Saratoga Springs/places

On Campus

A map of the Skidmore College Campus can be found here: http://www.skidmore.edu/map/#/campusmap/

Case Green (The Quad)

The main quad at Skidmore College. Due to construction in 2006, most of this quad was off limits during most of the day. Additionally, during 2007, a somewhat smaller area of the quad was blocked off due to "new sod." Initially, it was promised that the grass would be opened by July 1, but remained forbidden from all of both sessions. This became a sticking point with the administration that year, especially since the grass was clearly lush and green while the rest of the quad was wilted and brown. Furthermore, the grass was often home to sprinklers which had a nasty habit of dousing students. Towards the end of Session 2, patches of the new grass had died, and it was covered in crabgrass, which makes people wonder why it was still verboten to go on. At the end of both sessions, students ran out onto the forbidden grass after Passionfruit and frolicked with the more free-hearted members of the administration.

In 2008, more of the quad was opened up, and only small fringes were closed due to the roof removal in Howe-Rounds(08.1, the roof had asbestos), and the removal of the sewer pipe thingy near Case. The sprinklers were there during first session, but by second session, the dousing force was reduced to one pitifully weak and short-ranged(like 18 inches) sprinkler on the main part of the quad, and the ones with the real range assigned to places no one goes to. On a side note, the hill between Wilmarth and Case was blocked of for some of first session and all of the second due to beautification (there is now grass).

Wilmarth

Wilmarth is the non-air-conditioned boys' dorm located across the quad from Howe-Rounds. It is a four story building in which all three dorm floors look identical, which can be confusing late at night, and may explain why your key is not working (I find learning the unique stench of each floor can help). It has a nice lounge on the second floor and a TV which some unfortunate sessions are banned from. It has two vending machines which each year show their inadequacy by running out of good food and beverage within hours of check-in. On the ground floor there is a place to socialize and play ping-pong (if you can find the balls) while you make sure that someone does not take your clothes out of the dryer mid-cycle and throw them into the blue-green muck that covers the floor. If you want to know what you should bring to make your time at Wilmarth more enjoyable, may I recommend: a fan, a can of Febreze, a power strip, and a bad@$$ stereo system. Also, leave your fan running in front of your (open) window during the day. Believe me, the fresh air will help.

McClellan

2008's carbon copy of Wilmarth. No air conditioning, the main staircase smells like armpit, and the staircase leading to it smells like vomit. Doesn't smell, unless somebody axe-bombs. On the ground floor are three vending machines (constantly maintained but cash only) and an off-limits TV . In the basement is a foosball table, a pool table without any cues, and a ping-pong table which was broken at the end of 08.1 and further damaged in .2. In the common room of each floor is a vent which bats are found and people shout funny but totally CTYI phrases in Southern/hick accents. These phrases usually involve stoking of buttcracks, and actions/components of male genitals. The RA's on the third floor see it happen in their face, but are too busy laughing to punish the offender.

Howe-Rounds

The air-conditioned girls dorm. The thermostats are usually all broken so it gets really chilly at night and if you don't have a thick enough blanket, you'll be freezing by morning. Rounds 1 is where some of the boys reside and of course, off-limits to the girls. Sometimes cookie trades used to be allowed, which is when the door between Howe 3 and Rounds 3 were kept open and boys and girls can talk and trade food and such. Half of Howe 1 is where all the offices are.

Due to construction in 2006, Skidmore requested that all students enter Howe-Rounds by the Main Office, which was a hike and a half and really pointless.

Case Center

Location of the registration center, eating place for 2006, as the original eating place was under renovation, and also the location of the coffee shop. That place has awesome smoothies, by the way. And orgasmic hot chocolate. Also the over priced gift/book shop is located here. Casino night is held here.

Jonsson Tower

This is where the on-campus security stay. It is restricted to all CTYers and staff, unless under extreme circumstance. The tradition is that at the opening ceremony when the security guard asks if there are any questions a nevermore or nomore will ask "In the event of a flash flood, how long would it take to reach the top of Jonsson Tower?" The flash flood may also be replaced by two random events.

Note: In a bold attempt to answer the question that plagues Skidmore, a nevermore in session 1, 2006 sprinted up Jonsson Tower, taking approximately 47 seconds. In Session 1, 2007, four more nevermores also ran up Jonsson Tower, taking exactly one minute to reach the top. During Session 2, 2009, three girls (with an accomplice inside Howe-Rounds) snuck up to the top in the middle of the night on the last Wednesday, taking one minute and twelve seconds, posting a sign made of duct tape and a sheet at the top. In the morning, all the girls woke up to "1 minute 12 seconds" on each bathroom mirror and "1:12" on everyone's whiteboard. The administration took the sign down, but the next morning after breakfast, a new sign reading "1:12" was posted in the top windows.

South Park Lawn

The lawn behind Case Center and home to the infamous penis statue. Some main quad activities like Armageddon, the Wild West Carnival, and chilling after lunch were moved to South Park due to construction in 2006.

Off Campus

The Gawking House

Also called the Stop and Stare House, it is a ridiculously rich, tacky house on the way into town. In 2006 session 1, the legendary RA Stefan started a tradition of students holding the railing of the house and saying, "Please sir, may I have some more?" in their best Oliver Twist voices, but after his departure this has been discouraged by new RAs. During town trips in both sessions of 2007, the nevermore group, while (led by Lilah the RA) returning from Ben & Jerry's, danced the Cotton Eyed Joe outside the house. This also occurred in 08.1. It didn't happen in 08.2, as a torrential downpour came down minutes before the nevermores passed the house. In 09.1, a party/event there was serenaded with the Pokemon Theme.

Outer Zone

A fantastic laser tag place in downtown Saratoga, across the parking lot from CVS. They have arcade games and air hockey for those who don't want to play laser tag. Amazing value. There are in addition, snacks such as hotdogs and drinks.

Borders

The bookstore where nearly every town trip route stops by for at least a few minutes. It has a cafe and really comfy chairs.

CVS

Stock up on your favorite snacks, candy, ramen, and of course, energy drinks!

Congress Park

The park right by downtown Saratoga. It has a carousel that you can ride for only 50 cents and you get a sticker at the end of the ride. Each year the sticker is a different color and some people like to collect them. Also one can enjoy the numerous ducks walking around. Nearby there is a spring which has notoriously vile water.

Better Than Toast

A awesome secondhand store in which you can get great deals. Along with a dollar bucket.

Last Vestige

An indie record store. Home of $1 CDs. And also sells REAL VINYL records for the few that have a phonograph.

Ben & Jerry's

The famous ice cream empire. Nevermores traditionally share a Vermonster (or "gigantic trough of ice cream", for the uninitiated) on the last town trip, and one lucky nevermore gets to keep the bucket it came in. This tradition has evolved in recent years to the point that vermonsters are eaten in mass quantities, and a good amount of Nevermores get buckets. 15 Vermonsters were consumed in 09.2. In order for a Nevermore to lay claim to a bucket, they must chug the melted liquid ice cream at the bottom.