Denison University Top Questions

Like I said before, Greek life is very big on campus. I am in a sorority, and I like it because not only have I found a group of girls that I can get along with and have things in common with, I feel like I can spend as much time or as little time with them as I want. Since none of the sororities or fraternities actually live in their houses like they do on many other college campuses, Greek life does not have to be all that you do and all that you're involved in. Many of my sisters are on sports teams or have on-campus jobs or are involved in other organizations and to me that is refreshing. It is also very good to get involved in other clubs and organizations on Denison's campus, and we have over 150. Clubs and organizations are a good way to meet people, although I feel like meeting people at Denison isn't very hard. Since students live in the dorms for four years, you pretty much get to know most of the people in your class at least. It's also easy to meet people in your classes, since they are so small and there such a high premium on participating in discussion with one another. The dating scene can be kind of tricky, since the school is so small and a lot of people know one another's business and who's hooking up with whom. Its not impossible though, and I've seen a lot of strong romantic relationships develop at Denison. Denison is kind of a party school, and I know that's what you've all been waiting for! Big nights for partying are Wednesday night, Friday and Saturday nights, and sometimes even Monday nights. Most of the partying takes place in the dorms on East quad (where a lot of the residents are over 21) or on North quad in the senior apartments. There are a few houses owned by the university where students live and throw parties, and on those nights the whole school seems to find their way down to these get-togethers. If you want to have a sober Saturday night, a lot of students go to Easton Shopping Center, which is about 25 minutes away. Easton is really popular, and its a really good place to take a date. Easton has tons of stores and restaurants, and its one of those really cute outdoor malls with twinkle lights illuminating everything. There is also a movie theater there, and a good night out is going to Easton for dinner and then seeing a movie. Denison is also right outside the towns of Newark and Heath, which are no Easton but are really convenient. There is a Target, Wal-mart, Chipotle, Michael's, Best-Buy, Olive Garden, Office Max, Giant Eagle, liquor stores, a mall with a movie theater, etc. Basically whatever you want. And if you're really feeling adventurous you can head into Columbus or visit some friends at Ohio State, only about 35 minutes away.

It's what you make of it. There is always something to do if you're interested. Between the Denison Lecture Series, the Beck Lecture Series, the academic departments, and student organizations, there are EXCELLENT guest lecturers on a weekly basis. Lots of musical and thatrical performances, too. A lot of people who complain that there is nothing to do at Denison or who complain about Granville not really being a college town don't attend these things. Go to these events and you won't be bored.

People party. I don't. There's tons of concerts, lectures, special events, and just quirky people floating around-- even without alcohol, it's almost always choosing which activity we'll do, not what we can do. As far as dating, it's really not a relationship school - there are exceptions all over the place, but most of us are thinking about grad school or are on a career track, and with the rigor of academics, it's not a top priority.

Greek life is the most popular social outlet/extracurricular activity. I am a Tridelt and I love it, but at times I feel distant from other Greek groups on campus. As far as leaving my dorm room door open, about eight people that don't technically live in my room sleep in there, (or at least hang out in there) on rotation, so my door is always unlocked. The dating scene consists of meeting drunkenly, wandering back to someone's room to hook up, and then avoiding each other the next morning in the dining hall. Obviously, this isn't how it goes with every couple, as many people are in actual relationships, but it seems that it is quite common to just find a drunk hookup. I met my closest friends through living on West Quad freshman year and through my sorority. I am always awake at 2am on Tuesdays, and it's usually because there is a slew of people crashing aorund in my room with me, watching tv, ordering pizza, going outside to smoke cigarettes, and just generally hanging out. Peope are out partying every day of the week, but I would say that I go out around 2 or 3 times a week. Greek life is very important- about 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are involved, and we pretty much rule the social sphere. Last weekend, I went to a few parties and hung out with my friends. There is almost nothing to do on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking, because there is no where to go off campus that isn't 65 years away. Easton is pretty far, and so is downtown Columbus, but I suppose if you're willing to make the journey, you might find something to do other than drinking.

Students in dorms often leave their doors open, though my floor of all girls didn't this past year. Athletic events aren't very popular... even football... Guest speakers and theater events usually get a pretty good turn out, though it depends on the speaker... People party a lot... weekends obviously, but Wednesday night is also a popular party night, because a lot of students have easy thursdays. On Saturday night, if you don't want to drink, you'll probably want to leave campus with friends, and go to Columbus, unless you just sit around in a dorm room and watch a movie or something. There isn't much to do on campus on the weekends besides party, but there are sometimes plays or concerts students can go to if they want. Frats/sororities aren't that big at Denison, and people in them almost always have friends that aren't in them.

I lived in Morrow House my freshman year, and it's an old frat house. Therefore, only 35 students lived in it, and by the end of the first month, we all knew each other. I always left my door open if I was in my room, and most other people did as well. We shared movies and lent things to each other all the time. I could leave my computer in the common room over night and not worry about it disappearing. Morrow was a dorm of trusting and trust-worthy people. I don't know that this happens every year because obviously I've only ever lived there once. I've never lived in the bigger dorms (some hold over 200 students) so I don't know the policies in them, but I would assume they aren't anywhere near as close as my Morrow dorm-mates were. We went everywhere together. It was nothing to see 15 of us eating dinner together or watching a movie together any day of the week. At 2 am on a Tuesday, I was either sleeping (not often), doing homework, or talking with friends in the common room about the deeper things in life. One night, I remember a discussion about "What it is to know." Students at Denison are friendly, they're generally on campus to learn, and they're interested in how life works and the way people think. Any day of the week, you could find a group of students who'd been drinking. I personally don't drink, but I often hung out with people who did. If you lived in the bigger dorms, I think the party scene was more prevalent. On the weekends, there were always parties, and since most people know each other, you were generally able to get into all of them. Fraternities and sororities, though very noticeable on campus, didn't really serve as anything more than a social scene. There are no inter-frat feuds or inter-sorority feuds that I know of, and I had many friends who were in several different frats/sororities. Those who are in these do no drink more often than those who are not. In fact, there are a few of them who do not drink at all. (Surprising? It was to me). Often times in Morrow, I'd hang out and watch movies on weekends or read books. I also went to parties with friends who drink and I danced and simply turned down the alcohol. Often Denison hosts speakers or bands, and they'll throw their own parties that do not provide alcohol. There are movies hosted by cinema, and many many many other events. Each week, you get an email telling you what events will be on campus, and you can plan your week around them. If you're not interested in the activities on campus, Columbus is a half hour drive, and I know a lot of students who would go there on the weekends. It all depends on what you're interested in.

Greek life is pretty big but it's not the only social life on campus. If you get involved you will be fine. The swim team is known for being the best team on campus. Both the men's and the women's teams finished top three in the nation this year. In addition, we are known for being a very close group of friends that like hanging out together. We were also voted by the student body, the best looking team on campus. The dating scene consists of Denison students dating other Denison student. I heard that 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students marry other Denison students. Party nights at Denison include Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

When I first arrived at Denison I noticed that there were a lot of parties on the weekend and people drinking a lot. But, as a non-drinker, I found that the parties were just as fun without using alcohol AND you didn't even have to go to the parties to have fun. Every weekend, and pretty much every night, there is some sort of event going on that is sponsored by Denison. Whether it is a speaker or athletic event on a weeknight, a band, a movie screening, or a play on the weekend, there is ALWAYS something to keep people occupied without having to get drunk. One thing that I would recommend to EVERY SINGLE FRESHMEN is to apply for one of the pre-orientation programs that is offered in the fall before the regular freshmen orientation. I participated in the Outdoor Orientation and met my closest friends through that program. It allowed me to get to know a group of people really well before the rest of the students get to campus. Fraternities and sororities make up an increasing population on campus, but it is still only about 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Although, as a recently joined member of a Greek organization, I have learned that Denison's sororities and fraternities are very different from other colleges because they are much more focused on the leadership and philanthropy than the partying and drinking. This does not mean they do not have fun, but when compared to other schools they are much more respectable.

Denison does a wonderful job of organizing activities and events on campus. We are constantly having comedians, concerts, movies, plays and other social activities. We have several large concerts throughout the year and several campus wide events. There are trips to chicago, washinton d.c and philadelphia, sports games and broadway shows. Depending on where you live on campus, the social scene is more prominent. In some resident halls you'll find doors open until late at night and in other dorms doors will be closed an locked. People tend to stay up late during the week doing homework. It's not unusual to be up until 2 every night or pulling all nighters even in the middle of the semester. With so much to do on campus it is easy to procrastinate.

The best times i had were in my dorm. I lived in house of 35 people and left my door open all the time. There were TONS of speakers and other activities. In one evening I saw John Ashcroft speak than went to a drag show in the same building two hours later. Some people party on Mondays, Wednesdays and that weekend but most stick to the weekend. Those who didnt party never felt left out.