Housing Debate: Off Campus

Living off campus means you have to budget for travel, either money for gas or time to get the bus. Fortunately, each student at Edgewood College gets a free metro bus pass each semester. But in my opinion the travel is worth it for the experience of being on your own. Whether you live by yourself or split a place with friends, living off campus makes you more independent. Instead of having a meal plan, you have to get groceries and cook. It’s also a learning experience to balance the rent, energy and cable bills. If you start looking for a place early enough, though, you will have no problem finding a good deal or a place with some utilities included.

Mostly I enjoy the freedom of being a commuter student. I still have friends who live on campus, but I get to meet more people in my neighborhood. I also find that students who live off campus get to know the city and directions to places faster than students who live in the residence halls.

The city of Madison has a lot of different aspects to explore. I’ve lived in three different areas so far, and it’s exciting to find out what’s going on in the new neighborhood; where to find food, where the music’s at, or where the nearest park is. Having your own place can give you the benefits of having both a quiet place to study and do homework without being disturbed, and also a place to be free from noise curfews, personal space limitations, and other authoritative bummers.

I think that when one is on their own and must learn how to balance these different things and be successful, it’s much closer to “real life”.

-Michael

Housing Debate: On Campus

There are many advantages to living on campus when you go to college. Some of my favorite things about living on campus include how close I am to my classes and places to eat (Phil’s and Wingra Cafe), the fact that I don’t have to worry about paying monthly rent, and the ease of meeting other people who attend Edgewood. I’m so glad I’ve lived on campus the past two years. Living in the residence halls allowed me to meet and get to know people who have now become my best friends.

It’s especially nice living on campus this year because I’m allowed to have a car as a sophomore. It’s really the best of both worlds. By living on campus, I’m close to everything, but by having my car, I’m free to explore the rest of Madison. Even if you don’t have a car, Edgewood provides a free bus pass–which allows you to get around just fine.

Another thing about living on campus that I currently enjoy is the meal plan. It’s prepaid, so every day I can just swipe my card when I need something to eat. I don’t have to worry about the hassle of making sure I have enough money to get through the day.

Also, the RA’s I’ve had are great. They put on awesome programs and are just great people.

Even though I will be a junior next year and will be allowed to live off campus, I plan to stay on campus in the Edgewood apartments. It’s great that I’ll be able to have a more independent living situation, yet still have the convenience of living on campus. All in all, living on campus at Edgewood has been a great experience and has provided me with new perspectives and great friends.

-Kinsey

Housing Debate: On Campus v. Off Campus

If you’re a high school student thinking about college, or if you’re currently in college, or if you’re a parent of a prospective college student, you’ve probably thought about on-campus housing. Why do colleges require students to live on campus? How much does it cost? What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? Do students really save money by living off campus?

Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll hear students at Edgewood College argue their point of view and settle the debate: Is it better to live on campus or off campus?

And perhaps when we’re done analyzing “on v. off”, we’ll determine which is grammatically correct: “on campus” v. “on-campus”.

-RG

What I Like About Edgewood College – Part II

APPROACHABLE PROFESSORS & A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

My three favorite things about Edgewood are the professors, the English Department, and the campus.

Obviously, as in high school, there will be instructors throughout college that you like and ones you disagree with. But all the professors I’ve had at Edgewood have earned my respect and are clearly experts in their field. I am in the English Department, in both writing and literature, and I’ve had professors who’ve worked for Rolling Stone, graduated from renowned writers workshops, or have been studying literature well before I was even born. Since class sizes are small and there is an emphasis on discussion, students at Edgewood can take full advantage of their professors’ knowledge, and they are all very approachable if students need help. My professors specifically also hold yearly writing contests, run the campus newspaper, and the campus fiction and art magazine.

Besides having the many benefits of being in Madison, Edgewood’s campus has some cool aspects of its own. Since this is my fourth year at Edgewood, I’ve seen the progress of the campus sustainability program. It started with the boardwalk and paths around Lake Wingra (built by students). Now there is a community garden and compost area (also run by students) and efforts to restore some of Wisconsin’s original habitat and the Native American mounds found on campus.

-Michael

THE ADVANTAGES OF A SMALL CAMPUS

As a freshman at Edgewood, I have just began my college experience. It has not taken long; however, for me to pick up on the many things that I enjoy most about being a student here. For me, what it all comes down to is the small campus. I have discovered three major benefits to this:

The most obvious perk when coming to campus is how close and convenient everything is. There is no need to worry about long walks to classes, you can go back to the residence halls at any time if you reside on campus, and anything you need is always nearby (whether it be the library, professors, food, etc.).

The small campus also is helpful when it comes to meeting people. It’s amazing how quick everyone gets to know one another. I’ve only been here for about four weeks and already feel like I know so many people. It’s impossible to walk through campus without stopping to talk or say hi to someone along the way, and it’s a great feeling.

The best advantage to Edgewood’s size though is, in my opinion, the small class sizes. In fact, on my first day of Spanish class, my professor walked in and was excited about having a “big” class…I counted only 22 people. These small class sizes are so convenient for several reasons. For one thing, you’re able to have more one-on-one time with the instructors. If you ever need help it is easy to get in touch with them and get everything figured out. Furthermore, it is easy to connect on a more personal level with each instructor. Each one of mine has us refer to them by their first name. This makes it feel that my education is really important to not just me, but many others here at Edgewood.

As my first semester of college continues, I notice these things everyday and am happy here at Edgewood.

-Rebekah

What I Like About Edgewood College

IT’S HARD TO CHOOSE

My favorite things about Edgewood…it’s hard to choose. I’d say one of my favorite things about Edgewood is its location. Whenever I’m bored, it’s not hard to find something to do. With the campus sitting right on Lake Wingra and a place to rent paddle boats just a short walk away, it’s so easy to enjoy the water. Vilas Zoo is also close by and makes for a fun afternoon trip. And if you feel like shopping, Monroe Street offers great little shops, or you can hop on the bus and head to State Street.

Another of my favorite things about Edgewood is my classes. Weird, I know, but with small class sizes, it’s so easy to get to know your classmates and your professors. Just this week I was walking down the hall and saw a few of my professors from first semester last year. They still knew me by my name and on a personal level. It’s so cool to me that I can walk up to a professor that I haven’t had for a few semesters and I can strike up a conversation without feeling like I’m below them. They are so down to earth.

My very favorite thing about Edgewood, I have to say, is the dorm life. Last year I was in Stevie, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The people from that hall have become my best friends. I’m in Dominican this year, and it is so nice. I love the arrangement, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet even more cool people. It really makes Edgewood my home away from home.

-Kinsey

THE PEOPLE, CITY & NATURE

We are a few weeks into the school year and I am still getting over the fact that I’m a junior in college. I feel like it was just a few months ago that I was attending graduation parties and saying goodbye to my friends as we all split up to venture off to college, but now here I am – half way finished!

Though there have been plenty of ups and downs, I’ve enjoyed my time here at Edgewood thus far. When I think back about what made up my experience to this point, a few key things come to mind. I guess you could say they are my favorite parts of Edgewood.

1. THE PEOPLE. Edgewood is known for being a smaller school, which makes it easier to meet and keep up with people on campus. In my experience, once you have a pretty good idea of what your major is, the same people keep showing up from class to class. Plus, I don’t think it’s too common at other schools to run into your professor at say, the grocery store, and have them remember not only your name, but ask about your weekend and what’s been going on in your life.

2. THE CITY. I’ve lived in Madison for most of my life and can’t imagine going to college anywhere else. Even though most of my friends have moved off campus, downtown is within walking distance and I haven’t felt too much separation anxiety yet. I feel like Madison is the perfect sized city – not so big that it becomes dangerous or easy to get lost, but not too small that it loses excitement. There are plenty of people to meet, places to hang out, and things to do.

3. NATURE. One of my favorite parts of Edgewood is the surrounding nature. I love the trails, the boardwalk, the trees, the grass and fields. I don’t think at a bigger school, you’d see as much open land as we have on Edgewood’s campus. There’s been so many times after a long day of class when I’ve walked down to the boardwalk to relax and take advantage of Wisconsin’s short-lived warm days.

Thinking about it, when school gets harder and life starts to push us a little more than usual, I think it’s key to remember the little things like this that make us happy.

-Liz

Class of Partnership

On Saturday, August 22, 2009, the freshmen who make up the Class of 2013 will officially move into their residence halls and begin their journey at Edgewood College.

Each year the entering freshman class is honored with one of the five Dominican values. This year’s class is the Class of Partnership, and the value given to these entering freshmen couldn’t be more fitting. 

For most freshmen, their partnership with Edgewood College started months ago… maybe even well over two years ago. And even though the Admissions Office may receive some credit, it’s really the partnership of the entire Edgewood College Community that makes this class of freshmen a special group.

Faculty, students and staff throughout the entire community–from the college president to facilities services staff to coaches to professors to alumni to freshmen and seniors–everyone reached out to the members of the Class of 2013. It was this campus-wide partnership and strength in community that ensured the Class of 2013, the Class of Partnership, was full of gifted and dedicated young men and women–even in light of these uncertain economic times.

So, here’s to proof of a caring, compassionate, and close-knit campus community. Here’s to the Class of Partnership.

A Recent Graduate’s Advice to Freshmen

BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY

I tried to take advantage of every opportunity that Edgewood had to offer in order to make sure I didn’t regret not doing something once my time at Edgewood was over. I took foreign language classes for fun, studied abroad, had internships, joined the Honors Program, skipped class to go out with friends, pulled all-nighters to finish a paper, swam in one of the Madison lakes, and was involved in numerous clubs and organizations on campus. All things that made my time at Edgewood very memorable. However, I do sort of wish I would have lived on campus longer. I lived in Stevie Hall my freshman year, but sophomore year I moved into an off-campus apartment with friends. It was a blast, of course, but sometimes I still wish I would have lingered on campus longer to really take advantage of what residence life has to offer. Living on campus allows you to form a tighter community, meet more people and make more friends, spend more time on campus to take part in more fun activities, and more. Between classes, work-study jobs, and clubs, I definitely had my fill “campus life,” but I still wish I would have stuck around a little longer to form a tighter bond with people in my residence hall, went to a few more student activities, and even suntanned on the boardwalk a little more.
-Julie

Julie is a 2009 graduate from Edgewood College with majors in business and graphic design. After graduation she moved to New York City to start an internship.

Change is in the Air

Several offices are relocating this summer. Some temporarily. Some permanently.

The Financial Aid Office, Registrar’s Office and Business Office are undergoing a major face-lift and combining forces to provide outstanding student service. Starting this fall, all three offices will be united as “Edgewood Central.” Students will now be able to go to one location and get the help they need. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding this new student service. Edgewood Central aligns perfectly with Edgewood College’s student-first focus.

One change that will affect some faculty and staff the most is the closing of the faculty/staff lounge. Mostly, this means no more free coffee at work. The IT department is taking over this space… so I guess some can still go to this location for java help?

-RG

I’m Finally Graduating – Part II

WHAT WILL I MISS THE MOST?

It’s really hard to think of just one single thing I’m going to miss most about Edgewood College. To be honest, pretty much the only reason why I’m looking forward to graduating is merely so I won’t have homework to do in the evenings! So, I’m pretty much going to miss EVERYTHING about Edgewood–the school, the sense of security and community, the students, staff, and faculty, the view of the lake, the support from the student services on campus, and even the cafeteria food–just to name a few.

But if I had to pick one, it would probably be my work-study jobs. They have provided me with a sort of home-away-from-home. My supervisors have all not only been super friendly and fun, but extremely caring as well. I feel like I have developed more of a friend-relationship with them, not just a supervisor-worker typical relationship. They have supported me, forwarded me funny emails, gave me advice, listened when I needed to vent, baked me yummy birthday treats, and have sent me home when I’ve been sick, or offered to make me a bed in an empty classroom upstairs (no joke!). They’ve been so understanding of my busy student life and were flexible when it came to the weekly work schedule. I’ll really miss having this level of support after graduation; I don’t know what I’ll do at a real job without them!

-Julie

I’m Finally Graduating!

IT’S ABOUT THE PEOPLE

What am I going to miss most about Edgewood College? The people. No doubt about that. The professors in my department have been nothing short of an inspiration. They’re compassionate towards their students and passionate about teaching. That love of their job shines through the classroom and really engages me. Plus a majority of the professors in the Psychology Department are so entertaining that I am laughing just reminiscing about some of the stories they’ve told me. I’m not lying about that, people are looking at me strange in the computer lab right now.

Besides the incredible professors I’m going to miss certain members of the staff that I have really connected with that have gotten me through some tough times, whether they realize it or not. I can’t count how many times I was able to count on the people here at Edgewood to not only push me succeed, but also give me the strength and courage to do so. Also, I’m going to miss seeing my friends all the time. The friendships that were made throughout random classes have lasted years and I’m sure are going to continue to last as we all mature and move on with our lives.

Going into the real world isn’t going to give me that same amount of spontaneity that I love. I won’t be able to skip a class and go for a walk or lay on the boardwalk and tan. Nothing beats the student life. Sure, we have worries and need to worry about money and such, but it’s a care-free laid back lifestyle. Edgewood College really has become another family of mine. A large, random, loud, rambunctious, caring family that is never short of an adventure.
-Tracy