While Bryant’s Student Ambassadors give incredible campus tours to prospective students and their families, Archie — Bryant’s beloved community comfort dog — has been itching to welcome first-year students through his own canine-eye view of campus. He’s spent the dog days of summer perfecting the following Bryant tour:
Stop #1: DPS Entrance Station
This is where my human colleagues and I work and welcome people to Bryant. When I’m not walking around campus with my handler, Public Safety Officer Sarah Sirois, I enjoy hanging out here with my public safety friends. They do a great job giving directions to people who are visiting for the first time and keeping all my Bulldog friends safe. They’re available for students 24/7, which is good because that gives me time to curl up and take a couple of naps throughout the day.
Stop #2: Puishys Residence Complex
This is the newest building for my humans to live in (I’m hoping The Office of Residence Life will let me and Tupper bunk here one day!). It’s apartment-style living, so they get to room together in packs of four or six. Every time I come by, my junior and senior humans are cracking open books in the study spaces, playing in the gaming room, and relaxing outside on the patio. My favorite area, though, is the pollinator garden that runs alongside the pathway leading from the DPS Entrance Station to Puishys. I can’t help but take the road less traveled and run through the grass.
Stop #3: Barrington House
This is where some of my newest campus friends live during their first year at college. They also live in Warren House and Bristol House, which are right next to Barrington, and make up the rest of First-Year Village. I love meeting new people because it means more pets and scratches when they see me around campus.
Stop #4: Ronald K. and Kati C. Machtley Interfaith Center
My campus friends like exploring their faith in the center through educational programs, events, and religious services. They’re really good about sitting still — something I’m still working on — and reflecting together when they’re in this space.
Stop #5: Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher Student Center
I’ve attended so many fun student events at the Fisher Center! It’s always bustling during the academic year, and I can’t go five steps without one of my humans coming over to say hi. There’s so much good food on the first floor that my nose is constantly sniffing, but I’ll eventually find my way to the second and third floors, where I visit the PwC Center and the Student Organization Offices.
Stop #6: Bryant Pond
While my humans prefer relaxing in the Adirondack chairs and sitting on blankets, I highly recommend rolling in the grass or laying down and scratching an itch while watching the fountain. There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon by the pond on a sunny day and feeling a light breeze ruffle through your fur.
Stop #7: Koffler Center and Communications Complex
In addition to classrooms, a TV production studio, and a tunnel in the basement that leads into the Unistructure, Koffler is home to Bryant’s WJMF Radio Station. I love listening to them during the day, though I wish one of the DJs would have me on one of the talk shows or let me select the music. Who Let the Dogs Out and Hound Dog would be my first two song choices.
Stop #8: Leonard I. Salmanson Dining Hall Dining Hall
I tend to eat my kibble elsewhere, but my humans love this place. There are so many different food stations and fantastic aromas coming from the kitchens that I don’t know how they make a decision on what to get. I guess that’s why it’s buffet style!
Stop #9: The Unistructure
My humans take a lot of their classes in this building and sometimes visit the Academic Center for Excellence and Writing Center for extra help from peer tutors. I’ve been meaning to bring my resume to the Amica Center for Career Education so I can add ‘advanced begging techniques’ to my list of skills, but they’re usually busy helping my humans land internships, expand their professional network, and prepare their resumes and cover letters.
Stop #10: The Archway
Just like my humans, I can’t walk through here until I graduate. While they’re studying subjects like Finance, Psychology, and Sports Communication, I’m currently earning my degree in Anthropawlogy.
Stop #11: Douglas and Judith Krupp Library
The library staff are always helping my humans ‘dig up’ information, but I’m honestly not sure where they do this because I never see any holes. I’ve tried to sniff it out since it’d be fun to join them, but my humans are usually busy studying, so I try not to disturb them too much.
Stop #12: Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness and Athletic Center
The swimming pool and basketball and volleyball courts always look inviting, but my favorite part is the fitness center on the second floor. There’s a ton of workout equipment, though I usually focus on leg day when I’m here. It’s tiring watching my humans be so active — so I’m glad there are yoga mats to nap on.
Stop #13: Quinlan/Brown Academic Innovation Center
Students take classes here, but my favorite spot in the building is the Academic Innovation Forum. That’s the spot where many of my human friends present their research and projects to the campus community. My tail can’t help but wag with pride when I see them grow over their four years at Bryant.
Stop #14: David M. ’85 and Terry Beirne Stadium
My humans are always out here testing their mental and physical strength. I find their efforts exceptionally impressive since they don’t even ask for dog treats as a reward. While I’m usually cheering from the Navigant Credit Union Field House’s stands, I can’t help but get the zoomies when I’m by the field.
Stop #15: Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center (BELC)
I enjoy a good walk, which is one of the things that makes a trip to the BELC so fun. Once you’re inside the building, however, there’s so much to do. I think it’d be fun to 3D print a doggie bowl in the Makerspace, use the Digital Marketing Lab to create my own Archie merch business, or visit the Financial Markets Center to see how some of my favorite pet companies’ stocks are doing.
Thanks for joining my tour! I hope you’re ready to unleash your potential and make the most of your time at Bryant. I can’t wait to see you around campus.