On Aug. 21, the Princeton Review released the nation’s top 10 party schools, and Loyola wasn’t listed once again. In the last two years, Loyola has gone from an academically renowned national institution with a 1,000-student freshman class to hosting a mere 555 and 503 freshmen the last two years, respectively – most of whom are from the region. That’s bad enough. And now we’re no longer a “party school,” either.
In dire situations such as this, we have to blame something. For the lack of bodies and diversity in our freshman class, I blame Katrina. However, for our dwindling reputation as a party school, I blame Loyola.
Since I became a freshman in Fall 2004, Loyola seems to be taking sly steps to completely eliminate partying from student life. In 2005, Loyola altered the “drinking in the dormitory” policy. Loyola students used to be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages in the dorms regardless of age. Now these same students can get a ticket if they’re caught drinking. As an 18-year-old freshman, my roommate and I constantly had a fully-stocked bar. However, as 19-year-old sophomores, we cunningly kept all liquor containers in the corner of our bathroom (in case random Resident Assistants walked in just to “say hi”). What’s next? Breathalizing students before they enter their dorm rooms?
Students are also no longer allowed to host events with alcohol in the Danna Center without enduring red tape and financial expense. Recently, I participated in a group project for my public relations class. We had the brilliant idea of hosting a campaign rally in the senior commons room and providing wine and cheese to the class. Then someone crushed our dreams. We discovered that all alcohol provided in the Danna Center had to be purchased through Student Services. I think we all know the prices of Dining Services. Providing wine and cheese to an entire class at C-Store prices would instantly bankrupt the four of us.
Greek Life has been the most recent victim of Loyola’s new campaign. Last year, the university completely abolished alcohol from the traditional fraternity rush events. This year Loyola made the announcement that no Greek organizations could associate themselves with off-campus facilities. I’ve been wracking my brain to try and find something good that may come of this policy, but I can’t. Loyola has also gotten rid of having an all-Greek advisor. Last year’s experienced Greek adviser Greg Roskopf has been replaced with three separate individuals. Although I haven’t met the other two advisers, I know that the sorority Greek adviser is a woman who was never in a sorority. How can she effectively advise four well-established sororities without having been in one?
Loyola believes that minimizing partying and Greek life will help with admissions, but it is sorely mistaken. It didn’t help last year, and it won’t help this year. Yes, freshmen want to go to an academically serious institution, but they also want to have fun during the “best four years of their lives.”
Loyola should be proud of what it is – a small liberal arts Jesuit institution and a party school. Students don’t come to New Orleans to sit in their rooms and watch movies by themselves on a Friday night (at least not the students I’ve met). This city is rich with culture and merrymaking that the university should encourage student to experience.
Yes, I’m aware that there are things to do in New Orleans besides drink. In the past few months I have visited Audubon Zoo, City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the aquarium. However, much of New Orleans’ rich culture is intertwined with our favorite pastime – drinking.
We are the city of Mardi Gras, drive-through daiquiri shops and no open container law, and Loyola should be proud to call New Orleans home.
