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Reporters reflect at project's half-way point
It was surprisingly peaceful inside the 193 Degrees Coffeehouse, despite the corner speakers blasting heavy metal. A cool breeze floated in through the windows, washing away the still air and threatening to pull down the loosely hanging signs and decoration around the room. The breeze provided temporary relief from the stagnant heat that had built up on this warm spring day.
The scent of coffee is usually omnipresent, but the fresh air has left the aroma subdued. The handful of people present -- either working or visiting friends -- mingled around the bar, relaxed and yet energetic from the weather. The room was mostly empty, but then again, it was noon and most people in the Union building were probably on their way to the Ram's Den, down the hall, for lunch. -- Pete Larrivee
Salivating palates amidst civil conversation swarm the Ram's Den at high noon. Students and professors were scattered about the room, some of them in groups no greater than five. Numbers of orders shouted out with slabs of meat and toasted bread put on the blue plastic trays. Now the long awaited cravings can be satisfied. -- Christian Clarke
Surprisingly, there was an abundance of parking spots in the Plains Road Lot. I guess half the student body decided the beach was a better idea than class on this gorgeous 85-degree day. There were far fewer people milling around the dining halls, too, so I figured that my supposition about the beach was correct.
I was sweating by the time I made the 10-minute trek to the Union, where the Department of Music was putting on a concert titled "Piano Kids." A handful of knobby-kneed kids played everything from Bach and Mozart to Chopin and Debussy, with one song by the popular band Evanescence. The Union was quieter and more peaceful than I had ever seen it, especially around lunchtime.
The concert was part of "The Memorial Union Noon Time Concert Series," which will be going on all spring. -- Katie Almeida
Eating lunch at my desk - an oak roll-top (only one person to stop into my office has ever asked about it, a situation that puzzles me to no end). I feel rushed, because I need to be at University College for 1 o'clock. I feel cheated because I have only a few minutes to be outside on this glorious day. I am envious of the students on the Quad. -- BFL
I was in the computer lab of the library, finishing an assignment for my 1 o'clock class, and the lab was hectic. I noticed that students had to wait for other students to leave before they could get a computer. I also noted that it was almost comical, the number of people in the computer lab compared to the beginning of the semester. It is definitely crunch time at URI. I also could not get the angry thought out of my head that I was stuck in the lab doing work and it was 80 degrees and beautiful outside. Most students were dressed in summer clothes, and I'm sure most of them felt exactly the same as I did. -- Kyle Kluth
I was headed to Chafee for class. The campus was absolutely buzzing because of the beautiful weather. I was very upset that I had to sit inside. Professor Moore decided to hold class on the Quad, however, which was a great surprise. As we made our way over to the Quad I could not believe how many people were there. It is definitely the most I have ever seen.
It seemed like there was no spare room, but we somehow found space for a circle. As we sat and discussed our projects I saw people throwing footballs and Frisbees, and heard people yelling "hello" to one another. A group beside our class was listening to music and giving each other massages. It was very interesting. The bells started ringing and Professor Moore tried to speak over them, but I could tell most of us were zoned out on the bells and the noises around us. It was a gorgeous day and I was so glad to have been outside during this time! -- Laura Markowski
As noon approached I stood in CVS waiting for my pictures to be printed from the convenience of the digital-camera-friendly kiosk. My friends Scott Lennox and Victoria Norkin had come and gone.
Lennox dropped off many 35-millimeter rolls of film and left CVS in a matter of minutes. I continued to watch my pictures slowly appear from the opening in the kiosk.
Norkin also passed through CVS without a problem. She purchased a new roll of 35-millimeter film for her vintage camera.
The sun shone outside and warmed the Quad to 80 degrees. I browsed the magazines that littered the checkout counter while I continued to wait.
My digital Canon Power Shot held me captive to CVS for almost 45 minutes. If only I hadn't succumb to yet another technological advancement. -- Hallie Overstreet
Running a few minutes late for class, I noticed I was not the only one who was still making their way to whichever building they were headed to for their 12 o'clock. Passing the library, I noticed to my left many students sitting outside reading on the steps and talking with friends. One kid had a Frisbee, and tossed it lightly over to a friend sitting a few steps higher. To my right was the Quad -- more crowded than I have seen it all year. As I got closer to the Chafee building, there was a storm of students exiting BISC and walking the opposite direction as me. Many of them stopped to wait for the shuttle, and I continued past them to make it to class on time. -- Nicole Doucette
It's noon and Mackal Field House is mostly deserted. It's beautiful out, leaving only a dedicated few to brave the confines of the gym. There is a pick-up game taking place on the basketball court, and a group from the men's soccer team lifting weights. It's even less populated in the treadmill area, with most runners opting for the outdoors. The staff members behind the desk are doing their job but would obviously rather be at the beach. Sharing a similar sentiment, I leave Mackal for greener pastures, more specifically Narragansett beach to enjoy the wonderful day. -- Corey Whittington
At noon I was sitting on the steps of Chafee basking in the sunshine while waiting for one of my friends. Last-minute stragglers were walking by to go to their classes as the carrilon played. Everyone was in cheerful spirits, dressed in summer clothing, as they enjoyed the beautiful weather. -- Melissa Silver
Butterfield Dining Hall was swarming with students who looked like they were dressed for a day at the beach rather than a casual lunch at one of the school's eateries. Buzzing around in mini-skirts and tank tops, they seemed to have forgotten that they were there to eat, rather than to socialize and find out the latest gossip in their soap-opera lives. Everyone seemed to be having a great day, as the warm weather lifted their spirits. -- Heather Zwain
At noon I stood in a gas station about a half-mile west of campus along with RIPTA bus driver Richard Roberts and RIC graduate student Jackie Crevier. Crevier's car had been towed 45 minutes earlier and Roberts had been kind enough to take her to get it during his lunch break. He knew the station's attendant and cheerfully talked to him while pouring the day's fifth cup of coffee.
Crevier worked the ATM near the station's coolers for a few minutes and then we were back outside in the heat -- Roberts' sunglasses returning immediately to his face. As we pulled away in Roberts' bus, another URI student waited patiently near the garage's gates for her car. -- Kevin Shalvey
The Memorial Union is the home of administration and student organization offices, restaurants and dining halls and various places for students to meet and relax. At noon, students bustled through the building, mingling with administrators on their way to lunch. Students working booths near the front entrance solicited passersby for donations or attempted to provide information on various social or campus issues. The building seems to function as an epicenter, a central nerve cell of life at the University of Rhode Island, providing something for students of almost any interest, whether that is video games or Student Senate. -- Nat Binns
It's noon now, and with the sun shining it's turned into a beautiful day. Unfortunately I won't be able to enjoy it right now, because I'm due in class, Journalism 331 to be exact. But the teacher, Professor Moore, has decided that it's such a nice day we should go out on the Quad to discuss the progress of our project, which is fine with us. Once there, the activity around us is plentiful. There are Frisbees being thrown, a football being tossed and bubbles being blown, along with some freestyle dancing. Of course, there is also the usual contingency of sun bathers. Me? I'm trying to keep an academic focus for now. But all the fun and people around me make it a little difficult. -- Kyle Jarvis