The university, in its mission to transform lives and give students opportunities they can’t get elsewhere, tries to give its students benefits that come along with their student badges.
However, the university doesn’t always advertise them as well as possible. There are many perks to being a Capital student, yet many students don’t know the full value of their tuition when it comes to these rarely taken advantages.
Circulating Media
Blackmore Library doesn’t just include their collection of books, but also a circulating collection of DVDs, CDs, vinyl records and novels.
The DVD collection includes everything from movies like “Despicable Me” to seasons of favorite shows like “Breaking Bad,” some of which are available online. CDs and vinyl have a variety of genres available for students, along with a diverse collection of novels, available to browse in the library online.
Students can view the library catalog online and browse for whatever they need.
The New York Times Academic Pass
All students at the university also have access to a free New York Times (NYT) subscription through Blackmore Library.
To log in or register, students can use their university email address, then check their email and validate their account.
While the NYT Academic Pass does not include access to NYT games, crosswords, e-reader editions of the newspaper, or Times Premier content, it does allow students access to NYT archives on the NYTimes.com website or app for the years 1851-1922 and from 1981-present day.
It does allow access for things that fall into the years of 1923-1980; however, access is limited to five article views per person per day.
COTA Bus Pass and Zoo Bus
Students are able to use their university ID badge to use the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus service at no cost. Students can just board the COTA bus and show their student ID to the operator.
This benefit is only usable to students actively enrolled and is available for local and express routes.
With this ability, students can also use the Zoo Bus. In partnership with the Columbus Zoo, riders who are taking the COTA bus to the zoo can receive discounted ticket pricing. Typically, this would mean a day pass for $4.50.
When boarding the bus, ask the operator for a Zoo Bus coupon, which can be shown at the Columbus Zoo admissions window.
More information on fairs and pricing can be found online.
Laptop Rentals
Students who need a laptop are in luck. At Blackmore Library, students can check out laptops to write papers, study or to work on projects.
The library provides both Mac and Dell laptops, available to rent for three-hour periods at the circulation desk.
Portable chargers and cords are available as well for those who need to charge a device.
Desktop computers are also available on the first floor of the library or in the student union for use as well and make printing a lot easier.
iPad Replacements
All students, staff, and faculty at the university receive an eighth-generation Apple iPad, a first-generation Apple Pencil and a library of individualized apps through Project Indigo.
If a student’s Apple iPad or pencil is broken, the student can go to the Information Technology (IT) desk in Blackmore Library and get it replaced once.
At the end of the student’s time at the university, they can also go to the IT desk and purchase 3the iPad for only $1.
Pass/Fail Classes
Once an academic year, students have the option to take a class pass/fail, meaning students won’t receive a letter grade but instead, will either pass or fail the class.
This option can not be used on most classes in students’ major, minor, or signature learning classes but can be used on electives and department-approved prerequisites.
If a student passes, it will not be put into their grade point average (GPA); however, if they fail, it will be calculated into the student’s GPA.
Students can elect this option until the last day to drop a course without a “W” on record. Request forms to complete a class pass/fail can be found on the university website and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once this option has been submitted, it cannot be reversed.
Auditing Classes
If there is a class that peaks interests but students already are taking too many credits, they can audit the class for no grade or credit.
With instructor permission, a curious and interested student can sit in on the class but have no assignments, exams, or projects. Students can take up to four credits of auditing classes with no extra charge to their tuition.
Request forms to audit a class can be found on the university website and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
