Behind The Scenes of a Purchase Labyrinth

By Tia Porter

Developmental stage of the labyrinth. (Photo by Tia Porter)

For anyone at Purchase who feels like they’ve hit a dead end, taking a stroll through the new labyrinth may help them decompress. For the past few years, a team of faculty and students has worked to plan the construction of a labyrinth on campus. It is currently being worked on next to the native plant garden, located behind the dance building, and will be opening on Oct. 8. 

“The labyrinth is meant to be an open space for everyone on campus,” said Joshua Lutz, associate professor of photography. “It’s very simple to use—you just follow the path. There’s no right or wrong way to walk it. For students, we hope it becomes a place to gather, to slow down, to reflect, or simply to find a moment of peace in the middle of a busy semester. At its core, the labyrinth is a mindfulness tool, a way of bringing attention back to the present moment.” 

The 29-foot-wide Chartres-style labyrinth, which will be available to students 24/7 on weekdays and holidays, is the result of different departments in the Purchase community collaborating on one idea.  

“The initial spark for a labyrinth at Purchase came from Kristi McKee [associate director of communications] after she visited one on Block Island,” Lutz said. “Coincidentally, my family and I go to that same labyrinth every August. Soon after, a small team came together to see if we could bring one to Purchase. I then worked with students in contemplative studies on the initial design. While we ultimately went with more of a prefabricated approach, the collaboration with students brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the project.” 

The labyrinth was first proposed more than four years ago during a series of staff workshops on mindfulness techniques. Earlier this year, Vice President Patrica Bice decided to revisit the project with the help of grant funds available for mental health initiatives. 

McKee had done research for the project. With the support of her supervisor, Shane Seaman, executive director of marketing and communications, a committee was formed to give life to this project.  

“I’m incredibly proud,” McKee said, “and quite frankly a little awestruck, that this project actually came to fruition. It stands as a testament to, and physical reminder of, what’s possible at Purchase—if you’re willing to do the work, you can make cool things happen. And it speaks to the boundless collaborative spirit that circulates within this community.” 

Lutz plans to incorporate the labyrinth in his Contemplative Photography class, and he hopes students will use it as a peaceful space to stop and catch their breath. Unlike a maze with multiple dead ends and connecting branches, a labyrinth has one path that winds around until it reaches the center. 

“But beyond the classroom,” Lutz said, “I imagine students using it on their own—sometimes alone, sometimes with friends—as a way to reset or recharge. The beauty of a labyrinth is that even though it gives you a path to follow, it ultimately brings you right back to where you started, reminding you that you’re exactly where you need to be.” 

Dr. Allyson Jackson, associate professor of environmental studies, elaborated on the importance of the labyrinth being sustainable. “My role is basically just to add some native flowers around it,” Jackson said, “so we can continue the pollinator habitat of the native plant garden.” 

Like the labyrinth, the native plant garden started out as an idea. It has since become a space for students to relax and enjoy time away from classes without the distraction of technology. 

The native plant garden. (Photo by Tia Porter) 

Another member of the team working to make the labyrinth a reality is Joseph F. Cloidt, the interim director of counseling and behavioral health Services (CBHS) on campus. Cloidt has worked as a counselor in the Counseling Center at Purchase College since August 2012, and he’s spent his time providing resources for students to improve both their college experience and their overall well-being. 

“In terms of supporting student mental health and well-being,” Cloidt said, “the labyrinth offers students a meditative and accessible tool for stress reduction and self-reflection beyond the limited time in a counselor’s office.”  

Clodit explained that mindfulness meditation plays a key role in improving concentration. “This will encourage students to spend time away from distractions and fixate their attention on nature.” 

“The labyrinth can serve as a focal point,” Cloidt said, “and offer structure for mindful movement, contemplation, self-reflection, and, due to its location in the native plant garden, help students experience themselves as part of the natural world through all seasons. Having a reliable external focal point can help reduce anxiety and calm racing thoughts. Walking the labyrinth with mindful intention can help students develop this skill that can then be used in the academic and social aspects of their lives.”