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The 50 Cent Central Michigan University Tour

I have transfer student orientation for my admission into Central Michigan University this Friday.  I decided that I’d like to go on a pre-visit tour to the campus to see what it’s like, before the official tour.  So, I let my inner control freak out and headed to Mount Pleasant today.

The drive there was 40 minutes.  It’s not that far away, but there’s a number of red lights on the main road there and you have to go slow to watch out for cyclists and the like while at the college.  It’s only some 28 miles away.

I got to the college and scouted out a metered parking place.  You have to pay for the parking at CMU, and if you don’t you have to park in a metered spot.  There are relatively few metered spots, but I found one near the admissions center, near the middle of the campus.  I deposited 50 cents into the meter, enough for an hours walk.  I figured that by that time I’d be either cold or wet, given the weather.

Almost to the college I realized that I did not bring my map of the campus.  This was a major detriment – so I started my tour off at the book store.  If any place had a map, I figured the book store would be it.

The bookstore had course schedules for the current semester, which conveniently had a map in it.  I didn’t take any pictures from the inside, but the book store had 2 levels.  The first level you see when you get in is filled with clothing and other college supplies.  All the books are in the basement.  Each level is about as big as the Delta College Bookstore in its entirety.  I snooped around but didn’t buy anything – I figured I’d have time to do that on Friday after orientation if I chose.

Attached to the book store is the Bovee university center.  Not much picture-worthy here, it’s mostly offices for student services.  This is where I’ll start my day Friday.  They do have some interesting dining facilities in this building though, including Quiznos subs, Big Apple Bagel, Starbucks, a full food court, and other places to eat.  The top level of the building is all conference rooms and such.

Armed with a map, I proceeded to the next point of interest – the library.

This library was HUGE.  A multi-story building with a running exhibit inside of the history of the printing press, immaculately maintained.  This was around lunchtime and there were lots of people inside at the many study areas. I went up several stories, and found a likely place for me to camp out if I have to wait in between classes.  It’s close proximity to the food area of Bovee makes this a good place if I need to eat something as well.

I walked past Warriner hall, the admissions building and where all my student records are kept to my next destination.  Warriner hall dates back to the 1920’s.  When I was here last to speak to an admissions advisor I walked around the building – it’s very 1920’s in design, and quite cool.  I guess it was built on the burned down remains of the first CMU building that stood here.

Since I’ll be going to the College of Business for my major, I walked to where I will likely be spending a lot of time where those classes are taught, Grawn Hall:

I entered the building and checked out the first level.  Most of the class sizes seemed to be about 25-30 students – I did not take pictures as there were lectures and such going on.  This made me feel better though, knowing the area that I’ll likely be in and the types of class sizes I can expect.  Some of the rooms were larger lecture-style rooms but the majority were of the same size that I’m used to currently.

Right across from Grawn Hall is a malt shop.  The campus is peppered with little places to eat and buy stuff

Also of interesting note, everywhere you walked there were things written on the ground in chalk.  Here’s one outside of the library

Some of them, like the one above, were for events.  Others were just random words or sayings.  Occasionally I’d run into some other strangeness as I walked my figure-eight around the north part of campus, like these two people who were fencing in the walkway

I unfortunately didn’t get a close-up of the swashbuckling action.  I didn’t want to seem all touristy, ya know?

Continuing on, I saw the music building – which was a massive structure, and very artfully crafted as you’d expect a center for the arts to be.

Nearby was this building, which was still under construction.  It was slightly castle-like, and is apparently going to be used for educational services.  The pricetag was still in front, it cost 50 million to build.

At this point my hour of meter time was almost up, so I went back to the car.  When I got there, the meter read this:

Just in time.  Although I don’t think they’re strict enforcers of the meters. The car next to mine was on an expired meter when I got there and still was sitting there sans-ticket when I got back.  No, it didn’t have a parking decal either.

So I hopped in my car and drove around the south part of campus, which houses all the sports-related stuff.  I’m not a big fan of sports, but it was interesting to see anyway.

The band practice field:

Football and Baseball fields:

I wrapped up my excursion by driving around the student housing section, called the ‘towers’.  Of interest is the miniature 7-11 tucked in next door to it.  I image it fuels a lot of the caffeine-related study sessions for the tower students

Also of note – people in this area (residents of the towers?) drive like maniacs.  Every person in this vicinity seemed to think they were in Mad Max – since it was lunch time, I got a good sampling of the residents there.

All-in-all, it was a good visit.  I got to have lunch with Jolene, and got to tour the campus on my own time.  I must not forget a map next time though, it’d be for sure easy for a directionally challenged person such as myself to get lost.