Welcome to Michigan State University. We hope you left any type of fun, merriment and any other enjoyable pleasures at home.
Well, that's what the Princeton Review wants you to think. According to its annual survey, MSU is not on the top 20 party school list. Last year, MSU ranked No. 12 on the list. Four Big Ten schools - Indiana University, University of Illinois, The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan - landed on the list. University of Colorado landed the top spot.
In 2002, MSU also managed to land on the "Top 25 Party Schools" list according to Playboy Magazine. The survey is hardly credible. Also in 2002, 300 Spartans were surveyed, compared to only 70 this year.
The number of students surveyed at any school changes every year. For a survey to be believable, it should at least be scientifically accurate. Princeton surveyed 106,000 students at nearly 2,000 colleges. MSU did not place in any of the 63 categories but was recognized in a list of the best 351 colleges.
The selection of students is also something to be questioned. Suppose these surveyors happened to question members of a fraternity house to find out which school has more parties.
The Review fails to show how diverse is the pool of students that has been surveyed.
Also, Spartans know how to have a good time regardless. And it doesn't necessarily have to be partying.
After class on a Friday, some anxiously look forward to their latest alcohol-soaked outing, which might be fueled by some pre-drinking. Some others might attend a bible study, a caucus meeting or decide to sleep. The idea is that there is a diverse student body that attends MSU and surveys need to represent that fact. In a school with more than 40,000 students, there are several ways to enjoy yourself. People don't need a list to tell you how much or how well you do it.
University spokesman Terry Denbow said the university is not endorsing the party list. Last year, he said this list doesn't measure the "real strengths" of an institution. Besides the party school list, the Princeton Review also rates student life, academics, admissions and other credentials. You know, the important things.
Some students actually choose a school for reasons beyond what they can do on the weekends. As a well-established school in agriculture, business and many other programs, there's no reason why this list should add or take away from MSU's status as a top-ranked academic institution. The key word here is academic.
Something else the Princeton Review does not mention is the athletic strength of these schools.
Not only should MSU be known for its outstanding sports teams, but student-athletes should be commended for balancing these two difficult loads.
Sure, there's nothing wrong with having some fun. That's part of what college is all about.
But that's not the only reason we're here.
We're here for career preparation, improving our intellect or anything in between. It doesn't make a lot of sense to shell out thousands of dollars to go clubbing every weekend. And if that is why you're here, then stay home and have your own party.
