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Good evening Columbus Underground readers,
How are things? Hopefully well.
In 2008 (, and briefly mentioned in a previous "5 things you probably didn't know Columbus had" list by me on this site) The Ohio State University offered a unique activity during graduation week (usually the first week of June). They open up places on campus the general public, and often students, usually don't get to see (last year's examples included the miles of tunnels which run under OSU and most large campuses, as well as the enormous locker rooms in the Schottenstein Center, which feature shower nozzles literally 11 feet off of the ground, due to the height of the basketball players, heh).
Director of the event Elizabeth Kolberg nicely passed along a preview of the places this year's event, which is scheduled for Monday, June 8th. They include :
[] The bell tower itself atop Orton Hall. See the top part where gargoyles and the like lurk ;)
[] The Byrd Polar Research Center (in Scott Hall)
[] The Sherman Studio Art Center, an active cultural center on far west campus
[] The Ohio State Airport, which will likely include a blimp stopping by, and
[] The newly-renovated Main Library. Be one of the first to see the completed center!
The 5 specialized places from last year's tour, open for very limited times, will also be available again :
[] OSU's planetarium
[] The enormous locker rooms of the Scottenstein Center (this stop is guided by a representative)
[] OSU's marching band's practice room (in the main football arena)
[] The steam tunnels under campus (a guide is also, for obvious reasons, present here) (via an entrance in the RPAC Athletic Center)
[] The Insectarium / Rooftop Greenhouse, where scorpions and other bugs are kept and (in the greenhouse) plants "confiscated by law" (often relatively obscure law, such as a non-native species in place X) are, if possible, "rescued" and restored to health. One of only a half-dozen greenhouses in the US to handle such cases, the entire structure is located atop a parking garage!
In addition, some of the first set of (5) stops may be 'limited-time' openings, as well. While these stops are meant to be a special, one-time "send-off" event for graduating seniors, the public is welcome to attend.
For last year's event, the steam tunnels proved far and away to be the most popular. If one would like to see them, showing up shortly before they are scheduled to be open (the website should have more info) is a wise idea due to potential crowds. As an added bonus, admission to RPAC itself (usually $10 plus a sponsor for non-students) will be waived during the time of this opening.
Many readers of CU who have spent time at OSU may of had an opportunity to explore one or more of these places. For example, the greenhouse and planetarium are sometimes open for various class-related projects. As a person who graduated elsewhere, this is a fun event to explore the university.
More information, including dates and times, will be made available on this website : http://commencementweek.osu.edu/event.asp
As of this writing, 2008's information is shown on the main page as an example of how 2009's tour hopes to be.
I hope to attend this year, if I have off from work!
Take care,
* Geoff
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.