<p>I am deciding between Denison and a few other schools right now. On my recruitment trip to Denison, my host admitted that DU was a party school and proceeded to take me to a party. I am not a partier at all and I would also be a athlete at DU.... so I was wondering how acceptable it is not to drink or be involved in the party scene??? is there anything else to do on the weekends? any insight would be appreciated!</p>
<p>It’s very acceptable to just pass. DD1 is a senior and has never been in the partying element. Weekends can be very quiet. DD1 goes down to the Saturday market and the town which is a short walk away (and a long walk back up hill). College is what you make of it.</p>
<p>My son is not into the Greek scene and has never been a heavy partyer. He disliked his freshman dorm somewhat because it could get noisy. Sophomore year he opted into a sub-free, quiet dorm and loves it. He says when he does want a party he can find one but usually spends his free time involved in going to concerts on campus and off in Columbus; also going to movies on and off campus and just hanging around with like minded buddies. He’s also getting more involved with playing music and comedy improv, which is big on campus also. Pretty much every campus has its share of party animals and those who are a slightly different species. Some times it takes kids a while to find their niche but I think its all there at DU.</p>
<p>D, too, has done subfree housing and is applying for it for next year too; she has a number of like minded friends (hard working and top achieving students whose main activities are NOT partying; they play video and other games, watch movies, etc.). She has been to parties, and there are plenty of them, but she puts in long hours studying. In terms of its academic demands (at least in the courses she’s taken) Denison’s definitely not a “party”!</p>
<p>My sense is that there are ample opportunities to party hardy at Denison. It is a culturally more liberal than conservative campus. There is great geographic diversity there … over 65% from outta state, and a fair number of international students. DU requires ALL students to live on ALL 4 years. It’s about 50-50 in guys and gals. What all this means relative to the question … MOST/MANY students stay on campus weekends, disproportionately so. </p>
<p>And with that background, I’d say, you bet, plenty of parties. And in decades past, when the Greeks were residential houses, there was far more extreme “animal house” type stuff. About 20 years ago this all began to change for various reasons and thru specific strategies that are documented on this forum if interested. The point is, DU is a far different and still morphing place today than then. But my sense of what I’ve observed is that these parties are times of gathering, socializing, some drinking, some not. Generally, not students sitting around reviewing a book or reading poetry, but rather relaxing from having done those intellectual things throughout the week. </p>
<p>However, I do not have any sense these are outrageous, drunken/drug orgies or even exclusive, predominant, or mandatory participation for acceptance and/or socializing or enjoying and being part of DU. Strikes me that there is great diversity in this regard. If debauchery is desired, I’m confident it can and will be found at Denison … and maybe even Grove City or Wheaton. </p>
<p>My bottomline is that while there are vastly diverse notions and opportunities to “party” at Denison, by the very definition of a community of 2300 18 -22 year old very bright, social, captive young adults … what do you or anyone on the planet think? Are there parties??? :eek: Is there breathing? Sexual attraction? Library books? Professors professing?</p>
<p>P.S. re: the question of “anything ELSE to do on weekends …” I can honestly say, I’ve never seen a small U campus with SO MANY things to do. It is, imo, spectacular, maybe even over-done in this regard. Boredom and/or monastic mute weekends would be a specific choice at DU. But even those times of careful contemplation and quietude are entirely conceivable in the vast campus and countryside of Granville. Or for that matter simply sucking on a Whit’s creation on a bench in the middle of “downtown” can be a solitary time.</p>
<p>P.S.S. One more acknowledgement of the obvious … Granville is idyllic in many ways. But as hub-central for entertaining young people full of P n V? The carpets get rolled up, just about the time many college kids are pondering pizza and … 
</p>
<p>My S had similar experience during his recuriting visit to Denison. At this point it’s main reason keeping him from picking Denison. We raised the issue with the recuriting coach and he has ben helpful.</p>
<p>Another parent perspective here. S is an active member of Greek community, gets top grades, and has LOTS of ECs in his field (too many?) – meaning that he is so busy that he has, at best, only one night available to “let loose.” Nevertheless, any indulging (whether drink or late nights) he may choose to do, he typically has to be up and out for work/study early the next morning. And he has MANY friends on sports teams who are also limited by their schedule, esp “in season.” Some of those friends do not drink at all or very little. Compared to his friends at other schools (public and private), he considers DU tame (and even sometimes lame) when it comes to party scene. So I agree with WP that, although parties are part of the campus experience, DU is definitely not a party school in the sense that drinking/parties set the agenda for a significant number of students.</p>