My space is the Delta Zeta house. In my paper I describe the house and analyze it through the lens in Vanclay’s Space Matters. I begin by talking about how significant features and symbols contribute to the sense of place, such as the Delta Zeta letters in the courtyard. This is in my opening paragraph. Then I move to place making and turning a space into a place. I use the pledges and actives in my example of having a place verses a space. I thought this was the perfect way to exemplify my point because place making happens every year here with a big group of people. I also talk about how experiences shape the perception one can have of a place. I talk about the multiple experiences that the Delta Zeta women have at this place which deepens their connection to it. My paper talks about the factors that make this place special and contributes to personal attachment. I point out personal attachment and how people who are attached to the place want to improve it. I point out many examples that are seen throughout the house. Some examples of efforts girls have made are pictures hung throughout the house, personally painted Delta Zeta letters, and pottery in the kitchen with Delta Zeta letters covering them. I also go over the fact that when people observe the sorority house from the outside, they are only seeing a superficial view. They do not get to see the community bond or personal connection the women have to the place. 

2nd blog response

     In my opinion, the first paragraph of your draft is very specific, coherent and clear. I know what space you are going to analyze and what I should expect in the paper. I like your reference to a “large magnifying glass” to help understand your thoughts on analyzing this space. Moving into the second paragraph, I like how you not only analyzed the space, but the different ways that people get there by talking about the elevator and describing the walk down the stairs. The use of the lens in “Polk Street” was well thought out by comparing how busy it is and pointing out the replayed routines. The imagery is well constructed also, and I can really get a sense of the space you are describing. It is very well written in my opinion. My advice would be to break the second paragraph into smaller paragraphs. Consider one paragraph describing the walk down, another describing the habits of the people, and the last one focusing in on the imagery. For me, it would make it easier as a reader to follow different aspects you are analyzing in the Memorial Union third floor if you did this. In the third paragraph you talk about people then food and then back to people. Your thoughts might flow better together if you do not jump around as much. Your conclusion wrapped the paper up well. 

Blog Response

         The first sentence in this essay is clear and direct, but a little misleading to me. You begin and end the paper talking about only the dining hall, but within the paper you focus on Barrett kids as a whole. In my opinion, it would be more clear if you began your paper with a general statement about Barrett and then focused in on the dining hall. In the first paragraph, imagery is used well to help readers understand the setting and mood of Barrett. I can really visualize the area based on your description. Moving into the second paragraph, it is evident that you spent a long time analyzing the students in Barrett. You clear you know their habits, behaviors and tendencies. There is a clear view of the lens you are using by incorporating the readings into your paper. This makes the paper seem more organized and coherent as a whole. I like how you talk about Barrett as a stereotype, and your point of view before you went in, and compared it to your opinion after spending some time there and talking to Barrett students. The use of multiple lenses adds to the depth of the paper and gives the reader a better understanding of you space. As the paper continues, I think that sharing your personal conversation with a Barrett student is an excellent idea. Although it is only one person, it exemplifies the personality of the college as a whole. 

            Writing Project 1 First Draft

     With the first step into the courtyard you can tell that females have inhabited this space. Everywhere you look there is a splash of pink, or glitter. To the right are two eight-foot tall letters, Delta and Zeta. This is the most striking way to make a statement that this is no ordinary courtyard, but a sorority house. Everything is put together in a quaint and orderly way. Every detail is girly and delicate. Past the Greek letters lay the stairs covered with glitter, proof that crafting that had occurred earlier in the week. Next to the stairs, a large stone bench sculpted into a turtle. There is a clear view into the chapter room through the large glass windows. Inside the chapter room is a large, inviting, leather couch. The couch sits just behind a coffee table, with pink coasters. On the wall across from the couch lies a large flat screen TV, and just above the TV is an enormous pink banner. Upon the banner lie two words written in green cursive scripture, “Delta Zeta”. Looking past the sofa sits fabric and centerpieces, a work in progress for an event to come. To the left of the chapter room sits a gazebo with four tall white pillars wrapped in vines. A clean table set lies beneath the gazebo.

            As the sun rises, not a sound can be heard. Everything is empty, peaceful, and quiet. Come eight o’clock the sisters’ wake up to begin their day. Doors open, the smell of freshly brewed coffee trinkles out from the kitchen, from some of the rooms the faint sounds of music can be heard. Sorority girls begin to make their exit from the courtyard to attend class, slowly trinkeling out to start their day. The courtyard feels empty again, but not for long. Around twelve o’clock people begin shuffling in for lunch. There is a group of girls dining together under the gazebo, chowing down on chicken ceaser salads and turkey wraps. As the girls finish and make their exit, more shuffle into the courtyard and enter the chapter room. This group approaches the fabric and centerpieces and begins to make their creation. You can tell this group of women are experts at crafting. Come three o’clock another group enters the courtyard. A group of about ten sit down on the large couch and begin their executive meeting. They are diplomatic and serious,  yet friendly. You can tell they know each other well. As they wrap up their meeting they take chair from storage and begin to set them up in rows. As they finish, women dressed in business attire make their way in. There are about fifty of them who enter into the chapter room and find themselves a seat. The women are mingling and laughing with one other. Multiple of them throughout the crowd are intently texting or scrolling through their social networking newsfeed on various smart phones. One executive calls the meeting to order and the women are silent and attentive.  The women go through roll call, upcoming events, philanthropy, and deadlines. The meeting closes up and as the first group of women make their exit, a second makes their entrance. They too are well dressed in business attire. The second group is vastly similar, but a bit more timid. It is no surprise that this second group is the pledges. They do not seem to know each other as well, but mingle upon their similar interests. The meeting begins and precedes the same as the previous. When the meeting comes to a close most girls leave, some stay behind and mingle, while others stay and study. Everyone left in the complex are friendly. The groups begin to trinkle out and the courtyard is quiet again until sunrise.

            For the women in Delta Zeta, this is not just a place, but it has meaning. It is home to the sisters of this chapter at Arizona State. This is a place where these females meet, share stories, and create memories. It is a landmark and has social meaning to these women. Due to the fact that this place is so exclusive, there are not very many pluralities. All of the sister’s have similar memories and experiences in the Delta Zeta house. There is, though, a plurality between the active members and the new pledges. The pledges are in the middle of “place making”, as Frank Vanclay puts it in “Place Matters”. That is, making a “space” into a “place” by infusing it with memories and meaning. The actives do their best to help create a “place” out of this “space” for new members by hosting many events there. Although the girls in the chapter of Delta Zeta come from different backgrounds and places across the United States, this is one place where they all have something in common.  This place is both dynamic and static. It is dynamic as changes throughout the day. It is also dynamic each year with new sistesr making memories in the chapter. It is static though because for the most part there is a reoccurring routine each day of people entering and exiting,  and mingling and meeting. The Delta Zeta sorority house is a place that is safe and secure. With the lock on Adelphi and the individual house, there are no worries of intruders. This could be a reason for all of the sisters’ positive place attachment. Everyone in the chapter has place familiarity and place commitment. The women of Delta Zeta are willing to go that extra mile in order to make the space as inviting as possible, giving all of the sisters’ better place satisfaction. Another reason that the Delta Zeta women see this place so positively is that they feel like they belong there.  They have community connectedness. The most striking and detail of this place is without a doubt the community.

            The background a people of the place play a large role in its functioning. Everyone who enters the place is within the same age as one another. Due to this fact, it is easy for everyone to relate and feel at home. Everyone is a college student, so lifestyles are similar. The fact that it is oriented for females is another factor that brings the community closer, being that everyone can relate to challenges a young woman might face. Although the women in this chapter come from different parts of the country, they all have similar etiquette, behavior, and communications. Everyone greets each other similarly, has common courtesy, and is polite. Every member wears a similar style, and the women have similar tastes. As a community of women, everyone bands together to help one another to achieve similar goals. Each girl works to understand the history of this chapter and pass it on. Traditions are highly valued. The role of each woman in this community is similar. While in the Delta Zeta house it is important to follow the highest standards, act like a lady and constantly strive to better oneself. 

Writing Project #1 Worksheet                                                         

Your Space: Delta Zeta sorority house

What are the intended functions of the space?               

The intended function of the space is to create an environment and home for sorority women to live and feel comfortable in.

What overt messages does the space send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

The messages that the space sends is very welcoming to Delta Zeta’s, with our letters plastered all around.

What covert messages does the space send (i.e., hidden messages)?

The covert messages the space sends are friendly and inviting.

Have previous users left traces behind in the space?

Yes, previous users have left traces behind in this space. There is glitter covering part of the patio from someone most likely making a sign. When looking into the chapter room there is a bit of clutter left from recruitment.

Has the space been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

No, the space has not been re-appropriated.

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

The social and cultural customs I have observed have been a friendly environment where everyone is very social and motivated.

Who has access to the space?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

The Delta Zeta’s have access to this space, although there are occasional outsiders who are not Delta Zeta’s but are friends with one.

Who owns the space?

The Delta Zeta sorority owns the space.

What is the space’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

The space has high value as it is home to about thirty sorority girls, and is a common place that the sorority can gather.

Are there official representations of the space (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the space as you experienced it?

There are official representations of the space, though they do not give much information. The space is a bit mysterious until you see it for yourself.

Is the space in transition, a changing space?

In a way this space is in transition as the people who live there changes every year. The furniture and layout stays the same.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the space?

There aren’t any conflict or tensions in the space that I am aware of.

What is the space’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

There is evidence of the spaces history through pictures of past sorority members.

How does this space differentiate itself from other spaces?  What other spaces is it similar to, but how is it different from those spaces?

This space is different from other spaces because it is a place that is intended only for sorority girls. It is similar to an apartment complex, but is different because of its exclusive nature.

What questions do you have about your space?

Questions I have about my space is the history of it, which I will have to check into more.