BELC (Students)

About the BELC

The Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center (BELC) is a state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot facility designed to foster innovation and future-focused learning. It features cutting-edge labs and spaces dedicated to AI, data analytics, design thinking, and sales.

Central to enhancing the academic experience are several strategically positioned centers and labs. The Ellen Wilson Leadership Center will support and promote leadership initiatives across campus, collaborating closely with academic and student life partners to provide a top-tier, comprehensive experience. The Frank '81 and Marion '81 Hauck Sales Performance Lab will combine high-tech tools with mentorship for students from all disciplines. The Artificial Intelligence Lab will also boast a robot center and advanced virtual reality capabilities.

Other notable centers and labs within the BELC include:

• Entrepreneurship Center with classrooms and maker spaces
• Financial Markets Center
• Digital Marketing Lab
• Marketing Behavioral Research Lab
• Supply Chain Lab
• Data Science Lab
• Data Visualization Lab

Transportation

1. Is there parking at the BELC? 
   Yes, there is parking in the surface lot and garage. Student parking will be on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the parking garage. Only faculty, staff, or visitors can park in the surface lots and 1st level. 
     
2. Will I get a new parking sticker? 
   Students need to pay and register their vehicles for the 2024-25 academic year. The 2024-25 sticker is valid on the main campus and at the BELC. 
     
3. Will there be other reserved parking spots? 
   The process that we use to reserve parking spots at the current campus will be used at the BELC.  
     
4. Will there be shuttle service to/from the BELC?
   Yes. There will be three formal pickup locations on the Bryant main campus:
   1. Existing RIPTA stop between Bello and Chace
   2. Behind Fisher Center in the parking lot
   3. At the intersection of Jacob’s Drive and Oak Circle near the Townhouses
       
5. What are the shuttle hours? 
   The shuttles will run from 7 a.m. –11 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The shuttles are always running when the building is open. You can find all the details of the Shuttle Service and the My Bryant Transit App here -- Transportation Information
     
6. Are there any car chargers at the BELC? 
   There is one there now. Four more are being installed. Two of the four new ones will be dedicated to charging the shuttle vans.   

7. Can I walk to/from the BELC? Is it safe?
   The new sidewalk path connecting Lot F at the Tupper Campus to the BELC is now paved; installing lights and cameras is still in progress, with anticipated completion in late October. Students are now authorized to use the new sidewalk to walk to BELC during daylight hours. Until all lighting is complete, please use the shuttle or personal vehicles to access the BELC at night. Please take caution while using the path while landscaping and other work continue. Student parking is available on the upper levels of the parking deck. You can view the sidewalk path here: 

   Campus Construction Map

8. Can I park my car overnight at the BELC? 
   In general, no, but contact Public Safety if you have a special need.   
     
9. Can I drive a golf cart across Route 7? 
   No. Golf carts are not considered registered low-speed vehicles. However, we will work with state and local officials to explore safe options.  

Dining

1. Will there be food at the BELC?
   Yes. There will be all-you-care-to-eat dining, retail food operations, and vending in the same location.
    
2. What are the offerings at the BELC?
   The Corey E. Levine '80 Dining Commons will open on September 3. The dining commons will be open from 7:15 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
   
   Breakfast: Dining options include an "eggs prepared any way you want" station, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, muffins, waffles, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, a variety of breakfast meats, juices, and "create your own" smoothies.
   
   Lunch: Dining options include a deli, a vegetarian grill, made-to-order pizzas, paninis, a soup and salad bar, novelty ice cream, and grab-and-go a la carte options.
    
3. Is there unlimited dining at the BELC?
   Yes, those with meal plans can experience all-you-care-to-eat dining in the Corey E. Levine '80 Dining Commons.
    
4. How do meal plans work at the BELC?
   Those using a meal plan will enter from a designated location. Meal plan participants will swipe their Bryant ID and receive a hand stamp for the all-you-care-to-eat option. A hand stamp will allow re-entry into the serving area for additional items (show your hand stamp when exiting). Signs will be posted displaying traffic flow. All others will need to pay at the register each time they exit the serving area. Acceptance forms of payment for a la carte purchases include cash, credit/debit, Bulldog Bucks, and Dining Dollars.
    
5. What are the Grab and Go options at BELC?
   Pre-packaged items will be offered as Grab and Go in the refrigerated area inside the BELC. Items include salads, sandwiches, desserts, and cold and microwaveable entrees. A microwave is available inside the dining hall. Items may be purchased with cash, credit/debit, Bulldog Bucks, and Dining Dollars.  

6. What vending machines are located at the BELC?
   The BELC has the unique distinction of being the only campus location to offer "Gourmet Fresh Food Vending" in the 24-hour vending area. A variety of lunch and dinner options will be restocked daily. These vending machines will accept credit/debit only.

   Additional vending machines will offer snacks and beverages on each floor. Fresh-brewed, premium coffee will be available in the 24-hour vending area featuring Jim's Organic Coffee, which is ethically sourced, shade-grown, and small-batch roasted. These machines accept cash, Bulldog Bucks, and credit/debit cards.

Security

1. How will the doors be managed at the BELC?
   Exterior doors and other selected interior doors will feature card access controls. Other doors will be managed with locks and keys.
    
2. Are there security cameras?
   Yes. There will be dozens of security cameras inside the building and outside the building, including along the walkway on both sides of Route 7.
    
3. Will someone be at the front lobby of the BELC?
   We have a fully staffed Welcome Desk whenever the building is open by our amazing students, managed by Matt Santagata who manages the Fisher Welcome Desk.  

Spaces

1. Where can we find a map of the BELC classrooms?
   We are currently working on developing comprehensive maps to help locate spaces within BELC. Detailed maps and information on space locations will be available in the near future.
     
2. Are there conference rooms? 
   There are several conference rooms at the BELC that may be reserved in 25Live.  
     
3. What is the process for using the huddle rooms? 
   Some huddle rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Other huddle rooms may be reserved in the 25Live system.  
     
4. Are there breakout/study rooms for students? 
   Yes, there are many breakout rooms at the BELC for students to collaborate and study. Nineteen breakout/study rooms may be used on a first-come, first-serve basis. An additional 10 breakout/study rooms can be reserved here -- Reserve BELC Breakout/Study Room
     
5. Is there a space for commuters to hang out? 
   Yes, several common areas will have lounge seating. Commuters can also hang out in the dining room. 

Information Technology/Audio Visual

1. Will there be an IT/AV service desk at the BELC?
   Yes. 
    
2. What are the hours?
   8:30 am – 4:30 pm
    
3. Where is it located?
   First floor, north side 
    
4. What services will be provided?
   All services currently available on the main campus will be available at the BELC.

Cellular Reception/Wi-Fi Calling

1. How do I make a Wi-Fi call?
   You can make and receive phone calls using Wi-Fi calling when cellular coverage is poor. It is recommended that all members of the community keep Wi-Fi calling on to stay connected. This short video explains how to turn on Wi-Fi calling on your phone. https://youtu.be/ZBVg8vhtgPk  
    
2. Are there charging stations?
   There are standard power outlets throughout the building that can be used for charging cell phones.

Post Office and Copy Center

1. Will there be a copy center at the BELC?
   The Copy Center will continue operations out of the Unistructure. Copy jobs will continue to be emailed to the Copy Center, and completed jobs will be securely sent to the BELC twice a day and placed in the mail lockers. 

Other FAQs

1. What university offices will be located at the BELC?
   Certain administrative departments within the divisions of Business Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Information Services — including the IT/AV Service Desk — and University Advancement. The BELC will also be the home of the Ellen Wilson Leadership Center and the College of Business.
    
2. Are there water bottle filling stations?
   Yes. Water fountains have been retrofitted to include bottle-filling stations. 
    
3. Are there gender-neutral bathrooms at the BELC?
   Yes. There are gender-neutral bathrooms on each floor of the BELC.
    
4. What ATMs are in the BELC?
   Currently, there are no ATMs at the BELC. However, we will be exploring ATM options with various banks for the BELC. 
      
5. Will there be separate card swipes by floor?
   The central staircase will have card access by floor.
    
6. Is there a menu of the food being offered daily?
   Learn more about AVI's BELC Culinary Center

Submit a Question

Do you have any questions about the BELC? Please submit your question using our form.