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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!
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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.
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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.
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Hopefully you’ve had a chance to visit campus.
Just in case you don’t remember every
building, here’s a quick reminder:
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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
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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 Street
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL
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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.
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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
Homecoming is a
week long event that
has recently been
moved to the spring semester.
The week culminates in a basketball game where the
Homecoming court is presented.
Although Radford does not
have a football team, it does have a
growing basketball following. Other
popular sports include: soccer,
baseball, softball, field hockey, and lacrosse.
 The
“Dread the Red” is the new logo
for all Radford University
athletics. Students display their
team spirit by causing a “redout” at all major sporting
events.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Kroger
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Food Lion
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Located on Lee
Highway
Located on Tyler
Avenue
Wade’s
Located on
W. Main Street
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Wal-Mart
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Located on Lee
Highway
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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)
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Wachovia-Branch located on Main Street
Suntrust-Branch located on Main Street
BB & T-Branch located on Main Street
Bank of America-Branch located on Peppers Ferry Blvd
Bank of Floyd-Branch located on Peppers Ferry Blvd
First Bank of Virginia-Branch located on Main Street
Stellar One- Branch located on Main Street
 Additionally, there are ATMs located at
all of the above mentioned locations and
in Dalton Hall (Wachovia top floor,
Suntrust bottom floor), Muse Hall (Suntrust
in the lobby), and in the Bonnie (BB & T and
Wachovia) on campus.
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The Salem AvalancheA professional
baseball team
affiliated with the
Houston Astros.
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Tickets range up to $8
(for the box seats)
Conveniently located
only half an hour
away!
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The Roanoke ExpressAlthough you may
have heard of the
Roanoke area hockey
team, the team was
disbanded in 2004.
Sorry…you’re a few
years too late.
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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?
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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.
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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.
PHARMACIES
 Are located at:
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CVS
Kroger
Wal-Mart
FOR GAS
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The best prices are
usually at:
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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.
FOR REPAIRS
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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
DEALERSHIPS
DMV
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There are 2 DMVs that
serve the
Radford/Blacksburg/
Christiansburg area.
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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.
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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
Chrysler Dodge &Jeep
 Duncan Automotive Network:
Duncan Jeep Isuzu
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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: WalMart Map
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Turn RIGHT onto N
MAIN ST/ US-460 BR.
Turn RIGHT onto
COLLEGE AVE.
If you need a map, try
this.
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Home of the closest
shopping mall!
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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, FedEx, Kinkos, etc.
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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.
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Start out going WEST
on E MAIN ST/ US11/ NORWOOD ST
toward UNIVERSITY
DR. Continue to
follow US-11/
NORWOOD ST.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT
onto US-11 S.
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Turn SLIGHT RIGHT
onto VA-114 E/
PEPPERS FERRY
BLVD. Continue to
follow VA-114 E.
Just in case, here’s a
map.
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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!
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Start out going NORTHWEST
on E MAIN ST/US11/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.
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Need a map? Here you go!
PARKS AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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):
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Massanutten Resort
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Wintergreen Resort
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Virginia Safari ZooThis 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.
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Mountain Lake HotelSee where Dirty Dancing
was filmed! The hotel
even hosts occasional
“Dirty Dancing
Weekends” where you
can experience it all
yourself!
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What you need to know:
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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!
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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.
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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!!!