<p>We are trying to get a read on this. We've seen different stats on the level of Greek involvement ranging from very minor to 40%. I know that the frats are not residential and maybe this causes the confusion. Also, though I know it's not necessarily a "left wing" campus like Oberlin, Vassar, McCallister, etc, just how far to the right does it swing in general?
I'd love to hear from students who are currently there if possible.
Thanks</p>
<p>Hey, I am a current first-year student at Denison. Concerning Greek life, I would have to tell you that sororities are a lot more popular than fraternities. I personally do not know anyone who is in a fraternity. The administration has been working very hard to remove Greeks from the social life. It is definitely not 40%.</p>
<p>As far as political views, I worked on the Obama campaign here last fall. From my experience campaigning, the campus is approximately 2/3 Democrat, 1/3 Republican. And, the liberals are much more organized and active on campus. There was absolutely no McCain presence on campus last fall. I think the conservative reputation is something that was true maybe ten years ago, but no today. But as you mention, it is definitely not as left wing as some other campuses.</p>
<p>hope that answers some of your questions.</p>
<p>Cn173 has captured this well, at least from a parent's pov. We found DU much more balanced than the Oberlin, Kenyon type places. Her observation of the Obama phenomenon could likely be said similarly re: virtually every campus in the country beyond maybe the USNA. But there seems to be very narrow, limited passion about politics generally. Students seem to be focused on other things ...athletics (participation, not spectating), many campus activities, studying (ours spends plenty of time in the lib). I sense that relative to many campuses, the administration is generally very mature and careful about politics, recognizing the extreme damage either extreme position can do to a campus. They're very focused on trying to make DU a place that is not only pleasant, highly residential/community based (students all must live on all 4 years). but intellectually challenging and developmental. </p>
<p>I would not agree that the admin is "working very hard to remove Greeks from social life." And I'd bet it's very close to 40 percent involved. But it's not at all centrific for the students, either men or women. There seems to be very healthy mixing with no stigma either way. But I'm not a student, just an interested observer.</p>
<p>There was a time when the frats ran the asylum, 20-30 years back. Huge, beautiful houses on campus (that are now owned and operated as residence units by the U.) where Bluto Blutarski might have matriculated. </p>
<p>It's far from perfect, but DU seems to be a very dynamic LAC I with a mature, stable administration with a very particular vision. They seem to aggressively pursue students who can and will bring something(s) to the campus community and will both contribute to and take away from a challenging intellectual exercise.</p>
<p>It has a reputation for being a somewhat "preppy" place, and there are many students who've come from a wide array of prep schools around the country. And the fact that they do strikes me as a meaningful indicator that those who spend a lot of time studying this stuff, know about DU. But we can attest from the students we've met, there is not a pervasiveness of "Muffin" and "Biff" types. Some nice vehicles in the parking lots, and some 95 Jeeps too. We do get the sense from PARENTS we've met that most are well educated, professional, working families who really seem to get the uniqueness and the dynamic nature of DU at this time in its history. Lastly, and we value this greatly ...there is a distinctly Midwestern flavor that balances much of the goofiness that doesn't get balanced in many East Coast places. It's definitely different than many of its competitors you'd find there. We see it as a great strategic advantage.</p>
<p>But that said ...Uggs seem to be popular. And whoever pushed to put the main parking facility underground should be awarded an honorary doctorate and the nobel peace prize.</p>