August 01, 2005

Student Center offers array of services, activities

by Paula Davenport

billiards

CARBONDALE -- Whether a student seeks a quiet place to study, a raucous round of bowling, a bite to eat or a place to get tickets to the latest campus event, there's only one place to go that offers it all.

The SIUC Student Center offers more than a dozen places for good food and beverages, wireless and Ethernet Internet connections, big-screen television, legal assistance, health care and check cashing.

Features of SIUC's Student Center include:

Bowling and Billiards

The Student Center's spacious recreation area sports a 16-lane bowling alley, a video arcade and a billiard room equipped with 12 pocket billiard tables and foosball. Organized bowling and billiard leagues, special events, birthday parties, tournaments and instructional programs are also held throughout the academic year.

Craft Shop/Wood Shop

Whether you're a novice or an experienced craftsperson, the Student Center Craft Shop will bring out your creativity. Adjacent to the Big Muddy Room on the lower level of the Student Center, the craft shop includes a wood shop, a pottery studio, matting and framing services and other craft supplies. Each semester, numerous workshops are held to help improve your skill or introduce you to a whole new craft. In addition, the craft shop sponsors major arts and crafts sales in the fall and spring.

ATMs

ATM machines are located on the first and second floors of the Student Center.

Campus Lost and Found

Check for your lost personal items at the Information Station, located on the first floor of the Student Center.

Check Cashing/Central Ticket Office

Whether you want to cash a check or purchase tickets for many campus events, the check cashing office staff can accommodate you. Students, faculty and staff may cash personal checks up to $50 per day with a valid SIUC ID (required). A second picture ID is required for two-party, State of Illinois, federal, SIUC payroll and travelers checks up to $350. Students, faculty and staff may cash payroll checks up to $350 with one picture ID, provided that it has the SIUC ID number on it. For all items cashed by check cashing, there will be a 50 cent fee. Money orders and Western Union transfers also are available.

Copy Machines

Copy machines are located on the first floor next to Information Station and on the second floor next to check cashing.

Dawg Bytes

E-mail stations are located on the first floor next to Information Station and across from the Student Health Assessment Center and on the lower level next to the craft shop.

Debit Dawg- The SIUC Debit Card Program

The Debit Dawg account is the University's debit card program. It is a function of your ID card and is designed as a service to SIUC students, faculty and staff. There is no transaction or monthly fee to use the program. It is safer and easier than carrying cash. Simply deposit money into your account and you'll enjoy convenient purchasing power at many on- and off-campus locations. It is the only payment option accepted at laundry facilities throughout campus. Your remaining balance will be displayed after most transactions so you'll know how much money is in your account. A detailed monthly statement is also provided via e-mail. There is a 3 percent convenience charge if making deposits with a credit card.

Deposits to your Debit Dawg account may be made in person at the check cashing windows located on the second floor of the Student Center, by Western Union wire transfer (addressed to SIUC) or by mail. Deposits may also be made in person or over the phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. When depositing by check, please include the SIUC ID number and name of the account holder on the check (payable to SIUC) and mail to:

Debit Dawg
Student Center ID Card Office
1255 Lincoln Drive, Mailcode 4407
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL 62901

Funds deposited at housing laundry facility depositories will be available immediately. Funds deposited through other methods after 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday will be available the following day. Those funds deposited after 4 p.m. Friday will be available the following Monday. For more information visit http://www.siucstudentcenter.org or call 618/453-3494.

ID Card Office

New and replacement University identification cards for students and staff members are administered in the ID card office on the second floor of the Student Center.

Information Station/Notary Public

Open seven days a week, the Information Station provides information on the Student Center and the campus. It serves as a notary public and as the campus lost and found. Newspapers, magazines, snacks, candies, fax service and Mylar balloons are also available.

Fast Fax

Send or receive domestic or international faxes at Information Station on the first floor. Rates for the lower 48 states are $1 per page, sending or receiving; international rates are $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The receiving number is (618) 453-3297. Faxes may be sent anytime Information Station is open.

Laptop Computer Checkout Program

This service allows qualified students to check out laptop computers from the Information Station on the first floor of the Student Center. All computers come equipped with Office 2000 and wireless or ethernet Internet capability. Students may check out equipment for two-hour periods at no cost. To set up a checkout account, students must be enrolled full time during the current semester. Laptops will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations will not be taken. Students must keep borrowed equipment inside the Student Center for the duration of the checkout time. Students will be considered liable for all damaged or stolen computers during the time the computer is in their possession. Any charges for repairs or replacement will be placed on the student's bursar account. Late charges may be paid at the Information Station or transferred to the student's bursar account after 48 hours. Nonpayment will result in the revocation of laptop checkout privileges. If you have any questions visit http://www.siucstudentcenter.org or call 618/536-4636.

Late Night Programming - Alternative Late Night Excitement

Offers students a non-alcohol entertainment alternative on select Thursday and Friday evenings during the semester. Events include live entertainment, bowling and billiards, the latest movies, craft-related workshops, psychic fairs, karaoke and more. For more information and a listing of events, check the Web site calendar at http://www.siucstudentcenter.org or stop by the Information Station on the first floor of the Student Center to pick up a flyer of event listings.


Public Lockers

The fee for a locker is $20 per semester, $10 of which is refunded at the end of the semester. The lockers are on the first floor of the Student Center. For more information, contact the Information Station.

Student Alumni Council

The Student Alumni Council (SAC) is a registered student organization founded by the SIU Alumni Association in 1977. The group is committed to enriching the student experience through a variety of programs, including networking with alumni, diversity enrichment and service to campus and community. New members are always welcome and there is no membership fee. If you are interested in making new friends and meeting alumni, JUMP IN THE SAC and visit http://www.siu.edu/~sacsiu or call 618/453-2444.


Student Health Assessment Center

Services include individual consultation for minor health problems, printed resources on various health topics, a cold self-care center, blood pressure check and a computerized health risk appraisal. A nurse is available to help you decide if a health concern can be safely treated at home or to direct you to other health care services if needed. An appointment is not necessary. Stop by 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or call 618/453-5238 with your health questions.


Students' Legal Assistance

Offers legal advice, provides referrals and handles cases involving landlord/tenant disputes, auto accidents, insurance matters, city ordinance violations and small claims complaints. Call 618/536-6677 or stop by on the third floor, south end of the Student Center for more information.


University Bookstore

University Bookstore, conveniently located in the SIU Student Center, is the official bookstore of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a one-stop shop for textbooks, supplies, clothing and other gift items. University Bookstore is also available online at http://www.siu.bkstr.com or by phone at 618/546-3321. A percentage of every dollar spent in University Bookstore goes to support the operation of the Student Center and helps to offset the costs of education.


Wireless Internet Service

Wireless Internet service is available throughout the building. Laptop computers available at the Information Station are capable of wireless Internet access.


Restaurants and Eateries

Freshens Yogurt and Ice Cream
Magnificent Mealery
Mainstreet Marketplace
McDonald's
Nathan's Hot Dogs
Noble Roman's Pizza Express
Old Main Restaurant

Send Munchies
Starbucks

Subway
Taco Bell Express


Study Facilities and TV Lounges


International Lounge

Take a break between classes on the couches in the International Lounge or just hang out with friends while enjoying the view of Thompson Woods. Ethernet connections are also available (second floor, south end).

Big Muddy Room

Natural brick walls and solid oak tables create a rustic environment where you can chat with friends, watch TV, relax or study. Ethernet connections are also available (lower level).

Study Lounge

Seemingly soundproof - undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of the building - the Study Lounge provides a quiet, relaxing place for serious students. Ethernet connections are also available (second floor, north end).

TV Lounges

Offer a cushioned environment where you can relax and watch the news or the latest episode of your favorite soap (first floor and lower level).

Student Center Numbers

Administrative 536-3351
Alumni Association 453-2408
Bookstore (University Bookstore) 536-3321
Bowling and Billiards 453-2803
Central Ticket Office 453-3478
Check Cashing 453-3493
Craft Shop 453-3636

Debit Dawg 453-3494

Dining Services 453-5331
ID Card Office 536-3351
Information Station 536-INFO
Lost and Found 536-INFO
Marketing and Graphics 453-3489

New Student Programs 453-5714
Saluki Express 453-5749
Scheduling/Catering 536-6633
Student Development 453-5714
Student Health Assessment Center 453-5238
Students' Legal Assistance 536-6677
University Programming Office 453-2721
Wood Shop 536-2121