A pair of freshmen have recently been attracting attention around campus by setting up hammocks in popular public areas.
The most noticeable location has been over the wooden bridge by the botanical garden between the SUB and dorm quad.
Kellen Sappington and Stephen Minnick have put forth efforts to make an official club out of “hanging-out and posting-up.”
They initially set up under the bridge leading toward the Columbia Village dorms, but their time was short lived as security expressed safety concerns and put a stop to their social gathering.
There are some spots on campus where hammocks can be set up, but the two freshmen said they believe that with more activity and popularity within the potential club, more areas will surface where students can gather for activities, like spikeball and slackline.
“We have caught a bit of attention,” Sappington said. “It’s been mostly positive and supportive. A lot of people like to hammock, but getting enough people for a club to get started has been a bit difficult.”
Starting a club on Florida Tech requires 10 members, and gaining students commitment has been the largest roadblock.
Junior Ashley Letendre is president of the public relations club and said she understands what it is like managing a club in order to stay afloat.
“I can see how a club such as hammocking might be hard to manage,” Letendre said. “You would need to find somebody who is a part of school staff to help and support.”
Minnick said they haven’t gotten enough members yet to start trying to find a club advisor.
“Honestly, gaining publicity, enjoying the day and people watching is all we want to do for this semester,” Minnick said.
They have no plans on moving away from the main wooden bridge near the botanical garden.
“I wasn’t nervous or worried, but I can see how some students might be concerned or confused while walking under them,” Tyler Donahue, a freshman, said.
The two freshman plan to continue their tree-high antics into the fall semester and will also look further into becoming a club.