It’s time to buckle down and study NYU 101. We’ve got all the essential people, places, clubs and quirks you need to know. Now. Ready, set, go.
A is for Albert, your online bursar and registrar — alternately your best friend and your worst enemy. Log on to Albert through NYU Home to find grades, register for classes, check bills and the like.
B is for Bobst, the gargantuan library that looms over Washington Square Park. Hated by many Greenwich Village residents who claim it ruins the views from their smaller brownstones, it’s always famous as the spot of student suicides in 2004. Pronounce it “Boh-bst,” not “Bahh-bst” (another helpful hint: never say “cass” when you mean CAS, as in “cee-ay-ess”).
C is for the Catholic Center. Coming to college doesn’t mean leaving faith behind. There’s also the Bronfman Center, NYU’s Jewish student life organization, and the Islamic Center at NYU. Many students are highly active in these organizations, so visit their websites for information on Welcome Week events and upcoming activities.
D is for dining dollars, included in all meal plans. Unlike Campus Cash, which can be spent at dozens of locations at NYU and around the Village but is not included in a meal plan, dining dollars can only be used at Faye’s Starbucks at the Square, the U-Hall Dunkin’ Donuts and NYU Dining Halls. Try not to forget to use these as they expire (they do rollover to Spring meal plans, however). In early May, it’s easy to find those students who do forget stocking up on Red Bull and gum in the small convenience stores located inside some dining halls.
E is for eco-friendly. Check out NYU’s efforts to “go green” at http://www.nyu.edu/sustainability/. In the meantime, turn off your lights and visit the Hayden Dining Hall, home to NYU’s sustainable and healthy eating initiatives: locally grown produce, hormone-free meats and cage free eggs. It’s also the most vegan-friendly place on campus.
F is for free. School is expensive, but NYU gives out a lot of free stuff. By the end of four years here, you could probably have enough free T-shirts to last an entire lifetime. If you’re hungry, just check out some sort of university-hosted event: The catered food is free and (usually) really good. And, as always, if you run out of condoms (safety first, kids), your RAs should have a bunch outside their door, free for the taking.
G is for good, cheap food. As long as you know where to look, it’s easy to get in the NYU area. Check out our cheap eats feature on page six for some places to start.
H is for the Halloween parade. Don’t plan on a lovely stroll on Sixth Avenue the evening of October 31st, or you’ll be greeted by thousands upon thousands of spectators and participants of the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade. It’s the largest public celebration of the holiday in the United States and one you shouldn’t miss. The best way to enjoy the parade is to walk in it, so check out halloween-nyc.com for information on how to participate.
I is for IRHC, or the Inter-Residence Hall Council. The IRHC governs all the hall councils and sponsors several university-wide events and programs throughout the year, such as Welcome Week, TORCH Day, Ultraviolet Live, and Elegance on the Water. The IRHC is not to be confused with Residential Education, or ResEd for short. It’s a term you’re going to hear a lot as a freshman because the Department of Residential Education sponsors a lot of Welcome Week activities. Try and get involved with the ResEd activities that go on around the university and in your hall — they’re a good way to meet people as well as explore the city.
J is for John Sexton, NYU’s president. Famous for giving hugs and angering Village residents with plans of university expansion, he’s also made an appearance on the Colbert Report that you can look up on YouTube. You’ll see him at Convocation (if you choose to attend) and then around campus during the year.
K is for the Kimmel dining hall. Almost any upperclassmen will tell you that the food here is the best of any of the dining halls. Kimmel sandwiches are practically legendary at NYU, and the pastas and pizzas are actually worth the long lines. If you want to avoid the wait, go at off-peak hours. Don’t forget though, this dining hall closes early on Fridays and isn’t open on the weekends.
L is for lost. It’s bound to happen, so always carry a credit card or enough cash to grab a cab if you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Before you leave your dorm, use HopStop.com to plan your route — it provides detailed subway routes from your closest stop to your destination. Write the instructions down on a sticky note, and you’re good to go.
M is for music. The musical tastes of students at NYU are vast and varied. Check out editor Kate Thuma’s column on page two for top spots to catch great bands.
O is for office hours, the perfect time to get to know your professors. Stop by with a question one day (if you don’t have one, invent one). If you click with your prof, you may be on your way to a great advisor or recommendation letter.
P is for Palladium, which, in addition to being a dorm, dining hall, and home to the Wasserman Center for Career Development, contains the nicer and newer of NYU’s two gyms. The other is Coles, where most athletics teams practice. Palladium used to be a popular dance club; you will probably meet New Yorkers in their mid-forties who will reminisce to you about their days of dancing at the Palladium. They will be dismayed when you tell them that the best thing about Palladium now is its Sunday brunches. Seriously though, don’t miss them.
Q is for queer. NYU is a great place to be for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. There are many organizations geared specifically toward LGBT students, and there’s a large LGBT center on campus.
R is for resume. Visit the aforementioned Wasserman Center (located on the second floor of Palladium) to brush up on your interview skills, get tips on building your resume and get information on cool jobs and internships. If you have work-study funds included in your financial aid package, your first stop is here.
S is for SafeRide, the NYU late-night shuttle service with a notoriously bad reputation for lateness. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., call 212.992.VANS for free transportation to and from NYU buildings — the number is helpfully located on the back of your NYU ID card. Be prepared, there’s usually a wait.
T is for Ticket Central, located on the second floor of Kimmel. This is the place to go for cheap tickets to Broadway shows, professional baseball and basketball games (How about those Knicks?) and movie passes. Also, Ticket Central will have tickets to different NYU events during the year. Visit their website at http://www.nyu.edu/ticketcentral/ or join their mailing list.
U is for Upstein, the cafeteria cum late night study spot located in freshman dorm Weinstein. It is the only dining hall that accommodates the midnight munchies.
V is for the Violets, any NYU sports team. “Bobcat” is the nickname for a NYU athlete.
W is for WSN, of course. This free campus newspaper is printed Monday through Friday and covers the ins and outs of NYU and its students. We’re always looking for more writers and help. Come to an open house Aug. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. or Aug. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. to get involved.
X is for xenophiles, people who are attracted to foreign cultures and customs. NYU has extensive study abroad opportunities in over 18 countries, plus courses in almost every language imaginable. There’s Speaking Freely (http://www.nyu.edu/cas/speaking.freely/), free language classes for people who just want a casual environment to learn or practice, plus student organizations that cater specifically to different languages and cultures. Stop by the Club Fair at Coles on Sept. 4 for more information or check out the Office of Student Activity’s website for a listing.
Y is for yoga, popular with many NYU students. Check out Yoga to the People on St. Marks, a great studio that offers pay-what-you-can classes daily. If you don’t have your own mat, you can rent one for $2. Most importantly, they’re friendly to beginners.
Z is for zinc deficiency. Not really sure what all that entails, but if you’ve got it, the NYU Health Center can help you get over it. Located on Broadway right across from Tisch, the Health Center offers free HIV/STI testing, counseling and mental health services and general check ups. Visit their website for more information. •
Compiled by Mary Jane Weedman, Liz Johnstone, Barbara Leonard and Rachel Kreiter.
