By Ella Sanchez
Clicking open the image my friend Anna sends me, my eyes widen with delight. The images of the Vet School are gorgeous: warm, wooden panels lining the walls and ceiling, light pouring in from the massive windows and illuminating the green carpet and yellow furniture. Looking between the colorless, basement classroom with zero natural light in front of me and the pleasant portrait of the Vet School, the comparison was stark. I turn my computer to my friend, watching her eyes light up in a similar fashion as mine did seconds prior. Both of us eagerly typed back our approval. Today just became lunch at the Vet School!
Our lunches were usually spent in Trillium, as Okenshields was a grim ten minute walk to and from the AG Quad to make in our short lunch period. But today, class was canceled; the redundancy of our Friday schedules could finally be broken, and we had the freedom to spend our Big Red Bucks as we chose!
As soon as we are dismissed, we march towards Bus Stop Bagels, where we would meet our other two friends. Opening the GET app, I stare at my quickly depleting Big Red Bucks—soon to be Big Red Bucks broke—and groan for mercy. Usually, I eat at Trillium anyways.
The four of us walk past AG quad, where AG Day is currently underway. After stopping by for some quick pictures with the cows and taking one of the free Chobani yogurt cups, we all make our way down Tower Road. Though I originally attempted to persuade a bus ride, unsettled by the fifteen minute walk, I enjoyed our stroll far more than I anticipated. One of my friends reminds me that we should enjoy the warm air and gentle breeze while we can, before it becomes freezing temperatures and winter winds. She is completely right; after being buried in the basement of our previous class, the fresh air seems to resurrect my energy.
We repeatedly comment on how we’re rarely on this part of campus, all of us never having been past the Dairy Bar. By the time we reach the various greenhouses, we are the only people in the area. Though the emptiness is a bit off-putting as we approach the tall glass buildings, it feels contrarily pleasant; it’s as if we have discovered unmarked territory. The Vet School feels separated from the rest of the campus. You likely think, Well of course it is. It’s light years away from central. To be fair, you’re not wrong, but simultaneously, this part of campus feels like an alcove from the buzz of classes, a momentary pause in the marathon of our schedules.
When we meander to the doors, it appears the universe has granted us another gift—the first one being a canceled class, and the second being a person walking out of the building. The Vet School only allows those with ID to enter. With this perfect timing, we naturally slip through the doors, to be met with arguably one of the prettiest buildings on all of Cornell’s campus.
The building seems to be designed as the crossing of modern architecture and the natural world. The golden lights, lush green floors, wooden ceilings, and yellow accents remove any feeling of synthetic construction; yet the smooth edges and sharp corners appeal to contemporary styles. The four of us journey beneath the tall ceilings to the stairs, climbing our way to the vast windows in the back of the open room.
The exhilaration of being somewhere you aren’t supposed to flows through my veins as we walk into the cafe. Through the archways, the room opens to various meal options. From the several burger and sandwich options at the kitchen, self-served salads and soups, and grab-n-go pizza slices, we all look around with wonder. I am thoroughly impressed with the variety, my vegetarian friend excitedly pointing out all the options for her as well. After investigating each station, I settled on the Chicken Tikka Masala from the hot bar. As I approach the counter to pay, I glimpse at the drink menu. Remembering the alarmingly small number of my BRBs, I pay without looking at the total and beeline towards the exit. Can’t risk standing there for too long.
We sit outside to enjoy the fresh air again, many others with the same idea. Under the shaded portion of the garden, we dine happily. The food is delicious, which certainly helps lift our spirits.
With a little less than an hour before I need to head back for class, we explore a bit more. It may be slightly exaggerated to say that it felt like heaven, but truly in that moment, positive attributes of the building continually emerged. From the mass amounts of free seating, which was typically rare to find, to the bathroom stalls that were certainly designed by women (you’ll probably understand if you are relatively active on social media and also a woman), the Vet School appealed more and more.
The ultimate point in our trip, however, is when we enter the library.
It is exactly like the pictures my friend had sent me from the website. The ambiance is elegant, yet comforting, modern yet also naturalistic. The green carpeted floors make it seem like you are stepping on grass, with the warm-toned, wooden tables and bookshelves adding to an earthy atmosphere. The lights were bright, a more amber tone than the other artificial lamps in some libraries. Red, orange, and yellow splashes of color lightened the room even further, with sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
While my friend borrows a charger from the librarian at the front desk, my other two friends and I wander like tourists. We peruse the rows of books, pointing out the cool trinkets, circle the hammock against the window, and ascend the steps to the second floor. Our view of the library is pretty, my mind already drawing images of myself studying among the other students in the room. The natural light turns the room golden, the colorful hues picture-worthy. With a little time left, the four of us sit at one of the tables, a perfect amount of chairs for a perfect afternoon. The view before is certainly a treasure to behold.
The next time I venture back to the Vet School I am alone. It is now Tuesday, and I intend to stay a bit longer to finish my work, to write this article enveloped in an unparalleled ambiance. The sun sets beside me, with the warm glow of the lamp highlighting the keys of my computer.
As I sit and write about my experience that day, a part of me regrets choosing to pitch this topic; part of me wants to keep this place just to myself (which I’m keenly aware is ironic since I’m technically not allowed to be here). However, it is undeniable that the Veterinary School of Medicine is a must-visit spot here on campus—whether you want a good meal or a place to romanticize your studying—even if you only go once. Just make sure you have enough BRBs. Resisting that specialty drink took more willpower than words can describe.
Ella Sanchez is a freshman in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be reached at es2287@cornell.edu.
