I’m what some people call a “Bloomerang” — someone who lived in Bloomington, left and came back again — and I’m beginning my sixth year as an IU student. I have a penchant for exploring that has only increased with age, and that wanderlust, when added to the sprawling and scenic campus that we have here, means I know some spots that I think deserve more notice.
Last year, I wrote about three underrated spots at IU: the Makerspace at Wells Library, the atrium of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Musuem of Art and the IU Campus Farm at Hinkle-Garton. I still recommend visiting those places, but in honor of a new school year, I have three new campus locations to share that seem to fly under the radar.
Student commons in the Biology Building
As someone who hasn’t taken a biology class since high school, it’s not surprising that I didn’t spend much time in the Biology Building before a second-language phonology class I took was unexpectedly assigned a classroom there.
One day while exploring the building, I stumbled across A304, the student common room. I was floored by the cavernous size of the space — it has to be at least three stories high and there are two levels of study area. Even though the areas occupy an interior part of the building, the commons are flooded with light from overhead, and there’s a red-and-brown art piece hanging from the ceiling that adds visual interest.
There are desks with opaque dividers, which lend a sense of privacy to a high-capacity room, as well as tables for more collaborative work. I’ve spent a lot of time in the student commons at this point, and it’s never been loud. It’s a great place to hunker down and get things done. Plus, there’s a printer, which is always a good thing to have nearby when doing homework.
The rooftop patio at Goodbody Hall
On nice days like the ones we’ve been having lately, it’s absolutely lovely to sit at one of the tables or in the chairs on top of Goodbody Hall Eatery. That’s right, on top of Goodbody. If you weren’t aware, there’s a rooftop patio that overlooks the area near Ballantine and the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater.
While you can certainly head up there to study (just keep in mind that outlets are hard to come by, seeing as it’s a rooftop), in my opinion, Goodbody is better suited for taking a mental break, a deep breath and a moment to enjoy the sun. Do be aware, though, that it might be busy around mealtimes, seeing as it’s above a dining hall and all.
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering
One of the defining characteristics of all the places I cover in this column is that they are well-lit, because I benefit from lots of light when I’m trying to be productive. On that note, I’d be remiss to not mention Luddy.
The building seems to be made of only windows, and the blond wood accents on some of the seating adds to the airy feel. There are swivel chairs scattered throughout where you can sit and look out at campus. I’m particularly fond of the view of the plaza that’s bounded by Luddy, the Multidisciplinary Science Building II and the Geology Building.
Luddy also has little study spaces, such as its focus cubes, tucked away alongside the staggered staircases, that feel cutting-edge and yet still cozy. I'd also like to note that there’s a microwave on the first floor (room 1128 by the vending machine), for anyone who brings food from home.
Wherever you roam on campus, I encourage you to look for spots that you’ve never noticed before. They might be underrated by most Hoosiers, or they might just be new to you, but either way, it’s a discovery. Happy exploring.
