Butler's Big Secret

JoeW — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:19:00 GMT

It has long since been rumored that a system of secret, sealed-off, underground tunnels is plunging through Butler’s underground. This rumor is simply a rumor; a true rumor. Yes, Butler does in fact have an underground tunnel system and I, BUJoe, Blogger in the field got to infiltrate these tunnels.

Butler has two tunnel systems. The larger one connects Schwitzer Hall to the back of C-Club in Atherton Union’s basement. The second connects the Sunset Ave./Hampton Dr. corner of Ross to the Parking Lot/ 44th Street corner of Ross.

The tunnel in Schwitzer was built as a food service tunnel. Back in the day (no idea when “the day” was) men and women at Butler separately; men ate in Atherton Union and women ate in the basement of Schwitzer Hall. (This is interesting because Butler was one of the first colleges to admit women on an equal basis as men, and Butler has always been a Coed school- so meals and living [and sports, of course] were the only divided activities.) The meals were prepared in Atherton’s large kitchen and then taken to the women using the tunnel system. After eating became a coeducational activity at Butler the tunnel was no longer needed, it not of use to students because it connects directly to the storage areas in the back of the kitchen. The tunnel runs directly under the pathway that one would take to go from Schwitzer to Starbucks.

The tunnel in Ross is home to a large Basilisk and the Heir of Slytherin, false.
The tunnel in Ross was strictly for maintenance. The Sunset/Hampton corner of Ross was built first and stood as its own building for several years until the Parking Lot/44th corner could be added. When the new section was built a new boiler room was built as well. The tunnel connects these two areas and runs diagonally through the courtyard. As I understand it, the building runs on only the new boiler room now, so the tunnel in Ross is also obsolete.

I have many pictures from the tunnels and from sealed off chambers in Schwitzer’s basement in my photos section. I left the Ross Hall tunnel unexplored so who knows what dangers could be growing in its darkness at this very moment. To get to the tunnel in Ross a student would have to go through the Boiler Room. Which I don’t think can be done (hmmm..) and a Schwitzer resident can find the locked door to the pre-tunnel chambers right beside their basement kitchen. (which makes sense) This door is locked, of course, but all you have to do is “Speak Friend and Enter” (in elvish, of course) I would advise students not to try to enter these places, not because it is wrong or dangerous, but because if you have ever read a book besides Thomas the Tankengine - nothing good ever happens in tunnels, and I fear you will unleash a great evil upon the Campus.

We go together like Cheese and, well, anything really

JoeW — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:29:00 GMT

I have built many wonderful friendships and relationships through out my stint in College and life in general. I have come across many amazing people from very separate places and interesting phases. All of these encounters have shaped me, but none have quite the flavor of one of my life's best relationships- Me and Food.

I am a huge fan of food and eating. Sometimes, in fact, I believe food is a big fan of me as well. Much like Kanye throws back to his Momma, The Cotton Gin respects Ellie Whitney, or Rihanna appreciates false eye lashes. Food has to be a fan of me, because I'm a fan of it. I've been alive for 19 years now, and I've eaten for every single one. I eat loud and proud and frequently and I love every digestible minute.

I love going out to eat. It is very social; everyone sitting down together (which doesn't happen so much anymore). Everyone eating off of each other plates and complimenting or mocking each others tastes; it is all very entertaining and very intimate. I'm a fan of ordering food, chatting while waiting for it, eating it, sharing it, hording it, finishing it, feeling bad because I ate to fast/much, and getting dessert after it all. I even enjoy being hungry because it makes the act of actually receiving food a more grateful occasion.

College has only been the cat litter to the flower bed of my food fancy. While I did peruse all of the exotic and deliciously classic restaurants of my hometown; moving to Indianapolis has really bloomed my posies of food options. Broad ripple Village has not yet given me a bad meal and neither have the more upscale downtown restaurants when I get to take advantage of them. In fact, I feel that Butler has steeped up its food game as well. C-Club offers more food for your dollar this year. Although, I must complain that they Philly Cheese Steaks are not nearly as greasy as they were last year.

Before college I had not engulfed Qdoba, Chipotle, Moe's or any type of Cantina. I had not yet indulged in a noodle bowl restaurant or had I gnashed in a Bagel Shop. Some parents worry about sheltering their children for fear that, once out of their clenched parental talons, they will go wild and get pregnant. This is a reasonable fear because I have done just that with food. gotten pregnant. with love. hungry, greasy, topped with bacon love.

Today in America we feel the need to eat well, informed, and neatly. We need to know what is in our food, just how to prepare it, and where it came from. But this can become difficult, especially when you live in a dorm room and all you have is an orange Gatorade, 3 packets of taco sauce and half a pint of mint chocolate chip. (Which, in college, is a feast!) SO I encourage everyone to just eat. Feast and be merry and share your food! Split an appetizer, Share an entree, and don't let anyone touch your desert!

Have fun when eating, try new things, and always clean your plate.

Here are a few of my favorites--

-Anything Fried (if it can't be battered I don't trust it)
-Deserts with threatening names (death my chocolate, vanilla volcano cake, misdemeanor marshmallows)
-Foods with different sauces (it gives you lots of options and dipping really gets my chainsaw hummin')
-Chocolate (chocolate!)
-Food that I know is really healthy and I can talk about it being really healthy but it still tastes good. (Self-righteousness is one of my favorite flavors)
-Foods on a stick (it may be my upbringing, but nothing makes me feel safe like a giant fried, powdered, syruped something on a stick)
-The list goes on and on. Indianapolis has a TON of wonderful food options and they are even more fun to exploit with your new college friends at odd hours during the night.

Eat.
Sleep.
HRC.

Joe's Blog : Atherton

Butler's Big Secret

We go together like Cheese and, well, anything really