INFORMATION FOR GUESTS AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
What you need to know to get started
1. Safety. Bowling Green and the WKU campus area are generally safe areas, but you should always be aware of your surroundings no matter where you go. At night it is better for women to go out in pairs or in groups. If you ever feel in danger, call the WKU Police at 745- 2548 or the Bowling Green City Police by dialing 911.
2. Emergencies. You can get emergency assistance anywhere you go in the United States by dialing 911. This is used for medical, police, or fire emergencies.
3. Communications.
A. Phone. You can receive calls at the Visiting Scholars Residence from anywhere in the world. You can make local calls and toll free calls, but to make long distance calls you will need a phone card, which you can purchase in the WKU Bookstore or at stores like K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc. Your telephone number is printed on your telephone.
B. Internet. Your residence is provided wireless internet access through WKU. You may also use the Internet in WKU computer labs and in WKU libraries. The computer lab in Mass Media and Technology Hall, across the street from your house, is open 24 hours a day. It has printers and lab assistants if you need help. Your host department is responsible for assisting you in obtaining a WKU e-mail address. http://www.wku.edu/oip/vsrguestaccounts33110.pdf
C. Mail. Mail is not delivered to the Visiting Scholar Residences. You should receive all of your mail at your host department.
4. Problems. Please report any problems with the house to the Coordinator of The Visiting Scholar Residences at .
5. WKU Identification card. You can obtain a WKU ID card at the ID Center in room 2125 of the Downing Student Union. You will need to take a letter from your host department indicating the dates of your visit to WKU. The initial card is free, but it will cost $20 to replace a stolen/ lost/broken card. This card can be used at many places at WKU.
6. Heating and cooling. Your residence has central heating and air conditioning that is controlled by a thermostat in the hallway. Set the primary control for “heat, cool, or off.” Leave the fan control set for “auto” so that the fan will run anytime the heating or cooling unit is operating. The thermostat should be set at approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Please keep all windows closed when the heating or cooling is operating. Use the thermostat to control the temperature.
7. Water. It is safe to drink the water out of the tap in Bowling Green. Almost all cities in the United States have excellent water treatment systems, so drinking bottled water is not necessary. Some people buy bottled water because they prefer its taste.
8. Cleaning. Although the VSRs provide many services similar to many hotels, it is not a hotel and therefore, there is NO maid service to clean your room. We have cleaners that will come each month to clean the common areas. They are not your personal maid service. They are not responsible for cleaning your dishes and taking out your trash. Please be conscientious about keeping the shared areas of the house clean and orderly so that other residents can enjoy the living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. Random monthly inspections will be performed to ensure upkeep of the residence. You have signed a contract to keep your residence clean, failure to do so may result in loss of your security deposit.
9. Appliances.
A. Refrigerator and freezer. This appliance is shared with other residents of your house. When you move out, please remove all of your food from the refrigerator. Clean outdated food from the refrigerator and freezer regularly.
B. Stove and oven. The degrees on the dial of the oven are in Fahrenheit. You will have to convert that to Celsius if you are accustomed to Celsius. Do not leave the stove or oven unattended while in use.
C. Exhaust hood. The exhaust fan (vent fan) must be turned on ANY time you cook on the stove to remove smoke, grease, steam, and food odors from the house. The vent fan button can be found on the microwave.
D. Dishwasher. Use only detergent that is marked for dishwashers, using normal sink detergent will cause foam to overflow the dishwasher and damage the residence. Residence will be responsible for any damage that may occur.
E. Microwave. Do not place ANY METAL objects (such as utensils, aluminum foil, pots/pans, etc.) in microwave, they will break the microwave and you will be charged for a replacement.
10. Disposal of trash and garbage.
A. Trash. There are waste baskets in each kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Please empty these into the large green or blue garbage can outside your house (for scholars staying at one of the cottages/4-plex on colonial court, trash should be placed in the dumpster found in the back corner). It will be emptied by the trash collection service every week.
B. Food disposal. In the Cottages and 4-Plex, most small food items can be disposed of through the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. Do not put bones, large seeds like peach seeds, or stringy foods such as celery or banana peels into the garbage disposal. Make sure that no forks, spoons or knives have fallen into the garbage disposal before you turn it on and watch out for your hands.
11. Laundry. Your house has an automatic washer and dryer. Read the directions on the laundry detergent for the correct amount of detergent to use. Be sure to clean the lint filter in the dryer before each load of clothes that you dry so that your clothes will dry faster and cleaner.
12. Television / video. A television with VHS and/or DVD player is located in your living room and is equipped with basic cable. You can rent videotapes and DVDs at many stores in Bowling Green. You can also check them out for free from the WKU library.
13. Shopping. Most of the shopping in Bowling Green is done at the Greenwood Mall, which has more than 100 stores, or at large department stores such as Wal-Mart, Kroger, Target, and K-Mart. These stores are all about five miles from campus and can be reached by using the Topper Transit shopping shuttle bus on Monday through Saturday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
14. Transportation. Topper Transit shuttle buses are free to WKU students, faculty, and visiting scholars. Go to http://www.wku.edu/transportation/transit/index.php and click on Transportation/Topper Transit to get a detailed schedule of shuttle buses or call Parking & Transportation Services at 745-2361.
15. Campus facilities.
A. Libraries. Helm Library and Cravens Library have over 1 million volumes. Your WKU ID card allows you to use the libraries at WKU.
B. Preston Health and Activities Center. This athletic facility has a swimming pool, basketball and racquetball courts, and many exercise machines. You can use the Preston Center by taking your WKU ID card to the Preston Center and becoming a member. All WKU faculty and scholars have to pay a small monthly membership fee in order to use the Preston Center.
C. Downing Student Union. The student union has a 24-hour study center, tutoring services, dining halls, and a rec center equipped with video games, ping-pong, and board games.
D. Garrett Conference Center. Garrett food court is a great place to get lunch while on the top of the hill. There is also a Subway and Panda Express in this building.
E. Computer labs are located in Mass Media and Technology Hall, Grise Hall, Thompson Science Complex, and in the Helm Library.
16. Linens
A. Bed. The sheets on your bed are fresh and clean when you move in. You can wash and dry these sheets whenever you want by using the washer and dryer in the house. Additional sheets, pillowcases, and blankets are available in the linen closet in the hallway.
B. Bath. Towels are available in the linen closet in the hallway. Do not leave wet towels on the floor.
17. Visa or immigration questions. Contact the WKU International Student & Scholar Services at
1536 State Street or call that office at 745-4857.
19. Parking. All vehicles on campus must have a WKU parking permit that will designate a specific parking location. Vehicles without a permit are subject to towing or parking citations.
A. If you have a car that you want to park at the Visiting Scholar Residence, please notify the coordinator of the Visiting Scholar Residences, Stephanie Hammons, at , and she will issue you a Visiting Scholar Residence parking sticker.
B. Please do not park on the grass and do not park in a way that would block other guests from moving their cars.
C. If you need to park on campus, other than at the Residence, a faculty/staff permit must be purchased from Parking & Transportation Services at 745-2361 or .
20. When you check out.
A. Please let the Coordinator of Visiting Scholar Residences, 745-2081, know the date and approximate time that you are moving out when you arrive. If these dates change, let the coordinator know no less than 30 days prior to your departure.
B. To prevent loss of security deposit and/or additional fees, make sure your residence is in acceptable cleaning condition per the Cleaning Check-list located on your agreement form.
C. Leave your sheets and bath towels in your room.
D. Do not leave any food in the refrigerator, cabinets, or kitchen.
E. Please remove all personal belongings from the residence when you depart.
F. Be sure to turn in your keys to the Access Control Office, 745-5050, upon your departure.
G. Be sure to leave a forwarding address with your host department so that any mail that arrives after you leave may be forwarded to you.