By Anna, Class of 2029
Unfortunately, getting lost during the first week of classes is a canon event for college students. Here are some tips to keep you oriented at Case Western Reserve University.
1. Google Maps is your best friend
Using Google Maps to figure out where a building that you’ve never been to is very common and absolutely nothing to feel embarrassed about. In fact, I was still using it in my second semester to figure out where on the Quad one of my classes was. The directions are clear, and it almost always brings you where you need to be. However, it does sometimes lead you a little astray if one of the buildings you’re going to is under construction or with some of the buildings on the Quad, so it’s important to be aware of this, which leads us to our next point…
2. Ask your orientation leaders (OLs)!
Your OLs are seasoned CWRU students and can point you pretty much anywhere you’d need to go. They know the different buildings on the Quad, and they also know if a building is under construction and you need to use a different entrance. If you show them your course schedule before the first day of classes, they can give you directions and show you around!
3. Use and know the landmarks
Campus landmarks are very helpful when orienting yourself on campus, and they’re often what people will use as guide points when giving you directions. Some of the most common would be the “Ugly Statue” outside of the Raymond and Sherman Residence Halls in the North Residential Village (NRV). The Peter B. Lewis Building (PBL), home to the business school, is a red brick building with a roof made of curvy metal, and it is a great landmark because it’s so distinct. The Tinkham Veale University Center (Tink) is a long white building between Mather Quad and Kelvin Smith Library (KSL), which is often used as a meeting place.
4. Beware of the Mathers and Veales
Some of the buildings on campus have similar names, so be careful to know which one you’re going to when looking at a map! Below are the ones that usually get mistaken for each other:
- Tinkham Veale University Center (“Tink”) and Veale Recreation Center
- If someone says “Tink,” they’re talking about the Tinkham Veale University Center. You will never hear it referred to as “Veale.” Tink is in the middle of campus and is where the Choolaah, Dunkin’ and other restaurants are, and on the second floor, there are ballrooms where events are held.
- Veale, on the other hand, is on the South end of the Quad (by the wind turbine) and houses a lot of athletic facilities. It is where convocation takes place during Discover Week.
- Mather Memorial, Mather Dance Center and Mather House
- All three of these are all on Mather Quad (in between Tink and the Peter B. Lewis Building (“PBL”), which can make it extra confusing.
- Mather Memorial is across the street from PBL and is on the corner of Bellflower and Ford roads. It houses the anthropology and sociology departments.
- Mather Dance Center is behind Guilford House (the yellow building), and it has banners hanging from it saying “Mather Dance Center,” making it easier to distinguish.
- Mather House is to the left of Mather Dance Center and is a long red brick building. It houses the history and pPolitical science departments.