Welcome to Ferris State University’s Official Historical Geotrail of 2020! Brought to you by the Geocaching Subcommittee of the Ferris History Task Force. This trail will take you around the Ferris campus and properties as well as various locations within Big Rapids. All geocaches are created to honor the Ferris legacy and help to educate the general public in a new and exciting way.
The rock as it's painted today August 2020.
Standing in front of the The Rock Cafe is a tradition of paint and geology. Two boulders were placed when the South Commons was renamed to "The Rock Cafe." Ferris had a “Name your dining center contest” around 1992. The rocks were relocated to their current location during the major renovation in 2009. At that time was the real start of the painting tradition.
A notable accounting of the rock painting involved the annual giving team. The team painted the rock to help educate students on how Ferris' fundraising for scholarships helped them. It inspired an anonymous donor to tape an envelope to the rock with a $50 bill inside. It was addressed to "A Ferris Student."
Below are the requirements regarding the painting of the rock from the current RSO handbook:
The Rock Painting
The rock by The Rock Dining Facility has been designated for painting by RSOs. No other painting of any sort is permitted on any other University property.
1. Painting of the rock is on a first-come, first-serve basis. All organizations have equal access to the rock.
2. Clubs and organizations may not cover or “guard” the rock after painting it and thus may not prevent other organizations from painting over their work.
[Puzzle]
This geocache is not located at the listed coordinates!
Answer the question below to determine the correct cache location:
Question: Which year were the rocks moved?
2009 - N 43° 40.835' W 85° 29.041'
1992 - N 43° 40.945' W 85° 29.023'
[Parking]
Visitors/Guest Permits
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Parents, relatives and visitors who visit campus must obtain a visitor’s permit from the online guest permit portal or visit the Department of Public Safety. Permits will be issued for designated areas and times. Permits are free of charge.
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Faculty, staff and students are not considered visitors or guests of the University.
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The state motor vehicle registration certificate must be presented upon registering for a parking permit.
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Visitor parking will be allowed in residence hall lots on Friday, starting at 5 p.m., through Monday, until 2 a.m.
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Guests/visitors of campus during the summertime do not need a guest permit. Summer start up and end varies per year.
Meters are also on campus for use. They take various coins.
[Regarding Destruction of Property]
It is expected that visitors to our geocaches will conduct themselves with respect to the property they visit and will not destroy, harm, remove property or litter while geocaching. Such acts will result in monetary fines and potential for further prosecution. Players discovered in this way will also face disqualification from receiving the pathtag prize.
Download GeoTrail Tour Ticket Here.