AROUND CAMPUS Cause to pause Travelers around the college campus have reason to pause and take a second look. Giant blue and gold Grizzly paws are painted on the streets surrounding most of the college’s perimeter. The paws lead to Spurlock Center and Faught Stadium, both “homes” of the athletics teams. After receiving approval from the <strong>Franklin</strong> City Council, the college contracted with KPS Lot Lines to complete the paw-painting project. One trail of painted paws begins at the corner of Branigin Boulevard and Grizzly Drive and continues to Faught Stadium. Another trail begins at the corner of Jefferson and Forsythe streets, continues to the Spurlock Center parking lot and extends through the B.F. Hamilton Library lot to the stadium. A third trail begins at the corner of Forsythe Street and Park Avenue and leads to the stadium. Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Alan Hill headed up the initiative. “The painted paws are a new way of raising visibility for the college and publicly showing support for the athletics teams. It’s the start of a great project we can enhance in the future,” said Hill. The college distributed free Ben’s Den T-shirts during the opening of the new campus convenience store. Mariah Kinzie ’14, Destiny Esper ’12, Rachel Lemon ’12 and Zalika Thompson ’14 show their shirts. Campus changes bring new amenities Two new areas are aimed at providing students more convenience on campus. A commuter lounge and a convenience store are new additions in the basement of the Napolitan Student Center. The commuter lounge is a place where students can study, do homework or relax between classes. Students also can enjoy free use of several computers and a large-screen TV. A microwave, refrigerator, TV, couches, tables and chairs round out the cozy area. Although the need for the space was identified by commuters, the space is open to all students 24 hours a day. To accomodate the lounge, the college relocated the campus mailroom and business center to a nearby area in the basement. Commuter representative for Student Congress Jeff Murr ’13 used to spend his time between classes in limbo, without a designated place to study or relax. He estimates he uses the new lounge every day, for an hour or more. “Before, I’d hang out in the cafeteria or just go home between classes. It’s really nice to have a lounge where I can get some work done or relax; it’s homey. And since other commuters go there, I’ve met new people.” The convenience store is independent of the commuter lounge, but the two might be mutually beneficial. The convenience store carries food and beverages as well as sundries. Students enrolled in the college board plan can take advantage of a meal equivalency option in lieu of eating in the dining hall, as needed. Sodexo, the college’s food services provider, has hired a store manager, and student employees have been hired to help staff the store. As part of the grand-opening festivities, the college held a store naming contest, with Mariah Kinzie’s ’14 suggestion, “Ben’s Den,” selected as the winner. Kinzie and her friend, Zalika Thompson ’14, attended the grand opening and have returned to Ben’s Den several more times to shop and dine. Thompson said, “I like that it stays open so late because when it gets close to midnight, and I need something I don’t have to drive all the way to the store. I think it’s really beneficial for students who don’t have a car on campus. It has the little necessities that we all need, without the hassle.” Thompson especially likes being able to use her prepaid student meal plan to purchase food at Ben’s Den. “I really like the fact that we can use our One Card (student ID), so I can spend however much I want, without actually spending anything; it’s fantastic!” 16 FRANKLIN REPORTER WWW.FRANKLINCOLLEGE.EDU PHOTO BY RENEE KEAN ’06
“AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST.” Ben <strong>Franklin</strong> FRANKLIN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2009–10
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