Transportation
How to get out and about
If you're wondering if you'll have to walk through six-foot snow drifts to class at Bemidji State University, stop worrying. Snow shoveling is a Minnesotan art, and will be done for you. We also have tunnels on campus that can get students from dorm to class or to the gym without a single snowflake. But if you really want to go through the drifts just to tell your grandkids how hard you had it back then, you always can.
Parking on campus?
If you own a car and want to park it on campus, you'll have to buy a permit to park your car, and live with the fact there are no covered garages on campus. Come prepared to deice and shovel snow off your car when winter comes a-knocking on campus, and put a survival kit in your car just in case of (knock on icicles) breakdowns.
Need around town transportation?
If you'd prefer a maintenance-free vehicle (and indeed free, period), just flash your ID and hop on the local Paul Bunyan Transit buses for free. Paul Bunyan Transit buses stop at the dorms and library here from 7:00AM to 8:00 PM M-F. The real downer is that there is no weekend or holiday service, unless you use their Dial-a-ride, which can be arranged Monday through Saturday from 7AM to 6 PM (Specific hours vary). Reservations must be made before 4:30 pm the previous day.
Need to contact BSU Security?
Whenever you feel unsafe after dark at BSU, just call the BSU escort service at (218) 755-3888. Escort services are available all night from 4 PM to 7 AM.
Security is taken seriously here, because the campus is not walled off from Bemidji, which does get plenty of visitors from all over Minnesota due to events, its hospitals, or shopping. Thus, students are always encouraged to call regarding suspicious incidents or intruders, and security reports are reported in the local newspaper.
The best security is knowing your neighbors and the residence halls help names on doors, meetings, social events, and shared kitchens and study spaces, and names on doors.
Want additional information?
If you're relying on public transportation, don't forget to check events offered in Bemidji for special bus/transit information (especially if they last past 8 PM).
Whether you bike, drive, or take buses, you'll benefit from these links: