Tag: campus life

“Indian Student Association Spotlight – A President’s Perspective” by Yamini Vyas

Throughout my elementary, middle, and even high school days, my father would always joke: “Yamini for President!” Of course his joke was fully laced with seriousness, but to my immensely shy and introverted self, the idea was seemingly impossible. Fast-forward through years of me working through my public speaking anxiety and sharpening my leadership skills to this year, where I have the privilege of serving as President for UD’s Indian Student Association (ISA). After enrolling in the Honors College, one of the first things I looked into during my freshman year was becoming a member of this organization. And sophomore year, as I aimed to be more involved, I  effectively became ISA’s Treasurer. 

ISA aims to facilitate understanding between students to cultivate meaningful, lasting relationships among community members of all different backgrounds. We promote social and cultural activities originating from all over India, ranging from Punjab to Tamil Nadu. And although it is referred to as the “Indian” Student Association, we house an all-inclusive environment where any student can be a member regardless of their cultural heritage. While this is not an exhaustive list of our events and celebrations, below are some of our most prominent and memorable ones that you won’t want to miss.   

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“A Non-Exhaustive List of Cool Places on Campus” by Nadya Ellerhorst

Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I attended UD for an entire year – without actually attending UD. As such, much of my sophomore year was spent in a first-year sort of awe at all of the different parts of campus, and even in the present it seems like I make a new discovery every day. For example, I just had a class in the art conservation lab in Old College, where I quite literally sat right next to museum objects out of their cases – and I’m not even an Art Conservation major!

Even though there’s likely still plenty of UD treasures for me to unearth, I thought I’d give a summary of some of the coolest places I’ve come across thus far.

But what is it that makes these places cool? I can’t say I’m quite sure. I hang out in some, bask in awe at others, and have frankly visited a few a handful of times. But this list just scratches the surface – there’s still plenty for this Blue Hen to uncover – and I encourage you to seek out and compile a cool-place repertoire for yourself.

Daugherty Hall

One of my favorite places to study on campus, I’m letting you in on my little secret because it’s such a beautiful, comfortable, AND convenient place to get your work done. The tables are outfitted with both fancy lamps (they happen to be the kind that turn on when you pull the lil’ cord) and outlets to charge your devices, and there are plenty of comfy chairs and couches throughout. The stained glass is also stunning, and I always love the vibes there on rainy weekend nights.

The Bouncy Turf of North Campus

Right in front of Pencader Dining Hall is a delightful, mildly springy turf that I adore crossing whenever I go on a fresh smoothie and açai bowl run. Sometimes people are playing actual sports on it, so lest I get bonked on the head by a stray soccer ball, I must settle for the concrete walkways. But in order to get there you’ll need to cross…

The North Campus Bridge

Beware of the lantern flies, but look at that creek down below! I definitely recommend crossing sooner rather than later so you can savor the surrounding autumn ~foliage~ while it lasts.

Gore Hall

I’m always pleased whenever I see that I have a class or RSO meeting here, as the bright yellow walls and beautiful atrium never cease to amaze me. The bridge connecting it to Smith Hall is an added perk (and very convenient during times of traffic and heavy rain). 

Old College

Old College is just a beautiful building in and of itself (although beware of the slippery stairs!). There’s also an exhibit space in here (and lots of other places on campus). If you don’t feel like the star of some coming-of-age movie strolling through its tree-lined walkway on your way to class, then this blog post will have been for nothing.

The Hen Zone

From board games to Nintendo Switch, the Hen Zone in Perkins has plenty to do, which I find perfect for a little stress relief or a fun, post-homework-completion night with friends. There’s also plenty of places to sit and get work done if the sound of ping pong matches and intense air hockey games is your kind of ambiance.

The Basement of Perkins

The basement of Perkins is a relatively quiet space with a variety of seating, and it’s also fun to peek into the RSO offices down there. It’s likewise a great space if you’re in need of some secretive corner to munch on a doughnut.

[Nocturnal] Trabant

Trabant itself is a pretty cool building (it hosts International Coffee Hour every Friday from 4-6), but especially so after dark, when its vaulted ceiling is illuminated by the glow of yellow and blue neon lights. I even saw an impromptu a capella performance there one night as I picked up a meal exchange, but I was shy so I sort of jogged through.

The Cherry Blossoms

There’s a fair chance you’ve seen them on UD brochures and postcards alike, and with spring will come the blossoming of these delightfully pink trees. There’s really nothing like walking (and suddenly stopping to take photos) of the blossoms in the walkway between Memorial Hall and Lammot du Pont Laboratory. Patience. Your chance for spectacular selfies will soon come.

The Student Multimedia Design Center in Morris Library

No one will shush you down here. The basement of Morris is both an excellent study space, especially if you don’t mind a little background noise, and a superb campus resource for all things digital. There’s recording booths and a lot of other technology I won’t spend my word count pretending I understand. 

South Green

If you’re looking to take advantage of the pleasant weather while it lasts, the South Green is a tranquil, lovely place for a walk. After all, it’s so… GREEN!

The Train!

Seeing this choo choo that serves as the unofficial division point between Main and North Campus will be cool the first time, like witnessing something out of Hogwarts. Relish it because from then on it’ll probably just be a source of aggravation. Listen closely, and you can hear students’ collective running-late yell of frustration over the siren.

YoUDee’s Eyes

Ok, this isn’t necessarily a place, but have you ever noticed that there are mini State- of-Delawares in them? If you don’t believe me, stare really hard at them next time you see YoUDee at a university event (those are generally pretty cool places to be, anyway). If this observation just changed your life, you’re welcome.

“Ode to North Central” by Kate Dawson

Walking out of my dorm

 

I meet students sitting on the grass 

gossiping, studying, relaxing,

taking a break from life.

 

They stake into the ground a volleyball net 

and soak in the rays beaming down 

from the sun. 

 

Classes take their leave for the weekend, 

while university buildings continue to shelter students 

whose work remains a weight on their shoulder. 

 

Breaking the silence comes the announcement of noon, 

courtesy of bells that send their sounds rushing

out of Memorial Hall.

 

Scampering squirrels interject the path of travelers

prancing down the bricks, where townspeople separate

young adults clumped together. 

 

Horns honk, 

reverberating off the pavement. 

 

Walk sign is onfades into the distance.

 

 Students sputter over the crosswalk, 

racing the cars speeding towards them. 

 

Main Street commotion fills the ears of those

who journey up the stairs, 

greeted by a mini town packed into one strip of asphalt. 

 

Air whips across faces 

riddled with blushing cheeks. 

 

Hands grip coffee drinks, 

each with a unique store logo brandishing the front. 

 

Time carries on 

as errands are run 

and assignments are completed. 

 

Or 

leisure takes focus

as procrastination temporarily hides to-do lists. 

 

Picturesque, 

the scene so full of life waits 

to be captured in a still picture 

from the lens of a phone

that can’t express the true atmosphere and movement. 

 

Air turns cool, 

sky turns dark, 

and day turns night.

 

Grass regains its place 

upright 

after being indented by daytime visitors. 

 

Today’s pushed off worries 

become tomorrow’s goals. 

 

Falling into bed at night, 

basketball chains rattle outside. 

 

The sound permeates my window. 

 

North Central sleeps, 

waiting to breathe life 

into the Green

again tomorrow. 

 

This is a poem about “the liveliness of North Central that comes to life especially with good weather,” composed by  Kate Dawson, a Class of 2024 Elementary Education major in the Honors College. In celebration of National Poetry Month, “186 South College” will be posting the work of Honors students weekly throughout the month of April and May as bonus content. If you or someone you know would like to share their work as a guest writer like Kate, we are still accepting submissions at this link: https://bit.ly/186Poets22

“My First-Year Floor: An Unforeseen Sisterhood” by Sara Klemow

The first question my family, and I’m sure many of your own families asked was, “What college do you want to go to?” It was intimidating to share my opinions and desires, but the questions which came after committing were a bit more flustering to converse about— 

 

“Are the dorms co-ed?”

Yes.

“Do they separate the floors by gender?”

Nope.

“Please tell me there are at least separate bathrooms!”

 

As one of only two girls in my family’s generation, I felt prepared to live in Louis Redding Hall, the co-ed, traditional Honors dorm for freshmen students. Co-ed living is a normal college experience across campuses and I was excited to live with people of all genders this fall. Yet, I stumbled into an entirely different experience then expected during move-in week. Section 2A of Redding: all female students, Munson Fellow, and Resident Assistant. 

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“Nostalgia” by Alaka Deshpande

“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them,” goes the quote by Andy Bernard from The Office, a quote that seems to resonate with everyone. Nostalgia is such a powerful feeling: we all reflect on and relive the happiest moments of our past in our minds. We evoke a warm, happy feeling with just a hint of sadness while we yearn to be back in that moment, knowing that it has passed.

Nostalgia is especially powerful under our current circumstances, when life looks much different than it used to before. It feels like our lives have been stripped away of so many things that they used to be full of: the busy and bustling long days on campus full of classes and club meetings, dining hall dinners, and late nights with friends. These have all been reduced down to long days alone in my room, taking Zoom classes from my bed.  Continue reading

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