The Collegian guide for newcomers

Everything you would want to know about Fresno State

Analysis by Rory Sa

Where do I go to find out what classes I need to take?

Nothing adds to the joy that is college like knowing you have to stay at Fresno an extra semester because you’re missing your life science requirement. Therefore, if you want to get out of here as quickly as possible, you should make an appointment to see your academic advisor before you sign up for classes next semester.

The challenge is finding out who your advisor is. If you're an undeclared undergraduate (you haven't picked a major yet), your journey will take you to the Joyal Building. On the second floor, across the hall from the Financial Aid office (learn to know where that is... most of you will establish a close and personal relationship with that hallway, and the notoriously long lines that snake around it), you'll find the office of the Advising Services/Academic Enhancement.

The nice folks at Advising Services will give you the help you need, showing what classes you need to take care of the myriad requirements for graduation, and even give you a tip or two about specific classes to consider for said requirements.

For those of you who have declared your major, the process is fairly different and varies from department to department. Whoever you have to go to for advising, make an appointment so that your adviser, who ever he or she might be, has time to meet with you, let alone help you plot out your academic future.

If you're a graduate student... you probably already know this, but in case you don’t know, you’ll meet with your academic adviser, just like when you were an undergrad.

What do I need for the first days of classes?

Your first day of class will be fairly short. Your professors, bless their souls, won't require you to have your books any sooner than the second day of class. All you need is a pencil or pen, some paper to take notes on, and a folder, binder or backpack to cram all of the course outlines and syllabi you're going to get.

Where can I get the best deal on books?

Ah, the Kennel Bookstore. You'll be getting most of your books from here, and paying dearly for them. Your only hope for having any money remaining after your book purchases will be to hunt down used copies of the textbooks you need.

The Kennel Bookstore has a limited number of used books, so it's vital that you get there ASAP and get your textbook purchases taken care of. Otherwise you'll be paying full price, which is responsible for all those wide-eyed students at the checkout counter clutching their hearts and sobbing.

Take heart, fair student, because your options are not limited to just the campus bookstore. There are several used bookstores in Fresno (a few across the street from Fresno State) where you can try to find your textbooks. These can be chancy, simply because there's no guarantee that the stores will have any copies of what you're looking for.

Then there's the Internet. There’s a good chance you can find what you’re looking for on Web sites such as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and Half.com. They sell used books at lower prices than any bookstore you'll find here. The downside is that shipping will take a while, and shipping costs alone may boost the price of your books to the point where a new copy of your book would have been a better deal.

Of course, there are all sorts of notices and fliers on bulletin boards across campus from your fellow students, offering to sell you their books from last semester. Always take a moment to glance at these, since that's where you're likely to find the best bargain.

Why would I want an ID card?

Students can get ID cards in the keycard office, located in Keats 103. You’ll use it at Joyal as ID, you’ll deposit money on it to get print-outs in the library as well as getting a student discount at movie theaters.

What’s so important about the Joyal building?

For students, the Joyal building may be the most important building at Fresno State. This is where you handle financial aid, pay your fees, get help at the career center, buy your parking pass, find available work-study openings… if it involves money, you’ll find it in the Joyal building. It is especially important in regards to financial aid. If there’s a problem with your financial aid award, the check doesn’t get in, or any other number of problems you can come here. You’ll be in good company, since the lines into the Financial Aid office are notoriously long.

Where can I go to get some health help?

When you pay your fees, you pay $130 for access to the campus’ Health and Psychological Services. So if you’re not feeling too hot, or you need to talk to a professional, whether it’s for physical or mental concerns, go over to the Health Center. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Where can I find some decent parking?

Ah yes, the savage competition for parking spaces at Fresno State. The first thing you need to know is that parking isn't as bad as you'd think. You can find parking, but it requires a sacrifice on your part. Namely, having to walk across campus.

Fresno State has ten parking lots for students, and all of them are as far away from the middle of campus as possible. This makes the competition that much fiercer for those lots nearer to classes. If you really want to get parked and in class in a decent amount of time, get here at least ten minutes before class starts.

If you really want to get the best parking, and you live within ten miles or so of campus, then leave the car at home and ride your bike (as in bicycle, not motorbike-though there is motorcycle parking spots scattered around various campus parking lots).

You will need to buy a parking pass to park on campus. Automobile Passes cost $68 per semester, and motorcycle passes cost $17. You can purchase both in the Joyal building.

Why should I ride my bike to campus?

Not only will you save gas money, clear the air and get some great exercise, but you’ll also be able to park right next to most, if not all, of your classes! Can’t really do that in the Kia, can you… not without getting a ticket and a subpoena at any rate.

Where can I go for a good smoke?

Starting this semester, smoking on campus is limited to 14 designated smoking locations. I could go into details about location and such, but we already have a story about it on page 2 of this edition of The Collegian. So why don't you go ahead, if you haven’t already done so, and read the article. Don't worry; we'll still be here when you're finished.

Where can I get some food on campus?

When it comes to fine dining, you've got plenty of choices. A majority of your dining options are located around the Free Speech area. Over in the University Center you’ll find national food chains Carl’s Jr. and Round Table Pizza, as well as Juice’s Wild, the Coffeehouse & Pub, and the upscale Bistro 1540. You’re likely to stumble into one of your professors in the high-class Bistro. The pub, obviously, is the place to go for fish & chips as well as beer on campus-if you’re 21 and over, of course. And Juice’s Wild has some of the best smoothies this side of Shaw avenue.

Down in the bottom level of the Student Union you’ll find the pride of Pepsi-Co: Taco Bell Express and Subway. If that doesn’t make your mouth water there’s also Chix Chicken Station and Asian Creations. Over at the bowling alley is the Union Snack Bar. This is the only place on campus where you can get corn dogs, curly fries and Frenso State-made ice cream.

Over at the Satellite Student Union is Maple Avenue BBQ & Snack bar and if you’re desperate, you can go to the Residence Dining Hall, located behind the library. Seriously, this buffet-style cafeteria is open to all students, not just the folks in the dorms. It costs a bit more than anywhere else, but that’s like comparing Wendy’s to HomeTown Buffet.

Hours vary at each location, depending on the time of year. Fortunately each location posts their current hours near the doors. Unfortunately everything closes at 3 p.m. on Fridays, which has driven many a hungry student insane… or off campus for food.

Where can I find the best deal on food here?

The best deal on campus varies from place to place. The Pub and the Bistro are more expensive than fast food like Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr., but the food is worth it. The biggest drawback to the national food chains is that their offerings are limited compared to their off-campus brethren (there is a reason why it’s called Taco Bell Express, you know).

Of course, if you want the best deal bring something from home to eat.

Where are the freakin' bathrooms!?

Every building on campus has a bathroom. That's cold comfort when you're wandering the halls of the east engineering Friday afternoon praying that you'll find some kind soul who can direct you to the bathroom. Best get used to it though; there’s a lot of bathrooms at Fresno State

If you want to have the best bathroom experience, you can’t beat such sterling examples of cleanliness and hygiene such as those in the new music building, the second floor of the Conley Art building, the South Gym, the third-floor library and the classy bathrooms in the Thomas Administration building.

Of course, for every good bathroom there are those that would scare gas station attendants. It’s not their fault, though. They just happen to be the most trafficked bathrooms on campus, and they pay the price for such accessibility every day. These poor potties include bathrooms on the bottom level of the Student Union, the bathrooms in the lobby of the library and the bathrooms in McLane Hall. On the other hand, the bathrooms in the Student Union are open until 11 p.m. - a lifesaver if you’re still on campus at that time of night.

What’s so special about The Collegian?

The Collegian, which comes out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, is the best place for campus news, local events, classified ads and of course, the work of the legendary John Rios, Dead Days.