“I actually graduated six years ago,” said one student found in the depths.
Photo by Destiney Friday
After several complaints about the congestion on Library Walk, the University Centers administration has replaced the iconic walkway with a labyrinth that “shifts ad infinitum” and ignores the boundaries of physical space. This “perfect” change not only addresses the issue of Library Walk’s congestion by “generating infinite space,” but also adds “opportunities for our lovely vendors and student organizations to do more without worrying about who else is there.”
Despite the administrations “earnest” intentions, there is currently controversy over whether this is an effective solution. Dale Dallus, a student highly critical of the maze, says he views it as “an endless hellscape made to torture [him] specifically.” According to Dallus, “I was trying to cross the maze and get to Center Hall, but I got lost because of the changing walls. I’ve been here so long, I’ve lost track of time. Whenever I think I’m about to starve, it leads me to Price Center, only to swallow me back up once I’m about to leave. It won’t let me go. It won’t let me die.” Ariadne Moes, Pataphysics major and president of the Black Rose Poetry Club, shared similar views on the labyrinth. “I just think they made it way harder for us to table effectively,” she shared. “Before, spots were labeled from 1960 to 2025, but now the names are seemingly made up of random characters, some that I’ve never seen before! Those ones hurt my head when I think about the — ouch!”
While there has been considerable criticism, many appreciate the unique experiences the maze provides. Students who share this outlook have created the organization “The Faith of the Labyrinth”, whose stated purpose is to “appreciate and understand the glory of being lost.” One member, Torrey King, “loves” the unpredictability of the maze, and “uses it as much as possible.” In particular, King “gets a thrill” whenever she enters the “sacred threshold” because she “never knows where [she] will end up.” According to King, “Sometimes I end up on the fourth floor of Geisel Library; other times I end up in a room so deep below the school that the sun’s light can’t reach me. It’s like a home away from home!”
Despite some favorable opinions, students have organized multiple protests against the labyrinth due to the number of students and staff who have gone missing since its installation. “I just don’t think it’s OSHA approved,” said one protester. “What if someone’s arm gets caught in a shifting wall?” While it is currently unclear whether the University Centers administration plans on responding to these criticisms, the labyrinth’s toll on the students continues to rise, and the maze continues to shift.
