Preparing for the start of her first semester as Slippery Rock University president, Cheryl Norton would feel better if she had a backpack.

“I don't like purses. I hate them, but I just have to carry one,” Norton said. “If I could carry anything, I'd carry a backpack, which is what I did until I became an administrator.”

Norton carries a Coach bag she purchased on sale at the Grove City Premium Outlets over the Fourth of July holiday.

• Car keys• Cell phone and hands-free device“My hands-free device it just fits on my ear when I'm traveling. The problem is it's really easy to lose, so I just keep it with my cell phone so I don't lose it.”• Gum• Note pads• Post-it Notes• Pens• Wallet• Extra contacts• Handkerchief“This is a handkerchief that my father-in-law (the late Austin Norton) carried, so I carry it with me not only because it's nice to dab your brow line, but it reminds me of him.”4 Reading glasses4 Sunglasses4 3-by-5 cards with important phone numbers“If you only have the numbers in your phone and you lose your phone, forget your phone, or it dies, you're like 'Oh, I don't know what the number is,' so these are all the numbers I may want.”4 Makeup, lipstick and nail polish4 Checkbook and coupons4 Coin purse4 Sugar-free gum“To freshen your breath and in those boring meetings to keep you awake.”