<p>So I'm going to start school this fall and I've heard scary things. Obviously, the hippie stereotype--it caught me off gaurd, however. I wasn't aware that there were so many people who smoked pot. I've just heard bad things in general about the people there...</p>
<p>A little about me:
I never ever intend to do drugs. I'm alcohol and drug free... I want to stay that way. I see no point in drinking, especially to get drunk, nor do I see the point in harming your body to get high when there's so much more you can do for fun. I'm an academic--I strive to do well in school, and I'm majoring in Computer Science. I study and work hard. But, I'm also very liberal, poltically, and a gay male.... </p>
<p>Basically, from the looks of it, it sounds like I might not "fit in" with a bunch of people there... What do you think? Will UCSC destroy me or will I be okay with it?</p>
<p>I'm the same way, I don't intend to drink alcohol or do drugs... so I'm sure there are a lot of people that are like us in that area! </p>
<p>If you are liberal, I really think this is the school for you.... It seems that people are very accepting there and "Active" liberals.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree to the latter statement. And I feel better knowing there's at least one other person who feels the same way I do! There's hope, lol.</p>
<p>I've asked my UCSC son and daughter to respond here concerning their recent experience. IMO you'll be hassled more by the vegetarians.</p>
<p>If all the talk about food in an eating disorder seminar makes you hungry, DO NOT have a pizza delivered during the seminar.</p>
<p>UCSC certainly does have a hippie stereotype <em>well-deserved, IMO</em> and yes, the student body is fond of weed and alchohol. It is, in such respects, pretty much like every other public university, and most private universities, in the country. If you're living in the dorms, you will grow accustomed to the smell of people smoking. It's hardly omnipresent, but you will probably become accustomed to detecting it. People not paying attention to the rules about smoking cigarettes were rather more aggravating, for me. They did it constantly and were usually lacking in basic courtesy for those of us who didn't want to be, and should not have been, downwind of them when they lighted up.</p>
<p>Most of the colleges have a "substance free" dorm or appartment which you presumably requested when filling out the housing questionnaire. That will hopefully keep the smell of marijuana down, though it will probably not help any in avoiding alchohol or tobbaco. People are just about never pushy in getting you to join them, though, and if you have a portable fan, that can be of some help. I don't think, overall, you will have much of a problem. The most that will happen is that you will occasionally get annoyed at someone. In all liklihood, people burning incense and setting off the fire alarm will cause more aggravation than pot or alchohol.</p>
<p>Lol... okay, thanks for the input.</p>
<p>Ya, I requested a substance free room, I believe. It's too bad the school doesn't try to do something about the <em>ahem</em> illegal use of marijuana. Oh well.</p>
<p>UCSC, like most schools, considers it a lost cause and rightly so. So long as it's not done in front of someone who'd have to take notice of it <em>which does not include invading the privacy of every person on the floor</em> then they usually won't take action.</p>
<p>I lived with four straight edge kids- don't worry! You will encounter drugs and alcohol at any college campus. I didn't partake and still had a great time. There are people like you, trust me- with 15,000 undergrads, you have a lot of choices!</p>
<p>P.S.A:</a> The GOVERNMENT is NOT always CORRECT!</p>
<p>For a substance that has never in medical history directly killed a person, it sure does get a bad rep. </p>
<p>Point being, try to be a little more open minded, and a little less judgemental. That kind of attitude is sure not going to win you many friends. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you will need partake in order to fit in. That couldn't be further from the truth. Though considering it's Santa Cruz, pot is the least of the ...interesting... things you will experience (e.g. first rain). </p>
<p>Good luck, and remeber to have a little fun (substance free, or otherwise).</p>
<p>You will be unbelievably happy at santa cruz. Santa cruz is one of the most gay friendly campuses in the world. Virtually NO ONE cares if you're gay. I would say gay bashers don't fit in more than gay people don't fit in. Pot is not omnipresent, you can avoid it if you like. My suggestion though is to just shrug it off. Don't shrug people off based on one aspect of them. How would you feel if someone were to write you off based solely on one detail about you?</p>
<p>There are many very intelligent stoners on campus, one of the biggest stoners I know is also one of the smartest, focused, and driven.</p>