Compass: Pointing You in the Right Direction

"Compass: Pointing You in the Right Direction", September 2007

Compass is a MSU service located in the main floor of the MUSC building. Compass serves three main purposes: first to answer questions about McMaster, MSU services and the greater Hamilton area; secondly to provide students a convenient way to travel; and lastly as a retail outlet for campus events tickets.

Let’s say you don’t know how to get to JHE, CSB, ITB, and/or ADL (I know how much first year students love acronyms). Talk to one of the Compass Customer Service Representatives, and they will point you in the right direction; either by explaining how to get there from the Compass desk, or showing you on one of their pocket maps. Want to know more about the Health Plan coverage offered by McMaster, or when you can opt-out of it? Ask one of the Compass CSR’s, and/or check out the MSU Insurance Plans website, here: http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/health/. Don’t know how to get to a certain Professor’s office, your faculty office, or any other location at McMaster? Compass can help you out with that, too.

What about traveling off campus? Compass can point you in the right direction here as well. Compass sells tickets and passes for the GO Transit system, as well as Greyhound, Coach Canada, and both the Hamilton and Burlington Transit systems. Did you know as a full-time undergraduate student that you are entitled to free, unlimited travel on the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR, AKA the Hamilton city bus)? All you have to do is flash your student card when you’re boarding the bus. Need to know how to get to the Pearson International Airport using the GO, or when the next bus to York University leaves? Or how about getting to Guelph, London, Cambridge or Windsor by bus? The CSR’s can help you with that as well.

Did you know as a full-time McMaster student you can get a discount for the GO Transit system? All you need to do is go into the non-academic services section of your MUGSI account, and fill out the form. You can pick up your card on the following Thursday, but must have your student card with you. Having the GO Transit discount will entitle you from anywhere between 10% to 30% when purchasing ten-ride or monthly passes. To use the discount you must have your student card and GO discount card on you.

Want to go to the next concert or play occurring on campus? Buy your tickets at Compass and save on disappointment! To see what events Compass is selling tickets for, check out the McMaster Campus Events website (http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/campusevents/events.php). Compass frequently sells tickets for all of the drama festivals, musicals, Quarters concerts and more! There are advertisements and signs for the events near the kiosk so check them out.

Did you know that Compass also sells long-distance and pre-paid cell phone cards? Not sure what you’re looking for exactly? Ask a CSR to make a recommendation. However, all sales are final, so make sure you have made up your mind before you purchase anything.

During the academic year, Compass is open from 8:00AM until 9:30PM Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 11:00AM until 5:00PM. During exams and holidays the schedule will change slightly, as the Customer Service Representatives are all students like yourself. If you would like more information on Compass, and its services, check out their website, here: http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/compass/index.php.

On a side note: please come visit me! I’m working there this year!