Forming an Opportunity Belief

I personally have a belief that an opportunity exists for UF to expand their libraries. Currently, there is an unmet need by University students due to the lack of space in the libraries, since the ones that we have on campus fill extremely quickly and it is near impossible to get a seat. This is especially problematic during busy weeks such as finals week or weeks that we have other exams. This is a need that is shared by almost all University students, which is expressed through frequent complaints and memes being posted on the Swampy Memes Facebook page.

              This need is one that has existed for a while, but has only increased due to the steadily increasing population of the University of Florida. Currently, students are trying to meet this need by searching for other study locations, such as empty classrooms, or Newell. This attempt does not solve the problem, however, because these locations also fill up quickly and they don’t have the same resources available such as computers and research assistants. I would say, due to these factors, that there is an estimated 82% chance that this opportunity exists - allowing for opposing opinions form those who do not depend on UF’s libraries or those who manage to find space.

Prototypical Customer: University Student- Caroline Jungels

1.       Explain the need that you are having issues with

o   The need is that library west has a limited amount of seating for students. It is always crowded, and sometimes there are no spaces at all, and this problem just gets worse during finals seasons. Also, the number of tables with computers available is even more limited, which poses problems for students who need desk-tops.

2.       How frequently do you have to deal with this problem?

o   I became aware of this need when I try to go to library west and find that it is crowded. So I don’t face this need all the time.

3.       Is this need something you have had for a long period of time?

o   I have had this need since my freshman year, however my sophomore year and this year more so because I didn’t go to the library that much my freshman year.

4.       When did you first become aware of it? Why?

o   I first became aware of it when I went to the library during finals week my freshman year and couldn’t find anywhere to sit, so I ended up going back home to study.

5.       How are you addressing this?

o   Right now I address this need by going to the library early in the day or asking a friend to save me a seat. I have started going to other places to study more regularly because I worry library west will not have an opening.

6.       How satisfied are you with the solution?

o   I’m very unsatisfied with the situation because I feel as though having space is essential for students to be able to do well in their classes. Not having space is honestly a problem that can be seen in a lot of places on campus, like the parking lots and the gym, and it would be valuable for UF to consider expanding.

Reflection:

Prototypical Customer: University Student- Alexis Mendes

1.       Explain the need that you are having issues with

o   There is not enough space in the libraries especially when there are a lot of exams happening at once.

2.       How frequently do you have to deal with this problem?

o   Personally I have to deal with this need all the time since it seems to always be packed except late at night and early mornings.

3.       Is this need something you have had for a long period of time?

o   It has definitely been something I have dealt with for a while. All through my freshman and sophomore year it would bother me, and even now that I am a junior it is still not resolved.

4.       When did you first become aware of it? Why?

o   When I first started and because I would walk around for 30 minutes trying to find a spot or table to sit at, which is valuable time I could have used to study

5.       How are you addressing this?

o   There’s nothing I can do to address it. There is no where else I can go, so I usually just try to go early so I can spend that time waiting for a spot to open up.

6.       How satisfied are you with the solution?

o   I’m not satisfied at all and I wish there was something more to do to make UF aware of the need, but I just have to deal with it. It’s pretty frustrating to me as a nursing student because I have a strong need to be here most of the time and I have a hard time focusing at home in my own apartment. 

Prototypical Customer: University Student- Ryan Shuman

1.       Explain the need that you are having issues with

o   Sometimes I have trouble finding space in the library and I don’t like to go other places to study during exam week.

2.       How frequently do you have to deal with this problem?

o   I don’t go to the library all the time, so I mostly just deal with it during exams. Which, ironically, is when the library is the most packed.

3.       Is this need something you have had for a long period of time?

o   Yes, it is a pretty known thing around campus that the library never has space and it seems to have always been that way.

4.       When did you first become aware of it? Why?

o   I first became aware of it my freshman year of college during exam week.

5.       How are you addressing this?

o   Sometimes I go to empty classrooms and study there or even coffee shops. It’s just annoying when I need a computer and I don’t have access to one.

6.       How satisfied are you with the solution?

o   I am pretty satisfied with my solution because most of the semester I am not too picky with where I study. But it would be better to just have more space during finals week or during those times when I really need to use the computers.