Final Project Methodology

My project took on four distinguishing steps to get to my final presentation.
Ø The Destination
Ø The Interpretations
Ø The Conversation
Ø The Re-Imagination

THE DESTINATION
In choosing a space I could feel was my own, I had to initially let go of the fears and concerns that have been holding me back throughout the course. However, in realizing my inability to complete disregard my personal feelings, I decided to find a place that expressed progress as opposed to complete change. Brower Commons, named after Rutgers University alumni Charles Brower, is the designated free speech area, which is located on the steps between the main entrance of Brower Commons Dining Hall and Stonier Residence Hall on College Avenue. The space also extends back to the Records Hall courtyard. In order to find this a suitable candidate for the presentation I had to take in account its existing boundaries and my personal existing boundaries.

THE INTERPRETATIONS
As Brower Commons is commonly refered to as a free speech zone, I wanted to get more in depth to what “free speech” really stood for at this University. In a country-wide understanding, freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. I came across information on FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) which was able to give, in detail, the story of a complaint filed against Rutgers University for not complying with free speech regulations. FIRE was able able to inform me that Rutgers is considered to have a red light rating for censoring student speech. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Some of the details that led to such a negative rating dealt with the lack of policies on diversity, multiculturalism, harrassment, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, hate, and honor.

THE CONVERSATIONIn discovering the space as a free speech area, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to get a sense for the space as a whole. I considered audio, visual, outsiders’ participation and so on. In the end, I created a puzzle that led you around iconic visuals within the area. The clues on each puzzle piece led you to the next one. Once it all comes together it read out “The Steps @ Brower Commons are a Free Speech Zone.” Then I will dispel any rumors of how free our speech actually is at Rutgers.

The Re-Imagination is 2 posts below.