Despite multiple open houses, campus visits, and even a weekend at the school prior to admission; I was unable to learn everything about Rowan University’s main campus in Glassboro. There was only so much information discussed by admissions ambassadors, professors, and enrolled students. No one told me where to find the best parking spots, where to study or that I could join the EMS program. These are just a few of the things I wish I knew prior to attending Rowan University.
Rowan’s Shuttle Service is Convenient and Safe
The school operates a shuttle service when school is in session for students, professors and staff members. It runs from 7p.m. to 3a.m. and anyone on campus can use it if they have to walk alone or are concerned about their safety. The campus is well-lit, has emergency call boxes conveniently placed throughout and has a large public safety force, including trained and certified police officers.
Further, the university started a shuttle service for its community to add another layer of security for those who are out late at parties, walking to their vehicle, returning to a dorm room from a late class or coming home from a late-night study group. I wish I knew about the shuttle service because I was always out late on campus as a member of the radio station. With hosting late-night shows or sporting events, to working in the production room, I constantly found myself walking alone to my car or my apartment.
Parking Spaces are Hard to Come By
One thing no one tells you during campus visits is that parking is an absolute monster at the Glassboro campus. Even though there are plenty of parking lots all around campus, the spots are hard to come by because the majority of students still commute. In Glassboro, Even students who live off-campus drive their cars to campus instead of walking or riding a bike. This means that commuting students and residents are fighting for parking spots on a daily basis. Even employees have groaned about a lack of parking despite having their own lots. If you want to get a parking spot in a safe, non-abandoned lot, make sure you arrive to campus with plenty of time to spare prior to your classes. The best arrival time is 10 minutes prior to the class being dismissed so you can stalk for students heading back to their vehicles for the purpose of grabbing their spots as they leave.
Students Can Join the University EMS Program
Rowan University provides its community with EMS service along with a police service. There are two fully-equipped ambulances on campus along with a first responder vehicle and bicycle response teams. The unit is operated by the students under a charter from the Student Government Association. As I’m working as a first responder volunteer in my present adult life, I wish I knew this prior to attending Rowan in Glassboro. I would have been able to get involved in the emergency services much sooner. Any enrolled student can join the program and go through their training. The EMS service is provided throughout the year on a 24/7 basis and is also provided to the surrounding community as well as the students.
Take Time to Study on Bunce Green
One of the best places to study on campus in Glassboro is the Bunce Green. Bunce Hall is one of the original buildings at Rowan University and is the building depicted in all of the Rowan logos. The front of the building features sprawling green grass and is the home of the school’s annual springtime graduation ceremony.
On a crisp fall day, or a warm spring afternoon, Bunce green is the perfect place to study for a test or final exams. You will be able to enjoy the beauty of the campus, nature and study in a quiet environment as the green is practically empty when classes are in session for the day. If you have a free period, or a day off, take advantage of the green in front of Bunce Hall.
Students Can Enroll in the Seeing-Eye Dog Training Program
If you decide to visit Rowan while school is in session, do not be surprised if you come across an unusually high number of dogs on campus. The reason for this is that students can enroll in the seeing-eye dog training program at Rowan. Students will be vetted and given a dog to train while at Rowan. The dog lives with the student, goes to class with the student and roams the campus with the student in order to learn how to behave in environments with large crowds. As an avid dog lover, I would have enjoyed this program had I known about it prior to attending Rowan.
Jim Vassall graduated from Rowan University in 2008 with a BA in Communications and a minor in Journalism. He currently writes for various online publications as well as his own client base.