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204 Chapter 7 ing to ignore the contradictory nature of the school. Rather, these students see the institutional contradictions as creating fissures in the system into which they are able to insert their own will or agenda. These metaphors are positive, in that they point to a sort of infinite flexibility of the institution. Yet they would not be as applicable in an organization that was functioning efficiently and effectively. An institution that is so flexible that students can truly reshape it according to their needs is an amorphous and inconsistent place. It is, though, rich with the potential to be reworked by students. In much the fashion that electricity is neither good nor bad except for how it is used (electrocution versus operating a ventilator ), this metaphor suggests that SIPI, too, is neither good nor bad. Rather, it implies that students have the ultimate decision in whether SIPI is a negative place or a positive one. Students who use metaphors of “SIPI is a resource for self-determination” make the school into a positive force in their lives; therefore, it is a positive place. It was pointed out to me that my example with electricity mirrors that of the explanation of the South Pacific concept of mana. In fact, I routinely use electricity as a metaphor to explain mana to introductory anthropology students. Perhaps SIPI has an inherent power, like mana, that can be used for good (getting an education) or bad (partying). Many of the students who use these metaphors also speak of having, at the time of their first arrival, specific goals for their time at the school.They emphasize their choice to be there and their power to make that choice. Students using this discourse do also describe moments at SIPI in which they experienced institutional oppression. Their responses to this mistreatment, as narrated to me, are to assert their independence, willpower, and ingenuity. These students’ narratives show that, when dealing with unfair or inappropriate treatment, they are able to manage the situation to their benefit, using their internal resources, rather than relying on other people. They resist institutional control in subtle or creative ways, and never in ways that would endanger their opportunity to get their education. Darren Wingard is an example of a student doing SIPI his way. Darren conceptualizes SIPI as being infinitely malleable to his purposes. He entered the school with both educational and social goals. His stories share a theme of personalizing the school by working his way around obstacles. Making SIPI what he wants requires Darren to repeatedly reclaim and redefine his only private space on campus—his dormitory room. Central to this goal are his efforts to consciously and carefully build a social network with his space at the center. He intentionally outfitted his room to be comfortable and in- SIPI Is What You Make It 205 viting. It became an informal lounge and social hub for students. He realized that his peers acknowledged the role of his room in the social life of the dormitory when he would find individuals that he did not know showing up to visit. Darren said that students are aware that his room is a social center, and he encourages everyone to come by and hang out. They start knocking on doors, asking me what I’m doing, what’s going on.The next thing you know, I have a room full of friends. Watching TV, playing videogames, whatnot. I already have to tell them,“Get out! Get out! It’s twelve o’clock. I need to sleep!” . . . People come by all the time, all the time [to] . . . see what’s going on, you know? . . . I think a lot of times it’s because I have food in my room, too! Yeah, “What’s up? What have you got cooking?” or whatever. But generally I’m really friendly when it comes down to living here at the dorms. I don’t discriminate against anybody. I think that’s one of the reasons why they like me a lot here, especially at the dorms. I like to just socialize, you know.People I don’t know come to my room with other friends and introduce themselves, and they may come the next night, without their friend, and just want to hang out. Interesting, huh? And sometimes we don’t—we don’t say anything. I just turn on theTV and watch,TV and they’re sitting in the room watching TV with me. Darren...

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