“Great that’ll be $12.57, where are you located?” “The new apartments. Uh, the South Campus apartments?” Silence. “Domino’s, are you still there?” “Yeah, sorry, where is that again….” Somewhere between the cornfields and fraternity row, five new buildings emerged on Bucknell’s campus. Still trying to make a name for themselves, the South Campus Senior Apartments as they’ve been referred to actually have a lot to offer, and not just for the seniors living there. In a short 8 months four new apartment buildings and a Commons Building with a Café have been added to Bucknell’s campus map, and the Domino’s delivery guy is not the only confused one. Back on campus after being abroad, and ready to start my final year at Bucknell, I have decided to find out what’s new and improved on campus as quickly as possible to retain my seniority status. Here’s what you need to know to get you back in the loop.
Senior Housing aka South Campus Apartments
The four apartment buildings are labeled 1-4 and move counter clockwise. Apartment building 1 is directly next to the Commons Building. Next to apartment building 1 is apartment 4. Apartment building 2 is directly across the quad from building 1 and building 3 is across from 4. As for the set up of each apartment, it’s a little different. But every apartment does include a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom with a double sink, private doors for the shower and toilet, and four bedrooms. Each bedroom has a window, bed, dresser, desk, and “closet”, really just a metal rod to hang clothes, but we make do. It’s also pretty impossible to get photos or hooks to stick onto the walls, but a small price to pay for air-conditioning and ample lighting.
Lounges
On the first floor of every building there is common space for everyone to utilize. There are actually two key card pads so that everyone can get into the common space, but only those who live in the building can get into the apartments. Each lounge space has a theme. The themes are as follows, a game room with foosball, table tennis and a big-screen TV; a fitness room with medicine balls and yoga mats, (insider tip: if enough people request it, I’ve heard treadmills and ellipticals can be added too); a quiet study lounge; and a creative common space for students and friends to hang out and collaborate.
Common Building
The Common Building is an open space for all Bucknell students to enjoy. Soon there will be programming and events and meetings that can and will take place. But for now, it’s a great place to study, take a nap, and print out your homework for that class in 20 minutes (pro tip: you need your ID to print, but you can print from virtually anywhere now so that’s a win).
Commons Café
It’s very similar to the Bison minus the salad and quinoa bar. However, there is a quinoa of the day and I have to say the brie and pear one was pretty great. It’s open from Monday-Friday 7am-11pm and it does offer some lunch and dinner specials such as three different types of Panini, a variety of crepes, an assortment of hotdogs and burgers, steak, quinoa three cheese lasagna, and flatbread pizzas. Also there are pretty good vibes with lots of booth seating. If you are in a rush in the morning, I’ve heard the pre-made breakfast sandwiches are the way to go, although I cannot personally vouch for those yet.
Teaching Wall
I was honestly confused by the three-level stone tiered seating area off to the side. I recently learned it is not a mini outdoor theater, but I still think it could be. Rather, it’s a spot where you should convince your teachers to go teach class before it gets cold. Tanning plus learning equals happy Bucknellians. You’re welcome.
Basketball and Volleyball Courts
Yes, they exist next to buildings 3 and 4. There was a pretty heated shirts vs. skins game happening the other night. I can’t say I hated it. Those ladies who have bay windows facing out that side, you may want to linger as you “close your blinds”. Besides watching the beautiful Bucknell sunset, you might have front row seats to another show.
While the new apartments are nice, the best part is enjoying them with friends. So invite friends near and far to join together to watch movies, hang out, cook dinner, and celebrate. Just be careful when you cook. Breakfast for dinner is always a good idea, but just be careful when you cook bacon, I heard it could set off the fire alarm…(much love to the amazingly understanding residents of building 1). On second thought, you could always call Domino’s. He definitely now knows where to deliver.