Before I say anything else in this article, let me say I love Late NIITe. It is an obviously successful program that has some of the highest student engagement on campus. Its premise and execution are, by in large, excellent. What student would refuse the opportunity of free food and attractions with their friends? That said, I do have one gripe with it that I know some other students share. It’s not a problem that most students experience, but one that, if it could be solved, would likely improve the experience for a large handful of students.
Late NIITe is loud, and it’s crowded. For many, I am sure that is fine, if not part of the draw of the program. Going somewhere with some friends that is buzzing with energy, with a high chance that you might run into someone you know, or even a chance to meet someone new, can be exciting for many. It’s certainly an attribute that the event’s organizers lean on, with pictures often sat in the middle of large crowds and previous events taking on themes that relate to similar environments, such as a carnival.
However, this aspect can also be a detractor for others. The most obvious group that this environment impacts are those with social anxiety. The definition of anxiety disorders as given in the DSM-5 (a generally reputable manual of mental disorders) reads “marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations [… including] social interactions […], being observed […], and performing in front of others.” Despite anxiety often being associated with scenarios in which someone is taking an active role, such as giving a speech or asking for a promotion, those with anxiety disorders may be impacted even in spaces where they are not anticipating taking an active role. Being in a space where a large number of people are present implies that there is a large number of people that can observe you, which may be undesirable for some affected by anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 30% of adults will experience some anxiety disorder in their lives.
Another group of students who may be detracted that is not so obvious are those who have autism. Autism spectrum disorder is defined by deficits in social interactions and communication by the DSM-5. This may often manifest into a general avoidance of social situations, similarly to those with anxiety disorders albeit for differing reasons. Another common symptom of autism includes hyperreactivity to sensory input, which the DSM-5 further elaborates could manifest as “an adverse response to specific sounds or textures.” From my personal observations, this can include sounds and environments as a whole that are novel and/or overwhelming, both of which may apply to Late NIITe. Currently, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, with the true number likely higher as society becomes better at understanding and diagnosing autism.
I do not want to portray those with anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, or any other mental disorder as helpless or unable to exist in social environments, because that is obviously not the case. However, I do believe there is one thing that the Union Board and/or the Office of Student Life could do in order to help create a more welcoming event for these students. Referring to “Built Environment Design and People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Scoping Review” by Tola (2021) et al., the three qualities to make a more autism-friendly space include: sensory quality, intelligibility, and predictability. Translating this to Late NIITe, this would mean including a space that is less crowded and quiet (sensory quality), that is well communicated visually to be this way (intelligibility), and one that has no surprises and, ideally, is communicated beforehand (predictability). This space could utilize any of the many closed rooms in the McCormick Tribune Campus Center (MTCC), and could both serve not only as a welcoming space for the groups I have previously mentioned, but also as a temporary reprieve for anyone in general. With plenty of time before the next Late NIITe event, I hope someone from the Union Board or the Office of Student Life will come across this article, and consider adding this to their plans.