Ram's Eye View

Community

West Chester: A Town with Charm

West Chester offers a wealth of restaurants, historical and cultural events, and entertainment that can enhance your college experience.

What was once a Quaker village has rapidly grown into a suburban community that combines the pleasant aspects of a small town and farming area with a geographic location close enough for you to enjoy Philadelphia. For some, West Chester is the best of both worlds. For more information about the Borough, please visit the Borough of Wester Chester website or the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce website.

One word of advice to those of you who are new to the area...one goes "uptown" in West Chester, not "downtown!"

Entertainment

Looking for something to do this weekend? We suggest you see what's going on at the University first. Movies, lectures, and concerts are ongoing, and are either free or very inexpensive. University events can be found on the Events This Month calendar. Area events are well covered in the Daily Local News and Philadelphia Inquirer on Fridays. Free folders on the current attractions in Philadelphia may be obtained from the Independence Visitor's Center, 6th and Market Streets, 8:30am-6pm daily, 215-925-6101 or 800-537-7676, or you can find information on the the Independence Visitor's Center website.

Local information about special events, campgrounds, parks, museums, etc. is available from the Visitor's Center of the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau which is located at 17 Wilmont Mews, Suite 400, West Chester, PA, 610-719-1730. You can stop by there for maps and further information or you can check out the Brandywine Valley website.

Places of Worship

The West Chester community has a number of churches and synagogues representing many religious denominations.  In addition, the Daily Local News runs listings of local services. You may also want to contact respective religious student organizations for information about religious denominations and local places of worship.  Search RamConnect for full list of our student organizations.

Public Transportation

The Sykes Union Information Center serves as your public transportation center by providing schedules for all public transportation in the area. For your convenience, the following links phone numbers may be of interest to you if you are traveling by public transportation.

• SEPTA: 215-580-7800 or TDD/TTY 215-580-7853
• Krapf Coaches: 610-431-1500
• Amtrak (for reservations, station and schedule information): 1-800-872-7245 or TDD/TTY 1-800-523-6590
• Greyhound: 1-800-231-2222 or TDD/TTY 1-800-345-3109
• Rainbow Cab and Limousine: 610-696-6060

Restaurants

West Chester offers a wide variety of places to eat--from fancy French cooking to famous Philadelphia cheesesteaks. There are many dining options within walking distance of the campus. We suggest you check the phone book or Yellow Pages for a complete list, visit the West Chester Business Improvement District website, or get a copy of the Visitors Guide to Chester County published by the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 17 Wilmont Mews, Suite 400, West Chester, PA, 610-719-1730, or visit the Brandywine Valley website.

Voter Registration

You are permitted to register and vote either in West Chester or at your permanent residence, whichever you choose. You can pick up a voter registration form at Chester County Voter Services in the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, Suite 150, or in the SGA Office (217 Sykes Union). You can register up to 30 days before an election or primary. Your registration will run out if you fail to vote for two consecutive years.

WCU encourages all U.S. citizens who will be 18 years of age or older by election day to register to vote. You can register to vote with your West Chester address and vote at a local polling location or you can register with your permanent address. Check your voter registration status and polling location. If you have moved you can change your voting address, or request an absentee ballot. First time voters will be asked to show identification. Here is a list of approved voter IDs.. WCU Ram cards are acceptable.

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