Windy Thursday

by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. ('92, MA '94)

After springlike temperatures for the past few days, Mother Nature has reminded us that it is still winter.  Today’s highs are only in the mid-40s and there is a very brisk wind which makes it feel even colder (it’s the kind of wind that is strong enough to blow trafflic lights so they sway back and forth).  Last night there was a tremendous thunderstorm, something you don’t often get in winter.  I’m just glad it wasn’t snow (apologies to all our Deac families who just got/will soon get a bundle of the white stuff.)

In non-weather news, there’s been a lot of excitement about Wake Downtown opening, and yesterday the student body received the email below outlining some of the features and amenities of Wake Downtown.  Thought our families might be interested too.

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Dear Wake Forest students,

We are delighted that many of you have had the opportunity to explore Wake Downtown, either by enrolling in a course or by curiously exploring the space on your own. Wake Downtown is located at 455 Vine Street in downtown Winston-Salem just five miles from the Reynolda Campus, and is the home of Wake Forest University’s new academic programs in Engineering, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB), and Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery. Below you will find important information regarding Wake Downtown’s amenities:

Student spaces

Listed below are the main study and gathering spaces available for students at Wake Downtown

  • Student Commons (Room 0904), located in the basement of Wake Downtown by the lower courtyard. This space contains several flexible seating options for working in groups, two display screens, a printer, and a kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with bistro tables, vending machines, a microwave, refrigerator, counter-top and cabinetry. The Student Commons also contain a Quiet Study room that looks out onto Bailey Park and the skyline of downtown Winston-Salem. The lower courtyard contains patio furniture and can also be used as a gathering space.
  • Second Floor Atrium (Room 2502), located directly above the main lobby of Wake Downtown. This space contains booth-style seating by Wake Downtown’s signature floor-to-ceiling windows, and the tabletops have writeable surfaces. There are also workspaces lining the balcony of the atrium. This space accommodates study groups, individual workspaces, and social gatherings. 
  • Student Gathering (Rooms 1802, 2810, 3809, and 4804), located on every floor next to the southern stairwells. Each gathering area is equipped with bistro seating, raised work spaces looking out onto Bailey Park and the skyline of downtown Winston-Salem, a kitchen counter-top and cabinetry, a refrigerator, and a microwave.

​​Security

  • Business hours of Wake Downtown are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. Students can access Wake Downtown outside of business hours by using their Deacon OneCard which much be displayed at all times (badge holders available on all Wake Downtown shuttles and in the Wake Downtown administrative suite).
  • Phone number for the Innovation Quarter Security Communications Center is (336) 713-1568.

Shuttles

  • Shuttle service to/from Wake Downtown and Reynolda Campus is every 15 minutes on weekdays (8:00 am – 11:00 pm) and every 30 minutes on weekends (10:00 am – 6:00 pm). Travel time is 15 minutes. Shuttles pick up at the Benson University Center and drop off at the Vine St. entrance to Wake Downtown. The full schedule can be found here, on the Parking and Transportation website.
  • The GPS TransLoc Rider app is available for real time tracking to your smart phone. Download the app at http://translocrider.com/.
  • Shuttles are ADA compliant with wheelchair lifts. They are also equipped with bicycle racks, WiFi, and USB charging ports​

.Food and vending

  • Students will be able to use Food Dollars with certain vendors within the Innovation Quarter, including Medical Grounds in the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education (connected to Wake Downtown) and Cafe Brioche in Biotech Place. Medical Grounds is open on weekdays from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, and Cafe Brioche is open on weekdays from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
  • Vending options, including snacks, drinks and coffee, are available on the lower level of Wake Downtown in the Student Commons (room 0904).
  • There are numerous local options within walking distance such as food trucks at Bailey Park (schedule available here) and Krankies Coffee.

IT services

  • Printing resources for students are available in the Student Commons (0904) of Wake Downtown and ​at the resource center on the 3rd floor of the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education (connected to Wake Downtown)​
  • The process is the same as one students follow in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library, where you swipe your WFU ID and select a job from the touch screen mounted by the printer.​Students can also scan to email using their full email address.
  • Immediate laptop technical assistance is available through Dexter, a user-friendly video portal that can connect to a representative at the Service Desk, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dexter is located on the first floor corridor between Rooms 1615 and 1616.
  • Wireless access is available by choosing the SSID ‘WakeDowntown’ and logging in using your WFU username and password. Guests can choose the password-free SSID ‘IQGuest’ and accept the agreement when prompted.

Room reservation

  • Wake Downtown’s spaces are available on DeaconSpace under ‘Wake Downtown’

Stay connected

  • Follow Wake Downtown on Twitter and Instagram (@WakeDowntown) and like our page on Facebook for important updates and programming information!
  • To stay up to date, we also recommend that you bookmark wakedowntown.wfu.edu
  • Bookmark Wake Forest Innovation Quarter’s calendar of events to keep up to date with events taking place in and around Bailey Park.
  •  If you have any questions, please email WakeDowntown@wfu.edu

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