Did you know that DePaul owns a Google Glass, the glasses that let the wearer access emails, calls and more? And that you can rent it out? How about that you can get your computer fixed for free by the “Genius Squad”? Or that laundry in the dorms is free this year?

We reveal the following “hacks” in hope that they will make your life a little easier, perhaps less expensive, this year, if not to just give you something to write home about.

The College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) building is magical. No wonder it’s home to DePaul game design students—it’s full of hacks. We’ll start from the the basement, where you can pick up discounted, used equipment, or get do a quick workout in between classes.

The gym

Nothing beats the Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, with its rooms filled with treadmills, cable machines, and ellipticals. It’s available to all current students and faculty. Take the elevator to the basement and follow signs for “Weight Room.” Have your student I.D., as you’ll need it to scan in.

Hours:

Mon.-Fri.: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sat.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun.: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

DePaul salvage 

The CDM basement is also home to DePaul Salvage, a DePaul warehouse full of unneeded equipment and items. These items often sell at extreme discounts (a Dell computer is listed currently for $40) and range from instruments (such as a casework Organ that sits idle in the basement) to artwork, furniture, cellphones and kitchen appliances. The only difference between this site and craigslist is that you don’t have to worry about getting scammed.

Go to store.universitysalvage.com to browse and purchase items.

Gameplay lab

Craving some Mario Kart between classes? Head to the fifth floor for some ultimate gaming on six different game consoles, televisions and PCs. The Gameplay Lab is open to all current DePaul faculty and students with their I.D.; guests are allowed, but need to be accompanied. No food allowed and drinks must be in a concealed container.

Hours:

Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-10:45 p.m.

Sat.: 12-5:45 p.m.

Sun.: Closed for maintenance

The cage

The ninth floor Cage offers free movie, game, camera, video camera, and videography equipment rentals. Oh, and did I mention Google Glass and GoPro rentals, too? Though film students get priority, and access to a larger array of equipment, any DePaul student can request equipment rentals. Communication students can simply state what class or student organization they need equipment for, and non-communication students can fill out a short request form outlining the details of a project. Rentals lastthree days, but Cage employees have been known to extend deadlines to those who ask nicely. Before you check out, make sure to go over basic rules and regulations of extensions/late fees/and return times so as to avoid fees. A list of available equipment and rental policies can be found here: http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/pages/thecage.aspx.

Hours:

Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Fri.: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Genius Squad

Staffed by students from the College of Computing and Digital Media, Genius Squad offers free technical assistance to all current students and faculty.  According to Offices of DePaul’s website, Genius Squad can assist with: wireless setup, virus and malware removal, hardware repair, RAM upgrades, phone configuration for access to e-mail, and “a variety of other technical services.” The Squad is located on both campuses.

Hours:

Lincoln Park Campus

Richardson Library First Floor

Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Loop Campus

Lewis 1310

Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Library rentals

Turns out you can save on more than just books. With your student I.D., at either the LPC or Loop campus library, you can rent out iPhone and Android phone chargers, graphing calculators (at the Loop library only), headphones, DVDs, videogames and, according to Loop library employee Dean Bozovics, they “give away smiles for free.”

All you need is your student I.D., and rentals vary from two hours to three days. Late fees apply.

Public Safety escort service

DePaul Public Safety provides an escort service to provide safe means of transportation for students commuting from one campus building to another. Call (773)325-7233 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.to request a ride.

Guidelines:

• Escorts only take place between campus boundaries, and both pick-up and drop-off must take place at a campus building or parking lot.
• Escorts limited to three riders at a time

Plotter printer

The Richardson Library’s plotter printer offers students a free way of printing poster-sized flyers or graphics. The printer is located in the Scholar’s Lab on the first floor, and is accompanied by detailed instructions on how to use it. There is a computer to print/design from located in the lab as well.

 Ray Meyer equipment rentals

The Ray offers unbelievably inexpensive equipment rentals on a daily, weekly or weekend basis. You can rent anything from a tent to a bicycle, a backpack to a lantern, for less than $10 a day. Cruiser bike rentals are $7 a day and are due back at 7 p.m.; helmets, lights and u-locks are included free of charge. Students must have a credit card on file in order to rent out equipment and will be charged for any damages or losses.