How many people visit the Info Booth?

Last year we were open 122 days and had 2,092 visitors, including people from 39 countries.

What are some commonly asked questions?

Where can I park? Where’s the closest bathroom? Visitors to the booth are often parents with sons and daughters on campus tours and inevitably the Greek system comes up: Is it as notorious as it is often portrayed? And how cold does it get in winter? We recommend they take a look at the Hopkins Center, Hood Museum, Rauner Special Collections Library, and Rollins Chapel. 

Who volunteers at the booth?

Most are local alumni. We have a roster of about 15. 

What kind of materials do you share?

Campus maps, various Admissions Office brochures, information on the Hop and the Hood, road maps. Quite a few Appalachian Trail through-hikers stop at the booth for information. We also have a primitive map of downtown Hanover and a list of local restaurants. We try not to recommend a specific restaurant, but if we’re asked about a traditional Dartmouth restaurant, we’ll point to Lou’s.

Do you ever feel like the lonely Maytag repairman if nobody stops by?

Traffic at the booth can be hit or miss. Sometimes we have a steady stream of visitors and other times we’ll go for an hour or two without anyone stopping. Last year, with College Street closed for construction, we seemed to have fewer visitors, but the street’s now open for business.

What are the busiest months?

Usually July and August. We’re open from Memorial Day to mid-October, Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 4 and Saturdays from 9:30 to 1. Commencement Sunday is the only Sunday we’re open.

Does it get hot inside the booth during the summer?

It’s in the shade. That helps. We also have a fan.

Do people ever ask for help in an emergency?

A couple of summers ago I was at the booth when a student told us about a woman who looked disoriented, wandering around in circles on the Green. I called Safety & Security and they came and called an ambulance. We have a list of emergency numbers to call. And occasionally cars drive the wrong way down College Street, which can be very dangerous when students walking out of classes on Dartmouth Row have their faces buried in their books
or phones. We also yell at people speeding down College Street to slow down.