 "Photo: Chelsea Fritzson/The Quad News")
When Friday and Saturday roll around, it’s not uncommon to see students with backpacks and luggage waiting for the shuttle to New Haven, eager to visit friends at nearby schools. After visiting various other campuses, such as the University of Connecticut and Roger Williams University, I have had my fair share of “college hopping” experiences. After comparing the schools I have visited to way things are run at Quinnipiac, it’s evident we live a rather cushy lifestyle, tucked away in the inconspicuous hills of southern Connecticut.
Although students, myself included, tend to overlook the positive aspects of our campus and hone in on its flaws, it’s time to start appreciating everything we take for granted, beginning with our transportation system.
Yes, the shuttles may be late, but at least we have our own means of getting around Hamden and the greater New Haven area, as opposed to using the public transportation system. When visiting Roger Williams University earlier this semester, the main form of transportation into Providence and other surrounding areas was the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).
Compared to our shuttle system, that only caters to QU students and runs until 2:55 a.m. , the RIPTA is $1.75, with a $.50 charge for transfer, is open to the public and makes its last run before midnight. When visiting Roger Williams University earlier this semester, I was informed by my boyfriend that we would be taking the RIPTA, in order to get to Providence and the surrounding areas. Hailing from “the middle of nowhere” Connecticut, where public transportation need not apply, I was bewildered, to say the least. After waiting 15 minutes for a bus to come pick us up, as the one we were supposed to take was broken down on the side of the road, I was greeted by a rather eccentric older woman, clothed in leopard attire all the way down to her socks – and no, I am not exaggerating. She proceeded to inform myself, as well as the other passengers, her life story and attempted to reprimand a young boy who told her to “shut up and sit down”. The single fact that our means of transportation continues until three in the morning while the RIPTA’s last trip is at 12a.m. is enough evidence to say our shuttles are an asset to our school.
Aside from the shuttle system there are plenty of other amenities Quinnipiac offers which other schools do not; a 24-hour library, clean bathrooms and free parking are a few examples of accommodations taken for granted by students here.
UConn, Lasell College and Bentley University, among other schools, do not offer a 24-hour library, which is a problem their staff is unable solve.
“Sometimes when I have a huge project to get done I go to the library to work, but then I’m kicked out and have to finish back in my noisy dorm,” John Barden, a freshman accounting major at Bentley, said about his school’s library policy.
Although it may depend on the work ethic and habits of a student, utilizing the library for all its worth can never be a bad thing. I can honestly admit that I, personally, would have failed my midterms, had it not been for the flexible library hours.
After living in a suite and having the bathroom cleaned once a week, I cannot fathom ever having to do it myself. Cleaning a bathroom with two stalls, two showers and three sinks involves more than just 15 minutes of wiping off counter tops and cleaning the toilets, as I have witnessed the facilities staff spend upwards of 45 minutes cleaning our bathroom!
Another Quinnipiac offering that students often take for granted is parking. Remembering to fill up your gas tank and actually having the extra cash to do so is a chore in itself, but I could never rationalize paying to park on campus! Penn State students are forced to pay a significant fee if they wish to remain in walking distance of their car, while students at Quinnipiac simply have to obtain a sticker signifying that they have registered their car with security.
Commuters and visitors are permitted to park in North Lot, which alleviates the hassle of finding somewhere to park off campus and having to take the shuttle back and forth, like the students at Montclair State University.
After overhearing conversations between students, I realized that we, as a campus community, have become a tad bit too comfortable in our plush surroundings. Maybe it’s time we step outside of this comfort zone and stop taking Quinnipiac’s offerings for granted.
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