Best place to people watch
The MU
The MU is great for a lot of things. It can be a safe haven from the heat during the brutal summer months. It can be a restaurant or a convenience store for all your shaving, plucking, fucking or bleeding needs. Do not forget, however, that the MU is also the best place to people watch. They come and go with ease. Some want (need) their Starbucks and are willing to wait in lines that stretch 20 deep. Others simply come in for the free, ice-cold water. Whatever their purpose, they sure are fun to watch. There really is no place better than the MU because of its high concentration of people at any time of the day. The best places to hole up inside are the small, wooden tables near the north entrance just beside the Starbucks. The large windows provide more than adequate sunlight for optimal spying. The best is when one of the Baristas is about to shout out the name of the person whose order is up, and the wrong person jumps out of his or her seat to get it. The poor sap inevitably is forced to make the walk of shame back to his seat. Don't be afraid to call ahead and ask about upcoming events, which are a dream come true for people watching, at (480) 965-5728. People watching should also be easy on the lower level, where an arcade, bowling alley, pool tables and a Burger King make for more diverse ways to watch people make fools of themselves.
Best Starbucks
Business school Starbucks
Soon, there may be a Starbucks that can account for every student attending ASU. With one on practically every corner of campus, there are many spots where students can get their caffeine fix. But out of all of them, ASU students voted the Starbucks at the business school as the best place to sit and enjoy a venti mocha caramel Frappuccino with extra whipped cream. The location provides a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of class, especially since it is the only Starbucks on campus that resembles an off-campus coffee shop. Sit inside on one of the comfy couches to study for a test. Enjoy listening to the CD of the day or sit out on the patio to people watch. A good cup of coffee is one thing to look for, but a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy is another. This is why this Starbucks beats the other three locations on campus. The hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 7a.m.-8 p.m. and closed Saturday-Sunday.
Best class
PGS222 Human Sexual Behavior
There is no other class at ASU where the professor yells "taint" or "violent vulva."
These terms refer to the class material, not name calling muttered under breath.
The professor, Lee Spencer, makes the lectures worth going to. She is well-spoken, blunt and humorous. She urges students to be comfortable with their sexuality and smart about their choices. Spencer informs but doesn't preach. She has taught the class for over 20 years, so she is the epitome of a "sexpert." It is a privilege to be a part of this class, which often requires overrides because of its popularity. The prerequisite to this class is PGS101, Introduction to Psychology, and an average of 180 students are in each session. Sure, tons of ASU students have lots of sex, but they are probably not as informed as they should be. Many leave the class with a better sense of self, and some great sex tips. Not bad.
Best of the crazy street preachers
The dude with the dog
You might remember SPM's favorite campus street preacher, also known as "the crazy dude with the dog," from his raving rants of hellfire and brimstone we've all grown to love over the past couple semesters. He might be best remembered by his sign proclaiming the many varieties of "sinners," or the way he drags his poor golden retriever around with him everywhere. Many an afternoon has been spent watching students argue with the religious orator or simply watching him yell at students as they walk to class. However overt our favorite crazy street preacher, you've got to give the guy an "A" for effort. It's tough standing outside on hot summer afternoons heckling students and causing a ruckus outside the Memorial Union. After all, if he didn't do it, who would? Next time you get the pleasure of happening upon SPM's favorite crazy street preacher, at least give his poor dog a sympathetic pat on the head. Even though we haven't seen him in a while, we hope he comes back when the temperature warms up again.
Best place to study on campus
Noble Science Library
You may be wondering: "What the hell is the Noble Science Library?" That's exactly why it's the best place on campus to study. Even on the "silent" floors of Hayden Library, snickers and whispers are often an annoying distraction. There are barely any students, let alone distractions, at the Noble Science Library, which is located on the east end of campus between the Psychology and Engineering buildings. Silent study spots can be found between stacks of science books, and there is never a problem finding a seat. The library is open until midnight every day, which is perfect for late-night cram sessions or just a place to hang out when you can't sleep. A line at the printer or copy machine is unthinkable, and the librarians are always friendly and willing to help you find that text you've been looking for. Despite it being a science library, all majors benefit from Noble Science Library's silent study atmosphere, making it the best place on campus to study.
Best on-campus dining
Einstein's, first floor Memorial Union
It's nice to have coffee in the morning. Maybe even a bagel. A chicken salad is good for lunch. Maybe a bagel then too. And a large brick rice crispy treat is a decent afternoon snack, and maybe a bagel on the side.
You can't get breakfast at Chick Fil A, you wont find hot soup at Starbucks, and Cereality doesn't serve soda with breakfast. Einstein's comes in first for the best restaurant at the MU simply by virtue of carrying what students want whatever time of day they want it.
Breakfast is served all day, from omelet sandwiches that run around $5 to a regular bagel for around $3. Then there's sandwiches, fruit salads, pre-made salads and various delicious pastries. The chocolate mudslide cookie is the best. Also, there are a few different coffee flavors available to get you through each class period.
Consistent with the theme of flexibility, Einstein's is one of the few sit-down eateries in the MU. It provides both indoor and outdoor eating. They open their doors at 7 a.m., just before an early class, and don't close until 7 p.m., just before a late session.
Best place to sleep on campus
Second floor of Hayden Library
Some people say that sleeping on campus is creepy. They think somebody might be watching as they drool in their sleep or snag their books while they're catching some shut-eye. But no one on the second floor of the Hayden Library can be found voicing this opinion — they're all sound asleep. Many campus locations are quiet enough for sleeping, but only the second floor of the library has the amenities and environment ideal for making up for Saturday's all-nighter. The couches may not be as comfortable as a Tempurpedic bed, but they do the job. And, because it's the library, it's hard to find a place on campus that beats its quietness. Squelch any fears of somebody watching you, because almost everybody on that floor is already sleeping. And unlike teachers in class, the librarians won't mind you sleeping in their workspace — as long as you make no mention of having sex in the stacks. SPM made that mistake while reviewing the best place to get busy on campus for last year's "Best of" issue.
Best Place to NOT have sex (Staff Pick)
Hayden Library
So, as it turns out, the library is not a good place to get dirty. Contrary to what you may have heard (or read) in the past, having any sort of sexual relations in the library … any library … is bad news. God forbid you do it in Hayden Library! First off, there are apparently a lot of germs. Yes, everyone knows those books from the '80s have been touched at least 600,000 times by half that many hands. The bad news is, all those germs can somehow get on you — and in you. In fact, they can practically leap off the binding and attach themselves to you. This is normally not such a worry, but if you have numerous articles of clothing missing, and particularly … sensitive … body parts exposed, you are in real danger. Second, if someone caught you, that would be just plain embarrassing. Maybe exhilarating … but mostly embarrassing. So, just don't do it. Especially not in the third-floor PE section against the back wall behind that pillar that is big enough to hide two bodies.
Best place to kill time
Coor Commons
Caught with a break between classes and nobody to go to lunch with? Being stuck on campus with nothing to do for an hour or so can be an utterly depressing daily event. So where does one go to efficiently kill time? Coor Commons. The glass behemoth known just as well for its ability to provide temporary blindness on sunny days is home to the absolute best place on campus to wait out class breaks. On one end of the structure, there's a giant wall-chalkboard for the only legal defacement of ASU property available. The chalkboard does not have any chalk, but it gives students a reason to carry a piece around! On the other end sits the largest computing common area outside of the Computing Commons with recent PCs and sexy new iMacs. Coor also features a strong wireless connection that can be picked up from either the cement tables outside the commons or the open chairs in the computing area not at workstations. The cement tables are hands down one of the best places on campus to meet friends for lunch or sit and people watch the journalism, education and architecture students wandering around in a project-filled daze. A break between classes used to spell certain brain death, but Coor Commons is the solution. Or at least a place to check Facebook.
Hottest professors
Kevin Dalton
Most students at Barrett, the Honors College had the privilege of learning about literary classics when taking the required "Human Event" class. But only some had the privilege of being taught by Kevin Dalton. Dalton displays a boyish excitement while teaching classics by Rousseau and Harriet Beecher Stowe. In addition, Dalton teaches upper-level honors seminars abroad (for the Paris, Normandy and Loire Valley Honors Study Abroad program). Spots for the summer abroad trip fill up quickly, which is no surprise. Intelligence and wit is always sexy and never out of style, and Dalton proves just that. Dalton is witty, silly and wears linen pants — a look not just anyone can pull off. The man is well-traveled and extremely educated. He is passionate about every book and subject he teaches. His charming demeanor is accompanied by his gorgeous flowy locks, which is why SPM readers have voted him the hottest male professor at ASU. Only he can pull off that unruly hair … and maybe first-season "American Idol" runner-up Justin Guarini too. But Guarini isn't around to make daily learning a truly enlightening task.
Regan O'Kon
Regan O'Kon speaks the ultimate language of love. And it's worked for this Italian professor — the student body is smitten. O'Kon, an ASU alumna, teaches Italian classes 101 through 202. She is a kickass teacher who makes languages fun and easy to understand. To add to the excellency, O'Kon is hot and the object of her students' affection. She is well deserving of SPM's award of hottest female teacher. E very day, she steps into class looking absolutely stunning and perfectly done-up without trying. Her outfits—almost always a classy black top, pants and fashionable accessories—are just as enviable. Girls and guys alike love to learn the romance language in her class. A woman with natural beauty can sometimes be hard to come by at ASU. But O'Kon is beautiful with charm and brains to match. Now that's rare.