A shorter Welcome Week, implemented this year, and more Friday classes, are administrative changes that might mean the end of some long-standing MSU traditions.

University officials said some of the changes partly represent efforts to change the university’s image and turn student focus to academics, in addition to providing more flexibility for schedules.

For many students, having Fridays off and a full Welcome Week are a part of college social life and culture, which is something the administration is changing.

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MSU’s administration is trying to drift away from a party school atmosphere and reputation, Provost Kim Wilcox said.

“You don’t want a party school persona because every year for the rest of your life — once you graduate — you’re going to be a Michigan State grad,” he said. “The people who employ you are not particularly interested in hiring somebody from a party school. … They’re interested in employing somebody who went to a rigorous university.”

Spanish and global and area studies senior Eric Kova said he focuses on academics, but some of his most memorable experiences were during Welcome Week his freshman year, and this year’s class is missing out.

“It was a blur, but at the same time, it was so much fun,” he said. “That’s part of the college life. I met some of my best friends who are still my best friends to this day Welcome Week and I feel like (freshmen are) really missing out. … That’s how I met most of my friends.”

Senior Associate Provost June Youatt said focusing on these social changes in culture takes away from positive changes in the university.

“You could pick out the two things that on a Saturday night make people feel disgruntled, or you could pull back and say this is not the place I knew about when I was a junior in high school,” she said. “It’s so much more, and, with any luck, five years from now, it will be so much more than it is now.”

Rubén Martinez, director of the MSU Julian Samora Research Institute, said despite what might seem like an administrative curtail of fun, MSU will not be negatively changed.

“Large campuses usually have some component of partying and there are traditions and so forth and there are some slight modifications being made as a result,” he said. “I don’t think those are going to be radical changes that are going to transform the campus.”

The freshman image might be changing as well, said psychology and criminal justice senior Dominic Daquano.

“I remember freshman friends that I had when I was a freshman; you would be the outcast if you drank on a Thursday instead of studying,” he said. “Now it seems more like its just the norm.”

A change has come

Wilcox said discussions to move to the standard class schedule back at the university are meant to save students’ time and money.

“The more we minimize class conflicts the cheaper it’s going to be for students because they have an easier time getting in the classes that they want when they want them, they can move through the university more quickly, more efficiently,” Wilcox said.

The standard schedule does not include classes held Mondays and Wednesdays and will encourage scheduling classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in addition to classes Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Instead of spending Thursday night in the bar, some students will spend Thursday night studying for Friday classes,” said Richard Cole, professor and chairperson of the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing.

For students who might be upset about taking more Friday classes, Wilcox said the priority should be education.

“I recognize the frustration on the part of many people,” he said. “I do believe that our students are here for an education. … We’re all looking for convenience, but that’s not the driver.”

Changes on campus can cause concern for students who might like to have a sense of familiarity, Martinez said.

“(MSU has) built up traditions over time. … It has its way of doing things and people are accustomed to them (and) when anyone tinkers with them there usually is some kind of concern,” he said.

Some aspects of the university will stay the same and continue to draw students, said Gary Hoppenstand, professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures.

“University culture, university environment … that still continues to be a strength and attraction for MSU students,” he said.

Wilcox said students can go to class on Friday and still enjoy the weekend.

“I don’t think (students are) interested in paying tuition for fun,” he said. “That’s not why we came to the university and that’s not why they’re paying their tuition.”

Finding a way

The state’s economic climate is compelling the university to make some changes, Hoppenstand said.

“Indeed things are changing, and they’re changing of course primarily because of financial reasons,” he said. “(MSU) may get bruised here and there but it remains the same.”

Students are confident they can keep having fun, despite any administrative changes.

“Students will always find a way to have fun,” Chase said. “I don’t think (the administration) can really stifle that.”

Kova said the social culture that once shaped his good memories is something all students should experience.

“I’m a good student … (but) I always made time to socialize with my friends because I feel like that’s a big part of college,” he said. “Those are the memories that are going to be most important to you when you’re done.”