Just before students arrived on campus for New Student Orientation week, Assistant Professor Juan Miguel Arias in the Education Department tackled a longstanding feature of the Colorado College campus: the desire path cutting across Tutt Circle behind Palmer Hall. Armed with photographs of his corgi, Maya Papaya, and two makeshift gates, Arias blocked the entrances to the path in an attempt to discourage students from using the shortcut.
Desire paths, or social trails, appear when humans and animals take the most direct route, disregarding established roads.
Arias said the idea for the gates grew out of scientific curiosity and a desire to add an element of playfulness to campus.
“We need more whimsy,” said Arias.
The Tutt Circle desire path has been around for years. Arias remembers seeing it when he was a CC student, graduating in 2012 and admits he likely took the footpath himself.
Conversation about the desire paths stirred on anonymous campus social media platform Yik Yak, with one student questioning whether a new desire path would form next to the old one. Others expressed approval of Arias’ effort, with one student anonymously writing, “The desire path makes the circle ugly… so I’m all for it being removed.”
Freshman Laurel White, Catherine Brady and Ethan Johnson, interviewed at Tutt Circle, said they were largely indifferent to the change.
“I know why [the desire path] is there, but when I walk to class every morning, I feel no need to cut across right there, and maybe it’s because the gates are there, but I don’t feel like it saves much time,” said White.
Arias calculated the number of steps students save by crossing Tutt Circle rather than walking around it. According to his calculations, the shortcut saves 14 steps compared with the longer route around the Circle.
Arias argued that the shortcut also interferes with many spring semester activities, such as intramural sports and class research.
“I’m not so much someone that says that the quad grass has to be pristine. Some of those [desire paths] are going to happen. This one to me, though … It’s actually such a small time shave,” said Arias.
Arias also said he calculated the number of steps students save by crossing Tutt Circle rather than walking around it. According to his calculations, the shortcut saves 14 steps compared with the longer route around the Circle.
Arias said he plans to update the gate signs every few weeks with new pictures of his dog, Maya Papaya.