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Tip Sheet

Editors picks for surviving SAIC

By Uncategorized

SAIC ALL ACCESS: HOW TO RESERVE SPACE, EQUIPMENT, FOOD, YOGA, AND CONCERT TICKETS WITHOUT SPENDING A DIME
––Jennifer Swann

1. Shhh: “Secret” Rooms. Either through classes, departments, the media center, or the security desk, you can get access to private rooms on campus in order to conduct your top-secret art-making business like audio recording, video editing, or writing your novel. My favorite secret-ish rooms? The video editing lab on the eighth floor of the Maclean (enroll in a FVNMA class and ask the media center for a key, which you can keep overnight), the “whisper room” recording studio discreetly tucked away on the first floor of the Maclean (enroll in a Sound class and ask security for a key) and the computer/print lab on the 7th floor of the Sharp (join the Writing Department and ask to have your Articard authorized).

2. Retro but Useful Machinery at the Flaxman. While browsing the Flaxman’s impressive collection of DVDs, records, and 16mm film prints (beware, the late fee for DVDs is steep at $5 per day), take advantage of their record players, film projectors, and even their typewriter located in individual viewing/listening rooms. Why scour garage sales for a typewriter that actually works when you can just use the Flaxman’s, which is fully stocked with ribbons and paper?

3. Media Center Authorizations. Want to learn how to use some pretty expensive equipment, but don’t have the time or the money to take a class? Just go to the media center and ask to sign up for an authorization tutorial, which is available by emailing the staff at IRFM. You can sometimes get a half-hour, one-on-one session which will enable you to check out righteous equipment like the Canon 7D Digital Camera ($50 late fee per day), Bolex 16mm camera ($25 late fee per day), or a Marantz PMD 671 Field Recorder ($25 late fee per day).

4. SAIC Free Radio Concert Giveaways. If you’re not already a DJ or a devoted listener to freeradiosaic.org, you might not know that the campus radio station regularly gives out pairs of free tickets to local concerts at venues like The Metro, The Double Door, and The Mid. Sometimes all you have to do to get the tickets is listen and call in to the station at 312-345-3805.

5. Student Groups. You might not think you have time to join a group on campus and you may not have much school spirit when it comes to organized activities, but many of these groups can actually save you money and teach you valuable skills. Not to mention, you might meet a few new friends outside of your normal clique. Some of the most active groups are the Experimental Film Society (free film and DIY-processing … what could be better?), the Korean Student Association, the Taiwanese Student Association (both groups almost always promises free yummy food at their massive events, open to all regardless of nationality), and Yoga Group (weekly sessions on campus for about the price of a coffee. If you opt for coffee instead of yoga, see Brandon’s picks on the next page).

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