Hi, my child’s dream (like countless others) has been to go to Stanford. I realize the chances of admission are almost nil but I’m concerned about whether it’s even a school they should want to make a #1 choice in regards to campus life. We’ve talked to several people who have said that the campus life has been terrible this year. Apparently a draconian alcohol policy and administrative stopgaps reducing social /party events has created weekends with very little social life, with drinking going far underground in a much more dangerous way. My child is not a wild partier but does want a vibrant social scene with energy on the weekends. Does anyone know if these comments are true? Thanks in advance.
Here’s an article if it helps ?
The students are complaining that parties are being busted? Boo hoo. Get in line behind the other 673 colleges with a similar article in the campus paper.
Your child can pursue a vibrant social life at thousands of colleges. I doubt this current crackdown, if that’s what it is, will last long, and I doubt it’s going to stop anyone from applying to Stanford. And if the article attached is to be believed, it looks like they still managed to have fun…
Eurotrash eventually did take place at the end of Week 2, but the party was shut down at 11 p.m. after a student was taken to the hospital.
…So the students blew it.
Followed immediately by…
The first major all-campus party was held the third week of the quarter at Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp).
I find it hard to believe that some of the brightest kids in the nation are complaining because they can’t get as drunk as they like, as often as they like. I’m pretty sure there are 101 other ways students can have fun at the weekends too, and the bias of the author is more than obvious.
Besides, everyone knows that U Chicago is where fun goes to die, not Stanford.
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Actually I do take this seriously, and no, I have not seen similar articles in many other student newspapers. Campus administrators can have a huge effect on the social atmosphere on campus and it sounds like some have gone too far in restricting student activities. It is a valid concern when considering which college to attend. Just like the variation in covid protocols among schools, various policies towards student social life are a factor in choosing among schools.
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I am confused. I got my undergrad degree at a school known for alcohol at social events, UT Austin. Outside of football games, I don’t think I ever consumed alcohol on university property. I scanned 2 articles and I am unclear about Stanford’s reach in all of this. If they are trying to control alcohol consumption on non-Stanford property, that is draconian. If they are putting rules in place about campus property, how is that draconian?
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The student author of the piece had transferred from U Chicago. Her objections are in the op-ed.
Yes, U Chicago is apparently quite fun in reality. My friend’s kid is there and is having a blast.
But Stanford is definitely on the way down. 
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