It's your first semester at the University of Minnesota and you're thinking "What a huge campus! How will I manage to get where I need to be within a reasonable time frame?" Learning to navigate the U of M has almost become a rite of passage for students; it is something that decades of incoming freshmen have learned to master over time, out of necessity.
It's true – the U of M Twin Cities campus is huge, but learning to navigate isn't as difficult or scary as you might imagine. Years ago, when Campus Connector services began most students learned how to get around simply by word of mouth from fellow students. Today, thanks to the advent of the internet, there are online resources available to assist you. There is also more than one means of transportation worth considering. To get between the East and West banks you can navigate by foot, bike, rollerblade, or by Campus Connector (free) or Metro Transit bus (for a fee or with pre-paid bus card).
The most convenient and simple transporter between St. Paul and Minneapolis is the Campus Connector, which runs every 5 to 30 minutes every day of the week (schedule varies depending on time of day and academic year). The Connector can be a relaxing way to kick back on your way to class, read the Minnesota Daily newspaper, or just zone out for a few minutes. Even if you drive to campus every day, you may find that the Campus Connector is still the best way to commute between the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses, since you don't have to hassle with parking. A comprehensive Campus Connector schedule is available online (see links below).
In addition to the Campus Connector busses, there are also Campus Circulator busses, which can help you get around within East Bank, West Bank, or the St. Paul Campus. There is also the Washington Avenue Bridge Circulator, which operates every 7 to 15 minutes, and focuses on getting you quickly from East Bank to West Bank (which is particularly nice when the Minnesota temperature is 20 below zero!).
There are many challenges that you will no doubt face as an incoming freshman, but getting around on campus does not need to be one of them. Check out the information available online, and don't be afraid to ask questions! You will discover fairly quickly which mode(s) of transportation works best for you.
related links:
Campus Shuttle Service (includes Campus Connector and Circulator schedules)
Metro Transit
U of M Parking and Transportation Services
Biking at the U (features detailed maps showing where bikes are allowed on campus)
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