CSUN recently has been noted as the most diverse campus in the CSU system. Boasting 8 different ethnic studies, including Jewish studies, Africana studies, American Indian studies, and Middle Eastern studies, CSUN has had a reputation of high diversity and inclusivity. Now, the campus also includes a high account of extracurricular activities, and over 300 student based clubs and organization. There’s even a kayaking club in the idle of the San Fernando Valley. Because of these notions, CSUN holds many sub groups that are officially associated with the campus and the campus community. However, there is one particular sub group that bares no ties with CSUN, CSUN Staff, or the CSUN community: The Skateboarders of Manzanita Hall.
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The proposed documentary investigated the story of this sub community within the CSUN campus. As freshmen come into the university, grow within academia, and eventually graduate, these skateboarders seem to stay within the same place at Manzanita hall. We question their relationship to the campus: Just who are they and why do they constantly meet the same spot day after day, week after week, year after year? What is their origin? Do the members attend CSUN? Are they from the surrounding community? Do they have a name? And why do they block traffic? More importantly, how do CSUN students and faculty see these boarders? Are they a nuisance? Are they performers? Or are they completely integrated within the campus that they are seen as an established living landmark?
Collaborating with Sharon Lim, this short Documentary questions who these skateboarders are. What came into fruition was the identity that they posses as a group, and the strong idea of family that they posses. Not only is there a negative connotation that they posses with the faculty and some students on campus, but also they continuously try to redefine their identity as a sub group. While some students and faculty may see them as a nuisance, they are extremely thoughtful of the area and space that they congregate at.
Collaborating with Sharon Lim, this short Documentary questions who these skateboarders are. What came into fruition was the identity that they posses as a group, and the strong idea of family that they posses. Not only is there a negative connotation that they posses with the faculty and some students on campus, but also they continuously try to redefine their identity as a sub group. While some students and faculty may see them as a nuisance, they are extremely thoughtful of the area and space that they congregate at.