Hot Spot

As the early 90s Nickelodeon show states, “Welcome Freshmen!” You have arrived at Temple University’s campus at an exciting time of change and opportunity.

Now is one of the best times to be entering this institution, as you have facilities and services available to you that have never before been offered. Alumni, be jealous.

Released yesterday, The Princeton Review’s list of the Best 366 Colleges included Temple, naming it the No. 1 most diverse student body. Yay, us!

This marks Dr. Ann Weaver Hart’s second year as Temple’s president. As Temple’s ninth and first female president, she represents great change and progress. President Hart has made conscious efforts to acquaint herself with the Temple community, as she can be spotted at many campus events, such as the Temple Theater’s production of the musical “Ragtime” with her husband last October.

Dr. Hart also proved herself a forward thinker last March during her inauguration speech. She announced the establishment of the Temple Sustainability Task Force on Main Campus. The committee will be in charge of keeping Temple a green university, as well as keeping abreast of all things Al Gore-ian.

Generosity is also part of President Hart’s leadership. During the same inauguration speech, she announced that in hopes to encourage students studying abroad, she and her husband Randy would personally foot the bill for students obtaining a first-time passport. As of April, President Hart and her husband have already put $600 toward that promise.

Being in Philadelphia, Temple students always are witnesses to important news events. This semester, we’ll be able to watch the last leg of the mayoral election take place, as Michael Nutter (D) and Al Taubenberger (R) vie for Mayor John Street’s position.

This campus, settled in North Philadelphia, is one hoppin’ area. Despite poor resident reviews of The Edge apartments, the Avenue North commercial complex has given this area, students and residents alike, a lot more to work with. There’s a larger variety of places to eat, including City View Pizza, Plaza Pizza, Koja Sushi, Qdoba, and Dunkin’ Donuts. There’s also the Pearl Theatre, a swanky cinema with crystal clear screens, a blow-out-your-eardrums sound system and comfy seats. There aren’t too many college students that can say they have a full-functioning movie theater on their campus.

In addition to the Avenue North contributions, Temple has The Reel, a theater showing second-run films for $2 (you can’t beat that!), a game room in the Student Center Annex and a technological oasis at the TECH Center.

And when it comes to class registration, you’re the only class that doesn’t have to deal with the confusion of two reference numbers for every course like your upperclassmen.

Take advantage of all that you have before you. Four years disappear faster than free food on Liacouras Walk. There is no better time to be a freshman than right now.