<p>Well as long as we are going into our pasts:
I first went to U Colorado. 3.2 beer was legal and it seemed that almost everyone drank huge quantities at the bars next to campus. We used to joke that Coors had a pipeline from Golden to Boulder, Colorado. I transferred after a year and a half to SUNY Binghamton. At the time, this was a premier nerd school with lots of pre-meds and other obsessed students. Most were too depressed to drink. The U often rolled kegs of free beer into the dorms. I remember drinking free beer all Saturday afternoon with a student from Austrialia while almost everyone else was in the library or locked in their rooms studying. I don't remember much in the way of "parties" at either school. I graduated as an alcoholic and didn't stop for many years. On the other hand, I was so involved with alcohol that I didn't get very involved with drugs. I did have a couple of friends who died from drugs. </p>
<p>Flash forward to the near present. Now I will omit names because much of my info is second hand. </p>
<p>The first college we visited - a liberal, well-known LAC - had parties. Big time parties and on campus. The college donated a whole building for student use and anything goes parties. Lots of alcohol, more drugs, sex and I guess even dancing. Eventually nasty publicity due to several dozen overdoses one evening lead to the closing of the building. Tamer parties moved into the dorms.</p>
<p>My D's school is another nerd U. The RA staff is aggressive in dealing with alcohol and drug use on campus and also addresses drunken behavior for those returning from off campus parties. Many upper classmen live off campus so there are amble opportunities. Most of the parties are small. Big parties attract police investigation and landlord complaints.</p>
<p>D's friend 1 - attends a private, party U. Parties start Thursday night and continue through the weekend. Mostly alcohol and pot centered about the frats and some off campus apartments. Kid had one infraction.</p>
<p>D's friend 2 - attends a State U with a party atmosphere pretty much like friend 1. Kid had two infractions as a freshman, which takes a lot since off campus parties and returning drunks are ignored. </p>
<p>Parents of friends 1 and 2 are very liberal and not too concerned about the parties and constant drinking and pot use. #2 is joining a sorority and just had her nipples pierced. Parents don't know about this yet. I'm not telling. </p>
<p>D's friend 3 - joined a frat at a State U. Drank and partied. Flunked out at the end of freshman year.</p>
<p>D's friend 4 - stayed at home and went to community college. Gave up drinking and drugs - mostly - and has done well. No parties at community college. Next year she goes to another State U party school. We'll see.</p>
<p>From what I can tell things haven't changed all that much. There don't seem to be many afternoon tea socials or high school like sock hops. Parties seem oriented towards alcohol and drugs. Some schools also have lots of clubs and activities, but nothing that would qualify as a "party."</p>