<p>Ok, so whats up with Richmond and drinking. Ive heard from a friend who is going to go there next fall that its all about drinking. I wont drink, so is that going to screw me over in the social-life department? I just feel that I'm going to have a bad time if i dont.</p>
<p>As someone who has spent time on various college campuses (though less time than I would have liked at Richmond), I can tell you that the main events on the weekends do revolve around drinking. With that said, however, you will find a niche regardless of where you go to college. You will meet other students who don't drink at all. You'll also be friends with students who drink maybe once a week. I think many pre-frosh also overlook the fact that they will be friends with some kids who party hard. Even the die-hard party people need a break every so often--whether that sobriety be influenced by athletics, academics or social commitments.</p>
<p>It's college. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. You can go to parties and not drink...that does happen with some frequency. You won't have a bad time if you don't limit yourself. There is a fair amount of downtime, but you will find other students who share your interests. Though you may be in the minority, you'll be fine socially, provided you're doing what you want.</p>
<p>It isn't going to screw you over more than it will at most near any other college in the counry. What is the reason you don't drink? Religious? If so, you might want to consider one of the many schools that are affiliated with religions that frown upon drinking. What about your sex? Though not drinking is going to be a social handicap anywhere, I think it is much tougher being a guy who doesn't drink then a girl. If your objections to drinking aren't religious, you might want to consider just going with the flow but limiting your drinking to a responsible and healthy amount when you go out. Finally, you have to consider what is important to you in a social life. If you'd like to be a part of the pary scene, get invited to join the "best" sororities/frats, and run with the popular crowd, then not drinking is going to be a serious handicap.</p>
<p>Isn't that a sad commentary on the breakdown of morality in our society? My god...</p>
<p>Though there are many things which may evidence a breakdown of societal morals, I'm not sure this is one of them. The phrase, "never trust a man who doesn't drink" is an age old adage, and drinking clubs have been a part of univeristy social life since the inception of the American University system. I don't think things are any "worse" in this regard today than they were in the past. If anything, drinking and drug use has probably gone down significantly since the 1970's and 1980's.</p>
<p>My family knows two guys (one already graduated) who never drank during their four years at UR, and both were very satisfied with their time there. They were both quite academically oriented, but also had plenty of friends who didn't drink either.</p>
<p>I disagree, sure there are people that don't drink but there are very few nondrinking activities to partake in. As a current student I know of all the activities offered to nondrinkers on campus and unless you enjoy watching movies in the pier on friday night then I would say not drinking is not exactly the option you want to go with. That isn't to say that you have to get drunk everytime you drink but drinking does at least give you a few more things to do on the weekend. I did not plan on drinking when I came here either, and now I drink quite frequently out of boredom. I was personally disillusioned by the amount of drinking at this school. I honestly believed that students drank but not in the excess that I've seen since I got here or the frequency.</p>
<p>That's really a shame. Why doesn't Richmond support an atmosphere that is substance-free, such as JMU does, with their designated "substance-free" dorm? I'm sure there are other students who would appreciate this. And, it provides a way for these students to easily connect and create their own social activities.</p>
<p>I'm a bored UR student home for Spring Break so hopefully I can help you guys out on this issue. UR does offer substance free housing for freshman girls. Currently these girls are housed in the basement of Lora Robins Court. However, I would not choose to live there unless you absolutely do not want to be near the party scene AT ALL. From what I understand, the majority of girls that live down there rarely go out on weekends and the general environment and mood of the floor is very serious and academic-oriented. It is always dead silent. However, this works for some people, and is appropriate for many of the girls that live down there. If you want my advice, however, I would not reccomend living there.
*Note about the pro-substance housing- if you choose to not live in substance free, you will have extreme partiers on your hall. They will often be loud, bring boys back, and will sometimes even throw up all over the bathroom or floor of the hallway (happened to my hall last week...). Just a warning...but hey, despite how revolting that is, that's college, and will happen anywhere you go.</p>
<p>I drank maybe three times in high school and upon going to college I was very nervous about the drinking scene. However, I quickly became comfortable once I was around it so much. I would say most students at UR drink at least on occasion. "Going out" on weekends usually consists of going to parties at the on-campus apartments, fraternity lodges, or off-campus fraternity houses (they run shuttles). If you choose not to drink, however, it should not be a problem. I usually go out drinking about once a week (which is plenty for me) but I certainly know people that go out every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, one of my best friends at UR has not had a sip of alcohol since she has been there and is very satisfied with her social life- she goes to the lodges with her drunk friends and has a blast. On the nights I go out and don't feel like drinking, I never feel pressured to drink. It is not unusual for a small group of girlfriends to stay in and have a movie night. So if you aren't comfortable with drinking, don't be nervous about having a good social life at UR. It is QUITE possible- just find friends who are like you!</p>
<p>untie<em>the</em>cows, thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough reponse. It was very helpful. Is there also a substance-free men's dorm? If so, could you describe it?</p>
<p>hey untie<em>the</em>cow, can you fill me in on the richmond housing/food? is it loud? can you hear people from next door talking to their boyfriend/girlfriend in the morning? or music at night? um is the food the best ever? thanks! oh yeah, and hows the surrounding area? is it in the ghetto...? thanks</p>
<p>haha...u of r is next to a $30000 a year country club where the Richmond aristocracy hangs out.</p>
<p>Yes...there still really is a Richmond aristocracy...</p>
<p>I don't believe there are any substance free housing options for men.</p>
<p>alright mojo, you have several issues you want me to cover...
food- as of now it's pretty terrible, but the dining hall is undergoing a huge renovation that should (hopefully) be finished by the time we start school next fall so the food should be much better- they're getting a lot more options</p>
<p>volume- the walls here are paper-thin, so if you have rude neighbors who play loud music, it will be a problem. it's also easy to hear conversations next door if the people in the room are talking at a normal volume</p>
<p>surrounding area- the last kid who posted is right, we're located next to a big country club/golf course. the school is located in a nice, modest neighborhood- not the least bit ghetto</p>
<p>u-t-c,
I'm surprised that UR is behind the curve in the food dept. Most other schools I've toured boast of their sushi bars, ethnic foods, healthy choices, etc.<br>
And I thought substance free dorms were pretty common too. Putting the 'good' girls in the basement - whats up with that? Sounds like the administration is condoning the party atmosphere.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure what's up with putting the "good" girls in the basement. I guess if they lived on one of the middle floors they would have to deal with drunk people going up and down the stairs and stuff. I'm living in the substance free section of a dorm next year...not because I wanted it that way, but because it was the largest triple available.</p>
<p>Next year the food should be better...we'll see!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Currently these girls are housed in the basement of Lora Robins Court. However, I would not choose to live there unless you absolutely do not want to be near the party scene AT ALL. From what I understand, the majority of girls that live down there rarely go out on weekends and the general environment and mood of the floor is very serious and academic-oriented. It is always dead silent.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I actually went to stay at Lora Robins Basement during a three-day overnight and it was pretty lively. There wasn't any drinking, but the girls had managed to become pretty close and seemed very happy. They also seemed to have lives, friends, and go to parties (though not while I was there, because I stayed during a Monday and Tuesday night.)</p>