Campus Updates: Fall 2011
Students, faculty and staff line up to catch the CSUEB shuttle to BART. (Photo: Elias Barboza)
- September 12, 2011
Transit and parking updates
CSUEB's Facilities Management teams took advantage of the lighter summer traffic to move ahead with long-overdue repairs to university parking lots, as well as safety and landscaping upgrades. The new lots are smooth and paved, ready for the start of fall quarter.
For non-drivers, a new central bus and transit stop will also be in service beginning Sept. 19. The new stop on Old Hillary Road will serve AC Transit's #60 line and the CSUEB shuttle for students, faculty and staff. Because of the high demand for the courtesy shuttle, the univeristy was awarded a federal TSA grant to fund a second shuttle to help with overcrowding during peak times.
Digital and rental textbooks
The Rent-A-Text program introduced last year for textbooks is back by popular demand. More than 45% of titles for this fall quarter are rentable. Students can save 50% or more renting a textbook versus the cost of buying new; Rent-A-Text says they expect to save at least $130 million each year for students across the country. Last fall, in the first quarter rentals were offered, the Pioneer Bookstore rented more than 4,150 books. Through the university's partnership with Follett Higher Education Group, students also have access to digital editions for several texts. Cafescribe offers e-books through online and mobile apps, also at about half the cost of purchasing a new copy.
- Interested in Digital textbooks? Go to
Eat fresh, any time
Good news for hungry students — the Dining Commons at Pioneer Heights will now stay open all day rather than just during three meal times. Selection will be limited in off-meal hours, but there will still be plenty to choose from. New meal plan options will also be available to campus residents, including an unlimited "Club DC" option.
No matter where you are, it's easy to grab a meal or snack any time of day at the Hayward campus. Starbucks, now in the ground floor of the University Library, has quickly become a prime social and study spot, and Subway sandwiches will join Panda Express in the New University Union, following student demand for a healthy and affordable lunch option. Jamba Juice serves up post-workout fuel in the Rec & Wellness Center, and Einstein Bros. Bagels, outside of the Science buildings, starts the day off right with hearty breakfast options.