When first exploring campus, Ohio University leaders hope students will come to recognize Baker University Center as their home base. Here’s a breakdown of how Baker’s five floors offer students a place to seek guidance, attend events, grab fuel and study in comfortable, private areas:
Baker is a popular place for students with Flex Points and Bobcat Cash; both types of payment are accepted in The Front Room coffeehouse, West 82 food court and Latitude 39, a formal restaurant located on the first floor.
Outside the building, any student can reserve a spot to set up a table and advertise their student group, activity or event. Baker is also one of a few “free speech zones” on campus, meaning students and others can protest or demonstrate in the building.
The Apple-authorized Tech Depot is located on the first floor, offering computer assistance and supplies — including clickers for interactive class activities — for sale. Bobcat Essentials, currently located on Baker’s fourth floor, is combining with the Tech Depot over the summer to form a one-stop shop for students’ technology, classroom and university spirit needs.
The second floor houses the multicultural center and a theater that welcomes movies, guest lecturers, exhibitions and weekly improvisation comedy shows.
Student Senate offices and the Division of Student Affairs can be found on the third floor of Baker. Here, students can speak to a student leader or administrator about ideas or concerns they have. Senate, campus’ undergraduate student governing body, also offers free “blue books” for exams.
The Campus Involvement Center, where students looking to join or start a student organization can get started, and
The Post
, along with other student media outlets, are also on the third floor.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center provides confidential support for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The center offers students access to educational resources, counseling and programming that supports social justice.
One of Baker’s busiest locations is The Front Room coffeehouse, located on the fourth floor. Serving Starbucks coffee, The Front Room is convenient for coffee on-the-go, but also offers salads, bagels and pastries.
“The Front Room is my favorite place to grab coffee,” said Ayla Apitsch, a freshman studying strategic communication. “The atmosphere is great to hang out with friends or to get work done.”
Also on the fourth floor, just outside Baker Ballroom, sits a piano — always available for student use — in a hallway with paintings of OU’s 19 presidents.
“With the exception of an event occurring in the Ballroom, we encourage students to display their skills on the piano,” said Dusty Kilgour, executive director of university event services. “Every once in a while students use it, however, we’d like to hear it played more often.”
Students can find the Career and Leadership Development Center on the fifth floor, which offers services to guide a career path, resume building and development of leadership skills. Student Affairs staff recommend students utilize the center early in their college career.
Baker — built in 2005 — also connects OU’s upper and lower campus with six escalators.
Kilgour wants students to take advantage of the diverse spaces and numerous services available in the building.
“Baker Center was designed for our campus community,” Kilgour said. “Its doors are always open for you.”
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