(Justin) Hi, I'm Justin. I'm a sophomore and a Biology major from
Matteson, Illinois.
(Jordan) And I'm Jordan. I'm a junior and an English major from Astoria,
Illinois. If you haven't visited U of I Springfield, you need to. That's
how you'll know whether this U of I campus is right for you. But even
if you do visit, you're probably not going to see what we think are
some of the coolest places on campus.
(Justin) But we'll show you. Consider this your behind-the-scenes tour.
(camera follows Justin up the stairs) Many have tried but all have
failed to find out why this staircase in the Public Affairs Center
leads....to nowhere.
(shot from the bottom stair - Justin at top speaking loudly) And even
though you can see from the bottom step that you won't be going anywhere
once you reach the top,
(shot from top again with Justin in normal voice) that hasn't stopped
hundreds of new students from doing it anyway.
Just to say they did.
(Jordan walking among the stacks of books) This is Brookens Library.
More than half a million books are in here, and 70-thousand electronic
books and journals, including the New York Times dating back to 1841.
Great multi-media labs, too. Pretty soon, we're going to have a coffee
shop...get your double espresso latte IN THE LIBRARY.
(Jordan in different location) One of the coolest things about Brookens,
though, is the architecture. This place is huge.
(Jordan from the top or bottom of the staircase) Look at this staircase..five
stories high.
(Jordan in a study spot. Camera finds her) There are also dozens of
great places to hide out and study. (move to student sleeping on couch
or chair behind her) Or just chill.
(Justin on roof) This is one of the best views on campus...from the
roof of the Public Affairs Center.
(camera shows the colonnade) There's the colonnade and the fountain
on the quad...and that's University Hall....home to the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Business and Management.
Every classroom is what they call a "smart" classroom....lots
of technology.
(camera pans over to residence hall) The best thing about it...it's
right next to Lincoln Residence Hall. We're talkin' rolling out of
bed ten minutes before class and still making it with five minutes
to spare.
(Back to Justin) Oh, and, you'll never see the campus from this view.
In fact, I figure I have about three minutes before I'm busted...see
ya. (Justin ducks out of frame)
(Jordan sitting on bench, camera moves around to her front) They
don't call us the Prairie Stars for nothing. U of I Springfield used
to be one big prairie a long time ago. Now we have three acres of restored
prairie so students can study biodiversity and what scientists call "natural
area management".
(Jordan sticking head out from prairie grasses) Did you know our
new residence hall...the one we're building right now...will have
a green roof? Grasses and wildflowers...not asphalt or hot tar. Now
that's environmentally friendly.
(Back to Jordan sitting cross-legged on the bench and hands in meditating
posture) This is also a great place to just sit and think. Or be one
with nature.
(Justin behind the ShowTime food counter) The food here at U
of I Springfield is so good we don't even think about using the word "cafeteria".
This is the Food Emporium, and (indicate the cook) THIS is Bob, the
Show Time cook. (Bob turns his head around toward the camera and nods,
silently)
(close up of Bob making the stir-fry) Show Time is where you can get
stir fry masterpieces...Chinese food, pasta dishes..even Bananas Foster.
(back to Justin and Bob standing together) Cooked while you wait!
(Bob flips the food in the pan and Justin acts impressed) Wow...
(Justin picks up a pinch of salt and holds it over the pan like Emeril,
movement indicating that he will throw it into the pan) Hey, can I
do that "BAM!" thing?...you know, like BAM! (show Bob, silent,
shaking his head no. Justin joins him in shaking his head no, too.)
(Jordan basking in the sun on top of one of the benches) This is
the Colonnade. It's located in the middle of the Quad and it's a great
place to sit and relax because (lean head back) the sound of the
fountain is soooo peaceful.
(Sudden, loud entrance of ballplayers, bashing each other with balls
and running through the fountain.)
(Jordan..head up) Well, most of the time. (cut away to video of game)
This fountain shoots straight from the ground...20 feet into the air,
and has launched a new student past-time...fountain games.
(back to Jordan) You will walk by this fountain hundreds of times while
you are at U of I Springfield and I guarantee that you'll run through
it at some point. In fact, I think it's required to graduate.