Bucknell University Top Questions

Fraternities and sororities are the most visible social group on campus, and much of the on-campus social life revolves around fraternity-sponsored events. Drinking is also quite common. You can come to Bucknell determined not to drink, but you'll probably change your mind in a few months when you become convinced there's not much else to do. That's not true -- there's definitely other things to do -- but the rest of the student body will try very hard to convince you otherwise. Having said that, there's a number of other clubs on campus that cater to nearly every interest, from debating to Dungeons & Dragons, from fantasy fiction to flag football. I'd encourage anyone to join at least one club, because it makes it a lot easier to find people to hang out with. There's even an active intramural sporting program that offers tournaments in games ranging from soccer and volleyball to Ultimate Frisbee to squash and dodgeball.

People form their group of friends during their freshman year. Most of my friends I met on my freshman hall, but I also have friends that I met through some of my clubs and through other friends. If I'm up late at night on a weekday, I'm probably either doing homework or talking to friends. This past weekend, there was a showcase for the Latino Dance Corner, where they had student and professional Latin dance performances. Following that I went to a date party with my sorority. I never pictured myself as a "sorority" girl, but it's really just a great support system and a good way to make new friends. Some non-alcoholic events that people can do on the weekends is going to see performers such as comedians or magicians or playing Bingo (which is actually fun because you can win lots of great prizes) or seeing a live music performance at 7th St. Cafe. They also have Uptown, Bucknell's nightclub, which has local and sometimes big bands perform there too occassionally. Houseparty is probably Bucknell's biggest and most exciting weekend at Bucknell. It usually takes place in the beginning of April and consists of an entire weekend of partying, with every fraternity open to all students. You can even see the academic deans and professors cooking hot dogs and burgers on the street.

People party alot at Bucknell and fraternities/sororities are very important. A campous group called ACE provides alot of alcohol free events on weekends including comedians, concerts, trips to various cities, carnivals etc. Basketball is the most popular sport here, and theater isn't very popular with students. Not many students leave their doors open, though some do during the first few weeks of school and on freshman halls. Dorms (at least upper class ones) are generally pretty quiet on the weekends as most people are respectful of their neighbors and aren't in their rooms on weekend nights anyway. The dating scene pretty much doesn't exist - people just hook up (alot). I met my closest friends through a friend on my freshman hall and at work.

There seem to always be special events with lectures, performances, etc. Weekends can be what you make of them, mellow and without alcohol, or involve parties. Lots of people complain there is nothing to do here, but that's just if you're looking for parties or if you fail to recognize that Bucknell is in a rural setting.

For the past three years, basketball has been pretty big. We're starting to suck again, though. Dating? Ha. More like "hooking up" and then "finding out that you REALLY like hooking up" and THEN "dating". I met my closest friends as freshmen...we'd watch movies together or do something fun (cook dinner, go out to a restaurant) when everyone else was out getting drunk. The most popular yearly traditions are probably Homecoming, the Fall and Spring concerts, House Party Weekend (2 nights of unabashed debauchery -- all the frats are open for anyone to get in and Public Safety almost turns a blind eye to obvious drunknness), and Chrysalis (formal ball/dance at the end of the year). Bucknellians, as I've said, party pretty hard. Nothing else to do, really, unless you've got a shitton of work.

Social life revolves around the Greek system. The majority of upperclass students are part of a Greek organization (freshmen aren't allowed to rush). Of course, there are people who aren't in the Greek system but still make their way into parties. Being Greek just makes it a lot easier. And Bucknellians are big drinkers because there is nothing else to do here. Weekends start on Wednesday nights. The big bar around here is the Bull Run Inn.

I am highly involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, one of the larger religious groups on campus. It seems to represent the campus fairly well, though we are lacking in Greek Lifers and minorities, in general. When I go to hang out on weekends, it's always with this group that I end up chilling with. Watching random movies, going downtown on Monday nights for wings at the Bull Run Inn, playing snow football...if I had peeps, they would be found in IV. I am not a partier and don't drink, so I honestly can't answer those questions.

Social life: wow. Drinking, dancing. Weekends. But as I said earlier, there are tooooonnnnsss of groups/ activities out there-people just need to participate! I leave my door open, most do not these days. Athletics: poorly attended unless its a big basketball game; no one goes to football. I hang out with all my friends from my freshman hall...they are awesome. 2am? on a tues? that would never happen. Houseparty, homecoming, crysylis, spring concert. People party all the time, but mostly wed, fri, sat night. 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of campus are in the greek system. I was in annapolis last weekend, but all my other weekends are booked here: 100 nights (party for seniors), friends b-day, concert, general partying, bar, houseparty. For more information, see 1st essay.

students often leave their doors unlocked athletic events...so so. i never really go to them. guest speakers and theatre and shows are pretty cool. we have some awesome people come! i wouldn't know about the dating scene - my fiance lives in florida. people seem to party quite a bit... last weekend...i usually catch up on homework and hang out with friends. i don't really do anything off campus but shop.

The most popular organizations are the Greek organizations. My favorite group is Activities & Campus Events (ACE) which does the programming for most of the major events on campus which take place on weekends. Athletic events are not very popular unless they are men's basketball games. We have a Student Lectureship Committee which brings a major lecture to campus in the fall and in the spring (this spring is the MythBusters). There is not much dating on campus, but more of a "hook up" culture. I met my closest friends from my freshman hall and through my sorority. Every year we have Chrysalis, which is a semiformal gala with a major band (i.e. The Beach Boys, The Village People) and students and alumni attend to dance, eat and drink. People party every night of the week, but the biggest nights are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Off campus there isn't too much to do - there is a mall 15 minutes away and a small downtown with some shops, but most of the activity is on campus.