Wednesday, August 21, 2013 | Page B11
Daily Kent Stater
Summer reading book ties to entrepreneurship course FlashFleet offers free campus bike rides for Kent students Charleton Uveges cuveges1@kent.edu
YOLANDA LI | DAILY KENT STATER Tiffany Ferguson, incoming freshman chemistry major, buys the book “Who Owns The Ice House”, in the Kiva on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
Christina Bucciere cbucciere@kent.edu Incoming freshmen learned eight important lessons in entrepreneurship from the freshmen summer reading book — recognizing opportunities, building a brand and the power of persistence, to name a few. Students read the book “Who Owns the Ice House?” authored by Clifton Taulbert and Gary Schoeniger. In addition to being the freshmen summer-reading book, incoming students have been encouraged to enroll in a three-credit hour course that corresponds to the book. The course was brought to Kent State last year in partnership with the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program. Craig Zamary, marketing and entrepreneurship lecturer, said Kent State is the first fouryear university to offer the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program course. He said the course seeks to integrate the eight guiding principles discussed in the book.
“The class received a 100 percent satisfaction rate last year,” Zamary said. “Students were describing it as a lifechanging course.” Zamary said it is possible the corresponding course will become a mandatory class for all incoming freshmen for the 20142015 school year. Although the course is pitched to all freshmen, Zamary said any student is welcome to enroll in it. “It empowers students to network with other entrepreneurs and create their own paths,” he said. Adam Barnard, incoming freshman business administration major, said he is interested in the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program course. “I think the course could definitely help me step out of my comfort zone,” Barnard said, “and take opportunities when they present themselves.” Christina Bucciere is the safety and College of Business Administration reporter at the Daily Kent Stater.
Course times and availability for Fall 2013 The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (22990 – BUS – 10195-001) • 100 percent online • 3.00 credits • Aug. 26, 2013 – Dec. 8, 2013 • Lecture • Instructor: Craig Zamary • 119 seats available as of Aug. 16
The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (22991 – BUS – 10195-002) • 100 percent online • 3.00 credits
• Nov. 4, 2013 – Dec. 8, 2013 • Lecture • Instructor: Craig Zamary • 124 seats available as of Aug. 16
The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (22992 – BUS – 10195-003) • • • • • •
Kent Campus 3.00 credits MW 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Lecture Instructor: Craig Zamary 75 seats available as of Aug. 16
Since FlashFleet, Kent State’s free bike rental service, started in Fall 2010, the program has grown to provide almost 10,000 rentals a year. FlashFleet allows free bike rentals from March through November for any current student with a valid FlashCard. The Trek 7000 hybrid bikes come with cable locks and are available at seven rental locations across campus: four residence hall desks — located in Stopher Hall, Dunbar Hall, Tri-Towers and Twin Towers — as well as three non-residence locations at the Ice Arena, Student Center and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. “From the time we rolled out the bikes in March [2012] until we rolled them in Thanksgiving week, we had 9,600 checkouts,” said David Herpy, outdoor adventure coordinator for Recreational Services. For a program fewer than three years old, 1,200 rentals per month show how fast FlashFleet’s popularity has grown. Jeremy Quay, sophomore exploratory major, said that he admires Kent State’s unique service. “I don’t think every university has free bikes for any student who wants to use one, so it’s really cool that Kent offers them,” Quay said. Though there is no rental charge for renting, all bikes, locks and keys are due back to the checkout location by 9:30 p.m. on the day it is checked out, or students will have to deal with late fees. “If it’s not returned, there is a fine of $20 per day,” Herpy said. The charges will accumulate “even if you end up paying the full price of the bike.” One of the newest additions to the FlashFleet program is the bike “Fix-It” station located between the Student Center and KIVA buildings. The station is free to use “for any cyclist, not just Kent students or FlashFleet users,” Herpy said. “It has screwdrivers, Allen wrenches and a bike pump free of charge.” Copies of the campus bike map are available at FlashFleet locations and include bike-friendly routes and sidewalks, buildings, road names and bike racks, Herpy said. Included with the map is also a brochure “containing an ABC bike check, bike safety and rules of the road.” Tony Corbo, freshman exploratory major, said he was excited when he heard about the service. “A free bike is a free bike,” Corbo said. “Why would I want to walk all the time? I need a little change-up every so often.” In the future, FlashFleet has plans for enhancing the program, Herpy said. “We’re looking at a third-generation pilot program with an electronic docking station and futuristic bike rack at the Student Center and the [Kent Central Gateway],” Herpy said. This would mean not having to worry about returning the bikes to the checkout location. Instead students would be able to return the bikes to these new bike racks. “By the end of this season, we hope to have a decision made,” Herpy said. “We’re still working on the funding.” Meanwhile, FlashFleet continues to provide bikes to any and all Kent State students who feel like riding to class is more fun than walking. Charleton Uveges is a news correspondent for the Daily Kent Stater.