Colgate University Top Questions

"Tell us about a group you’re involved with." Masque & Triangle: An umbrella group for several student performing arts groups, M&T works to fortify and promote the performing arts on campus. We have about one hundred members on campus and abroad. French Club: Now that it hosts a film series, the numbers have grown. There will be a trip to Quebec, which is a new event for us. The core group of attendees is rather small, and the meetings are pretty informal. Residential Life: I worked as an RA in a freshmen dorm, and I loved every minute of it. ResLife has a less-than-scintillating reputation because many feel that there are huge problems with the admin aspect of it, but the RAs fare better. "Do students in dorms leave their doors open?" Only when they're in. That said, the students in my dorm (Andrew Hall) kept them closed because the suites are micro-societies in their own right. "How popular are athletic events? Guest speakers? Theater?" Somewhat, fairly, and fairly. It all depends on how well the event is publicized and whether or not the rest of the student body is busy with its own group and activities. "Tell us about the dating scene." Practically nonexistent. Lamentably. "How did you meet your closest friends?" They lived in my dorm, or I met them through theater-related events. "If you’re awake at 2am on a Tuesday, what are you doing?" Chatting with friends and other such mischief. "What traditions/events happen each year?" The Greek organizations have their events, the famous Colgate-Cornell hockey game is a good one, and the SACC takeover of the cafeteria nights. "How often do people party?" Everyday but Tuesday and Wednesday for the freshmen, and the weekend (and sometimes Thursday) for everyone else. "How important are fraternities/sororities?" For me, not very. A little under half of the student body is affiliated with the Greek system, while a fair percentage of the other half holds quite the disdain for the Greek system. "What can you do on a Saturday night that doesn’t involve drinking?" Hang out with friends, go downtown and laugh at drunk kids, attend a concert at the Barge Canal Cafe, or just go to parties and don't drink. The Designated Chaperone & Driver rarely has a weekend off. "What do you do off campus?" Drive through farm country, or take an hour to drive to the Carousel Mall in Syracuse.

Most popular: frats, sororities, athletic teams. I'm involved with Men's lacrosse - best experience of my life. Athletic events need to be more popular than going to a tailgate to drink/socialize. THere's no school spirit. The dating scene is difficult because the school is so small. 2am Tuesday - studying. traditions: Spring party weekend, tailgates. graduation weekend. people party a lot, especially when it is warmer out or something is going on. Fraternaties and sororities are not important to me. Last weekend I had a game and had a social function with the team afterwards. Without drinking, you can still "party" or go to movies. Off campus: I live, sleep, party, socialize.

If you're awake at 2am on a Tuesday, you're probably doing a paper due on Wednesday at 9:20am. If you're awake at 2am on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, you've probably been drinking and you're now having 2 slices and a water for $3 at "Slices" while waiting for the Cruiser (Colgate shuttle service) to take you back to your house/dorm. As for special events, Spring Party Weekend is a biggie. At least one major musical act, a bunch of crazy outdoor frat parties, outdoor movies, fireworks, a ridiculous theme...and a 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are drinking from Thursday afternoon thru Saturday night. Then you have spring semester finals.

IM sports are huge. Colgate was ranked the second most fit campus by Men's Health and this seems to be true. people stay up late. athletic events are popular on nights when kids aren't out drinking. you will find people going out every night other than sunday and tuesday. frats have a huge impact on the social scene, for they throw the biggest and most exciting parties, whether they bring in a band or not. saturday night with out drinking, you could smoke which is a lite way of saying there is not much else to do other than go out and party.

There are actually hundreds of student groups to get involved in at Colgate. Everything from sports, to volunteering, to singing, to political activism can be found. If somehow the club you want isn't already here, it is very easy to start a new club.

Greek life is a lot more important than the admissions office makes it out to be. If you are a part of it, there are so many more social opportunities. However, those social opportunities are with a select group of people so if you're not interested in hanging out with them, you can find a lot to do beyond the greek system. Drinking is a pretty big part of life here on campus.

Popular groups: uh... ask someone else. My groups: COVE, the volunteering group. Doors: Yes, doors remain open. Athletic events: I'm not a sports-goer, don't ask me. The occasional hockey game is pretty neat. Dating scene: OK, here's the lowdown: get drunk, go to the jug, hook up. From here there are two options: 1- avoid awkward eye contact on the quad for the rest of the semester, or 2- remain in friendly contact in what is called a casual relationship. Keep in mind that this is the cliche here, and it's not entirely true. Yes, this scenario happens, but many students do find themselves in exclusive relationships. Friends; Met most of them in classes. Tuesday: Working on a physics assignment due the next day. Traditions: SPW baby! Party: On average, I say once a week. It's hard to go out both Fri and Sat. And a minority of students party on weekdays. A small minority. It's not uncommon to go a few weeks without partying. This is the truth. Frats/Sors: Yeah, they're important, I guess. Last weekend: Partied. Movie. Sat night w/ no drinking: Hang out with friends. Go sledding. Off campus: Go eat pizza. That's about it.

Most popular organizations are the ones that try to provide alcohol. Less popular ones are the groups trying to make a difference on campus and in the world.

Work out all day every day. Parties almost every weekend. You stay up light at least once a week.

hate to say it, but you're either out at the frats drinking or on the hill with the dorks playing guitar hero and going to bed at 11. Frat culture is HUGE here, people just say it's not because you can't actually rush until Sophomore year.