Before you get to campus, we wanted to help prepare you for your first couple of weeks as a Resident Director at Radford University. Included in this information packet, you will find directions, maps, lists of local restaurants, and words of wisdom from current staff members.

Although this might look a little long, we wanted to include information that we would have found helpful when we first moved to Radford. So, we hope this information will be helpful, and please do not hesitate to contact your Assistant Director/Area Coordinator (e.g., Mark, Laurica, Angela, or Pam) if you have any additional questions! See you soon!

The facts we knew you were dying to know: The population was 15,859 at the 2000 census (that population is

without campus population). The city has a total area of 10.2 square miles, of which,

9.8 square miles of it is land and 0.4 square miles of it is water (The New River).

The age distribution, which is strongly influenced by Radford University, is:12.9% under the age of 18, 44.0% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 14.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

Radford average annual precipitation is 38.1 inches per year.

Radford average annual snowfall is 27.8 inches per year.

The average winter temperature is 31.0 degrees F.

The average spring temperature is 50.5 degrees F.

The average summer temperature is 71.3 degrees F.

The average fall temperature is 52.1 degrees F.

Radford is predominantly a college town. When students are gone, the population dwindles significantly.

Actual “downtown” consists of several small shops and restaurants and a movie theatre. There is also a farmer’s market that is open

every Saturday 8 am-1 pm, rain or shine, beginning the first Saturday in May and will continue through the last Saturday in October.

Hopefully you’ve had a chance to visit campus. Just in case you don’t remember every building, here’s a quick reminder:

As a Resident Director, you will have the option to purchase a Faculty/Staff parking pass. It is worth the money!!! This will allow you to park almost anywhere on campus (including close to your building).

A detailed map of parking lots can be found at: Parking Map

You will be issued a P.O. Box from the university when you arrive. So, it will be a week or two before you being receiving mail on campus.

Also, if you are expecting a package via Fed-Ex or UPS, they may require that you use the following address instead of your P.O. Box number:

RU Station Box #801 East Main StreetRadford UniversityRadford, VA 24142

HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL

The Radford Highlanders Festival, a popular fall destination for Southwest Virginia residents and tourists across the nation for more than a decade, will take place Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, in downtown Radford and on the campus of Radford University. A joint partnership between the city and university, this is the festival’s 13th year and features familiar and new events.

The festival, held in conjunction with RU’s annual Parents Weekend, takes place on Moffett Quad, Heth and McConnell lawns. Returning are the heavyweight athletic games, craft and food vendors, strolling minstrel groups and more. The Appalachian Folk Arts Festival, sponsored by RU’s Appalachian Events Committee, will be near the campus fountain area and showcases some of the region’s most celebrated traditional crafts and crafters including basket weavers, quilters, a blacksmith, artists and more.

HOMECOMING

Light Side- The side of campus nearest the 7-11 or Tyler Ave.

Dark Side- The side of campus nearest the Delimart or Jefferson Ave.

The Tartan- The campus newspaper that is available weekly at locations all over campus (including your lobby).

CAB/BAP-The Campus Activities Board/Black Awareness Programming Board.

The Bonnie- A nickname for Hurlburt Student Center.

Highlander- Our mascot…he may or may not creep you out.

Macados: Restaurant/bar that features a karaoke night, wing night, and nightly drink specials. A local favorite. Menu

Mi Puerto: A local Mexican restaurant with fabulous margarita’s. One of Penny Kyle’s (our president) favorite dining facilities.

El Charro: Another local Mexican restaurant.

Highlander Pizza: Famous for the “Highlander Rolls.” You really must try them!!! They deliver to all residence halls.

BT’s: Restaurant/bar that is a local favorite as well. Nightly food and drink specials in addition to lunch specials are featured. A DJ is frequently around for the weekend crowds. Menu

Sandros: Italian eatery Sal’s: Very similar

Italian eatery. Additionally, Radford is

home to an Applebee's, Sonic, McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Hardees, KFC, Long John Silvers, Taco Bell, Subway, and Arby’s.

Kroger Located on Lee

Highway Food Lion

Located on Tyler Avenue

Wade’s Located on W. Main Street

Wal-Mart Located on Lee

Highway

If you’re interested in organic or natural foods, try out the following grocery stores in Blacksburg: Annie Kay’s (organic

foods)-there is also one on Main Street in Radford

Oasis World Market (international food store)

The Salem Avalanche- A professional baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros. Tickets range up to

$8 (for the box seats)

Conveniently located only half an hour away!

The Roanoke Express-Although you may have heard of the Roanoke area hockey team, the team was disbanded in 2004. Sorry…you’re a few years too late.

Radford has a wide variety of places of worship.

A complete listing can be found here. This list includes addresses, phone numbers, and websites. (Although all listings are not in Radford City Limits, the website gives details on the distance each location is from Radford.)

WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO GO WHEN YOU’RE SICK? PHARMACIES

The medical clinic on campus (in Moffett Hall) is FREE!!! However, you should expect a nice long wait. Calling ahead is strongly recommended.

If you are in need of emergency medical care, the Carillion New River Valley Medical Center is just down Tyler Ave. From campus, go down Tyler

Avenue (away from downtown and toward Interstate 81) until you cross over 81. Once you cross over the bridge the hospital will be on your left.

Are located at: CVS Kroger Wal-Mart

FOR GAS FOR REPAIRS The best prices are

usually at: BP located on Main

Street downtown, on Tyler Avenue near Interstate 81, and on Peppers Ferry past Wal-Mart.

Sheetz at the corner of Highway 11 and Peppers Ferry Blvd.

There is a NAPA Auto Care Center on Highway 11 in the Kroger Shopping Center.

There is an Advanced Auto Parts on Peppers Ferry in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center.

For more serious auto repairs, Radford Auto Center is highly recommended. They do good work for reasonable prices. They are located less than a mile from campus at:

1000 Stockton St Radford, VA 24141

DMV DEALERSHIPS

There are 2 DMVs that serve the Radford/Blacksburg/ Christiansburg area. 385 Arbor Dr

Christiansburg, VA 24073 Map.

1901 Bob White Blvd Pulaski, VA 24301 Map

All other inquires can be addressed by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The one dealership in Radford is Harvey’s GMC.

The following dealerships are located within half an hour of Radford: New River Nissan Thompson Chrysler Dodge Shelor Chevrolet Toyota Duncan Hyundai Duncan Pontiac GMC Jones Professional Vehicles Duncan Ford Mercury Chry

sler Dodge &Jeep Duncan Automotive Netwo

rk: Duncan Jeep Isuzu

Wal-Mart is not far, and pretty easy to get to. From the backside of Muse, you will go left on Main Street toward “downtown” Radford. Turn right on US 11 at the light by the public library and you will go across the bridge. Then, take a right at your second light onto Peppers Ferry Blvd and Wal-Mart is on the left. (There’s a light in front of Taco Bell and Hollywood video where you can turn into the parking lot.)

Just in case you need a visual, here’s a map: Wal-Mart Map

Home of Virginia Tech Since Radford’s dining

locations are limited, many more restaurants can be found in the neighboring town of Blacksburg.

Downtown Blacksburg also features several shops, bars, restaurants, and a movie theatre.

Some of the more popular restaurants include: Sharky’s, Moes, Backstreet, Poor Billys, Buffalo Wild Wings, TCBY, Awful Arthurs, Ben and Jerry’s, The River Mill, Champs, The Cellar, and Beaudreaux’s.

Additionally, there is an annual festival in Blacksburg called “Steppin’ Out.” This festival will occur one of the first weekends you’re here, and is a nice break from training. More information about this street festival can be found here.

Start out going WEST on E MAIN ST/ US-11/ NORWOOD ST toward UNIVERSITY DR. Continue to follow US-11/ NORWOOD ST.

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-11 S.

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto VA-114 E/ PEPPERS FERRY BLVD. Continue to follow VA-114 E.

Turn LEFT onto PRICES FORK RD.

Turn RIGHT onto N MAIN ST/ US-460 BR.

Turn RIGHT onto COLLEGE AVE.

If you need a map, try this.

Home of the closest shopping mall! Store listings can be

found here. Home of a much larger

movie theatre. Show times can be found here.

Home of several other major businesses such as: Target, Old Navy, Office Max, Shoe Carnival, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Michaels, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Dollar World, Lowes, Fed-Ex, Kinkos, etc.

Some of the more popular restaurants in Christiansburg include: Red Robin, Cinco de Mayo, Texas Roadhouse, O’Charley’s, Shakers, Applebees, Texas Steak House, Kabuki, Outback, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, Jimmy John’s, Chick-fil-A, CCs Pizza, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Fazoli’s, Olive Garden, Panera Bread Company, Coldstone Creamery, and The Farmhouse.

Start out going WEST on E MAIN ST/ US-11/ NORWOOD ST toward UNIVERSITY DR. Continue to follow US-11/ NORWOOD ST.

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-11 S.

Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto VA-114 E/ PEPPERS FERRY BLVD. Continue to follow VA-114 E.

Just in case, here’s a map.

Home of the nearest airport. Flight schedules and directions can be found here.

Also known as the “Star City.”

Roanoke is the nearest large city with a population of almost 100,000 people.

Roanoke also has two malls (both much larger than the Christiansburg mall). The Tanglewood Mall and the Valley View Mall.

Favorite local restaurants include: Smokey Bones, The Flat Rock Grill, Logan’s Steakhouse, TGIFridays, Alexander’s, Home Place Restaurant, Red Palace, Emilio’s Famous Pizza, Maggie Moo’s, Kobe, Famous Anthony’s, and many more!

  Start out going NORTHWEST on E MAIN ST/US-11/NORWOOD ST toward UNIVERSITY DR.

Turn LEFT onto VA-177 S/TYLER AVE. Continue to follow VA-177 S

Merge onto I-81 N via the ramp on the LEFT toward ROANOKE.

Merge onto I-581 S/US-220 S via EXIT 143 toward AIRPORT/ROANOKE.

Merge onto US-11 S/US-220 BR S/US-221 S/WILLIAMSON RD NE/VA-116 S via EXIT 5 toward DOWNTOWN.

Need a map? Here you go!

PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

Claytor Lake is only 20 minutes away and a popular attraction during the summer months.

Many students go tubing down the New River. This activity requires that you buy some sort of floatation device at Wal-Mart, and then just float down the New River. Rafts and a car service are available for a fee, but most students prefer to organize this themselves.

Bisset Park is located just across the street from campus. It features several playgrounds, miles of walking trails, tennis courts, soccer fields, and several picnic areas.

Wildwood Park is also conveniently located just blocks from campus. This park features more rustic hiking paths than Bisset and several picnic areas as well.

RU Outdoors also plans trips and outdoor adventures (caving, backpacking, hiking, camping, kayaking, etc.) throughout the school year.

RECREATION FOR THOSE MORE APT FOR INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Movie theatres can be found in downtown Radford (shows one movie at a time), the Kroger Shopping Center ( shows 2-3 movies at a time), Blacksburg (shows 1 movie at a time), and Christiansburg (shows a wide variety at any given time). CAB and BAP also sponsor movies on campus for $.50 matinees on Sundays and only a $1 the rest of the weekend with an RU ID.

Miniature Golf can be found in Blacksburg at Cox’s Driving Range located on Prices Fork Road. Batting cages, a driving range, and a putt-putt are all available!

Adventure World (a skating rink and arcade) is located in Christiansburg.

Cascades-The Cascades National Recreation Trail ascends the gorge for two miles to the picturesque 66-foot Cascades Waterfall. It is a four-mile round trip. The area is beautiful in the autumn and only about an hour from campus. You can find directions here.

Blue Ridge Parkway- Radford is conveniently located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. People from all over the country come to the area to see the beautiful foliage in the fall.

The Natural Bridge- One Of The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World! A visit can also include hiking The Cedar Creek Trail, visiting the Native American Village, and watching The Drama of Creation.

Dixie Cavern- The only caverns in Virginia. A visit includes a 45 minute cavern tour, year-round camping opportunities, and a unique shopping experience.

Smith Mountain Lake- Virginia’s most popular lake that offers a variety of outdoor activities. The 500 miles of shorelines are lined with hotels and other rental properties.

Nearby Ski Resorts (most are only an hour or two away): Massanutten Resort Snowshoe Mountain Resort Wintergreen Resort

Virginia Safari Zoo- This unique animal encounter park appeals to all ages and is becoming one of the region's top attractions.

Chateau Morrisette- a local winery where you can take a tour of the facilities…or indulge in a wine tasting! Also has a well known restaurant on site.

Mountain Lake Hotel- See where Dirty Dancing was filmed! The hotel even hosts occasional “Dirty Dancing Weekends” where you can experience it all yourself!

What you need to know: Don’t loose your meal card!

You’re going to want that because the first paycheck is a few weeks away…

Take notes during training. There’s no way you’ll ever remember it all!

Get your office organized before your RAs get here!! You won’t have time when they’re here.

Ask questions (to returning RDs or ADACs)! We can guarantee they won’t be as dumb as some of the questions we’ve asked in the past.

Your building may or may not have hot water during training. Heads up!

The Unbirthday Party- This is a Radford Res-Life tradition that takes place one night of the retreat. You will be asked to bring a $10 or less present for the festivities. Then, a game similar to “Dirty Santa” (aka “The White Elephant Gift Exchange”) is played where RDs take turns opening presents that can then be stolen.

Make nice with the RUPD dispatchers…you never know when you (and three other RDs) are going to get trapped in an elevator…

Although you may not always been in the best mood when you call facilities, be nice to the dispatchers!! If you’re not, it may take a lot longer for your problem to be addressed.

If you don’t know what to do, ask. You’ll have fewer problems later.

Don’t freak out the first time you drop the duty phone. It’s been done many times before.

You will be classically conditioned to all Nextel ringtones. Do not be surprised when your heart rate becomes elevated in Wal-Mart because someone else gets called.

Good luck!!!