The Jolly Scholar
Location: Thwing Center Atrium
This restaurant is our version of TGI Fridays. It is a popular place for students to get together to watch a game, play Madden or grab a plate of fries and a burger. The restaurant’s central location is a convenient meeting point for students, and it is a common location for fundraising events.

Einstein Bagels
Location: Nord Hall Atrium
This coffee and bagel shop offers delicious sandwiches, soups, freshly baked bagels and pastries. Einstein gets busy between classes; the bagel shop is a preferred stop for many students who need to refuel.

Subway
Location: Tomlinson Hall
Many students do not even know this eatery exists. Students can pick up a sub at this full-scale Subway restaurant. Not in the mood for a sub? Then visit the rest of the food options in the surrounding cafeteria.

Starbucks
Location: The Village at 115
That’s right, we have a Starbucks on campus next to the dorms. Starbucks is a very popular place for students to catch up on weekend stories or cram some studying in before a test. The coffee shop opens early in the morning and does not close its doors until 2 a.m. for those late study nights. When it gets warm outside the coffee shop opens its doors onto a brick patio.

The Silver Spartan Diner
Location: North Residential Village (freshman pass it each morning on their way to class)
The Diner offers students quick and cheap food until late at night. The shiny 1950s look of the building’s exterior matches its black and white checkered floor and colorful jukebox inside. The Diner is a common Friday or Saturday night stop for a quick bite to eat, and students will probably recommend their milkshakes to you.

All on campus restaurants and cafes accept Cash Cash, which is the equivalent of a debit card for Case students. Every student receives a Case Card when they arrive on campus, and this universal card becomes your ticket to the university because it enables you to get into university buildings, print for free, eat at the dining halls and spend money at on and off campus eateries. In addition to these on campus eateries there are at least a dozen more restaurants, coffee shops and a grocery store within a few hundred feet of campus that also take Cash Cash.

Developers anticipate the first phase of construction to begin this May. Initial plans include the development of a two-story Barnes & Noble, a CVS pharmacy, as well as new restaurants, bars and shops. The Barnes & Noble will serve as the university’s bookstore and include a coffee shop. New stores within this district will complement already popular student hang out spots and eateries such as Mi Pueblo, the Euclid Tavern, Qdoba, Starbucks and Rascal House Pizza.

Future phases of Uptown include the development of additional apartments, retail and a new home for the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Plans also include the complete renovation of the Triangle Apartments, which are university-owned apartment towers, to increase off campus living for students and a new RTA rapid transit station that will provide an important link between campus and the rest of Cleveland.

http://www.uptowncleveland.com

Case has begun research on wind turbines by building a small scale turbine on the University Farm to study ways of making wind energy more efficient. The University is seeking to develop partnerships with private companies to construct off-shore wind turbines on Lake Erie, miles from downtown Cleveland. This would be the first off-shore wind turbine farm on the Great Lakes. Not only is the University leading the way in promoting alternative energy, but Case feels that it can help rejuvenate the Northeastern Ohio economy by researching and investing in wind turbine initiatives. Clean energy is definitely an exciting part of the university's future.

Case is also participating in a recycling competition against other universities around the country. Through the Recyclemania 2009 competition, new recycling bins have been placed around campus, programs to reduce the usage of paper are in place, and the dinning halls are promoting new ways to reduce wasting food. The campus is striving to increase the percentage of waste it recycles each week for the next ten weeks. Visit Case's Sustainability website to learn more about the University's initiatives.

The Student Sustainability Council works with faculty counsels and student groups on creating initiatives to reduce the school's impact on the environment. If you're interested in playing an active role in enviornmental issues on campus then contact Student Sustainability Council President Trevor Allen, tcallen07@gmail.com.

Campus groups are making it easier for everyone to get back into their routine by providing hot cocoa to students on their way to classes. Since everyone usually passes by the Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) on their way to classes each day, there is always a group of students huddling together and yelling, "Free hot chocolate!" One of the biggest things we students missed over winter break (besides Case itself)...the free food! Organizations have already started grilling outside (even if its 15 degrees) and giving out pizza and snacks in Nord.

Nord is one of the most popular places on campus during the day because of its bright atrium, endless supply of comfortable couches and chairs, and its computer labs. Not to mention the Einstein’s Brothers’ Bagels cafe steps away from the couches! Ah, college life, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and baked pastries. Sounds like a corner coffee shop and not an academic building, right? Even though Nord houses the School of Engineering, you definitely do not have to be an engineer to enjoy it. If you are ever bored or cold on a day like today, then head to Nord because you are bound to see a friend, pick up some food, or take a mid-day snooze on the couches.

So far, you can find out what Case is doing on our Twitter feed devoted to everyday Case News stories or learn some fun facts from Case’s Center for Institutional Research. We even have an account dedicated strictly to Undergraduate Admission—don’t forget to follow us so you can keep on top of deadlines and application tips, while at the same time keeping us updated on what you are doing!

Hunter Ewen graduated in 2007 through the Joint Music Program with a dual-degree in music and mechanical engineering. The unique academic combination left him with both the artistic creativity and the technical ability to achieve greatness. Hunter returned to Case with a solo piece for his magic wand (and computer) entitled “Harry Potter Returns to Hogwarts.”

Check out the rest of the performances from the Joint Music Program Celebration here.

But before you vote for Dan, be sure to read up on his greatest accomplishments with “The Dan Whalen Top Ten List…” on our varsity athletics blog.

Even more interesting than the range of projects are the variety of 15 students enrolled in the class: a mix of biology majors from Case and sculpture majors from the Cleveland Institute of Art. The cross disciplinary course gives teams of students the opportunity use their science background to fit environmental themes into the creative projects.

The finished pieces will be displayed publicly at various times and places around Case and CIA this month. You can read more about the Environmental Sculpture projects here.

This year, the team is continuing on its path to greatness with a current record of 9-0. With the last game of their regular season taking place today, the team is working hard in an effort to bring home another win for Case.

For team statistics, a roster, MP3 highlights and more, visit the Spartan football team website here.

Case’s Center for Civic Engagement and Learning is a great resource for students looking to get involved in the community. Besides Big Brothers Big Sisters, students participate in projects such as building with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at the Foodbank and tutoring students of all ages.

Check out the local video news coverage of Gian and Steven here.

Thwing: Pronouncing the silent H in Thwing is the number one sign of a campus newcomer—it’s pronounced “twing”. The building functions as the student union. Inside you’ll find the bookstore, The Jolly Scholar bar and grill, lots of meeting rooms and the offices of student groups such as Undergraduate Student Government, The Observer student-run newspaper and University Program Board.

Leutner: One of the two dining halls on campus, located close to first-year residence halls. Permanent food stations in Leutner include the Grill (burgers and fries), Classics (home-cooked comfort food), Global (stir-fry prepared to order on a large flattop grill), Jalapeño (burritos and nachos) and more.

KSL: Kelvin Smith Library, the central library on campus. Open 24/7, KSL becomes a popular hangout spot the week leading up to midterms and finals.

The Village: The on-campus luxury place to live for juniors and seniors. These apartment-style residence halls have air conditioning, double beds, private baths and full kitchens.

Greenie: The free university shuttle service that circles campus and some surrounding areas. According to legend, the mini-buses were once green, and the name stuck. The shuttles were later painted, but for some reason “bluey” has yet to catch on.

Hosted during the fall semester, Alumni Weekend and Homecoming is a time when many alumni make the trip back to Cleveland to visit their alma mater. The weekend was packed with food, fun and football for alumni and students alike.

Check out some highlights of Alumni Weekend and Homecoming:

Currently, you can find interviews with President Barbara Snyder, guest speaker presentations and course lecture archives.

Check out Case’s Channel here, or watch The Story of Case Western Reserve University below.

While some students went home to visit with family and old friends, the campus was far from deserted. Many Case students chose to spend the break exploring University Circle and Cleveland. This was a perfect time to see the sights, because even though our student U-passes give us access to the RTA buses and light-rails system for the whole semester, the upcoming winter weather is sometimes a deterrent.

Forty-two lucky students traveled to Montreal, Canada with the University Program Board, a student-run organization that plans fun events for the campus community. Other students informally road tripped to destinations including Washington, D.C., Maine, and Columbus, Ohio.

With Fall Break over, however, students are back in classes and counting down the days until Thanksgiving!

Here are some financial aid myths to avoid when applying and choosing your best college fit:

Financial Aid = Loans
False. We offer 50 percent of our admitted students merit scholarships, which are available to all applicants, regardless of income. The majority of awards range from 40 to 80 percent of tuition. Nearly all enrolled students receive some aid that doesn’t need to be repaid, such as a federal or state grant, a scholarship or a Case grant.

Going to a state school is cheaper
Not necessarily. It’s best to keep your options open until after you apply, visit schools and receive financial aid offers. Your cost will depend on your EFC, which is the same for all schools, public and private.

Learn more about financial aid, including some other myths here.