The Freshman 411

Bob Evans is the Place to Eat

2006-12-06T09:05:00.000-05:00

Just after taking the Bowling Green exit off of I-75 the first thing an individual sees is a big red and yellow sign advertising the popular restaurant, Bob Evans. This national chain, which is in just about every city in the Midwest, is a popular destination for many people seeking a quality home cooked meal. With a slogan of “A Company Built on Freshness and Goodness”, it is easy to understand why people choose this national chain for their dining enjoyment. When first arriving in BGSU as a freshman, it is not easy to figure out exactly where to indulge the palate because new students do not know the town of Bowling Green. Bob Evans, a restaurant on Wooster Street, makes for a great choice because they have reasonably priced items, a wide variety of foods and a friendly at home, welcoming atmosphere. Bob Evans is a superior choice when eating out in the town of Bowling Green because they really cater to their customers and make sure you leave satisfied.
Let’s face it; college students are broke. There for the one thing that is very important when choosing a restaurant is the cost of the food. When evaluating the prices of food at Bob Evans of Bowling Green their prices on most items were very reasonable. This restaurant gives an individual so much food for such a small price that a person could almost get two meals at Bob Evans for the price of one meal at Easy Street Café downtown. Take the pancakes for example; for only $4.19 you get three buttermilk, which is a steal even with a tip the meal is still extremely reasonably priced, even for a college student on a budget. With Bob Evans having such a huge menu, other items on the menu have just as small of a price tag. Some of those items include: cornmeal, oatmeal, chili, salads, and grilled cheese. All of these items are five dollars or less in price and a great deal. The low and reasonable prices of Bob Evans food are huge deciding factors in choosing the restaurant for dining out.
Price of course is not the only thing to consider when choosing a restaurant because the food offered at that restaurant is just as important. For a hungry college student, Bob Evans has the menu to end the craving of all cravings. This national chain has an enormous menu with items varying from tacos to roasted turkey sandwiches. With a huge tri-fold menu, Bob Evans has just about any food from any culture you can think of resulting in happy customers. With food options being available from the Mexican, Italian, American or even the Asian culture, this menu is especially nice for college students craving a certain type of food. The other nice feature about having a large menu is when traveling in a large group everyone should be happy with the food options offered by the restaurant. The menu at Bob Evans even allows the pickiest eaters to find something to indulge themselves in. Bob Evans’ menu also has two features for accommodating customers with dietary needs. The first being a symbol that highlights healthy choices for individuals on diets, the second being they allow customers to substitute any side for another side. Bob Evans menu has many food options, informs customers on healthy choices and allows for revamping of dishes which results in happy and satisfied customers. Bob Evans caters to its customers and that is evident in their menu. That is why when selecting a restaurant in Bowling Green, Bob Evans should be at the top of the list if you want to leave happy and satisfied because of all the choices and reasonable prices.
With a reasonable price tag, wide selection of food and accommodating nature; what more could a hungry college student ask for from a restaurant? The last thing I would suspect would be a welcoming atmosphere to students. Not only is Bob Evans of Bowling Green decorated, but they also have a gift shop in the front lobby that is very welcoming. From the moment you walk in you feel welcome and that is such a nice change from the drab, undecorated, cafeteria located back at the dorms. They decorate all their national chains to reflect something you might find at your neighbors house because that is the image they want to portray; a home cooked meal in a home cooked setting. For college students this is exceptionally nice trait because we all miss home and a restaurant decorated like home can weirdly enough be like our home away from home. Not only are the atmosphere, price and food appealing at Bob Evans they always greet you with a smile and a “Welcome to Bob Evans”. Immediately after walking through the door you are welcomed and throughout your meal are asked questions about your day from servers who seem to generally care. They show they care by asking about your day and making conversation throughout the meal. The nice part about the Bowling Green’s Bob Evans having a friendly staff is when you are spending money to eat at a restaurant you want to feel like a guest and be respected so it is an enjoyable experience. Bob Evans makes an excellent choice if an individual is searching for a home cooked meal in an atmosphere that will remind you of home.
Bob Evans of Bowling Green is an establishment, from my experience, that respects their customers. With all of my great experiences there are bound to come some negatives. For instance, the employees and atmosphere may not always be as friendly and welcoming as they should be. They could for example treat a customer rudely ruining an eating experience, or not pay enough attention to a customer. The menu could display items that in reality might be not offered during that particular season or perhaps display an item the restaurant is currently out of. The atmosphere could be dirty if the restaurant has been busy resulting in a not so home oriented environment anymore. The dirty environment might make a customer question the cleanliness of the restaurant and wait staff. Another issue is their are a few items on the menu that are expensive and an individual could be confused about the cost and in the end be forced to pay more then they expected, creating a negative feeling about Bob Evans. Customers just need to realize that some days are going to be more hectic for the wait staff then others. If it is a busy day for example, cleaning might not be the top priority and the wait staff is most likely going to be stressed if they are hectically running around meaning less friendly employees. Just because one experience at Bob Evans was not perfect, that does not mean your next one will not be as well. Restaurants are unpredictable and that is just a risk you take when you eat out. The thing to keep in mind is Bob Evans is not a five star restaurant so expecting it to be perfect is an unreasonable expectation.
When first arriving at Bowling Green, incoming freshmen might not at first realize the need for outside food sources, but that soon changes. The cafeteria food gets old really quickly and when that outside source is needed to settle a craving the restaurant Bob Evans is a fantastic choice. With reasonable prices, a large menu selection and a welcoming atmosphere what more can you ask for? I would recommend Bob Evans to any college student in Bowling Green because the experience will be amazing, especially if you get the blueberry pancakes, they are my favorite.

Frickers

2006-12-05T20:17:00.000-05:00

Fun! Food! Sports! Spirits!

Ever been to the restaurant/bar Fricker’s? No? Fricker’s is highly recommended for you to try when you are hungry for chicken wings. This restaurant is a great place to choose when it is lunch or dinner time, or anytime in between. There are many reasons to choose Fricker’s over any other restaurants. Some of the reasons are the menu, service, the number of televisions in the building, and the price. Fricker’s is a must when going out to eat while in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Fricker’s opened up back in 1985 in the town of Dayton, Ohio by two brothers by the name of Frick. The older brother liked late nights, and the younger one liked to cook. They decided to open up a restaurant/bar using their two backgrounds. They liked the quote “Anything is Possible in America” because they opened a restaurant based on just chicken wings, comfortable atmosphere, and friendly employees (Frickers).

When you walk into Fricker’s, you are greeted by the waitresses and cooks as you are seated by the hostess. The employees do the best to make your visit to Fricker’s comfortable. The waitresses are very nice and friendly. They do their job and they do it right. They make sure that you are completely satisfied with your meal by getting your order out as quickly as possible and keeping your drinks full. If you cannot decide on a course, ask the waitress and they will give you their honest opinion on what is good to get.

It might be hard to decide what you want to eat because at Fricker’s, they have a variety of food. They have pizza, burgers and fries, pasta and green beans, and what Fricker’s is known for which are chicken wings. There are tons of sauces for the chicken wings, from the typical BBQ to their own Frick’n Extreme Hot Sauce. Along with the wings and dinners, there are great appetizers to eat before dinners, like brew city fries, mozzarella sticks, and even ranch and celery. It is not hard to find a meal you like on the menu at Fricker’s.

The menu is the best thing to look at while at Fricker’s because of the prices of the food and drinks they offer. The prices for the food and drinks are reasonable and cheap beyond belief until you do get the receipt. Especially on Tuesdays if you end up going to Fricker’s. Tuesdays are a good day to try Fricker’s if it is your first time because it is wing night. That means that you can order wings at $0.25 a wing. That is cheap. It is not hard to leave Fricker’s on a Tuesday night with only a five dollar dent in your wallet after paying for 10 wings, a drink, and tip. Try doing that at Hooter’s or Buffalo Wild Wings.

Fricker’s is also a great place to gather with you friends because of the entertainment that they offer. There is not a wall you can look at without seeing at least five TV’s. Along with the endless sight of sport games, Fricker’s has air hockey tables, basketball shoot-out and arcade games for your pleasure. It is easy to keep yourself entertain with friends, games, and televisions all while you get a great meal.

One of the things to be aware of at Fricker’s is the healthy choices of the food. People might argue that is it not a healthy place to eat at but what they do not realize is that they are a chicken wing bar and not a salad bar. Fricker’s does offer healthy choices and courses on the Atkins diet. You can order a salad instead of an order of fries with your meal. It is the person’s choice if they want to eat at the salad bar at a buffet or go to a place with great food and service. Eating at Fricker’s beats going to Burger King and getting the king size order. Fricker’s does not give you a lot of food like Burger King because you do not need to consume that much of chicken wings and Fricker’s realizes that. Fricker’s does think twice about their food when it comes to the health of their customers.

Fricker’s has a great atmosphere for a restaurant. Fricker’s is the place to find fun, food, sports, and spirits! They started as a small time family restaurant in Dayton, Ohio to having a chain of Fricker’s about 20 minutes from each other in the state of Ohio. Fricker’s is a great place to go when you are hungry, with some friends, and only have a few bucks in your wallet.

The Bowen-Thompson Student Union

2006-12-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

Jocelyn Gray
Rough Draft #5
E. Fleitz
11/20/06
The Bowen-Thompson Student Union is for Everyone
Every college campus should have a place for their students to gather together for meetings, studying, and activities. At Bowling Green State University (BGSU), the Bowen-Thompson Student Union is the place to gather for everything. In the Union there are meeting rooms, stores, lounges, entertainment and programming facilities, and dining areas. Everything you can imagine in one place in the center of campus. BGSU describes the Union on the school website and states, “The Center of it All…at the heart of every organization, there’s a magnet that draws people together, a force that fosters diversity, thrives on creativity, and inspires lasting action. At Bowling Green State University, that magnet is the Bowen-Thompson Student Union” (“About the Student Union”). The Student Union is a place that started off small but grew as the student population increased. A student union fit for everyone should be big and have places for relaxation, entertainment, and food. Through the transformation of the Union, students at BGSU have a place where everyone belongs.
The Student Union began in 1941. It started as a log cabin called the Falcon’s Nest and was located in the same place that the Union is today. The student population increased and plans for a second Union was underway in 1955. By 1958, a larger and more modern Student Union was finally built after facing some adversity. In October 1957, a serious fire damaged most of the building which resulted in a set back to the building’s opening. Yet, the new Union had several places to eat and included a bowling alley as well as a Union hotel for guest. The Union thrived for the next 35 years but became slightly outdated. In 1994, student leaders began considerations for the making of a bigger and up to date student union. The students wanted greater technological capabilities, more meeting rooms, and recreational areas. President Paul Olscamp formed a Core committee, with significant student influence, to start plans for what the new student union should include. The university had a goal of $ 6 million dollars to meet. A large amount of the donations came from Robert and Ellen (Bowen) Thompson, as well as several large businesses. In December, the doors of the union closed and the Bowen-Thompson Student Union began to be built. On January 13, 2002, the Bowen-Thompson Student Union opened officially for the 2002 semester.
The Bowen- Thompson Student Union is bigger and better than ever since its opening in 2002 with all of its new features. BGSU states, “Since its opening in January 2002, the renovated BGSU Student Union has become the ‘living room’ and focal point of the University community on campus, with an exciting design and function, the result of a long, deliberate process and study taking into account student input at all junctures. Among other major changes and improvements, the total square footage was expanded from 110,000 to approximately 220,000” (Union Facts and Figures). The Student Union contains eleven meeting rooms that can be used by students, faculty, administration, and the community. Clubs, organizations, and Greek life use the meeting rooms frequently to hold conferences and events. There are also two stores inside of the Union that add to its size. The University Bookstore contains all of the school supplies and clothing apparel that students would want or need. The Peregrine Shop is a located next to the bookstore and is a small convenience store that is very convenient for students who need items and live on-campus without a form of transportation. Due to the Union’s large size, accommodating a lot of students is no problem.
The Bowen-Thompson Student Union is not limited to meeting rooms and stores, but includes places for relaxation and entertainment, too. There are several different areas for students to gather throughout the day in lounges placed at different corners and floors of the Union. For entertainment purposes, places like the Lenhart Grand Ballroom and Multipurpose Room are made available. The multipurpose room hosts parties, musical events, and award ceremonies for the students. The union also provides a theater that can seat 250 people. Movie nights at the Union are a fun time for students to join together and let loose after a day of classes. A place that can let people “hang-out” and be entertained is definitely a place for everyone.
A Student Union would not be a place for everyone without having places to eat. The Bowen-Thompson Student Union provides multiple places for students sit down and eat. The Pub is an area of the union that is a large hall eatery with lots of televisions for the student’s enjoyment. The Pub hosts a place for students and guest to eat after visiting the dining area. In the dining area, that surrounds the Pub, there is a food court, a Wendy’s, and Starbuck’s. The food court is a staffed and self served area. It includes soups and salads, full meals, a pizza parlor, a deli, and a dessert area. All of the different selections of food can appease the appetite of anyone who is in the Union.
Some people believe that a proper student union should be a place where students can handle all things necessary pertaining to their education and not their social life. Yet, the problem with this statement is that almost every building on campus is made for student progression in education. Along with buildings providing educational purposes, there should be at least one building catering to social life purposes. A student life with all work and no fun present on campus is not an ideal college experience. The Bowen-Thompson Student Union makes the college experience worthwhile.
The Bowen-Thompson Student Union is placed at the center of campus and is the center of most of the activities that take place at Bowling Green State University. The Union has a place for everybody at the University. It hosts events and contains places for meetings, as well as eating. The Union has made three transformations and is now better equipped to serve the students of today at BGSU.

Sundial

2006-12-05T12:02:00.000-05:00

The Sundial: Better Than Your Average Food Court

The Sundial, an on-campus food court style restaurant is one of the most popular dining places on campus. It is located on the southwest corner of Ridge Street and Mercer Road. It is part of the Kreischer building and is the centerpiece of the quadrangle. There are two entrances to the food court. There is an entrance on both the north and south sides of the building and the restaurant is located on the 2nd floor. They offer a variety of different meals and can suit almost anyone’s needs. I recently visited the dining area and discovered what you really want to know about the restaurant. The most common things that people look for in a good restaurant are food quality, atmosphere, and prices. In the end I found the restaurant to be of very high standards because of their food quality, variety of food offered, customer service, prices and overall atmosphere.
Let’s break down their food choices and take a closer look at the variety of food offered. A wide range of food choices is what most restaurants pride themselves on and what most people look for in choosing a restaurant, so I figured this to be an important criterion in which to judge the Sundial. For starters, they always have pizza, from eleven in the morning till they close at about 8 o‘clock. Pizza is a very common dish which a lot of people enjoy. They also offer a variety of sandwiches and burgers. Fish sandwiches, cheeseburgers, sub sandwiches as well as chicken sandwiches are all served on most days. They also have plenty of side dishes to compliment your choice of a main dish. They offer breadsticks, potato products, a variety of veggies and other conventional menu items. There is also a salad bar that offers parfaits and other items such as fruits, puddings, cookies, pies and even jello. Drinks are covered as well at the Sundial. They have Pepsi products for soda fans but they also carry different varieties of milk and juices.
As you can see they have many different options to choose from but what about the quality you ask. Quality is another important ingredient in the success of a restaurant. Most of their foods are very high in quality. I have sampled many of them and I have concluded that they taste just like any normal meal that you would get from another restaurant or even your own house. Some of the meals are cooked to order so that you know you are getting the best quality for your money.
The only exception I would have to make would be their pizza. The sauce is kind of nasty. It has a pasty like feel and taste to it. Once in a while they cook it to where it doesn’t have this kind of taste, but that usually isn’t often. The rest of the pizza isn’t that bad though. In fact it is quite tasty. That’s why I frequently look over the fact that their sauce is bad but the rest is great. The sauce may be bad most of the time, but that is no reason not to enjoy the rest of what the Sundial has to offer.
As we all know, customer service at a restaurant is very crucial to maintaining a positive image. It is the employees that actually work with the food and the customers that produce a quality restaurant experience. The Sundial employs a variety of people that work on a daily basis. They all have one thing in common though. They are all very kind and polite. Most of the employees are students just like us and many of them are even in class with us. This makes it easy to create conversation when waiting to pay for your selections. The cashiers always wish you a good day and thank you for your patronage. The cashiers aren’t the only people who are nice as well. The people who serve the food are also nice as well. They usually have a smile on their face and are very knowledgeable about the food they serve. They can also suggest something if you can’t decide what you want. They have tasted most of the foods there and know what is good and what isn’t.
Another criterion that I looked at was the prices of the foods at the Sundial. Prices are always important to college students since most of them like to keep things cheap. This is where I would give the Sundial an average rating. They are kind of pricey. I was surprised that when I bought a sandwich that a slice of cheese was an extra forty cents! Furthermore, a slice of pepperoni pizza is a whopping dollar eighty-five. You can usually get a slice of pizza from any regular pizza place for about a dollar up to a dollar fifty. The prices at the Sundial are slightly inflated. Maybe it’s because it is on campus but that should mean it would be cheaper because we are all college students and can’t afford these extra expenses. That is why I can’t give the Sundial a good rating in this area
One last attribute that is usually overlooked is the overall atmosphere. This includes the dining area as well as the setup of the overall restaurant. Atmosphere is important because most people like to be comfortable as well as being in a relaxed atmosphere as they eat. The Sundial gets a great rating in this criterion. The colors are cheery but they aren’t burning bright to the point that they would annoy you. The seating area is very relaxing. The tables are spaced apart enough to where you can keep conversations private but can still fraternize with the neighbors if you would want to. There is also a television on the one side in case you want to catch up with the news or even your favorite TV show. The setup of the food court is also very inviting. There is an island in the middle and there is also a lot of space around it. It accommodates a lot of people and gives easy access to all the food selections.
Overall I give the Sundial three stars out of four. The restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere along with friendly service and they serve great products. I believe the restaurant has hit one out of the park when I talk about good service with great food but their prices are sketchy. I just like to think that you’re paying a little extra for the service. You don’t always get treated with a friendly smile and service so I would advise any new freshman to go out of their way and spend a little extra money to try out the Sundial at the Kreischer Quadrangle. It’s worth the money to go check out because they have a great selection, a quality atmosphere, and the service to go along with it.

Wal-Mart

2006-12-05T09:01:00.000-05:00

Mosley 1
Anthony Mosley
Elizabeth Fleitz
Essay #5
5 December 2006
Most Convenient Place in BG
College students may consider numerous places convenient, but the most convenient place in Bowling Green, Ohio has got to be Super Wal-Mart. At Super Wal-Mart you can shop for just about any and everything you need. From groceries to bath soap, Super Wal-Mart has a variety of items to choose from, not just a selected few. The prices that the merchandise is priced is realistic with the budget of college students. Super Wal-Mart is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The employees that work at the store are helpful in every way that you need them to be. They actually help you if you need help. The Super Wal-Mart center is always kept clean and well maintained. Items are on the shelves instead of on floors like some stores. The floors are kept clean and shinny and are pretty much the first thing that you notice as you walk into the store. Overall, I feel that Super Wal-Mart is the most convenient place to shop in Bowling Green, because they carry all the items you need.
The first criteria being evaluated is the variety of items that Super Wal-Mart have to offer. Since Super Wal-Mart is not just your ordinary store, whether you need food to eat or if you need shoes to place on your feet, Super Wal-Mart is the place to go. Unlike other stores that may only carry a single item that you may need, Wal-Mart has it all. From experience, I feel that Wal-Mart ranks among the best when it comes to getting what you need from a store.
Another criteria being evaluated would have to be the reasonable prices that Wal-Mart offer. If you like to compare merchandise to help save you money, Super
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Wal-Mart can help. Here you'll find a wide variety of items to choose from to meet your budget. Unlike smaller stores, Super Wal-Mart has just about every brand that makes that certain merchandise that you are searching for. For example, if you were to walk down the cereal aisle, you would probably give yourself a headache trying to figure out which cereal to choose from if you don't already know what kind you want. And, once you find the cereal that you want, there are about three other brands that make the same cereal. From there you can make your final purchase depending on how much you have to spend at that time. When all's said and done, Wal-Mart is the store to shop at if you’re on a budget. The prices that their merchandise is priced at are reasonable with the budget of college students. As a college student, the last thing you need to do is spend ridiculous amounts of money on items that you can find at it's cheapest at Super Wal-Mart. Every cent counts, especially when you cant depend on mom and dad to take care of every bill for you.
Perhaps the most important criteria to consider when shopping at Super Wal-Mart are that it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The store is always open for your convenience. This means that you don't have to ever rush to the store fearing that it will be closed when you get there. You could just wake up in the middle of the night and decide to go to Super Wal-Mart and guess what?! They'll still be open. Overall, I feel Wal-Mart provides its services all day, and everyday to give the customers something to smile about.
Additional criteria would be the helpfulness of the employees of Super-Wal-Mart. The employs are helpful in every way you need them to be. Not once have I ever been mistreated by a Wal-Mart employee. They have the best attitudes and even
better personalities. They offer to help when you can’t find something, they point you in the right direction when you’re lost, and they lend a helping hand when you make a
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mess. My evaluation of the employees of Super Wal-Mart is that they are the type of people that actually enjoy their job and help because they truly want to.
Last but not least, the most attractive thing about Super Wal-Mart is the cleanliness of the store and how well maintained it is on a consistent basis. This is extremely important in keeping customers, because no one wants to shop in a dirty place. The floors at Super Wal-Mart are so shinny that their first thing that catches your eyes as you walk into the store. I give Wal-Mart an A+ when it comes to cleanliness, because no one wants to shop in filth.
All in all, Super Wal-Mart is the most convenient place to shop in Bowling Green. Whatever you may need, whenever you may need it, you rest assured that Wal-Mart won’t let you down when other stores will. So, if you want to save yourself some time and money, shopping at Wal-Mart will fulfill all of your needs.

Ogg Science Library

2006-12-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

Looking for A Place To Study?
When it comes to finding a place to study at BG there are many options. Students can study in their dorm rooms, campus libraries, dorm study lounges, and the student union. When looking for a place to study there are a few criteria that students should think about. The study place should be quiet, have good research material and should be located close to students. The best place to study on campus is the Ogg Science Library.
The most important criterion that a student should consider when choosing a place to study is the atmosphere. In order to properly study without interruption it should be very quiet. If it is loud and there is a lot of commotion it is very hard to study and concentrate. The Ogg Science Library, located in the Math Science Building, meets this criterion. It is a very small library and not very busy. Since it is located inside the Math Science Building not many students know about it. It’s not a very big library but every time I go to The Ogg Library there is always an available chair and table for me to study. It is always quiet and I am always able to get my studying done in The Ogg Library.
Another important aspect of the library is the material that is available at the study place. It is important that a study place have available material to do research. The Ogg Science Library has two floors with research material. The material in The Ogg Library is mostly science related but there is also other research material available. The second floor of the library has book stacks with many books about many different things. There are also current periodicals and microforms available. The library also has many computers all with internet access. There are also librarians that are always available to assist with research. Overall The Ogg Science Library offers much useful research material and is a good place to go to do any type of project.
Another important criterion to consider is where the library is located. This criterion is important because nobody wants to waste valuable study time walking to and from the library. In the winter it gets very cold and windy and nobody wants to walk ten minutes in the middle of winter to get to the library. The Ogg Library is located near the sorority houses, Offenhauer towers and McDonald Hall. The Ogg Library is located on the third floor of the Math Science Building which is directly across the street from McDonald Hall. The Math and Science Building is right next to the Student Union and the center of campus.
Many students may think that The Ogg Library is not a good place to study but it is one of the best places on campus to study. Many students may want to go to the Union or dorm lounges to study, while some students prefer to just stay in their room and study. The Union is too loud and there are no research materials available at the Student Union. The dorm lounges may be closer to students than the libraries but they do not provide a good quiet atmosphere to study and do not provide research material other than the internet. The students who stay in their room to study will find it easy to become distracted by T.V., video games and roommates. The Ogg Science Library has a quiet atmosphere, plenty of research material and is located close to the center of campus.
Overall The Ogg Science Library is a very good place to study. It meets all the criteria that should be considered when looking for a place to study. It has a quite atmosphere, lots of research material and is conveniently located near the center of campus. During my freshman I visited this library at least once a day to do homework, to study or to do research. I would recommend this library as a good study place.

Dorm Evaluation

2006-12-05T08:55:00.000-05:00

Stephen Potts
English 111
Ms. Fleitz
20 November 2006
Best Dorms on Campus
There are a couple of dorms that first year students have a choice of picking from on the BGSU campus. Even with guides and tours of the campus it is still a difficult choice without knowing what to look for. First year students may not realize the importance of picking a dorm that will fit their needs. Students need to realize that when they move in in August that is their new home. The dorms need to be comfortable with plenty of space for students to have their belongings but still have room to move. However, an unforeseen need is where the campus is in relation to other important buildings on campus such as academic or recreational buildings. Also, students need to think about the condition of the rooms and lavatories that they will be living in and using for a year. Using the following criteria of comfort, location, building conditions and overall enjoyment new students can pick the best dorm for them. Kreischer dorms offer a lot for its residents. The rooms are in great condition, clean, and are spacious with room to live comfortable.
A spacious interior is important because residents want to have room for their belongings with out being cluttered. Students want to be able to go to their rooms and use their appliances along with furniture and have room to move. Kreischer rooms offer enough space for residents to live comfortably with all their belongings. The rooms appear to be small, especially for a first time resident but are actually the exact opposite. With the beds being lofted gives a whole new space where students often put futons or other furniture for their comfort. The room provides plenty of room for students to have electronics and appliances but still live clutter free. As well there are plenty of spaces for students to put their belongings like clothes. The closets are large, many draws for possessions and a desk for all your school work. Having all this room with furniture can make a resident feel more at home, which is a great feeling. The dorm rooms have plenty of space for a resident to live comfortably.
The location of the dorm is also a huge advantage and this really makes a difference when deciding on where to live. Students want to be able to get to academic buildings with out having to walk great distances, especially in the winter. Location is so important because on the BGSU campus the easiest way to get places is by walking. Kreischer dorms are close to academic and recreational buildings. Most classes are only five or ten minutes away from the dorm and the Student Recreation building is right across the street. Students are always in a hurry and being close to these buildings real helps them out. A huge bonus is that there is a restaurant right inside the Kreischer quad, the Sun Dial. The location of the dorm is so crucial come winter time when it is freezing and the wind is gusting. Any BG student realizes the convenience of close locations during the Bowling Green winter. The dorms are also close to the student parking lot, for most students it seems like an endless walk to their car. Not only that but Kreischer is right next to the recreation fields and the BGSU football stadium. Having buildings close can make life on campus so much more enjoyable for students. Kreischer is especially accommodating and seems to be right in the middle of the campus for easy access to most buildings.
Another key factor is the overall condition of the building it is so important for the building to be neat and clean. Residents want to live in a clean environment where they can feel comfortable and make their room their home. The condition of the dorm rooms and lavatories are in very good condition. The rooms are clean and are great to live in. The staff does a great job to keep the building clean and keep it in a good living condition. That is there is no trash lying around and the lavatories are very clean. The general atmosphere gives you vibe as if you are in your own home which is always a good thing. Students should have no worries about moving into this dorm because the rooms are in great shape and are very comfortable.
Kreischer dorms offer lounges for each floor and many activity rooms for the residents. Residents have the chance to use activity rooms with game tables and other fun accessories that is a lot of fun. As well residents can use the lounge on their floor for group work with floor mates or other fun activities. Anything that can be offered to make a resident more comfortable is always a good thing. Kreischer does such a good job of this because it offers so many accessible places for residents to go for fun or more room to study. Having these rooms accessible to residents is a really nice bonus and is a lot of fun to have. It is a huge advantage for residents have these rooms when they need more than what there room will allow them.
Some new students might think that lounges and activity rooms are unimportant because there are other places to go. However, residents will realize that having a room to access to study and entertain them is a huge bonus. Residents who want some extra room have a great place to go with out leaving their floor. They should take advantage of what they have and use it to their full potential. The dorm is setup to please the residents and they certainly achieve their goal.
Kreischer has a great location; it is in good condition and has many resources for residents to use to their advantage. The great location makes it easy for students to get around and enjoy the campus. The clean and neat condition of the rooms and buildings is a huge attraction for new residents. Also, there are many rooms for residents to use and have a fun time in; the dorm even provides some entertainment. New students to BGSU should really consider Kreischer as a living place and keep it as a top choice. New students should take the advice from students who have already lived on campus. Having this information can make important choices like this much easier.

Meijer

2006-12-05T08:54:00.000-05:00

The Meijer Experience
Finding a store that could address all of one’s needs is a daunting task. Food, clothes, electronics, and, health care products are just a few of the things that a great store would need. Well, the Meijer store in Bowling Green can offer students almost everything that they need to survive college. Overall, this store should get a five out of five rating for meeting the needs of students. This assessment is based on the criteria of prices, variety, customer service, and layout.
Prices are often the difference between a person shopping at one store or another. Well, Meijer has great prices in almost every department. It is very hard for one to walk down an isle without seeing an item that is on sale, or that is already very affordable. Also, sales change every week, so if one feels a product is too expensive, then one can wait and that same item could be on sale the following week. To find out about all the sales that Meijer offers, all one needs to do is pick up the Sunday newspaper or go into the store and pick up their advertisement. These advertisements show the items on sale, and sometimes contain valuable coupons that offer even more savings. Often sales include offers such as buy one item get one free, or a products price is reduced 30 to 70 percent. So, if one’s budget is a little tight, all they need to do is pick up a Meijer’s ad and see the offers are available to them. The prices in this store are very cheap, but the product quality is very high. Overall, I give the Meijer in Bowling Green a five out of five when it comes to the prices of the products that are offered in this store.
Next, I judged Meijer on the variety that it offers. Variety is such an important aspect of a store like Meijer because it is built on the idea that the store should have whatever one needs. Well, this store has almost everything that one could need. First is the food section. Meijer offers every type of food from fresh produce, to dairy products, to frozen meat, to ice cream, to ethnic foods, and everything in between. If one wants any type of food, they could probably find it a Meijer and at a great price.
The other section of the store contains all other aspects of a person’s needs. To start with is the clothing section. This section includes everything from socks and underwear to shoes and winter jackets. They have a wide selection of clothing for people of all shapes, sizes and, ages so that everyone’s clothing needs, can be met at one place. Another section that the Meijer store in Bowling Green offers is the health care and beauty section. This area is broken up into a pharmacy with vitamins and other medicines and aisles of beauty products from deodorants to shampoo and from makeup to hairbrushes. Next, is the electronics section, which offers electronic products varying from television to compact discs and movies. These are just a few of the areas that are in the Bowling Green Meijer store. A few other sections are the automotive area, the toy area, the garden and lawn care area, and even the furniture area.
Not only does Meijer offer a large variety shopping areas, it also offers great selection within each area. They offer high end products such as choice cut steaks, but they also offer the average inexpensive products like sandwich meat. The variety offered by Meijer is off the charts and it has almost every imaginable product that a college student at Bowling Green would need. I give the variety offered at Meijer a five out of five because one can find almost whatever they need in this store.
Another criterion that I based my assessment of Meijer on is the customer service because if the employees are not helpful and do not make customers feel important, then it will be hard to keep customers. This includes customer service and the layout of the building. The customer service at Meijer is very good. There is often a friendly greeter at the door ready to welcome customers in. The people in the different departments are knowledgeable about the areas that they work in. Also, the people at the registers are friendly and ready to help people finish their shopping.
The layout of Meijer is the next criterion I based my decision on because people want to get in and out of a store and be able to find what they are looking for easily. Food and personal products are located near each other and conveniently located at one of the main entrances. Then, the rest of the products are spread throughout the store in convenient locations. Due to the excellent customer service and the great layout of the different sections of the store, I give the atmosphere a five out of five.
People may not believe my assessment and think that I am being biased, but Meijer is a great store. Someone might argue that the prices are too high on some of the name brand products and higher class foods, and they do have some very expensive items. Well, the prices often depend on what products one buys. Yes, Meijer does have some higher priced items, but so does almost every other store. The great prices come with the constantly changing sales, and to get good prices one might need to do a little work and search for the sales.
Another thing that people might not agree with is my employee evaluation. Sure, not everyone who works at Meijer is friendly and helpful. It is hard to find a store that does not have a bad employee, or maybe an employee seems unhelpful but they might just be having a bad day. Well, the world is not perfect and every employee at a store is not always going to be friendly and helpful. Although there may be a one or two bad employees, the rest of the employees are both friendly and helpful.
Overall, Meijer is a great place to shop in Bowling Green. Whether one is a freshman in college or a forty year old person, Meijer has something to offer everyone. The prices are top of the line, the variety is amazing, the customer service is first class, and it is easy to find things in the store thanks to the great layout. I rate this store a five out of five because they have great prices, a large variety of products, helpful employees, and a great atmosphere.

Cinemark Woodland Mall Theatre

2006-12-05T08:53:00.007-05:00

*Fun for Anyone at the Cinemark Theatre*
We have all anticipated the release of a great movie, and when Friday finally arrives we become very excited. One of the staples of everyone’s hometown is the movie theatre that they always go to. When I came to BGSU, I was a little worried that there wouldn’t be a movie theatre that could match the criteria of my hometown’s theatre, but I was very lucky and found an even better one. A friend told me about this movie theatre that was located in the Woodland Mall, and after making a trip there for my first movie I was nothing but smiles. The Cinemark Woodland Mall Theatre is a great place to hang out in BG because of the movies that play, the cost, and the location.
It is important to have a theatre near by that plays new releases, because many freshmen don’t know a lot of people when they first come to school, and going to see a new movie is a great way to meet people. A movie theatre is completely defined by the movies that it plays, and the new theatres get all the glory. Some theatres play all the new releases, while others play older movies that are in between being in theatres and being released on DVD. The Cinemark Theatre only has 5 screens, but the five movies that they play are all new releases, and change weekly. By having these new movies available to students, kids are able to go out with friends and enjoy an entertaining night with their friends.
While it is very nice to have a cheaper, smaller theatre in town, many students are fond of theatres that play more movies. At these theatres there are many screens so all the current box office hits are able to be shown the week they come out, unlike at the Cinemark. The movies that this theatre plays are all new releases, but the new movies rotate among the five screens in order to play as many new movies the week they come out as they can. For example, the new movie that’s coming out on Friday might not be playing at the Cinemark until the following week because they are only able to select a few new movies each week. One thing that students are is impatient, and a lot of students wouldn’t like to wait until the next week to see that certain movie. However, at the great price and facility that the Cinemark offers, many college kids are simply happy with the fact that this theatre provides them with new movies to see on a weekly basis.
Along with the movies this theatre plays, another great feature Cinemark offers is a very reasonable price. Movies have gotten very pricey in recent years, but not the Cinemark. The cost for an adult Sunday-Thursday is $5.25 and $5.75 on Friday and Saturday. For the financially struggling college student these prices make going out to a movie a lot easier. In addition to having cheap prices to begin with, the Cinemark also offers two discounted days a week. Every Tuesday all of the showings at the theatre are reduced to $3.50 for everyone. Thursday is student ID night, and any student who has any college ID is able to purchase their ticket for $3.50 also. Without the discounted days the theatre is still much cheaper than most, but they also help reach out to students with the two discounted days that they offer.
The last thing that makes this theatre so great is the location. For incoming freshman who don’t have a car with them at school getting around town can be a concern of theirs. The Cinemark Theatre is located in Woodland Mall on North Main Street. The mall is a common spot that most students will already know the location of when they begin attending school, so finding the movie theatre will not be a problem. North Main Street is a little bit of a distance from campus, but there are busses all throughout Bowling Green that are able to take students to this theatre. For people who don’t mind walking, the Cinemark is definitely within walking distance. Another advantage of having the movie theatre inside the mall is that students are able to shop either before or after seeing a movie. No longer is a theatre just a place to go for an hour or two, now students are able to make a day out of this trip.
Location can also be viewed as a bad thing for this theatre because of the distance from campus to the theatre. Students that don’t have a car to drive to the movies might consider this walk to be too far, especially in cold or rainy weather. The solution for taking a bus to the movies is a good one, but that also costs money, something that students don’t have a lot of. Going to the movies already costs money, and then having to pay again to take a bus can be too much for students to pay for. But not every college student is broke, and walking is always an alternative, so this shouldn’t be seen as a negative thing. In addition, some college students do take their cars to college with them, and if they don’t this is incentive for them to befriend upperclassmen with cars.
Freshman year can be a scary time for students because they are forced to become accustomed to a whole new environment in a short amount of time. A movie theatre is a common staple in a town, and the Cinemark makes for a great one in Bowling Green. The movies that play, the cost, and location are three great qualities this theatre possesses. When boredom hit, students don’t know what to do, heading to the Cinemark can make for a really fun night.

Dorms: Offenhauer Dormitory

2006-12-05T08:53:00.006-05:00

Offenhauer Towers Dormitories

Bowling Green State University offers a wide range of dormitories across its campus. The dorms are spread over the Bowling Green campus, each having pros and cons with them. However, one dorm has exceptional additions to its housing environment, making it the prime place to live. Offenhauer has countless opportunities but it has an edge over the other dormitories because of its top of the line technology and studying environments, accessibility to classrooms and social locations, and its accommodating living quarters with helpful conveniences in the building.
Offenhauer is an excellent center to complete any and all necessary school work with its quality learning and studying environments. The towers offer two computer labs, both with Apple and Dell computers also including printers and scanners for students’ use when necessary. If studying in your room is not successful, each residential floor includes two large study lounges which are open twenty-four hours a day, with furniture, work surfaces and a television when necessary. Wireless internet is accessible throughout Offenhauer while many other dorms have little or no wireless internet signal, however, they do have high speed internet access. Offenhauer is an excellent learning community because of the study places and exceptional technology provided to students.
Offenhauer is strategically located on campus, being within walking distance to the majority of campus buildings. Offenhauer is located on the west side of campus, across the street from the Life Sciences building, and the Math and Science building. Directly next door to Offenhauer is Macdonald Residence Hall, which includes three dining services during the day and a late night pizzeria. Within a short walking distance is the middle of campus, with the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Greek Sorority Houses and the majority of classrooms in the general area. Offenhauer is also located near downtown Bowling Green, where bars, clubs, restaurants and other social hangouts are located. However, Macdonald is the closest dormitory to Offenhauer, while others are on the east side of campus. Offenhauer is the best placed dormitory on the BGSU campus and is one of the higher quality buildings as well.
When students come to the university, they are curious as to what the living accommodations may be like, such as room size and what is included in each room. Offenhauer offers spacious rooms that are twelve feet wide and eighteen feet long. Each room includes two beds, which may be lofted, bunked or in normal position, two dressers, two shelving units, two closets and two desks, all of which are movable to fit any preference. In all the rooms are television cable connections, numerous power outlets, two windows and a full body mirror on the back side of the room door. On each living floor, live 47 residents, with a mixture of single and double rooms and a separation between the male and female rooms. Offenhauer is the leading dorm facility on campus, offering spacious rooms and quality furniture.
Offenhauer has conveniences that make living in a dormitory easier with little problem, including a grocery store and a laundry mat. Within Offenhauer is a convenient grocery store, Temptations, which offers exceptional service and quality to college students. Located in the lobby of the Offenhauer Towers, Temptations Grocery Store has a wide selection of foods, beverages and toiletry items. With the ability to use meal plan credits to purchase products from Temptations, the hassle of carrying money on you at all times is eliminated. Temptation’s is open Monday through Sunday and is available to all Bowling Green students and any other persons that may be visiting. However, the prices are a little higher than in a local store. None the less, the availability, accessibility and convenience of Temptations makes this particular store a positive component of Offenhauer Towers Dormitory.
What do you do when your laundry piles up to your ceiling? Offenhauer has a laundry mat open twenty-four hours a day, making it easy to do laundry at all times of the day. The cost of one load of clothes in the washer is $1.25 and $.25 for every 15 minutes in the dryer. However, Offenhauer may not be the best solution for laundry. There are no vending machines to purchase detergent and other supplies. Along with that, the laundry room is not yet connected with the BG card, forcing residents to obtain quarters, which are not readily available. The laundry mat in Offenhauer is available to all residence, but comes with a cost of paying for the service out of your own pocket. Easily accessible washers and dryers located in Offenhauer, makes the laundry hassle easier and simpler.
With any good thing, there are negative aspects that go along with it. With Offenhauer, there are a couple of negative aspects. The main issue is that Offenhauer is a predominately upperclassmen dormitory, making it difficult to live in as a freshman student. However, it is not unheard of for freshman to live in Offenhauer and there are few or no confrontations with students of different class ranks. Another minor irritation is the price of the products for sale at Temptations Grocery Store. The items that are available for purchase are more expensive than the local superstores in the surrounding area such as Wal-Mart and Meijer. Both problems are easy to overcome and are more of a nuisance than anything.
Offenhauer is the best dormitory to live in while living on campus at Bowling Green State University, offering top quality studying resources and living areas, while being located close to many important buildings on campus. Offenhauer is located near several dining services as well as having a convenient store in the lobby of the building. Offenhauer has top of the line studying resources on each floor as well as in the main lobby and offers spacious rooms that contain movable furniture that can fit any persons liking. Offenhauer has downsides as well. The laundry service may get expensive and inconvenient when finding quarters for the washers and dryers. The grocery stores prices are higher than those of the local super stores, yet it can be put on your meal plan. Offenhauer has pros and cons just as anything, but it is the best place to live on campus while attending Bowling Green State University.

A Delicious Hangout Spot

2006-12-05T08:53:00.005-05:00

Just like many of the stores and hangout places located in Bowling Green, Marble Slab Creamery exudes a feeling of coziness. The ice cream shop has the set up of a small café with patio furniture just outside the front entrance and round-topped tables for two on the inside. Upon entering, one is almost overwhelmed with the available choice of ice cream desserts, flavors, and “mixins,” an item such as candy or fruit that gets mixed into the ice cream. The counter where one places orders is set up in the style that lets customers watch employees scoop and prepare the delicious ice cream treats. Prices are moderate, and it is located on Main Street, so it is easy to get to. The menu board is huge which is a testament to how many choices the customer has. There are also an assortment of glass jars filled with ice cream toppings that line the ceiling above the ordering counter. Marble Slab Creamery’s prices, location, ambiance, variety of ice cream, and hours of operation make it a great hangout place for students.

Price is a big factor that many people take into account before they purchase an item. For the stereotypically broke college student, price is definitely a concern when hanging out. With all the new ice cream parlors that are popping up around the country ice cream can be pretty expensive, especially when it is homemade and there are a variety of flavors. Marble Slab Creamery can boast about both of these qualities, yet it is still reasonably priced. A small cup of ice cream with one mixin is about four dollars. One can also purchase more expensive desserts from Marble Slab like birthday cakes. On average cakes cost $17.00 for a small and $23.00 for a large. Whether they are buying a small treat or a large dessert, at Marble Slab students do not have to break their budget in order to enjoy themselves.

Location means a lot to first year students when trying to decide how to spend their free time. Marble Slab is located in downtown Bowling Green, so students who live on campus and do not have cars can easily walk there. The South Main Street location makes Marble Slab a perfect place to stop after having dinner at one of the city’s restaurants. The store itself is across the street from Ben Franklin’s and Panera Bread is located a couple of doors down. So, not only is Marble Slab within walking distance, there are also many other stores in close proximity that provide students with other activities to do on a night out on the town.

The ambiance of a hangout place is the deciding factor between people wanting to stay for hours on end or them getting carry out to hangout somewhere else. The atmosphere has to be an appealing environment, because people like to feel relaxed. Marble Slab is centered around the idea that guests enjoy delicious desserts and socialize with friends and family. The bright lights and tables inside Marble Slab make it a perfect place for friends to sit and chat while enjoying milkshakes, ice cream mixins, or whatever tickles their fancy. The tiled floor and shiny glass on the ordering counter add to the feel of an old-time ice cream parlor. The smell of the sugary treats are inviting and the taste is even more delicious. The sound system is always playing music that will entertain guests. From Christmas music to oldies to today’s popular music on 92.5, everyone’s interests are covered. On top of all the appealing sights, sounds, smells, and tastes, this ice cream store has a friendly staff that will serve you quickly. With all of these appealing qualities, one can waste hours at a time in Marble Slab Creamery without even realizing it.

Based on price, location, and ambiance Marble Slab is an alright hangout place. But without a variety of ice cream flavor and types of desserts a cool hangout place is all this parlor would be. Fortunately, Marble Slab has a large variety of flavors and other ice cream treats, so customers have a huge selection that will keep them coming back for more. There are about 44 different ice cream flavors including coffee, honey, and mango. Many more combinations can be made when one orders mixins. Some examples of the most popular mixins are “Cookies ‘N’ Cream” which consists of vanilla ice cream and Oreo Cookies, “Birthday Bonanza” which has gummy bears and sprinkles mixed into birthday cake ice cream, and “Cherries Jubilee” which is sweet cream ice cream with cherries and graham crackers. In addition to mixins, Marble Slab also has sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, and many other delicious treats. The choice of ice cream and desserts that are available at Marble Slab make it a hangout place that will never become boring to visitors.

Marble Slab opens at noon and does not close until 11 in the evening. The late hours accommodate students who want to take a night out on the town but would also like to make it home at a decent hour. On summer nights especially it is refreshing to walk downtown, order ice cream, and sit out on the patio furniture while socializing with friends. Hanging out during the day is also fun, because then visiting other stores and shops nearby is possible. Around meal times are when Marble Slab is the busiest, but any time a student wishes to go a menu full of options are awaiting him or her.

Some may argue that going to an ice cream parlor in the winter would not be an ideal hangout place. Though it may be a little uncomfortable to walk downtown in the wintertime without a car, Marble Slab is still as fun in the winter as it is in the summer. There are places to sit inside and all the choices of ice cream are still available. After a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup at Panera, or after a day of shopping for Christmas presents at the little boutiques downtown one may want to enjoy a dessert and if this is the case, Marble Slab is the place to go. The inviting lights and the warmth of being inside make hanging out here relaxing. A student can unwind after a long day, or they could order their ice cream to go. Whatever someone decides to do, this ice cream parlor is flexible.

Marble Slab Creamery has a friendly atmosphere that can be attributed to the politeness of the employees. The inviting ambiance of the store is made up of bright lights, shiny counters, jars of ice cream toppings, and a tiled floor which make the inside look like an old-time ice cream parlor. Visiting Marble Slab promotes spending social time with friends and family because the café style lets people relax for hours on end. The inside and outside tables provide a place to sit for hours on end while enjoying awesome dessert. The desserts and other items on the menu are priced low. Its hours allow visitors a large span of time to fit hanging out as well as other activities into their schedule that they would like to do in a particular night. Its location also makes it easy for students to have fun there. The desserts found at Marble Slab hit the spot any night-even in the dead of winter.

When Considering Harshman-Bromfield

2006-12-05T08:53:00.004-05:00

Harshman Bromfield: When Deciding Where to Live on Campus
When considering where to live on campus, choosing just any dormitory simply is not enough. Students choose their residence halls based upon location to classes, a central location of campus, cost of the residence hall, room sizes, and even because of their location to their favorite dining hall. The Harshman Quad is not centrally located, but many art students take advantage of its closeness to the art building. Also, many athletes live in Harshman because it is so close to the stadium and arenas where their practices are held. There are plenty of reasons why an incoming student would not mind living in “The Harsh”. Despite the fact there are many negatives of residing in Harshman-Bromfield there are some positives that making living there worthwhile.
Anderson-Bromfield better known as HAB shares a main desk, lounge, convenient store and computer lab. Some of these resources such as the computer lab really come in handy. The computer labs in these buildings have more of a lounge atmosphere, and used to be lounges that connected the two adjacent wings before they were renovated into joint computer labs. The doorway between these labs remains open at all times making it easy to access Bromfield learning center from Harshman-Anderson.
Harshman-Bromfield is one of the only residence halls with its own personal tutoring in the writing center. The writing center located in Bromfield learning center and is open Mondays and Tuesdays at convenient hours. Personal tutoring sessions are held at night beginning at 6 pm so students can pick a convenient time for them, make an appointment and get the personal help they need. Personally I found this feature very helpful and it is definitely a perk of living in Harshman Bromfield. I was very happy with location it was convenient to be able to simply walk down the stairs for such helpful advice on my paperwork, especially now that it is getting colder as the month of December progresses.
A former perk of Bromfield residents were not required to purchase a meal plan each semester. Unfortunately, this rule did not carry on to the present school year, which makes Bromfield an unattractive place to live. This would have been a nice perk considering Bromfield residents are just as close to off campus restaurants such as Chipotle as the nearest food court, and not to mention the same price. Why would this be so appealing, considering there are so many options on campus similar to Chipotle, or any off campus dining hall for that matter? The answer is simple, meal plans are set up as credit cards. If students at BGSU were asked to pay for their meals with cash, I personally would spend my money wiser.
HAB does have Destinations, a convenient store located in the basement of Harshman. However, the hours of Destinations are far from convenient, unless you are looking for a midnight snack. The food sold at Destinations is far from healthy. Destinations is a quick place to grab munchies and a smoothie, but it has little options with actual nutritional value. HAB residents are expected to walk at least as far as the Sundial, located in the Krisher Quadrangle for a meal throughout the day. However, the Sundial closes by 8 pm, and by that time Destinations is up and ready for business.
The location of the Harshman Quad is very inconvenient. On a map of campus, Harshman may be found at the very bottom right, furthest from most classes on campus. Athletes, however, may not consider Harshman to be too bad of a location if they practice on the fields or at the stadium. Of course the majority of students at BGSU are not art majors or athletes. Even art students have other classes to attend from those held in the Art department.
It is essential to choose a housing residence that is right for you. Whether you choose to decide on a dormitory that is centrally located such as Rodgers Quadrangle or a more pricy spacious place such as the towers it is important to pick a place that you are willing to live in for the next nine months. Even the nicest of dorm rooms located next to the Student Union is going to come with a high price. When considering a residence to live in, consider Harshman-Bromfield. Sure, you may have to walk in the freezing cold for a meal come lunch time, but you may be glad that there is a place to grab a midnight snack. Anywhere you choose to live, naturally there are going to be pros and cons of living there. Bromfield may have plenty of cons, but it’s the little nice things about Bromfield that makes residents stay worthwhile.

Dorm Study Lounges, Good or Bad?

2006-12-05T08:53:00.003-05:00

Amanda Linville
Instructor Elizabeth Fleitz
English 111
14 November 2006
Dorm Study Lounges, Good or Bad?
Studying is the one of the most common acts among college students, and sometimes trying to study in a dorm room just doesn’t cut it, so many students have to find other quiet study areas. Unfortunately when it comes to finding a good study lounge, all students need different environments and it will take some time to find the perfect one. So many students decide to just choose the dorm study lounges. Dorm study lounges are located at all the dorms in the University and can be useful for some students but not for study sessions. These study lounges lack three criteria that make for a good study lounge: a quiet surrounding, available supplies and comfortable surroundings.
A quiet surrounding is needed for most students to be able to concentrate on their studies; the dorm study lounges don’t give the students this environment. First, the lounges are located on the residential floors of the dorm. Which means that there is always constant noise and music from other student rooms. Also from personal experience I know that when people know that you’re in the study lounge they will always come in and disturb you. Distractions come very easily in these lounges because it’s not like they are sound-proof, you can hear other people’s conversations, which then takes your concentration off of your studies. I will always remember when I was trying to study for a biology test and I couldn’t concentrate because I kept hearing people laughing in the room next to the lounge. There are very few students who are able to focus and learn new material while they are constantly distracted.
Dorm lounges don’t have the adequate supplies that students need to get their work done. An Internet connection is very important to be able to see assignments and do research but many lounges don’t have a wireless connection or even an internet connection. Therefore many students can’t even do their assignment or they may have to keep running up to their room for information. Additionally, the only supplies that the lounges offer are the furniture and tables, although most lounges do have televisions that can also cause distractions to students when other students are watching television.
When studying students like to be in a clean comfortable area that they can really concentrate and learn in. Most dorm study lounges don’t have this environment and the atmosphere usually disturbs the learning process. Again the lounges are located in the dorm itself, which means that most residents believe that it’s okay to put their trash in the lounge instead of taking it outside. This causes bad odor problems and the lounge having to be closed to be cleaned. Also the furniture that is located in the lounges is not comfortable. Most couches and chairs are missing cushions or have stains on them. Tables are also in the lounges but most are broken and wobble every time you try to write on them. In the dorm, Kreischer Darrow I know that the television remote doesn’t work and that the buttons on the television are gone. To turn the television on, you have to stick a pencil in the buttonhole. Also all of the chairs are stained and cushions are missing. Students are the ones that wreck these lounges, so the University doesn’t do anything to fix the lounges that will just be destroyed. Having a smelly, uncomfortable study environment will not make it easy for the student to concentrate or even study in that lounge.
Some students say that the dorm study lounges are great to study in because they are located in the dorm, which means that students wouldn’t have to walk outside in the rain or snow to go and study. Most students don’t even know of the lounge and what floor it is located on. Also students use the library or union to study because it has better supplies. The lounges are convenient but if the student goes into the lounge to study all of the distractions will stop them from studying anyway.
People will also say that they lounges are good because students have access to them all day long. But the problem with this is that the lounge isn’t just a quiet, study lounge. The lounges are also used to watch television and to conduct meetings. So there are times where a student is unable to use the lounge due to others. Also students don’t take care of the lounges so they are then closed until students learn to appreciate their privilege.
The dorm study lounges are a great place to meet, talk and work on projects but when it comes to students having to study I would not recommend these lounges to students. Due to the loud, uncomfortable surrounding and a lack of supplies the student would not be able to conduct good learning. In my opinion if a student would like a good study area, go to the library, computer lab or your room alone.

Criteria for Choosing a Dorm - Harshman Residence Halls

2006-12-05T08:53:00.002-05:00

Freedom at last! You’ve made it to college and are now living on your own in your own room taking care of yourself for the most part. This is a great part of young person’s life. A time they might have been waiting for, for a long time. Others however dread this part of college. Dorm life at a college is a great part of the college experience and something no college student should pass up in. Those on your floor become friends you have fun with, study and go to class with. And remember everyone is going through the same things you are. But what are some things you should look for when selecting a dorm you might want to stay in?
A dorm is not only a place to live but is a place where you are going to be spending a lot of your time, so there are many thing you should consider before making your final choice. One thing an incoming freshman should look for in a dorm is the location of the dorm in regards to where classrooms are on campus and the distance in which you will have to walk. A long walk at eight o’clock in the morning on a cold winter day is not something anyone wants to have. Here at BG the Harshman residence halls are one of the farthest from all the classrooms on campus. A typical walk to the student union takes ten to fifteen minuets. Though it’s not too bad it’s not very convenient. Though freshman might not think of this when considering where to live upperclassmen are all over it. Walking distances should be at the top on the criteria on your list. Something else to consider about walking distance is where the nearest eating location is. A twenty minute walk to dinner is not fun; however it might keep you from gaining that freshman fifteen you all have heard about.
The criteria for choosing a dorm are different for all people. Another good consideration when choosing a dorm is what is there to do for fun while your there. Does the dorm have entertainment such as a pool table, ping pong, TV etc. after all you will be spending a lot of time here you want to have something to do. Yea there’s always the rec center but do you really want to walk there every time to do something. Harshman residence halls do have these such activities and are available at all times. The rec center is also not far from the dorm for those who prefer more physical activities. Entertainment in a dorm is very important and shouldn’t be overlooked however if there is no entertainment you should look to see where the closest place is and then base your choice off of that.
How large was your bedroom at home? Most likely a dorm room is not as large as you are accustom to, and remember, in most cases, you will be sharing that room with someone else. The size of the room you will be staying in is a big fact to take into consideration. It limits what you can bring with you and determines what you will have to live without. If you are coming from a long distance away you don’t what to bring your whole life with you and have no place to put it once you get there. Its inconvenient and a hassle to have to bring it all back. The Harshman residence hall rooms are your typical freshman room size. Small. Depending on what you decide to do with sleeping arrangements, if you choose to bunk your beds, this adds more space for you and you’re roommate. No matter what you choose to do with your room it’s going to be tight so limit what you bring. Also to remember what you bring you will have to move in and also have to bring back when the year is finished.
Since a dorm is a place where you will be studying and doing your work you should check to see if the building has a computer lab or quite area where you can study and get your work done. Since you will be living amongst people your dorm room may not be the quietest place to get your work done. Music, talking, and many other things can make your room a hard place to get any work done and a computer lab or study area is usually the best place to go when such things are taking place. Harshman residence halls have shared computer labs which are very convenient. They are open 24 hours a day and are a quite area. They have tables to spread your work out on and the computers and printers are regularly checked to make sure they are working properly.
These are just a few things to take into consideration when choosing a dorm to stay in. It’s a place where you are going to be spending a considerable amount so it might as well be a place you like and is convenient for you.

2006-12-05T08:53:00.001-05:00

My Study Lounge
Evaluation is defined as the act of examining something’s quality, importance, or condition. Evaluations should be fair and be performed under certain guidelines. These guidelines are called criteria. In this paper I am going to evaluate one place designated for studying. This evaluation will hopefully be helpful to current students, future students, and current staff. A study lounge on my floor is the spot of this evaluation. Study areas are supposed to provide students with a comfortable and quiet area that allows them to be able to focus and study in a manner that benefits any individual.
The first criteria in which I chose to evaluate the study area on my floor is the degree of quietness. I feel quietness is the key for some students to learn effectively. Some students do not need it as quiet as others do. Some students even prefer a little background noise. Quietness for me can be judged in three ways. One way is if there is no noise or complete silence. The next noise level is if there is just a few people talking at a medium voice level which I refer to fairly quiet. The last level of noise is when someone could not talk to the person next to them without raising their voice level. This is what I consider not quiet. After observing the study area for a period of time I noticed that at no time was the area not quiet. For the most part I found that this area was at a fairly quiet noise level. If students needed background noise a television is available in this particular study area. Overall I would say that this study area provides a fairly quiet atmosphere for students to study in. At no time have I ever not been able to concentrate in the study lounge because an excessive amount of noise.
When studying, students like to be comfortable. If they can be comfortable and stay in one comfortable position then they will be able to concentrate. The criteria I am using to make this evaluation are simple. Comfort is different for many different people. Some like hard cushions and others like firm so there is really no way to figure out if each area is “comfortable” unless observations are made. I can say that when I personally sat in the furniture in this area I was impressed with the variety of furniture it offered. This study lounge offered lounge chairs, couches, and regular table chairs to ensure a variety of surfaces and firmness levels. I was also very impressed with the lounge chairs with an adjustable tray to set study materials on. I was comfortable in every piece of furniture I sat in. When I visited this place I observed students behavior. I looked to see if they were constantly moving around and if they seemed comfortable. I noticed no significant actions that implied that they were uncomfortable. Overall I would have to say that the study area on my floor provides a comfortable and relaxing setting for students.
Another important factor associated with study areas is the amount of resources that are available. Resources are important to have in study areas so students have quick access to answers and ways to figure out problems. Resources are computers and adequate technology. Computers and printers are not available in this study area on my floor. This could be a good thing if a student was looking for a completely quiet study area but a bad thing if they needed that resource to aid them in studying. I personally feel that every study lounge should have at least one computer. This is one of the faults I found with the study area.
Location and availability of the actual areas to study in relation to the students is very important. If areas are not available or easily accessible to students then they will be less likely to study. The more convenient these areas are to students the more likely they are to use them. There is no problem with availability of this particular study lounge. It is located in the middle of the boy’s hallway and girl’s hallway. I give it a very available rating. It would not take anyone over 30 seconds to get to the study place from their room.
In closing, I would say that the study area on my floor does a nice job meeting most of the criteria listed above. For a total rating I have to give it some where between good and great. Most students find it to be a comfortable and quiet atmosphere that allows them to study exactly how they would like. On the other hand some students need to use a computer at certain times when they study. I have never been to any other schools and observed their study facilities, however; I feel that this study facility at Bowling Green State University is great for any type of student willing study. I would highly recommend the study area to every other person on my floor that does not need a computer to study effectively.

Panera

2006-12-05T08:53:00.000-05:00

Kyle Shaw
English 111
Elizabeth Fleitz
11/21/06
The Best Places to Eat: Panera
As a student at Bowling Green State University, there are many things to choose from to do in one’s free time. Many students enjoy eating, but one may not always be able to get the best tasting meal from on campus dining services. Due to this, I am recommending one of the best eating locations in all of Bowling Green: Panera Bread. It is the perfect place to eat, do schoolwork, and just hang out for any college student. The food is absolutely delicious, wireless internet access is provided for anyone who wants to use it, and the hot chocolate, “to-go,” is the perfect companion for a cold walk home during the winter time.
The Panera Bread café in Bowling Green is located on Main Street. To get there, one must simply walk toward downtown on Wooster Street. When arriving at Main Street, Panera is to the left on the campus side of Main Street. It takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes to walk there from campus. This walk may seem too long, but it is no farther than any other typical walk on campus. In addition, the food and atmosphere is worth it. The best time to visit the restaurant is during the winter. The sight of Main Street lined with lit trees and snow falling makes Panera all the more inviting. The employees in the café are all extremely polite, helpful and very friendly. If one cannot decide on something they would like to order, they are happy to offer their opinions on which items taste the best. If one happens to want chocolate, they can suggest the perfect item on the menu to feed that sweet tooth.
The food itself is reason enough to go to Panera. The bread is sufficient to eat as a meal itself, as it is so fresh and appetizing. They have so many varieties that it is at times hard to pick what will “hit the spot.” The sourdough bread is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and warm after being freshly baked on the inside. It may be the “Panera Bread” Company, but there is more than just bread. They have a very large selection of delectable sandwiches, hot soups, fresh salads, and their new thin Crispani pizzas. The sandwiches are made of wholesome, freshly baked bread, and the perfect pairing of ingredients. Their soups of the day are the ideal meal to stave off that biting cold wind so common to Bowling Green. Their fresh salads are just the thing to get those healthy greens for diets and vegetarians, and the new Crispanis have a delicious thin crust with an array of fresh, mouth-watering toppings. All of these meals are enough to fill any college student’s hungry stomach. Lastly, when one is ready to leave, they cannot forget to stop by the dessert and beverage counter to catch a mouthwatering glance at the white chocolate raspberry brownies, the chocolate scones, and the miniature bundt cakes while waiting for a piping hot cup of hot chocolate to keep warm the whole way back home.
Some worries for students may be the amount of time needed to visit Panera. There is a bit of time required in order to visit Panera, but the time taken is needed in order to fully appreciate the experience of going. It takes approximately fifteen minutes in order to get to Panera. After arriving there, the line moves fairly fast, and an order takes only five to ten minutes to fill, save for the Crispanis, taking fifteen minutes instead. After that, it is up to the customer’s needs whether to stay and eat for fifteen or twenty minutes, to order from the takeout menu, or to stay for an hour or two to study and enjoy their food. Whether one wants to take their time or not, the least amount of time needed to get to, and eat at Panera will take most only about forty-five minutes.
Another worry of average college students is the cost of the food. As for the prices, the meals are about six to eight dollars on average, which is about the same a student can expect to pay for a full meal in any other dining center on campus. The most expensive item on the menu is one of the Crispanis with all the toppings. This still keeps the price below twelve dollars for a delicious, freshly cooked meal: more than what most of the dining services can claim. The quality of the freshly prepared food vastly outweighs any prices of the food.
The last feature of Panera Bread is the fact that it is a great study place. One can bring homework to work on while eating their delicious meal. The environment is extremely peaceful. Even though the orders are made and then picked up by the customer, the workers are not constantly yelling names and numbers. Rather, they use pagers to notify the customers when their meal is ready. Also, if one orders a Crispani, or something that will take more time, they give the customer a marker to place on their table so that they can sit down and aren’t required to stand and wait the whole time. Lastly, the whole restaurant has wireless internet access to enhance any studying that students may have to do. Because of these helpful features, eating at Panera can actually be productive in a student’s studies.
The Panera Bread Café is a perfect place for both eating and studying for any student. The food there is absolutely perfect, no matter what one may be craving. The wireless internet and peaceful relaxing atmosphere is conducive to studying, making it actually a productive experience as opposed to any other restaurant. The food is inexpensive, yet fresh, delicious, and nutritious. The overall experience is fun, relaxing, and the best way to enjoy oneself while eating and studying.

Welcome to the Freshman 411

2006-12-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome, new freshmen, to our blog! The goal of this site is to inform new students like you of the best places to be in BG. Instead of making you figure out the hot spots on your own, we've decided to do that work for you. Each of us has visited one place either on the BGSU campus or in the city of BG to evaluate whether or not it's worth your time. As this blog shows, there's a lot to find out about the best places in BG. Hope you enjoy finding out more about Bowling Green State University and the town of Bowling Green, Ohio. Respond to these posts if you like, and also be sure to tell others about this site!

--eliz25, blogmaster (the teacher)