Brown Disorientation Dictionary: Your Guide to Everything Brown
The Basics
Brown:
So this may seem like a no-brainer, but as such, how could we leave it out? Our beloved university needs no nickname - Brown stands alone! (Anybody else think UPS is doing us an injustice?)
Brunonian:
If you haven't figured it out by now, this means YOU! Whether you're a prefrosh, a first-year, a sophomore, junior, senior, super-senior, alum, administrator, faculty, staff, or even family member, you're part of the Brown family, and thereby a Brunonian. While some prefer to call us Brownies or Brownians, in deference to our beloved Bruno, we are Brunonians at heart!
Bruno:
Whether you're talking about the imposing (yet lovable) statue that watches over the Main Green or the fuzzy guy who gets Brunonians fired up at football, basketball, and hockey games, no one can mistake our treasured mascot. Be the Bear! Go Bruno!
Ruth:
(aka: President Ruth Simmons) Our beloved (at least in some circles) president is fondly (or irreverently) called (at least on The Jolt) by her first name. We can't, however, recommend stopping by her weekly office hours with a line like "Hey Ruth, what's up? My name is..." and it's probably not a good idea to drop her an email that opens "Yo Ruth, I was thinking..." Whether you think Ruth is worthy of criticism or commendations, she's still our President, at least for now.
BUPD:
(aka: The Brown University Police Department) While these guys may not have the full authority of the Providence Police (who can be called in for certain offenses), they certainly have a purpose on campus. We may grumble when they bust our parties or ticket our cars, but it's good to know that they're there to keep us safe and let us back into our dorm rooms when we accidentally lock the keys inside. (By the way, the number is 333-22).
Need to Get the Low-Down?
The Jolt:
(aka: The Brown Daily Jolt) Your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know, find, or do on campus. Get all the info on news, events, menus, jobs, and weather while you procrastinate and entertain yourself with all of our fabulous links. Use it! Love it! Let The Jolt be your guide!!!
BDH:
(aka: The Brown Daily Herald) Brown's student-written, student-edited, student-produced daily paper is a great way to get the latest news on campus and around the world. Get your copy at any of the cafeterias or libraries, or pick one up while you're working at the CIT, working out at the Bear's Lair, or relaxing in the Blue Room. Or, check it out online!
The Pro-Jo:
(aka: The Providence Journal) Not quite the New York Times, this local paper has your mix of home-town news and global soundbites. The Pro-Jo is also a great source for Providence Classified and local goings-on.
The Indy:
(aka: The College Hill Independent) This weekly magazine is the artsy, eclectic counterpart to the BDH. With its ever-changing mix of short stories, interviews, op-eds, poetry, art, and more, think of the Indy as the weekend indulgence for the literary mind.
BTV:
If you're lucky enough to have a TV on campus, or if you're relaxing in one of the lounges, you will quickly discover that our channel selection doesn't quite cover standard cable. If you crave Sex & The City or The Soprano's, have your parents tape them at home or find a friend off-campus. Once you're tuned-in, be sure to check out BTV, the campus channel with favorites like Brown Date and a monthly-rotating selection of feature films. And new this year, you can watch BTV online from on-campus computers.
WBSR:
On the air from 7pm to 2am, Monday through Saturday, Brown Student Radio has a mix of shows and talents that showcase a variety of music and styles. Check them out 88.1 FM, or on the web to get the latest news or get info on what's playing.
WBRU:
Not to be confused with BSR, 95.5 FM is your "Orginal Alt Rock" station. Check out The Point, BRU's investigative news magazine at 9am on Saturdays, and listen in for The Pulse on Sundays at 10am to get all of the latest news on urban issues. Check them out online at www.wbru.com.
Going Somewhere?
The Rock:
(aka: The John D. Rockefeller Library) The biggest library on campus, The Rock has millions of volumes and thousands of periodicals on every subject. Finding a free computer is sometimes a challenge, but it's usually easy to find a quiet, comfy place to study or relax with a good book. Don't forget to take advantage of the inter-library loan services and the assistance of the helpful library staff. They can get you a book from anywhere in state in just a few days or help you with research for that next big paper.
The Sci-Li:
(aka: The Sciences Library) Once the site of a 14-story Tetris game, this library has everything you would ever need to know about the world of science. A little less homey than The Rock, the Sci-Li always has quiet carrels for studying or engaging in *other activities* on the 13th floor.
The CIT:
(aka: The Center for Information Technology) If you're wire-less or if your computer is on the fritz, run to the CIT. Use their computers for writing or research, or ask one of the well-trained experts for help with all of your tech troubles.
The OMAC:
(aka: the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center) This is Brown's main gym, equipped with your basic cardio equiptment, free weights & weight machines, indoor basketball courts, an indoor track, locker rooms, and even an artificial turf field on the roof. Make sure it's open, though--here are the hours of operation.
The Bear's Lair:
Located smack-dab in the middle of Grad Center, the Bear's Lair is where you can go to workout if you don't feel like making the trek to the OMAC, or to shoot some pool and play some ping-pong. Check out the hours of operation here.
Emery & Bigelow Gyms:
Located on Pembroke and Keeney, these satellite gyms are located closer to dorms. If you want to work out on a wintery evening, there's no need to trek farther than downstairs to get your exercise. Check out the hours of operation for Emery and Bigelow.
The Main Green:
It's the big quad you've no doubt sat on an heard all the stats showing your class is the best in Brown history! This is the place to go for Salomon and Sayles halls, University Hall, Faunce House, or to toss around a frisbee.
Faunce:
Brown's *cough* student center. Chock-full of student agencies, the Blue Room, Leung Gallery, and the Campus Market.
Lincoln Field:
On horseback, a statue of Marcus Aurelius looks over this beautiful quad which lies just east off the main green. At the other end, Soldier's Arch gives way to Thayer Street.
List Art:
Or just "List". If you aren't much of an artist, you'll no doubt have at least class or a final in List's big lecture hall (List 120) at some point. Half block from the Van Wickle Gates.
RISD:
The Rhode Island School of Design is Brown's neighbor halfway down the hill. As a Brown student, you can take classes at this renowned art school if you don't mind a little extra registration paperwork.
Getting Hungry?
The Ratty:
(aka: The Sharpe Refectory) This is the main dining hall on campus, and it's usually crowded at peak hours (noon to 1pm, 6 to 7pm). It's a great place to meet friends for lunch, complain about the food, and enjoy chicken fingers, soft-serve ice cream, magic bars, omelettes, or one of the other Ratty specialties. Check out the Ratty Recipe Repository for delicious treats you can make yourself using only what's available in the dining halls!
Magic Bar:
A Ratty dessert delicacy with a graham cracker crust, chocolate chip and coconut topping, and a creamy layer holding it all together. Yum! Get 'em before they're gone.
The V-Dub:
(vee-dub, aka: The Verney Wooley Dining Hall) Once used only by Pembrokers too lazy to walk to the Ratty, the V-Dub has seen a face-lift and a taste-lift that have much improved the quality of the food and the length of the lines. The V-Dub isn't open on the weekends, so you'll still have to get your Ratty grub, but at least you can get fresh pasta, entrees, and stir-fry, as well as do-it-yourself belgian waffles, five nights a week. For hours and menus for your on-campus food fixes, check out the Food Services webpage.
Jo's:
(aka: Josiah's) If you miss a meal, you can use your credit here to get your late-night food fix. Jo's is located below New Dorm, only a few minutes walk from the main green. Try the pizza bites, the wraps, the cookies, the candy, or even the sushi. If you miss dinner, try the stir-fry Tuesday through Thursday. You can also get a Carberry with fries and a drink for $4.00(ish).
Credit:
(aka: Meal Credit) The standard meal plan gives you 20 meals each week - breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Saturday, and brunch and dinner on Sunday. If you miss a meal, you get $4.45 in credit to spend at one of the late-night eateries (Jo's, The Ivy Room, The Gate). If you miss two meals in one day, you can use the second credit on Sunday night.
Points:
With the standard meal plan you get 100 points each semester, and unused points from the first semester roll-over to the second. Each point is worth the equivalent of $1 at Jo's, The Ivy Room, The Gate, The Campus Market, The Blue Room, or Little Jo's. If you run out of points, don't fret! Additional credit can be purchased at a slight discount.
The Carberry:
Named after the infamous Josiah Carberry, this sandwich special is the favorite of all those Brunonians who crave a double-thick burger with cheese (optional) and all the fixins - even at midnight!
The Gate:
The Pembroke equivalent of Jo's, this lounge-style cafe has cozy couches and tons of tables for sitting, eating, and meeting with friends. Try the sandwiches, the pizza, the cookies, the ice cream, or any of the other treats.
The Ivy Room:
Located under The Ratty, this cozy cafe serves up lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks to meet every craving - from falafel and salads to fresh-baked cookies, frozen yogurt, and smoothies. If you're looking for a good place to hobknob with professors over lunch, try the Ivy Room - plenty of good food and good company!
The Blue Room:
Overlooking the Main Green from Faunce House, the eating area for this bakery/sandwich shop is the perfect place to catch up on some reading or meet a friend for coffee. While The Blue Room doesn't take meal credit, they'll gladly accept points or cash. The sandwiches, salads, do-it-yourself soup bar, and display cases full of baked goods are enough to tempt your sleepy tastebuds any morning. Stop by before class or in the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up.
The Campus Market:
Located below The Blue Room, this mini-mart has everything (or at least most things) you'll need for campus living. Cleaning supplies, school stuff, frozen foods, boxed cereals and a host of other goodies are at your disposal. If you're craving Reese's Peanut Butter cups and orange juice, or if you need to freshen your breath with a pack of gum, this is your one-stop shop. But beware! Although they take points and cash, their prices are far higher that what you might find if you're willing to hike a little farther to CVS, Store 24, or the East Side Mini-Mart.
Little Jo's
Like a mini version of the Campus Market, this convenience store specializes in providing a selection of prepacked organic foods like cereals, soups, crackers, chips, and other boxed, bagged, and canned products. While they have a few candy bars, a small refrigerated section, and a few other random necessities, if you're looking for selection, this isn't the place to go.
Thayer Street
Though freshmen may never have the privelage of waiting an hour for top-notch wings or enjoying a pitcher at Max's, Thayer street is the place to go for cheap food. For an introduction, head over to Spike's for a hotdog, grab a falafel wrap at East Side Pockets, and try a crepe in the sketchy Fones alley "Le Creperie".
Federal Hill
If you want to splurge on some fine Italian cuisine (perfect for parent's weekend) head across town to Providence's version of Boston's North End on Atwells Avenue.
Need to Get Around?
safeRIDE:
Formely the shuttle, these white vans zip around campus all evening. Handy when you're on Pembroke and need to get home to Perkins. Look here for schedules/maps etc.
safeRIDE onCALL:
If you live off campus, onCALL will drive you home until 2:45 a.m. Just give them a call.
RIPTA:
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority runs the trollies (see below) and the bigger buses that take you where you need to get (more or less) in Providence and RI in general.
The Trolley:
RIPTA has cute green trollies that run from the East Side down through Kennedy Plaza to Atwells Avenue (Federal Hill). Check out the RIPTA website for schedules/maps etc.
Need A Little Help?
Health Services:
Health Services is the place to go if you have a headache or need some bloodwork or anything in between. Hell, you might just end up there in a counseling session after your friends call EMS (emergency medical services) on you when you pass out in the hall after your first frat party. It's at the corner of Brown and Charlesfield Streets across from Keeney.
Psych Services:
The place to go if you need someone to talk to for whatever reason. Crisis counseling is available 24/7. Psych Services is in Rhode Island Hall on the Main Green.
Res Life:
Not to be confused with Res Council (made up of students), ResLife is the office that rules the dorms: they dish out the keys at the beginning of the year and send you a bill for burning a hole in your wall at the end.
$$$ for College
