The Connector is one of campus’ most recognizable landmarks. Not only does it attach to the Kratz, Miller,  and Yoder residence halls, but its additional roles go from walkway, to bulletin board, to event space and study area.

However, there is an even more lively side of the Connector that perhaps not every student has encountered. Anywhere from 8 to 10 p.m., depending on the night, comes the rush of activity and energy that accompanies the evening crowd. The central first-floor area of the Connector is filled for hours with the buzz of conversation, which can be heard from one end of the hallway to the other.

What is it that brings such an influx of people at such an hour? Considering that this is, after all, a college campus, it should not be surprising to learn that homework is a large factor. Elie Munika, a sophomore information technology major, said, “People like being here, you know, for chilling and they spend their time doing assignments.”

Cecilia Mendoza, a sophomore criminal justice major, added that she does her studying in that space “every night.” Levi Friesen, a first-year nursing major, said that it was perfect for meeting for a group project, since it was so close to everyone.

An even greater factor is the presence of Java Junction. Evan O’Toole, a junior business major and one of the current longest-standing employees of Java, described the customer demographics. He said, “Well, definitely in the first few weeks that we’re open, it’s a lot of [first-years]. You know, people who are curious to see the place and what’s going on.”

O’Toole added that specific beverages also have their own pull. He said that there are the usual “coffee addicts,” as well as the equally prevalent “milkshake addicts.” This was a sentiment confirmed by Ricardo Blanco, a sophomore film production major, and Nash Morgan, a first-year psychology major, who both listed milkshakes as their favorite thing Java has to offer.

For O’Toole, it isn’t at all about the study space. He said, “I wouldn’t do my homework down here now. I know a lot of people like to do that, but it’s a bit too noisy for me to do all that kind of stuff.”

Instead, he enjoys the social aspect of the Connector. He said, “There’s always people to talk to. Always.” He also said that his job was so enjoyable because he was able to have conversations with people and get paid for it.

Munika described coming to the Connector after getting out of work at his job at AVI Fresh. He said, “I usually finish my work around nine, sometimes eight, and I prefer being here, taking a rest for a moment, meeting new people.”

Regarding the abundance of people in and around Java in the evening, Ella Armstrong, a sophomore nursing major, said, “I thought that there was an event going on.”

Overall, the Connector crowd is fluid and ever-changing. O’Toole said he got to know the regular customers from last semester. He said, “They’d come down here every day, I’d know their drinks, I’d know what they want, I’d know what time they’d come. And now this semester, it’s totally different.”

He encapsulated many people’s remarks, saying, “It’s good, because I get to talk to them, and I love to talk. For the most part, they love to talk too.”