Imagine being on campus and going for a dip in the pool or swiping your card at Chipotle. It sounds like a Marietta College student’s dream come true. And that is exactly what it is.

While interviewing Marietta College students about what they would like to see on campus I received some very interesting answers. Not all could make it into our top five, but here is what did:

5. Franchised Restaurant

Many students expressed their interest in having a restaurant on campus. Many of the ideas included Chipotle, Wendy’s, McDonalds, and fast food in general. Large schools are well known to have restaurants in their student centers where cash as well as a student swipe card is accepted. Emily Davis, a Marietta College Junior, shared her views on the restaurant suggestion, “A lot of other campuses have restaurants where they can use their cards at and I think that that would be a great addition for students at Marietta.” Other students shared that it would cut down on lines at Izzy’s and Gilman as well as give a fresh option at Marietta.

4. New Dorm

Having a new dorm on campus has not only been a dream for students but the administration as well. In 2008, plans were being drawn and lines where being traced in preparation of a new dorm. Nonetheless, the let down came when an email was sent to students from President Jean Scott about the termination of the plans due to a failing economy. Megan McGrath, a Senior at Marietta College, expressed her feelings of the addition of another dorm on campus claiming that “many dorms are being packed with students, including having upperclassmen in freshmen housing and upperclassmen in fraternity houses when they are not part of that fraternity.” A new dorm is hopefully in the works soon here at Marietta.

3. Movie Theatre/Drive In

Although a movie theatre is down the road, students are still saying that they want one here. Their reasoning is that they believe it will “cut down on cost and be more available for those who do not have cars.” Maybe these students are not aware of the discount students receive in the business office on movie tickets. In all, though, it would be an awesome enhancement to our campus.

2. Starbucks

Of course Starbucks would make the list. To several students Seattle’s Best is not comparable to their favorite coffee house, Starbucks. Marietta College Junior, Katie Rinaldo said “It would be nice to have better coffee on campus which tastes great and is more accessible.”  The lines in the morning at the Chlapaty Café are too long for those who cannot start their day without their freshly brewed coffee and to them the solution is Starbucks. I believe the first goal is to get a Starbucks in the city first then we could move onto campus. This is a great wish for students but I feel Seattle’s Best is what is going to stay for now.

1. Indoor Swimming Pool

Number one, the indoor swimming pool. This was bound to make the list. With the addition of a swimming pool to campus there would be the ability to have a swim team as well as water aerobics. This could also create more work study positions since the keeping of a pool is vital to its stability. Katie Wolfe, a senior at Marietta, said “A pool is a good place to have activities on campus, a good place for exercise, and just to hangout.” Although a pool was originally discussed in the plans of the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, the cost of the pool took that plan out of the final decision of the recreation center. Maybe in years to come Marietta will rethink that idea of a pool which could increase their number of prospects to the school.

As awesome as this list sounds, it is the imagination of Marietta College students. Possibly some of these items could be added but others are just too much for this campus to take on. In the words of Walt Disney, “a dream is a wish your heart makes” and that sums up the entirety of this list.

Its 5 o’clock on a Sunday and most of Marietta College campus shuffles into Gilman to grab some dinner.

The plates at Gilman always seem to fly off the shelves. It’s been a long tradition for students to complain about the food in the dining hall. The students may complain about the food but there rarely is an empty table available and plates always seem to disappear.

What has Gilman done right? What are the top Gilman meals according to Marietta College students? A survey was taken by Marietta College students to see what their favorite meals were.

• Mash Potato Chicken Bowl: A college favorite, it’s very simple and extremely good. How could it be bad with mashed potatoes, chicken, gravy, and corn…all mixed into one bowl!
• Chicken Tender and Mac and Cheese : This meal is great because it reminds you of when you ordered off the children’s menu at a restaurant.
• Pasta bar: Can’t go wrong with the pasta bar, it’s a simple meal everyone enjoys
• Turkey and Stuffing: A Gilman favorite and holiday favorite that will make you feel like you’re at Thanksgiving dinner.
• Cereal: The back-up plan when nothing is good, cereal will save the day.
• Chicken Patty Sandwiches: Come in all different varieties (buffalo, parmesan, and plain).

What has Gilman done wrong? In the same survey I asked Marietta College students what the worst meals Gilman has to offer.

• Ham: I don’t think it’s ham but a piece of reused rubber.
• Vegetable Lasagna: Lasagna is a good meal but when you throw the leftovers from two days ago in it, it’s still the leftover vegetables from two days ago.
• Tuna Melt: That’s not TUNA!!
• Meat Loaf: Meat Loaf can be good but somehow Gilman hasn’t found mamma’s secret receipe.
• Bratwurst: May or May not be real Bratwurst.

“It always seems that Gilman is hit or miss, but if nothing is good you can always grab a bowl of cereal… But when Gilman is good it makes the day that much better,” said Sophomore Patrick Cleveland.

Sooner or later Gilman will get it right but in the meantime just pull up a chair and relax with some friends, because in a few years you will be the one making your own food.

Danielle Stein, a sophomore at Marietta College, was faced with the tough decision on whether or not to return to Marietta College this year. Due to the rising prices of textbooks and tuition, it seemed that what Stein would spend a year on textbooks, would be the equivalent of one semester at a state college close to home.

This seems to be a common concern among many college students and it seems that there really is no current solution. Even buying textbooks on Amazon or eBay still can run students around $300, and they consider that a ‘deal’.

Amazon has recognized this problem and is currently working on the solution. Kindle, a portable digital reading device only about one-third of an inch thick and a 3G wireless connection capable of downloading entire books in under one minute is their answer.

Really, the question is why wouldn’t students want a Kindle? With the average price of textbooks per year ranging more than $800, spending the $300 on a Kindle seems like the obvious choice.

According to Kindle’s official website, textbooks will be available for downloading in 2010. Kindle also has added a new text-to-speech feature making reading textbooks even more convenient and entertaining for students. Student would even be able listen to their reading assignments while working out or doing laundry.

Many students on Marietta’s campus are ecstatic about the Kindle craze. Marietta junior Amanda Jeffers is highly anticipating the Kindle textbook option.

“Kindle is going to help make college so much more affordable for me and other students. It is ridiculous that some semesters, I am spending about the same as tuition at state colleges.”

Kindle is currently available for purchase at www.amazon.com/kindle.

Mostly, that students want more options and are cooking in their rooms more often.  In the article, it mentions Ohio Wesleyan University, who uses Chartwells for food services like Marietta.  Ohio Wesleyan’s food options include take-away heat-and-eat meals and a convenience store that students can buy ingredients for their own meals from.

Chartwells, the company that prepares food for dining halls at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, offers microwaveable meals that students can take away, as well as a program called “My Pantry,” where students can have food individually prepared, or even do their own cooking.

From Associated Press Article “Campus cuisine: Dorm cooking, dining hall options” by Beth J. Harpaz

Taking a look at OWU’s meal plan costs, they are a tad more expensive on their high-end plan.  While Marietta students will pay $3,646 for a year of traditional food service (19, 14, or 10 meals a week) or $3,840 for special meal plans (Unlimited or Super 3 plans), OWU students pay $4,320 for 3,750 dining points (very similar to MC’s declining balance points) on the high end, or $3,200 for 2,450 dining points at the low end.

Could we see something like this come to Marietta?

We do get declining balance points at MC, but their use is very limited when you consider that most people only get the amount that comes with their meal plan.  But things like Chlapaty Cafe’s coffee shop, vending machines, and Izzy’s options beyond subs and burgers could become more viable with a change from meals to points entirely.  And open up the possibility for a new use for Gilman Express.

Gilman Express is a sandwich shop stuck in a small space above Gilman Dining Hall, which used to operate from 7:30 AM until 1:30 PM.  But now, with Chlapaty Cafe open for business, it is only open from 11 AM until 1:30 PM.  It is very crowded during lunch, but its small size makes it difficult to get in and out quickly during the lunch rush.  Could the space currently used my Gilman Express be converted into a convenience store for students at Marietta?  It is possible, but any decision would be a year or two off, or may take until the next round of contract negotiations.

What changes would you like to see made to food services?  Add your comments below.

If you noticed on your statements for the Fall semester, the price of a traditional meal plan has gone up nearly $80, from $1,760 to $1,823.  Very miniscule compared to the overall price increase that the students saw for the full price of attending Marietta.  But this is a reasonable price increase due to inflation and the fact that there is now a fourth eatery on campus.  More staffing and greater food choices are worth the $80 a semester.

The increase also affects Unlimited and Super 3 plans, which are actually the best values on campus if you use them all (according to the math done below).  While the Unlimited plan is very restrictive (only available to use at Gilman Dining Hall, but 300 declining balance points to use at Izzy’s, Gilman Express, or Chlapaty Cafe), it is the best value on campus (if you ate there 3 times a day all week).  The Super 3 is a great idea for those that have odd schedules, since you can eat at any time throughout the day at any location, and is the second cheapest per meal plan on campus.  Both plans are $1,920, up from $1,845.

For those of you interested, here are all the numbers broken down:

Which meal plan did you choose?  Do you use all your meals every week?  Tell us in the comments.

The Riverfront Roar is a series of high-speed boat races up and down the Ohio River, and takes place on the Levy just like Sternwheeler.  There are plans for plenty of music, food, drinks, and racing, so check out the website for the schedule of a events.  The event is free to attend and takes place all this weekend down at the Levy by the Lafayette Hotel.

Fireworks in Marietta are at 10 PM at the Fairgrounds.  $5 admission to get into the grandstand area.

Fireworks in Akron are downtown at Lock 3.  $5 admission to get in the Rib, White, and Blue festival area

July 3rd – 15th Annual Red, White, and Blues Festival – 6 to 10 PM – Music starts at 7 PM
Taking place at the Lafayette Hotel, there will be plenty of “blues, brews, and BBQ’s” to go around. $5 dollar admission to get in.  Bring your own chairs, but not your own coolers, mmkay?

July 4th – 5th Annual Marietta Wing Thing – 6 to 9 PM
For those that enjoyed the Rockin’ Rib Fest that happens before Sternwheeler, this stands to be just as good (if not better).  Also happening at the Lafayette Hotel parking lot, several local and out-of-town restaurants compete for several awards (and your taste buds).  Admission is listed as being $10 on the Marietta Times website, or $5 plus cost of wing tickets on the Marietta CVB site.  Also, there will be a wing-eating contest for those brave souls that want to tempt fate.

July 4th – Marietta Fireworks – 10 PM
Dodging all possible reason, you’ll have to head to the Washington County Fairgrounds to enjoy 4th of July fireworks.  Why they arn’t having them at the levy, where the Wing Thing is basically happening, I don’t know.  But if you want to see fireworks, it’ll cost you $5 for the “best seats to see the fireworks” in the Fairgrounds Grandstands.

P.S.  For those of you in Akron, the Rib, White, and Blue festival is shaping up to be pretty good.  There’s a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band in town tonight, and good ribs and food the rest of the weekend, leading up to the big fireworks show Saturday night.  There may be a $5 admission fee sometime throughout the festival, so be ready for it.