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Raising awareness of West Campus culture
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Culture at the West Campus compared to that of the Main Campus has measurable differences.
The West Campus of Boise State University opened for classes in 2005. It has not been in existence for many years, but it is steadily growing in popularity, in classes and in responsibilities.
Since the building is fairly new, it has what might be called “state of the art” technology – including three science labs, two computer labs and two distance learning classrooms.
On the Main Campus, some of the newer buildings being established will be furnished with the same type of technology, but most of the buildings on the Main Campus were built long before this technology had been invented.
Many of the positive aspects of the West Campus deal with the fact that there are about 1,800 students there as opposed to 18,000 students on the Main Campus.
With the small amount of students the environment feels friendlier and the students do not become overlooked in their classrooms, which all have fairly low numbers.
The location is definitely something to be discussed.
For those students from Ontario and Caldwell, the West Campus is conveniently located north of the Idaho Center on a 150-acre site with a 65,000 square foot building.
But it is not all roses for this West Campus environment.
Because of the remote location, the access to food is greatly limited. The nearest restaurants are about a mile away.
“For students that have classes on both campuses, the remoteness of the West Campus hinders easy transportation,” Darrin Woods, a student at Boise State’s West and Main Campuses, said. “It would be great for a common transport to go between campuses.”
On the West Campus, the access to student services is as easy
as walking through the double doors and asking the front office staff for help.
“It seems that there is a better student-to-staff member ratio on the West Campus,” Woods said.
Parking always seems to be a dilemma for any land associated with Boise State University.
Although it is easier to find parking spaces on the West Campus, a permit is still required to be in any of those spaces.
There is also free parking near the West Campus across from Idaho Center Road.
Due to the walk on the Main Campus being around large buildings and the West Campus walk is through the large field of grass between the road and the building, it makes the walk seem farther on the grass of the West Campus.
Incoming students to Boise State University could largely benefit from the facilities of the West Campus because of the smaller, more tightly-knit community of students and staff.
It is easy for them to find their way around the campus, consisting of one large building and there are always people to help with any questions that may arise.
STEVE AHLBORN
Culture Writer
