There are a lot of great resources at Temple University. I'm sure you've heard a lot about the Center for Learning and Student Success, our tutoring center for STEM courses and the host of exam review sessions. You've probably heard about and perhaps used Tuttleman Counseling Services and Student Health Services. Those resources are used the most on campus, and students are introduced to them as early as orientation.
Here are some resources that you didn't know existed. You'll thank me later. Here's an extra perk: Most of these resources will save you (precious) money!
(You'll feel like this after you hear about these resources.)
1. Temple Office Supply Swap (TOSS)
Do you hate spending money on school supplies? I know I do. Temple Office Supply Swap (TOSS), an initiative started by the Computer Recycling Center (CRC) and Temple's Office of Sustainability, offers free school supplies for students.
Students are asked to donate office supplies and books that they no longer use. TOSS has a "give a penny, take a penny" philosophy. Students who come in and take supplies are encouraged to donate old office supplies. This ensures that there are always school supplies available.
Go through your old school supplies and exchange them for things you really need. Yes, it's completely free!
TOSS is located in the Lower Level of the Howard Gittis Student Center and is open during the Student Center's hours of operation.
2. Computer Recycling Center
The Computer Recycling Center (CRC) was created to protect the environment from toxic waste. Students and faculty can donate electronics to the Computer Recycling Center, which is located in Room 152 of Pearson Hall (on the side opposite of Cosi near the front desk).
They will be disposed of properly if necessary. The CRC also will refurbish some products and sell them back to students for a discounted rate.
The products available are posted online. You are limited to one order per semester and can only pay in Diamond Dollars. Even though you have a limited number of purchases, your wallet will thank you.
I just looked through the equipment directory and found a $150 iMac for sale. No joke. There are also printers available for $25.
Beautiful, right?
3. Equipment loans from the TECH Center
Most people only use the TECH Center for breakout rooms and late-night cram sessions. A lot of people don't know that you can rent laptops, iPads, microphones, zip drives, Wacom tablets, and more for three hours at a time for free.
All you have to do is go to the second floor consulting desk of the TECH Center and ask to borrow the equipment. You sign a loan agreement and are free to use the equipment for up to three hours.
I feel like this resource is especially helpful for students who commute and do not want to bring all of their equipment to campus. Also, why buy an iPad if you can use one for free?
Wacom tablets are pretty cool. Here's a quick tip: They're really helpful for signing PDF files. They're also really fun to just play around with.
4. Blackstone LaunchPad
Blackstone LaunchPad is an entrepreneurship program on campus available to students, staff, and alumni regardless of experience. If you have an idea that you know will change the world, share it. Find out how you can start a company.
Create an account and schedule a 1:1 meeting with a Blackstone LaunchPad staff member. Blackstone LaunchPad also hosts events about entrepreneurship and marketing skills quite often. Follow them on social media for up-to-date information about upcoming events. Their Instagram account is @temple_launchpad.
Blackstone LaunchPad is located on the Lower Level of the Howard Gittis Student Center.
5. Digital Scholarship Center (DSC)
Are you interested in programming, coding, text mining, and developing 3D spaces? Then the Digital Scholarship Center is for you! The Digital Scholarship Center offers equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, power tools, Raspberry Pi and Arduino, an oscilloscope, and more.
(Note that you must go through safety training before you can use 3D printers, laser cutters, and Raspberry Pi/Arduino equipment. Just e-mail the DSC at digitalscholarship@temple.edu or stop by during normal hours to schedule a training appointment. There are small fees for using some equipment.)
The Digital Scholarship Center also offers numerous workshops for students interested in learning how to code, how to use social media for research, how to make games, and more.
The Digital Scholarship Center is located in the Ground Floor of the Samuel L. Paley Library.
This laser-cut T-Rex was made in the Digital Scholarship Center. So cool!
Next time you're in the library, go downstairs and check out the Digital Scholarship Center. Go to the Computer Recycling Center and brag to your friends about your cheap computer. There's so many resources available to students on campus. Embrace them!