Students find many ways to get to class
Hundreds of dollars could be made at a lemonade stand situated half-way up the stairs of Old Main Hill. Enough students trudge up the steps each day to supplement the salary of the person at the stand.
“The stairs are so long and steep. There are, like, 70 of them,” said Nicole Myhre, a junior majoring in agriculture education. “Why shower when you have to walk up the stairs in the morning? And in the winter, it’s going to be a major health hazard.”
Of course, not everyone has to walk. Many students drive to school. But, even some students with cars would rather walk.
“I live only a block off Old Main. If I drove, I’d drive one block and spend half an hour finding a parking spot,” said Andrew Cardon, an undeclared sophomore.
Other students have found ways to drive and park closer to classes.
“I love the B Pass,” said Rachelle Venable, a sophomore majoring in music therapy, referring to the B Lot parking pass. “Last year I did not have one and I had to haul around my guitar and a drum kit. My back hurt every night.”
The shuttle provides both safety from the elements and a quick way to get to know people.
“I was the only person on the bus one morning, so I got to know the bus driver. He was really nice and friendly,” said April Meyer, an undeclared freshman.
Riding the shuttle can provide different ways of getting to know people other than just friendly conversation.
“You are standing so close that whenever it stops, you fall back onto the people around you,” said Janae Jenson, a sophomore majoring in nursing.
The shuttle squeeze can be exciting or embarrassing.
Korine Watterson, a freshman majoring in English, had a unique experience.
“I am short, so on the shuttle yesterday, my head was in this guy’s armpit,” she said.
For less close contact, the LTD is not as packed. It also has routes all over Logan, which could be a help to students who live off campus. Free route schedules are available on every bus.
LTD substitute driver Terrell Anderson, a senior majoring in economics and fine arts, said he loves seeing all of his old friends on the bus.
“It’s my social hour of the day,” Anderson said. “Bus driving is what you make it.”
Apparently, the bus and shuttle are not for everyone.
“I’m afraid of the shuttle,” Huu Tran, an undeclared freshman said. “Have you seen the movie “Speed?” I’m afraid the Aggie Express will reach 45 mph and not be able to stop.” Bicycles probably won’t reach 45 mph and they are a convenient way to travel from building to building in nice weather. One downside is that crowded sidewalks do not always give a lot of room to bikers.
“People on bikes scare me,” undeclared freshman Elsie Boyer said. “I’m always afraid that they’ll hit me. I hate the sound of peddles approaching behind me.”
Jeanette Smoot, an undeclared freshman, said she’s careful on her bicycle.
“I’m a courteous biker. I don’t just whiz past,” she said.
-ashschiller@cc.usu.edu