Students without a car will no longer be “stranded” on campus,
thanks to the Billiken Weekend Shuttle, launching this
Saturday.

Every Saturday during the school year, from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m., a
University shuttle will transport students from campus to shopping,
dining and entertainment destinations throughout the city.

The Barnes & Noble Scholars designed the shuttle service
last year. This group of sophomores was selected to receive a
scholarship in return for designing a project that would improve
their community.

“Those of us without a car felt trapped on campus at times,”
said Jim Sarcone, member of the group. “We came up with a huge list
of places we wanted to go but then had to limit it down due to
budget concerns.”

The shuttle will start at Griesedieck Hall and then proceed to
make several stops on campus.

After making the rounds on campus, the shuttle will head to the
Schnuck’s and Esquire Theatre on Clayton Road, followed by
Tropicana Bowling Lanes and the Galleria. From there, the new
Brentwood Square area and Target Greatland will be stopping
locations before returning to the SLU campus.

Two shuttles will be used, allowing for a rotation of 30 minutes
at each stop.

Residence Hall Association President Kristin Hoff is excited by
the shuttle service.

“The opportunity to go and experience places off campus is an
important part of living on campus,” she said.

A student fee of $4 assessed to all undergraduate on-campus
residents is paying for the shuttle. The fee was approved in a
referendum last February. Originally, commuter students were to be
assessed the fee as well, but following a decision by University
administrators the fee was limited to on-campus residents.

“They didn’t feel it was fair for commuters,” explained Caroline
Heckman, coordinator for the Barnes & Noble Scholars.

With flyers plastered around campus and distributed to all
incoming freshmen, the Barnes & Noble Scholars realize that
publicity of the service is key to its success.

For more information and specific departure times and locations,
check out
http://www.slu.edu/services/transportation/billiken/weekend.html