and place where one can meet to get connected. This shows how important time and organization is to the American culture. People must be on time at the right place or they will miss out on what has to be said. Time management is very important in the U.S and affects all ways of life on a college campus.