Luis Cueto

Improving UNM
Campus Accessibility

University of New Mexico campus Student Life

Office
July 2016

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Contents
Introduction Pg.3
Methodology Pg.5
Results Pg.6
Discussion Pg.7
Final recommendation Pg.7
Sources Pg.8

Abstract
This report was created by the UNM student life office to explore
the options for making the UNM campus more accessible to
students who are non-native speakers as well as aid all students
in moving easily about the campus. After conducting research on
the problems nonnative speaking and new UNM students face
when commuting within the campus we have selected a solution
that is both cost effective and serves as a universal method to
greatly assist students in locating their desired destinations. We
have decided that a visual aid around campus on each sign would
greatly benefit UNM and students. When researching the problem
and solution we used a 4 step process to come to our
recommendation. Step One: UNM Student Poll, Step Two:
Interview CELAC Students, Step Three: Brainstorm Possible
Recommendations, Step Four: Analyze Effectiveness of
Recommendations. After completing out research we found that
designing universal graphics to include on building signs and
maps would help students identify student services and building
locations. We recommend that UNM design and add descriptive
pictures of building signs and also include the same pictures on
maps. This change will greatly improve UNM campus accessibility

and help all students especially non-native speaking students find

their way.
Pg.2

Introduction
UNM Student Life provides students a place where they can
connect with campus leaders and peers. It is our job to ensure the
students of UNM feel that their voices are heard and we are
tasked to help the University of New Mexico foster student
success for tomorrow. This past year UNM has had an influx of
non-resident students who speak a primary language other than
English. As our university grows the number of non-native
speaking students grows. We believe that the UNM campus signs
do not foster diversity in language.
The traditional plain building signs with English language on
them are not universally understood and they are not accessible
to all. The same goes for our UNM campus maps given to students
at registration. Most of our students have reported being asked
for help with directions on campus from non-fluent English
speakers. UNM has a large and growing population of
international students who are here for full degree time periods.
Recently UNM as ranked #196 in the world by center for world
universities ranking for its global influence and spanning impact
across academia. With changes to UNM campus we can ensure
that UNM is easily accessible to all students. Next we will delve
into the problem at hand and discuss some suggestions we have
to make UNM better.

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This is an image of the current UNM campus map. It is obvious

that this map could use some design improvements but what we
have focused on is the few graphics included in the map legend.
Aside from being very limited, the UNM map graphics are not
universal and are not easily identifiable. For example, the blue
and white H for the hospital alone would not help a non-English
speaking student identify the location of the hospital.

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Methodology
In order to find out which solution would make UNM campus more
accessible we decided to use a 4 step system to study the issue
and decide the best approach to solve it.

Step One: UNM Student Poll

In order to fully understand the issue at hand concerning UNM
accessibility in regards to signs and campus maps we utilized
several forms of research. We began by polling 100 students in a
campus lunch area. We asked two questions. Do you attend
classes with or are you friends with a non-native speaking UNM
student? do you think the campus signs and maps could be more
universal and easier to read?

Step Two: Interview CELAC Students

Next we went to the UNM Global education office and talked to
some students who are a part of CELAC (center for English
language and American culture) a UNM program that matches
English speaking students with non-native English speaking
students to share culture and practice the English language.
These students told us that CELAC makes transitioning to an
English speaking school a lot easier

Step Three: Brainstorm Possible

Recommendations
After having gathered information we brainstormed possible
ideas. All the ideas were good but after picking the best two we

decided that we could make a map in several languages and also

add other languages to campus signs.
The next idea was to create universal graphics that are easily
identifiable in many countries. These images would be placed on
campus signs and maps so that students can locate buildings and
services easier.

Step Four: Analyze Effectiveness of

Recommendations
Pg.5

At this point we took time to expand on each of the two ideas and
really analyze their effectiveness and their pros/cons.

Results
After interviewing the students in the lunch area we obtained
some good information. Although these questions are very
general and not too specific we learned that 65 out of 100
students have contact with someone who attends UNM and is a
non-native speaker. We also learned that 86 students believe that
something could be done to make the signs and maps easier to
read.
Then when talking to the CELAC students we heard stories that
validated our need for change. Among other stories the English
speaking students told us of instances where their CELAC
classmates have had to send them pictures of school signs in
order receive help in finding the right building. When told of our
report being created they said they look forward to some change
and that they were hopeful that non-native speakers would be
able to easily navigate campus.

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Discussion
Our research has resulted in two possible options.
Option one: add other languages to UNM signs and maps.
Although this option would be helpful there would have to be a lot
of research done in order to select the right languages and make
sure that the maps are correct and useful. Different languages on
signs might cause clutter and make signs less appealing and
more complex. Overall this idea would solve the problem and
make UNM more accessible.
Option two: include pictures that illustrate what the signs say
and also include those graphics on the maps to match building
signs. This idea seems more cost effective because it would help
all students at the same time without having to make a change
for each language individually. It would be one change for all and

it would be easy to create universal pictures. Also we feel that the

pictures would help native speakers identify the meaning of signs
quicker and also make the campus signs more appealing

Final Recommendation
After careful consideration we recommend that UNM adopt the
second idea and add universal pictures to UNM maps and signs.
There is no doubt that both ideas would assist in making UNM
more accessible but due to cost and ease of design we feel that
incorporating visual aids to our campus guide signs would be
most successful. Thank you for your time.

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Examples:

Sources
UNM ranked among the worlds best Posted July 14th, 2016 for
University of New Mexico

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/unm-ranked-among-worldsbest
New UNM dean of students announced By Chris Quintana /
Journal Staff Writer, Tuesday, May 17th, 2016 at 5:21pm
http://www.abqjournal.com/775803/new-unm-dean-of-studentsannounced.html

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