Private Restrooms on Campus

Where to find some privacy on campus for a comfort stop

Here is a funny, but serious, question somebody asked me about where they can have a little privacy to use the restrooms on campus.

Firstly, the restrooms on the third floor of the student center are of the least busy on campus most likely because they are out of the way to get to.  Also, restrooms in the chester building never seem to be very busy.

There are several restrooms that accomodate one person at a time on campus.

* Second floor of the student center across from the food establishments on the same side as the elevators there is a "Family Restroom".  The door locks and it is private (one person at a time).  It is right outside the regular Men's Restroom.

*Second floor of the Main Classroom building at the Chester Avenue end of the floor near the elevators there is another "Family Restroom".

*The restrooms inside Bar Uno on the first floor of the student center is also a one-person-at-a-time restroom.

*Restrooms on the upper (3rd or 4th) floor of the Urban Building are not private but are not busy.  These floors are offices.  These restrooms are only used by officer workers and faculty.  They are public and there is open access to them.

I hope this helps!

***In an effort to keep the University off my back.....Please note that the information I present here may be outdated or inaccurate. My opinions and suggestions are just that, My opinions and My suggestions. I recommend verifying any and all information contained here on your own. There, now I should be okay.

~Allan

How do you eat on campus

Dining on campus

Here is a question that has been asked:  Where is the best or most cost efficient place to eat on campus?  How does dining work?

Whether you are a commuter or a resident at CSU, you need to eat. Preferably several times a day.  Your choices are:  pack a lunch, dine on campus, dine off of campus or starve.

Here is the reality of it and advice:

If you plan on being on campus for just a couple of days a week it may be cost effective for you to simply eat on campus (or in the neighborhood).  That is, buy your meals individually.  This can be costly as anywhere you eat on campus, they will price gouge you.

All of the campus dining spots are connected with CSU and they have their fingers in everything.  Papa Johns in the main classroom building may be the exception but CSU is still likely getting a big chunk of their over-priced, under-sized pizzas.  All of the little convenient 'stores' called "Outtakes" are run by the same company and they are over-priced. All of the individual 'restaurants' on the second floor of the student center are run by the same company.  The best bet out of these restaurants is the hamburger place in the center of the group.  Hamburgers are the most for your money.  Toppings are free (unlike ANYTHING else on campus) and you can add a second patty for almost no money.  About $4.00 gets you a pretty filling 'meal'.

There is a subway on Euclid across from the Main Classroom Building.  The general manager is Mike and the prices are similar, if not identical, to what you would pay at a Subway off of campus.  The GOTO spot is Rascall House Pizza on Euclid directly across from the student center.  Two slices of pizza and a soda will cost you about $4.99.  I also HIGHLY recommend the little cheesecake they have there! The turtle flavored one is my favorite.  There is construction that is consuming the entire corner where Rascall House sits and will eventually demolish Rascall House.  But don't fear, the inside scoop is that CSU is relocating Rascall House nearby.  Rascall House also has a great little breakfast sandwich (bread, cheese, egg, meat) for just a few dollars.  Filling and affordable.

Other than that there is a string of Mexican, Mac-N-Cheese and other quick grab type restaurants on Euclid.  Try going to the bookstore on Euclid next to the Mac-N-Cheese restaurant.  They are constantly (weekly) marking down snack items and toiletries to clearance prices and placing them up front for quick sale.  You can stock up on ridiculously priced snacks  like Combo's, gum and Slim Jims by just stopping in every few days.  For fancier dining you can travel westward on Euclid to Playhouse Square where you can find a Starbuck's Coffee and other restaurants.

**Insider note:  The Wyndham Hotel there has a $10 lunch buffet M-F (all you can eat).

Eating at The Viking Market Place is always a good idea. See details below.

If you plan on being on campus for more than 2-3 days a week
I would invest in one of the University's meal plans but watch out, MOST students over purchase and do not use all the meal money that they spend on these plans.  Monies not used by the end of the semester is LOST.  You don't get a refund!  If you find yourself in this scenario, pay it forward by using your card to buy the lunches and dinners for fellow students at the end of the semester or invite the secretary of your department out for lunch!!  I suggest getting the plan that sounds like it will be a little short for you as you will.  You can always just pay out of pocket for that last week of school's meals potentially saving you a bunch of money.

Dining in The Viking Marketplace (CSU's answer to a dining hall) is a GREAT experience.  You can purchase meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) daily or use your dining meal card (meal plan card). Lunch is about $8.00 and dinner is about $9.00...I don't know about breakfast.   The food is almost always amazing!  The variety is endless, recipes are solid and you can eat as much as you want.  There is a Mongolian grill, fresh foods, ice cream bar and different themes throughout the semester.

**Insider note:  around three o'clock they start changing over from lunch to dinner items.  Arrive a little before three o'clock and hang out and study or something until dinner items come out.   You will have already paid the lunch price but get dinner items for the same price as you will already be in the dining room when dinner 'happens'.  Check the time that lunch officially ends to be sure you get this little 'deal' as times have changed in the past.

**Insider note:  I always grab a piece of whole fruit like an apple or orange on the way out!  This helps keep my fruit dish back at my apartment full.

**Insider note:  try not to sit at tables near the grill in the back of the restaurant.  There is a mis-managed air balance going on and the smoke and smell from the grill gets pulled into the dining area. You will leave smelling like the catch of the day!

There is one microwave that is in a common location on campus.  It is on the first floor of Rhodes Tower (where the library is).  It is nestled in a bank of vending machines.  There is also one in the 'meditation lounge' (non denominational, I believe) on either the third or forth floor of the Main Classroom.  There is rarely anyone in there.  It is also a GREAT place to take a nap on the couch undisturbed and in private, per se, as long as nobody comes in.  Look for it!!!!

***In an effort to keep the University off my back.....Please note that the information I present here may be outdated or inaccurate. My opinions and suggestions are just that, My opinions and My suggestions. I recommend verifying any and all information contained here on your own. There, now I should be okay.

~Allan

Your questions answered from Top CSU Student

Let me start by giving everyone the opportunity to ask whatever questions they have about Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.  Your questions and concerns will go no further than this site unless you specifically ask me to get involved and assist you. Which I will to the best of my ability and within my time constraints.

**Keep in mind I DO NOT WORK FOR CSU.  I am a highly successful and involved student that both enjoy attending CSU and am frustrated and angry with parts of the experience.  What you will get from me is an honest view based in reality reflecting my experiences.

Why should you believe me?  I just graduated with a 4.0 g.p.a., plan to attend law school at CSU and was the president of the most prestigious honorary society on campus.  When I began attending CSU there was nobody that would give me honest answers to my questions and nobody took my concerns seriously.  It took me a while to figure out the best strategies to resolve problems and find administrators that were student oriented.  I can now share that information with new students and it will be my pleasure to do so.

See my other posts that address specific questions that students and prospective students are asking.

Please post your questions here as comments and I will respond to them.  If you have an immediate need or you think your problem is too private or complex, please ask for my personal email and I will supply it to you for one on one assistance.

Please have a great year at CSU.  Let me know how I can assist.

Respectfully,

Allan