Ronald Tutor Campus Center — Local services in Los Angeles

The campus center came about when I started at USC. Perhaps it was still too fresh, too clean, at the time. But it never felt like home. It never felt lived-in. There's something very artificial, very plasticky about the way it's designed. It doesn't feel like a historic or important building, but rather a tacky attempt at grandiosity. In terms of color scheme and materials, it fits with the rest of campus, but is otherwise an unwelcome imposition. It feels fake, like they tried too hard. Prestige is something a university grows into, not something it buys. USC would do well to ponder this lesson in its aggressive effort to become a top school.

In fact, this building is all about trying really hard. It's the home to admissions, and is supposed to give prospective students the shock-and-awe treatment. Donors will visit, smiling, proud their university has become something so fantastic. But I hope they'll think harder about what this campus center is really trying to accomplish.

In theory, a campus center offers space for all students to gather around and engage in communal activities. This one, perhaps limited by campus size, isn't large enough to do that and doesn't offer the right mix of spaces. It's not good for studying - there are no individual rooms or study spaces. It's okay for eating, but the food is overpriced and inconsistent. It's mediocre for student organizations, given the dearth of rooms and their austere, awkward layouts. And it's only passable for socializing, given the cramped chairs, extreme noise (especially from the fountain), and lack of available spaces to sit. If you're desperate, you can sit on the concrete steps, but these are uncomfortable, overly sunny, and awkward for eating.

There are plenty of calmer and more beautiful spots on campus to hang out. Try any of the benches in the treed areas. You'll be able to relax, free of...

Lots of places to eat here, and a great place to just sit and study. Only 4 stars because the majority of the establishments in the food court are mediocre. Seeds is probably the best place to grab food in this area, either their salad bar, their sandwiches, or the rotisserie, all...

I don't know what to tell you about Ronald tutor campus Center. There's food there's classes, there's offices, the customer service center there's an u derground that has a Tommy's place and some cool artwork. Overall it's a nice place...